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Water Cycle Concept Test

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 44mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How does the Sun help move water from the ocean through the water cycle?

a)

by causing surface water to evaporate

b)

by adding particles to the water

c)

by increasing the amount of water

d)

by blowing water toward land

2.

Camilla put water in two flat, uncovered pans. She placed one pan in a sunny spot and put the other pan in a shady spot. She left the pans for 12 hours, then returned and measured the water in both pans. What MOST likely happened to the water in the pans?

a)

More water evaporated from the pan exposed to sunshine.

b)

More water evaporated from the pan left in the shade.

c)

The same amount of water evaporated from both pans.

d)

No water evaporated from either pan.

3.

Which effect do rapidly cooling temperatures have on the water cycle?

a)

Water droplets evaporate into vapor.

b)

Water vapor condenses into droplets.

c)

Condensation evaporates into precipitation.

d)

Precipitation condenses into water droplets.

4.

In the morning, students observed puddles of water all over the playground. What would BEST explain why the playground was dry in the afternoon?

a)

Animals drank the water.

b)

The wind stopped blowing.

c)

Someone dried the puddles.

d)

The water evaporated during the day.

5.

A glass of cold water is set on a desktop. Later that day, beads of water had formed on the outside of the glass. The MOST likely explanation for the beads of water is that

a)

some water dripped over the side.

b)

the water soaked through the glass.

c)

water vapor condensed on the sides.

d)

someone sprayed the glass with water.

6.

What part of the water cycle takes place when water from clouds falls back to Earth?

a)

transpiration

b)

evaporation

c)

condensation

d)

precipitation

7.

Which is an example of condensation?

a)

water boiling in a pot

b)

water being absorbed by plants

c)

salt being removed from water

d)

moisture on mirror after a hot shower

8.

In the water cycle, where does water go after reaching the ocean?

a)

The water flows into a river.

b)

The water falls from the clouds.

c)

The water sinks to the ocean floor.

d)

The water changes into water vapor.

9.

The diagram shows the water cycle. What causes the water to evaporate and change to water vapor?

a)

condensing

b)

cooling

c)

heating

d)

rising

10.

The process of water changing from its liquid state to a gas in the water cycle is known as

a)

precipitation

b)

evaporation

c)

condensation

d)

translation

11.

When water vapor rises and cools, the liquid water in the air comes together forming

a)

wind

b)

clouds

c)

lightning

d)

tornadoes

12.

In which season will transpiration occur at the slowest rate?

a)

fall

b)

winter

c)

spring

d)

summer

13.

On a hot summer day in North Carolina, Lindsay swims in an outdoor pool for several hours. Once she leaves the pool, her skin immediately begins to dry. Which best explains why her skin dries so quickly?

a)

condensation

b)

transpiration

c)

precipitation

d)

evaporation

14.

Which happens to water vapor when the sun’s heat is taken away?

a)

The water vapor turns into a liquid.

b)

The water vapor turns into a gas.

c)

The water vapor turns into runoff.

d)

The water vapor turns into a solid.

15.

Which is the opposite of condensation?

a)

runoff

b)

evaporation

c)

precipitation

d)

transpiration

16.

Which most accurately explains the way clouds form?

a)

Warm water vapor hits warm air, changing the gas into a liquid, and forming a cloud

b)

Warm water vapor hits cold air, changing the gas into a liquid, and forming a cloud

c)

Warm water vapor hits warm air, changing the gas into a solid, and forming a cloud

d)

Warm water vapor hits cold air, changing the gas into a solid, and forming a cloud

17.

Which parts of the water cycle change liquid into vapor?

a)

condensation and transpiration

b)

evaporation and condensation

c)

evaporation and transpiration

d)

transpiration and runoff

18.

Which process of the water cycle would be most affected by a lack (not a lot) of sunlight?

a)

condensation

b)

precipitation

c)

evaporation

d)

runoff

19.

Which term best describes how plants release water in the form of water vapor?

a)

evaporation

b)

precipitation

c)

transpiration

d)

condensation

20.

Which describes the processes involved in causing rain?

a)

Warm air moves in below cool air, pushing the cool air up, which causes clouds to form and rain to fall.

b)

Cool air moves in above warm air, pushing the warm air down, which causes clouds to form and rain to fall

c)

As warm air rises, it cools, causing water to condense on dust particles and form clouds. The water eventually falls as rain.

d)

As cool air rises, it warms, causing water to condense and form clouds. The water molecules eventually fall as rain.

21.

Why is the sun’s energy necessary for the water cycle?

a)

It is the heat source that turns water into vapor

b)

It is the light source that turns water into vapor.

c)

It is the heat source that turns vapor into water droplets.

d)

It is the light source that turns vapor into water droplets.

22.

Which causes water to soak the ground?

a)

high levels of condensation

b)

high levels of transpiration

c)

high levels of precipitation

d)

high levels of evaporation