📖 Part 1: Reading Text

The Water Cycle: Nature's Recycling System

The water cycle is one of nature's most important processes. It continuously moves water around our planet through four main stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

Evaporation occurs when the sun heats water in oceans, lakes, and rivers. The water changes from liquid to invisible water vapour and rises into the atmosphere. Plants also release water vapour through their leaves in a process called transpiration.

As water vapour rises higher into the sky, it cools down. This cooling causes condensation - the water vapour changes back into tiny water droplets that form clouds and fog. These droplets cluster together around dust particles in the air.

When the water droplets in clouds become too heavy, they fall to Earth as precipitation. In New Zealand, this usually means rain, but it can also be snow, sleet, or hail depending on the temperature.

Finally, collection happens when the fallen water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans, or soaks into the ground to become groundwater. From here, the cycle begins again with evaporation.

The water cycle is essential for all life on Earth. It provides fresh water for drinking, growing crops, and maintaining ecosystems. In New Zealand, our water cycle is influenced by our island location and mountainous terrain, creating diverse rainfall patterns across the country.

📝 Part 2: Vocabulary Check

1. Match each water cycle term with its correct definition:

1. Evaporation

2. Condensation

3. Precipitation

4. Transpiration

A. Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, or hail

B. Water changing from liquid to vapour due to heat

C. Water vapour cooling and forming droplets

D. Plants releasing water vapour through leaves

2. Use context clues to complete these sentences with words from the text:

a) The sun's heat causes water to _____________ from oceans and lakes.

b) Water droplets in clouds become too _____________ and fall as rain.

c) New Zealand's _____________ terrain affects rainfall patterns.

d) Water soaks into the ground to become _____________.

🧠 Part 3: Comprehension Questions

3. What are the four main stages of the water cycle?

4. According to the text, what causes evaporation to occur?

Wind blowing across water surfaces

The sun heating water in oceans, lakes, and rivers

Fish swimming in the water

Cold temperatures freezing the water

5. How do plants contribute to the water cycle?

6. What happens during condensation? Explain in your own words.

7. Which types of precipitation are mentioned in the text? (Select all that apply)

Rain

Snow

Sleet

Hail

Fog

🔍 Part 4: Inference and Analysis

8. Why do you think the text describes the water cycle as "nature's recycling system"?

9. The text mentions that New Zealand's water cycle is influenced by "our island location and mountainous terrain." What can you infer about how these features might affect rainfall?

10. Based on the text, what might happen if there was no evaporation? Explain your reasoning.