📖 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

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

🔍 Part 4: Inference and Analysis

🎨 Part 5: Summary and Illustration