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Grade 5 · lesson 3 of 4

Trace water between systems

Trace water between systems using supplied evidence and a solved model.

About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice

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Supplied materials

  • All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
  • Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
  • Reference card A: liquid becomes atmospheric vapor. Reference card B: surface water enters ground.
  • Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Lake water becomes vapor.
  • Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Rain soaks into soil.
  • Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Roots take in water.
  • Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Leaf releases water vapor.
  • Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Wet pavement loses water to vapor.
  • Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water passes into ground pores.

Learn the idea

Evaporation transfers water from a surface store to the atmosphere. Infiltration moves it into ground pores. Plants take up water and return some through transpiration; matter moves rather than vanishes.

Evaporation means liquid becomes atmospheric vapor. Infiltration means surface water enters ground. Uptake means water enters plant roots. Transpiration means water vapor leaves plant surfaces.

For evaporation, look for the clue “liquid becomes atmospheric vapor.” For infiltration, look for “surface water enters ground.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.

  1. Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
  2. 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.
  3. Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
  4. 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 “liquid becomes atmospheric vapor”; a second states “surface water enters ground.” The first fits evaporation and the second fits infiltration. 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

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Helpful tips
  • Use the feature “liquid becomes atmospheric vapor” to justify evaporation; do not sort by the name alone.
  • Distinguish infiltration (surface water enters ground) from a different process occurring in the same situation.
Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Lake water becomes vapor.

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

evaporation

The answer is evaporation. In the notes, it means “liquid becomes atmospheric vapor.” Evaporation transfers water from a surface store to the atmosphere. Infiltration moves it into ground pores. Plants take up water and return some through transpiration; matter moves rather than vanishes.

Take it further

Create one new case showing evaporation and one showing infiltration. Expected: the first explicitly shows “liquid becomes atmospheric vapor”; the second explicitly shows “surface water enters ground.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

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.

More practice: try new cases
1. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Rain soaks into soil.
Need a hint?
  • Look for the described feature: surface water enters ground.
  • 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: Roots take in water.
Need a hint?
  • Look for the described feature: water enters plant roots.
  • 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: Leaf releases water vapor.
Need a hint?
  • Look for the described feature: water vapor leaves plant surfaces.
  • 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.