Weather and Climate — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. In Grade 3 science, the sun heats water and turns it into vapor in a step called evaporation.
Grade 3 water cycle: evaporation lifts water into the air as vapor.
2. Grade 3 students learn that water vapor cools and forms clouds during condensation.
Grade 3 water cycle: condensation forms cloud droplets from vapor.
3. When Grade 3 clouds drop water, snow, or hail, this stage is called precipitation.
Grade 3 water cycle: precipitation returns water from sky to ground.
4. Grade 3 maps show the equator divides Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres.
Grade 3 geography: the equator splits Earth into two hemispheres.
5. In Grade 3 science, when it is summer in the United States it is winter in Australia.
Grade 3 seasons: hemispheres tilt opposite, so seasons are reversed.
6. Grade 3 students learn that water that soaks into the ground is called groundwater.
Grade 3 water cycle: groundwater fills spaces in soil and rock.
7. Grade 3 weather lessons show that the sun is the main source of energy for the water cycle.
Grade 3 science: solar energy powers evaporation and weather.
8. When Grade 3 clouds become heavy with droplets, they release rain back to the surface.
Grade 3 water cycle: heavy droplets fall as rain when too big to float.
9. Grade 3 maps show that countries near the equator stay warm because they get direct sunlight.
Grade 3 climate: direct sunlight near the equator brings warm weather.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Grade 3 evaporation step
→ Sun heats water into vapor
Sun heats water into vapor
Grade 3 condensation step
→ Vapor cools into cloud drops
Vapor cools into cloud drops
Grade 3 precipitation step
→ Rain or snow falls down
Rain or snow falls down
Grade 3 collection step
→ Water gathers in lakes
Water gathers in lakes
Grade 3 water cycle: each stage describes a different change in water as it moves.