Why are oceans such an important part of the water cycle?

Water runs down creeks and rivers until it flows into the ocean. At what stage in the water cycle does the water return to creeks and rivers?

Which of the following must happen to water in order for it to evaporate off the surface of lakes and oceans during the water cycle?

A group of students used two plastic bags to model the water cycle. The students placed 100 milliliters of water into each bag and sealed the bags tightly. Then the students placed one bag in a dark closet and the other bag on a windowsill, in a sunny room. After a few hours the students checked the plastic bags. What did the students most likely see when they checked the plastic bags?

One morning, Ryan noticed there were tiny drops of water on the grass as he walked to school. That afternoon, he did not see any drops of water on the grass when he returned home. Which of the following best explains what happened to the drops of water?

Students created models of the water cycle using empty plastic bottles. Water was placed in the bottom of each bottle and the top was sealed with a plastic cap. The bottles were then placed in a sunny window in the classroom. What would best represent the precipitation step of the water cycle in this model?

Which sequence below shows how water leaves the ocean and returns to land as it moves through the water cycle?

Which step in the water cycle returns water directly to the oceans?

Which stage in the water cycle is represented by the arrow showing water vapor rising from the sea?

Where is most of Earth's water found?

Rain, sleet, snow, and hail are all examples of what?

Sovann drew this model of the water cycle. Phase A in Sovann’s water cycle occurs over the ocean.

Which part of the water cycle is Phase A?

Nick is making a list of ways water enters the ocean as part of the water cycle.

Which should NOT be on his list?

Amelia has observed water run off into the ocean in many places and for many years.

The level of the water in the ocean does not seem to have changed. Why?

In September of 2001, Tropical Storm Gabrielle dropped 11 inches of rain over parts of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is true about all of the water from

that storm?

In September of 2001, Tropical Storm Gabrielle dropped 11 inches of rain over parts of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is true about all of the water from

that storm?

Jun is making a model to show how water evaporates from the ocean.

Which items are the best choices for him to use in his model?

Connor saw on a science show that 90% of the evaporated water that goes into the water cycle comes from one source. What is the source?

During a trip to Alaska, Emily saw glaciers and learned that about two thirds of Earth’s fresh water is in ice caps and glaciers. If all types of water are considered, in which form is most of Earth’s water?

Connor wants to grow up to be a weatherman on television. He is trying to learn all that he can about what causes different types of weather.

One night he saw on a science show that 90% of the evaporated water that goes into the water cycle comes from one source.

What is the largest source of water for the water cycle?

Amelia lives with her family near the beach. In the summertime she often likes to go play in the rain and run around in the sand. She has observed water runoff into the ocean in many places and for many years.

The level of the water in the ocean does not seem to have changed. Why?

Lake Oroville in California looked like the first picture when Victoria first flew over it in 2011. The darker area is water flowing under a bridge. It looked like the second picture just three years later in 2014.

What change in the water cycle could best account for the differences in the level of water in the lake?

Meredith is looking at a drawing of one of the steps in the water cycle. Which of the following steps describes step D?

Look at the diagram of the water cycle. Which process is happening at location 4 in the diagram?

Which answer best explains where the water that falls from clouds on the farms in Kansas comes from?

Which of these claims best describes the oceans' role in the water cycle?

What is the difference between sleet and hail?

What are forms of precipitation?

Which answer choice correctly lists environments from most dry to least dry?

Which answer choice lists the weather conditions that would most likely result in a warm, sunny day?

Which of the following best describes what clouds are made of?

Which answer best explains why clouds usually form high in the sky?

In the rainforest, it rains almost daily, but it does not in the desert. What is one factor that makes this possible?

This is a weather map showing high and low pressure systems. The lines show air pressure masses. Which additional information would help complete a description of current weather conditions?

Which conditions are most likely to produce hail?

One evening Linda looks out her window and watches falling precipitation. The temperature is 83°F, and the wind speed is 3 miles per hour to the east. What type of precipitation does Linda most likely see?

What causes snow to remain on the highest mountain even throughout the summer?

Which best describes the tropical zone?

What kind day should you expect with high pressure, low humidity, and a few cumulus clouds?

What climate zone is usually sunny with summer rainstorms, is warm and humid, and does not have any snow?

The polar climate is

How does an area near the polar zone with warm ocean currents differ from another area in the same region but is not near warm ocean waters?

During the summer in Florida, some days the breeze hot and humid; while on other days the breeze is hot and dry. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the differences in the breezes?

Which environment can be described as having high average rainfall and high average temperatures?

Victor and Karen looked out the window. Victor said it was snowing outside. Karen said she thought it was sleet.

What is the best way Victor and Karen can determine who

is correct?

When Lucy got out of school, it was raining. As she was walking home, the rain

turned to sleet. What is the most likely reason for the change?

Savannah is making a poster showing precipitation in solid form. Which will she NOT show on the poster?

When Andy talked to his cousin in Ohio, she said it was raining. It was snowing at

Andy’s house in Pennsylvania. What is the main difference in the weather in the two

locations?

When Sally walked outside, she thought that it was probably going to snow soon.

Whatconditions made her think that?

Quinn looked out the window and saw these clouds very high in the sky. Which is the

best prediction about precipitation he can make?

It has been hot all day, but storm clouds are now forming in the sky.

What type of precipitation is most likely to occur?

It has been hot all day, but storm clouds are now forming in the sky.

What type of precipitation is most likely to occur?

Loveleen sees snowflakes through her hand lens. Which is the best description of what Loveleen is seeing?

The clouds over Irina’s house look like this. It is raining. It is raining at Drew’s house too, but the clouds form a gray sheet. What is the most likely difference in the rain?

A layer of very cold air is close to the ground. Rain will have to pass through this layer as it falls. Which type of precipitation is most likely to reach the ground?

When Brian went on his run in the late afternoon, weather conditions were cool and humid. The temperature was expected to drop below freezing that night. Which is most

likely to occur?

Maxy drew these pictures of clouds. Then she labeled her pictures. Which type of cloud is most likely to produce hail?

A meteorologist cut a hail stone in half. She saw a series of rings.

What do the rings show?

When Nakai came into the house his jacket was wet. Laila asked whether it was raining outside. Nakai said it was drizzling. What is drizzle?

Roland wants to be a professional photographer when he is older. He took this photo of rain that froze as it fell. What did he photograph?

Which is the name for an environment that gets more than 100 inches of rain a year?

Swamps and marshes are considered

How would you describe precipitation in a rainforest?

Why do temperatures in mountainous areas tend to be lower than those in lower areas nearby?

Although each place on Earth has its own climate, they can be grouped based on certain overall characteristics. What are key factors that scientist use to determine the climate of a particular place?

What can you conclude about what kinds of plants can grow in this climate?

Where in a tropical climate are you most likely to find cooler weather and possibly even snow?

According to the data on the graph, in what climate zone is Miami located?

The climate zone that is located just above and below the equator is called the

Coastal zones are located near

Bodies of water can affect climate. Which of these would have the greatest effect on the climate of the land near by?

The polar climate zones are located by

The average weather conditions over a long period of time is called

The following environments are all in the temperate zone. Which place would you expect to be the most hot and humid?

Based on the map - which places shown are likely to have a temperate climate?