The Water Cycle

Match the definition to the correct term by writing the correct term next to the
definition that correctly defines the term.
Then, create a picture that illustrates each of the terms that pertains to the water
cycle.
Terms:
The Water Cycle
Precipitation

Concept

Evaporation Condensation
Runof

Sun

Groundwater

Definition
A cycle that is always
happening everywhere.
Describes how Earths
water is always changing
forms (from liquid, solid,
and gas) and then
moving on, above, and in
the Earth.

A process in which the

sun causes water to turn
from a liquid to a gas
(water vapor).

A process that causes

clouds to form. The
colder temperatures that
are high in the
atmosphere cause the
water vapor to turn back
into tiny liquid water
droplets. The tiny liquid
water droplets are what
forms the clouds.

The boss of the water

cycle that provides heat,
or energy, which is what

Picture

makes the water cycle

occur.

A process in which the

tiny liquid water droplets
that form the clouds
combine with each other
and grow into bigger
water droplets. When the
water droplets get big
enough, they fall to Earth
in forms such as rain or
snow.

Occurs when rain hits the

land or snow melts, and
causes the liquid water to
flow downhill over the
landscape. This provides
water to rivers, lakes, and
oceans.

Precipitation or runof
that soaks into the
ground. This water is
always moving and most
of it ends up back in the
oceans.