Name______________________________________

Water Cycle Unit Test

Matching

Directions: Identify the vocab word that best fits with each definition. Write the letter that goes with the
vocab word in the blank next to the definition it matches in the answer column. There are more vocab
words listed than there are definitions so there will be one vocab word that you will not use. (1 point
each)

Answers Definitions Vocab Words

Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in A. Water Table
rock.

The part of the Earth that consists of all living things, pants, and B. Hydrosphere
animals.

The downward movement of water into the soil layer due to C. Water Cycle
gravity.

The water that exists on Earth in various places, including the: D. Geosphere
atmosphere, oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, snowfields, and
groundwater.
The highest underground level at which the rocks and soil in a E. Ground Water
particular area are completely wet with water

The model that describes the constant movement of water F. Reservoir

through our Earth and each sphere.

The process of water evaporating out of plants. G. Atmosphere

The solid, non-living portion of the Earth (composed of rocks, H. Infiltration

minerals, and elements),

The part of the Earth that contains all of the gases on the planet. I. Biosphere

J. Transpiration

Fill-in-the-Blank

Directions: Fill in the blank with the word that completes the sentence to it’s true meaning.

1. ____________________ and ___________________ help the water cycle to stay continuous and to keep
moving.
Multiple Choice

Directions: Please circle the correct answer to each multiple-choice question and write the letter in the
blank to the left of the question in the blank provided. (1 point each)

______ 1. Which process is described as the change in state of matter from vapor to liquid that occurs with
cooling?

a. condensation
b. precipitation
c. infiltration
d. evaporation

______ 2. Examine the situation and determine what process is happening: Sally is playing outside and
notices a small puddle. She goes out the next day to play and the puddle is gone. What process
happened to make the puddle disappear?

a. condensation
b. precipitation
c. transpiration
d. evaporation

______ 3. Chemical lawn fertilizer sprayed on a lawn is found in underground drinking water. Which
process allowed the fertilizer to get into the groundwater?

a. evaporation and condensation

b. precipitation and evaporation
c. precipitation and infiltration
d. transpiration and condensation

______ 4. There are some smaller streams and rivers that flow into larger river to make up a water system.
What are these smaller streams and rivers called?

a. reservoirs
b. tributaries
c. watershed
d. divide

______ 5. The land that supplies water to a river system is called:

a. divide
b. tributaries
c. water shed
d. divide
Short Answer

Directions: Read each question and then answer the question with complete sentences. A short answer
is normally about 3 complete sentences.

1. Two friends, Fetty and Wap, are discussing a lab they did in science class yesterday. Fetty says, “I
observed that the water was able to flow through the gravel faster than the sand. Therefore, we
can say that the gravel is more permeable than the sand.” But Wap disagrees and says, “Yes the
water flowed through faster but that means that the gravel is more porous than the sand.”

Which student is correctly using the voacb words? Support your reasoning (2 points).

2. Which two processes in the water cycle are most similar? How are they similar? Also, what makes
them different? (5 points)
Extended Response

Directions: Read the question and answer with as much description and detail as possible. Make sure
you use vocab words and explain everything you can.

How might water from an ocean end up in a plant on land? Name at least 3 processes that it would have
to go through. Explain each process and exactly what happens. Give me the science behind it so I know
you know how the water cycle works. (12 points)