Fresh Water & Oceans
Which of the following is an example of freshwater?
A. Ocean
B. River
C. Swamp
D. Gulf
B. River
Which step changes liquid water into a gas?
A. Precipitation
B. Evaporation
C. Condensation
D. Runoff
B. Evaporation
What does a barometer measure?
A. Temperature
B. Wind speed
C. Air pressure
D. Humidity
C. Air pressure
Which type of precipitation falls as frozen crystals when the air is below freezing?
A. Rain
B. Snow
C. Sleet
D. Hail
B. Snow
Which cloud type is thin and wispy and found high in the sky?
A. Stratus
B. Cirrus
C. Cumulus
D. Cumulonimbus
B. Cirrus
What happens to most rainwater that falls on land?
A. It becomes part of groundwater or runoff
B. It stays on the surface forever
C. It immediately evaporates into the air
D. It turns into salt water
A. It becomes part of groundwater or runoff
Which step in the water cycle creates clouds?
A. Evaporation
B. Condensation
C. Precipitation
D. Collection
B. Condensation
Which of the following can be expected when air pressure is high?
A. Stormy weather
B. Clear skies
C. Heavy rain
D. Hurricanes
B. Clear skies
Which type of precipitation falls as liquid water droplets?
A. Snow
B. Rain
C. Hail
D. Sleet
B. Rain
Which cloud type looks like fluffy cotton balls and usually means fair weather?
A. Stratus
B. Cirrus
C. Cumulus
D. Altostratus
C. Cumulus
Which of the following contains the largest supply of freshwater on Earth?
A. Rivers
B. Lakes
C. Glaciers and ice caps
D. Groundwater
C. Glaciers and ice caps
After a rainstorm, puddles slowly disappear on a sunny day. Which process is this?
A. Collection
B. Precipitation
C. Evaporation
D. Condensation
C. Evaporation
Which statement about humidity is true?
A. Humidity is the temperature of the air
B. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air
C. Humidity is the speed of the wind
D. Humidity is the measure of air pressure
B. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air
Which type of precipitation forms when raindrops freeze into ice pellets before hitting the ground?
A. Rain
B. Snow
C. Sleet
D. Hail
C. Sleet
Which cloud type is low, gray, and can cover the whole sky like a blanket?
A. Stratus
B. Cirrus
C. Cumulonimbus
D. Altocumulus
A. Stratus
Why are oceans important to the water cycle?
A. They store salt needed for clouds
B. They provide most evaporation into the atmosphere
C. They block rainfall from reaching land
D. They absorb sunlight and prevent evaporation
B. They provide most evaporation into the atmosphere
Which example best shows collection in the water cycle?
A. Water gathering in a lake
B. Snow falling on a mountain
C. Clouds forming in the sky
D. Water vapor rising into the air
A. Water gathering in a lake
If a meteorologist reports that the air pressure is dropping quickly, what weather is most likely coming?
A. Sunny and dry
B. Cloudy with storms
C. Cold but clear
D. Calm winds and fair skies
B. Cloudy with storms
Which type of precipitation forms inside strong thunderstorms with powerful updrafts?
A. Snow
B. Rain
C. Sleet
D. Hail
D. Hail
Which cloud type often brings thunderstorms?
A. Cumulus
B. Stratus
C. Cirrus
D. Cumulonimbus
D. Cumulonimbus
Which of these is a possible pathway for groundwater?
A. It evaporates directly into the sky
B. It runs into rivers and eventually into oceans
C. It changes into salt water underground
D. It turns into solid rock
B. It runs into rivers and eventually into oceans
Which of these is the correct order for water moving from the ocean to land and back again?
A. Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Runoff
B. Condensation → Precipitation → Evaporation → Runoff
C. Precipitation → Evaporation → Condensation → Runoff
D. Evaporation → Runoff → Precipitation → Condensation
A. Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Runoff
When warm air rises and cold air sinks, what happens in the atmosphere?
A. Air stays still
B. Convection currents form
C. Clouds disappear
D. Evaporation stops
B. Convection currents form
Which condition must be present for precipitation to begin?
A. Water vapor condenses onto dust particles
B. Air pressure increases
C. The Sun shines brightly
D. The ocean currents stop moving
A. Water vapor condenses onto dust particles
Which order shows cloud types from lowest to highest?
A. Cirrus → Altocumulus → Stratus
B. Cirrus → Stratus → Altocumulus
C. Stratus → Altocumulus → Cirrus
D. Stratus → Cirrus → Altocumulus
C. Stratus → Altocumulus → Cirrus