Grade 2 · lesson 2 of 4

Trace water-cycle places

Trace water-cycle places using supplied evidence and a solved model.

About 12 minutes, plus any extended practice

Supplied materials

For younger learners, an adult may read each direction aloud; pointing, drawing and spoken explanations count as responses.
Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
Reference card A: air above Earth containing water. Reference card B: water in rivers lakes or oceans.
Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Cloud droplets above land.
Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water flowing in a river.
Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water in saturated underground pores.
Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water inside a leaf.
Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water vapor in air.
Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water in an underground store.

Learn the idea

Water moves between stores. Arrows represent a process or movement, not a fixed order that every water molecule must follow. Groundwater is part of the cycle.

Atmosphere means air above Earth containing water. Surface water means water in rivers lakes or oceans. Groundwater means water stored below ground. Organism means water inside a living thing.

For atmosphere, look for the clue “air above Earth containing water.” For surface water, look for “water in rivers lakes or oceans.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.

Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.

Worked example

See the method in action

Worked reference-card problem: a card states “air above Earth containing water”; a second states “water in rivers lakes or oceans.” The first fits atmosphere and the second fits surface water. The reason is the described function or change, not the order of the cards or a favorite name. If their descriptions exchange places, their category labels exchange too. Keep the supplied descriptions attached to the correct case.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

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Helpful tips

Use the feature “air above Earth containing water” to justify atmosphere; do not sort by the name alone.
Distinguish surface water (water in rivers lakes or oceans) from a different process occurring in the same situation.

See the answer and explanation

atmosphere

The answer is atmosphere. In the notes, it means “air above Earth containing water.” Water moves between stores. Arrows represent a process or movement, not a fixed order that every water molecule must follow. Groundwater is part of the cycle.

Take it further

Create one new case showing atmosphere and one showing surface water. Expected: the first explicitly shows “air above Earth containing water”; the second explicitly shows “water in rivers lakes or oceans.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.

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More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

1. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water flowing in a river.organismatmospheresurface watergroundwater

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: water in rivers lakes or oceans.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

2. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water in saturated underground pores.surface watergroundwaterorganismatmosphere

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: water stored below ground.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

3. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water inside a leaf.atmospheresurface watergroundwaterorganism

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: water inside a living thing.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.