The water cycle (full)

How water moves between the oceans, atmosphere, and land in a continuous cycle

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1
Put these water cycle stages in order, starting from the ocean. Put these in order: Precipitation, Condensation, Evaporation, Surface runoff
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2
Complete the sentence. When water vapour cools and turns into tiny droplets that form clouds, it is called ___.
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3
What is precipitation? A) Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail B) Water turning into a gas C) Water soaking into the ground D) Water flowing across the surface
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4
What is evaporation? A) Water turning into water vapour because of heat B) Rain falling from clouds C) Ice freezing D) A river flooding
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5
True or false? Transpiration is when plants release water vapour from their leaves. A) True B) False
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6
Match each process to its description. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Evaporation, Infiltration, Surface runoff, Groundwater Right: Liquid water turning into water vapour, Water soaking into the soil, Water flowing over the ground, Water stored below ground
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7
Which of these is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle? A) The Sun B) The wind C) The Moon D) Plants
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8
Complete the sentence. Water that flows across the ground after rain is called surface ___.
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9
Why might surface runoff be greater in a city than in a forest? A) Concrete and tarmac stop water soaking in, so it runs across the surface B) Cities get more rain than forests C) Trees in forests evaporate more water D) Cities have more rivers
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10
Put these stages in order: starting with water in the soil, ending with water back in a cloud. Put these in order: Water leaves leaves as vapour (transpiration), Vapour rises and cools, Plants absorb water through roots, Vapour condenses into cloud droplets
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Answer key

The water cycle (full) · for parents and teachers

1
Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Surface runoff
The water cycle: evaporation (water rises from oceans), condensation (vapour forms clouds), precipitation (rain falls), then surface runoff carries water back to the sea.
2
condensation
Condensation happens when water vapour cools and changes into liquid droplets. These droplets join together to form clouds.
3
Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail
Precipitation is any form of water falling from clouds, including rain, snow, sleet and hail. It happens when droplets become too large and heavy to stay in the cloud.
4
Water turning into water vapour because of heat
Evaporation is liquid water becoming water vapour.
5
True
Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water vapour through tiny holes in their leaves. It is an important part of the water cycle in forested areas.
6
Evaporation → Liquid water turning into water vapour; Infiltration → Water soaking into the soil; Surface runoff → Water flowing over the ground; Groundwater → Water stored below ground
Evaporation sends water into the air. Infiltration takes it into the ground where it becomes groundwater. Runoff is water moving across the surface back to rivers.
7
The Sun
The Sun provides the energy that drives the water cycle. Heat from the Sun causes evaporation from oceans, lakes and rivers, starting the whole process.
8
runoff
Surface runoff is rainwater that does not soak into the ground but flows over the surface, eventually reaching streams, rivers and the sea.
9
Concrete and tarmac stop water soaking in, so it runs across the surface
In cities, hard surfaces like concrete and tarmac prevent infiltration. Water runs off quickly into drains, which is why cities can be more at risk of flash floods.
10
Plants absorb water through roots, Water leaves leaves as vapour (transpiration), Vapour rises and cools, Vapour condenses into cloud droplets
Plants take water from the soil through their roots, release it through their leaves (transpiration), and that water vapour rises, cools and condenses into clouds.