Water covers most of Earth’s surface, but it’s also constantly moving—even when we don’t see it. This ongoing movement is called the **water cycle**, and it plays a major role in keeping life on Earth alive and balanced.
The cycle begins when energy from the sun heats up bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers. This causes **evaporation**, where water turns into vapor and rises into the air. Plants also release water vapor through a process called **transpiration**. Together, these processes add moisture to the atmosphere.
As the water vapor rises and cools, it turns back into liquid droplets, forming **clouds** in a process called **condensation**. When the droplets become heavy enough, they fall back to Earth as **precipitation**—rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This water lands in oceans, rivers, soil, or even underground.
Some of the water soaks into the ground and becomes part of **groundwater**. Some flows over land in streams and rivers and eventually returns to the ocean. Then, the cycle starts again. This constant movement helps clean the water, spread nutrients, and support plants, animals, and humans alike.
Even though the total amount of water on Earth stays the same, the water cycle keeps it moving and changing form. Understanding this system helps scientists protect clean water sources, prepare for droughts and floods, and study weather and climate patterns.
So the next time you see a raindrop or a cloud, remember: it’s part of a journey that has been repeating for millions of years.
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
Q2: Which of the following best describes **evaporation**?
Q3: Why is the water cycle described as a 'recycling system'?
Q4: What happens to water during **condensation**?
Q5: Why is understanding the water cycle important?
Printable Comprehension Practice
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Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage explains the different steps in the water cycle and how they work together to support life and the environment.
Q2: Which of the following best describes **evaporation**?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Evaporation is described as the process in which the sun’s heat causes water to change into vapor.
Q3: Why is the water cycle described as a 'recycling system'?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage states that the total amount of water stays the same but keeps moving through different stages, just like recycling.
Q4: What happens to water during **condensation**?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Condensation is described as the stage where water vapor cools and turns into droplets, forming clouds.
Q5: Why is understanding the water cycle important?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage highlights how understanding the water cycle helps with protecting water sources and predicting environmental changes.