The Water Cycle
A Science Worksheet for Ages 8–10
Name: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Score: \_\_\_\_ / 20
Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answers in the spaces provided. Take your time — there are no tricks, just science!
Question 1 — Label the Diagram (4 marks)
Look at the water cycle diagram below. Write the correct stage next to each letter using the words in the word bank.
Word Bank: `Evaporation` `Condensation` `Precipitation` `Collection`
```
☁️☁️☁️
(B) _____________
↗ ↘
🌊 ~~~~~ 🌧️
(A) _____________ (C) _____________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rivers / lakes
(D) _____________
```
A: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
B: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
C: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
D: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Question 2 — True or False (4 marks)
Write TRUE or FALSE next to each statement.
| # | Statement | True or False? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sun provides the energy that powers the water cycle. | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| 2 | Water vapour is a liquid that we can see in the air. | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| 3 | Clouds are formed when water vapour cools and condenses. | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| 4 | Precipitation only ever falls as rain. | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
Question 3 — Fill in the Blanks (3 marks)
Complete the sentences using the words below.
Word Bank: `water vapour` `liquid` `salt` `evaporates` `cycle` `clouds`
> When the Sun heats water in the ocean or a lake, the water \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and turns into \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which rises into the sky. Up high, where the air is cool, this gas turns back into tiny droplets of water, forming \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. This process repeats over and over, which is why we call it a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
(Use 4 words — one blank is already done for you in the word bank!)
Question 4 — Short Answer (2 marks)
Why is the water cycle important for life on Earth?
Write two reasons.
1. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
2. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Question 5 — Draw & Describe (4 marks)
In the large box below, draw your own water cycle diagram. Include and label at least four stages.
Then, in the lines below the box, write one sentence describing what happens at each stage you drew.
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
Stage 1: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Stage 2: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Stage 3: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Stage 4: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Question 6 — Multiple Choice (1 mark)
Circle the correct answer.
What is the process called when a plant releases water vapour through its leaves?
- A) Precipitation
- B) Transpiration
- C) Condensation
- D) Runoff
Question 7 — Think Like a Scientist (2 marks)
A scientist notices that during a very hot summer, the level of a lake goes down even though it has not rained less than usual. Using what you know about the water cycle, explain why this might happen.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
"Water is the driving force of all nature." — Leonardo da Vinci
Answer Key
Question 1 — Label the Diagram (1 mark each)
| Letter | Answer |
|---|---|
| A | Evaporation |
| B | Condensation |
| C | Precipitation |
| D | Collection |
Question 2 — True or False (1 mark each)
| # | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRUE | The Sun heats water, giving the water cycle its energy. |
| 2 | FALSE | Water vapour is a gas — it is invisible. |
| 3 | TRUE | When water vapour rises and cools, it condenses into tiny droplets that form clouds. |
| 4 | FALSE | Precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail. |
Question 3 — Fill in the Blanks (1 mark each, 3 blanks marked)
> When the Sun heats water in the ocean or a lake, the water evaporates and turns into water vapour, which rises into the sky. Up high, where the air is cool, this gas turns back into tiny droplets of water, forming clouds. This process repeats over and over, which is why we call it a cycle.
(Accept reasonable alternative phrasing that uses the correct vocabulary.)
Question 4 — Short Answer (1 mark each)
Accept any two of the following (or similar correct answers):
- It provides fresh water for plants, animals, and humans to drink.
- It moves water from the oceans and lakes to land, keeping rivers and soil moist.
- It helps regulate Earth's temperature and weather patterns.
- It cleans and recycles water naturally so it can be used again.
Question 5 — Draw & Describe (4 marks)
Marking guide:
| Marks | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 4 | Diagram includes four or more correctly labelled stages; sentences accurately describe each stage. |
| 3 | Four stages shown and labelled, but one description is incomplete or slightly inaccurate. |
| 2 | At least two stages correctly labelled with reasonable descriptions. |
| 1 | Some attempt made; labels or descriptions show partial understanding. |
| 0 | No attempt or completely incorrect. |
Expected stages (any four):
- Evaporation — The Sun heats surface water, turning it into water vapour that rises into the air.
- Transpiration — Plants release water vapour through their leaves.
- Condensation — Water vapour cools high in the sky and forms tiny droplets, making clouds.
- Precipitation — Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Collection / Runoff — Water gathers in oceans, lakes, rivers, or soaks into the ground.
Question 6 — Multiple Choice (1 mark)
Correct answer: B) Transpiration
> Transpiration is the process by which plants absorb water through their roots and release it as water vapour through tiny pores (stomata) in their leaves.
Question 7 — Think Like a Scientist (2 marks)
Award marks as follows:
| Marks | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 2 | Student correctly identifies that higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, causing more water to leave the lake as water vapour, lowering its level. |
| 1 | Studentmentions evaporation but does not clearly connect it to the higher temperature or the drop in lake level. |
| 0 | Incorrect or no attempt. |
Model answer:
> During a hot summer, temperatures are higher than usual. This extra heat causes water in the lake to evaporate more quickly than normal, turning more water into water vapour that rises into the air. Because more water is leaving the lake through evaporation than is being replaced by rainfall or rivers flowing in, the overall level of the lake drops.
Marking note for parents: This is an open-ended reasoning question. Award full marks if the child demonstrates a clear understanding that heat speeds up evaporation, even if they do not use exactly the same wording as the model answer. Encourage scientific vocabulary such as "evaporation," "water vapour," and "rate."
| Total Marks | / 20 |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | / 4 |
| Question 2 | / 4 |
| Question 3 | / 3 |
| Question 4 | / 2 |
| Question 5 | / 4 |
| Question 6 | / 1 |
| Question 7 | / 2 |
Score guide for parents:
| Score | Feedback |
|---|---|
| 18–20 | 🌟 Excellent! A brilliant understanding of the water cycle. |
| 14–17 | 👍 Great work! Review any questions you found tricky. |
| 10–13 | 📖 Good effort! Re-read your notes and try those questions again. |
| Below 10 | 💧 Keep going! Talk through the water cycle together and have another try. |