The Water Cycle: Nature’s Recycling System
Lexile: 950 | Grade: 6
Passage
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.
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Questions
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
- A. Water only exists in oceans and lakes.
- B. The water cycle moves water through different stages and supports life on Earth.
- C. Clouds form only during storms.
- D. Rainfall and snowfall are unpredictable.
Q2: Which of the following best describes **evaporation**?
- A. When water vapor becomes liquid
- B. When rain falls from clouds
- C. When the sun heats water and turns it into vapor
- D. When groundwater flows into rivers
Q3: Why is the water cycle described as a 'recycling system'?
- A. It helps scientists clean dirty water in a lab
- B. It turns oceans into rivers
- C. It moves the same water around Earth in different forms
- D. It replaces water that has been used up
Q4: What happens to water during **condensation**?
- A. It turns into ice
- B. It moves into underground storage
- C. It changes from vapor to liquid and forms clouds
- D. It is released from plant leaves
Q5: Why is understanding the water cycle important?
- A. It helps us know when to build roads.
- B. It allows us to clean rivers faster.
- C. It helps scientists manage water, predict weather, and prepare for natural events.
- D. It teaches us how to collect snow and ice.
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Answers & Reasoning
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.
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