FREE! - Label the Water Cycle Worksheet (teacher made) - Free Printable

Let's solve the water cycle diagram step by step.

Step 1: Understand the Water Cycle

The water cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle) describes how water moves continuously through the environment. The main processes involved are:

- Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other surfaces turns into vapor due to heat from the sun.
- Transpiration: Water is released from plants into the atmosphere.
- Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
- Precipitation: Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Collection: Water collects in oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground.
- Runoff and Groundwater Flow: Water flows over land (surface runoff) or seeps into the ground (groundwater).
- Infiltration: Water soaks into the soil.
- Wind: Helps move moisture-laden air around.

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Step 2: Identify the Blanks in the Diagram

We have a labeled diagram of the water cycle with several blank boxes. Let’s analyze each blank based on its position and context.

#### 1. Sun
- Located at the top right.
- The sun provides energy for evaporation.
- This box should be labeled "sun".

#### 2. Evaporation
- Arrows going up from the ocean and land toward the clouds.
- This process turns liquid water into vapor.
- Label this area as "evaporation".

#### 3. Condensation
- Clouds forming in the sky.
- Water vapor cools and condenses into droplets.
- Label this as "condensation".

#### 4. Precipitation
- Rain falling from the cloud to the land and mountains.
- This is precipitation.
- Label this as "precipitation".

#### 5. Ground Run-off
- Water flowing over the land surface into rivers and lakes.
- This is surface runoff.
- Label this as "ground run-off".

#### 6. Underground Water / Infiltration
- Water soaking into the soil beneath the surface.
- This becomes underground water or groundwater.
- Label this as "underground water".

#### 7. Rivers and Streams
- Water flowing from the land into the ocean.
- These are rivers and streams.
- Label this as "rivers and streams".

#### 8. Collection
- Water collecting in the ocean.
- This is the collection phase.
- Label this as "collection".

#### 9. Wind
- Arrow showing movement of clouds across the sky.
- Wind carries moist air and clouds.
- Label this as "wind".

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Step 3: Fill in the Blanks

Now let’s match the correct labels from the word bank:

| Blank Position | Correct Label |
|----------------|-----------------------|
| Top right (sun) | sun |
| Arrows from water → sky | evaporation |
| Clouds forming | condensation |
| Rain falling | precipitation |
| Water flowing over land → river | ground run-off |
| Water soaking into soil | underground water |
| Rivers flowing to ocean | rivers and streams |
| Ocean (final collection) | collection |
| Arrow moving clouds | wind |

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Final Answer:

Fill the blanks in the diagram as follows:

1. Sun – Top right (next to the yellow sun)
2. Evaporation – Arrows rising from the ocean and land
3. Condensation – Inside the clouds
4. Precipitation – Rain falling from the cloud
5. Ground run-off – Water flowing over land into rivers
6. Underground water – Water moving down into the soil
7. Rivers and streams – Water flowing into the ocean
8. Collection – Ocean (where water collects)
9. Wind – Arrow showing cloud movement

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Summary of Labels:

- Sun
- Evaporation
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Ground run-off
- Underground water
- Rivers and streams
- Collection
- Wind

✔ All terms from the word bank are used exactly once.

This completes the water cycle diagram!