Earth's Systems: Water and Weather — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A region with very little rainfall and high daytime temperatures is a desert.
Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rain yearly, creating dry conditions where only specially adapted plants and animals can thrive.
2. A frozen region near the poles with little vegetation is called tundra.
Tundra has permafrost, short summers, and low precipitation, supporting only mosses, lichens, and small hardy plants in poor soil.
3. A hot, wet region with thick forest and many species is a tropical rainforest.
Tropical rainforests near the equator host the highest biodiversity on Earth due to constant warmth, sunlight, and abundant rainfall daily.
4. A region with four distinct seasons and moderate rainfall has a temperate climate.
Temperate climates support diverse plants and farming because moderate temperatures and rainfall allow growing seasons to last several months yearly.
5. Long-term average weather in a region is called its climate.
Climate refers to averaged temperature, precipitation, and seasonal patterns measured over 30 or more years across a specific geographic region.
6. A region's climate is influenced by its distance from the equator.
Latitude affects how directly sunlight strikes Earth, making equatorial areas warmer and polar regions colder due to angle of solar radiation.
7. Mountains can block rain clouds, creating a dry rain shadow on one side.
Rain shadow effects produce deserts behind mountain ranges because air loses moisture climbing upward and warms while descending dryly downward.
8. Oceans help moderate climate because water heats and cools more slowly than land.
Water has a high heat capacity, so coastal areas experience milder seasons than inland regions far from any large body.
9. An area with cold winters and hot summers like Chicago has a temperate climate.
Temperate climates feature noticeable seasonal changes due to mid-latitudes, where summer warmth and winter chill produce varied weather patterns each year.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Hot and dry with cacti
→ Desert
Desert
Cold with frozen ground year-round
→ Tundra
Tundra
Warm and rainy with diverse species
→ Tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforest
Four seasons with moderate weather
→ Temperate
Temperate
Connecting climate descriptions to regions helps Grade 5 students recognize how location, temperature, and rainfall shape ecosystems worldwide.