In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is a continuous process that circulates water throughout the Earth's systems. It involves the movement of water between the (1) ______ the water bodies and the land. The cycle consists of several key stages, each playing a crucial role in maintaining Earth's water balance.
At the heart of the water cycle is the process of (2) ______. This is where water from oceans, lakes and rivers is heated by the sun and turns into water vapour. This water vapour then rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses to form clouds. When these clouds become heavy enough, they release their moisture through (3) ______ which can fall as rain or other forms of precipitation.
When precipitation falls onto the land, it can take different paths. Some of it may evaporate back into the air, while some may be taken up by plants and released back into the atmosphere through a process called (4) ______. The rest of the water may flow over the land's surface, gathering in streams and rivers that eventually lead back to the oceans, completing the cycle.
The water cycle is essential for maintaining Earth's ecosystems and supporting life. It helps distribute fresh water to various regions, replenishes water sources, and plays a role in regulating (5) ______ temperatures. Understanding the water cycle is crucial for addressing water scarcity and managing natural resources effectively.
Understanding the Water Cycle and Evaporation
The question asks us to identify the correct term for the process described in blank number 2 within a passage about the water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle. This cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
Analyzing Blank Number 2
Let's look at the context provided for blank number 2:
"At the heart of the water cycle is the process of (2) ______. This is where water from oceans, lakes and rivers is heated by the sun and turns into water vapour."
This description clearly points to the transformation of liquid water into a gaseous state (water vapour) due to heat from the sun. We need to find the term that matches this definition among the given options.
Evaluating the Options for Blank 2
Here's an analysis of the options provided:
- 1. evaporation: This is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapour. It occurs when water molecules gain enough energy, often from solar radiation, to escape the liquid surface and enter the atmosphere. This perfectly matches the description in the passage.
- 2. condensation: This is the process where water vapour in the air cools down and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds. This happens after evaporation, not during the initial turning of water into vapour.
- 3. sublimation: This is the process where a solid changes directly into a gas without becoming a liquid first (e.g., ice turning into vapour). While part of the broader water cycle, it's not the primary process described here, which involves liquid water turning into vapour.
- 4. liquefaction: This is the process of a substance in a gaseous state changing into a liquid state due to cooling or increasing pressure. It's essentially the opposite of evaporation.
Conclusion for Blank 2
Based on the definition provided in the passage—water being heated by the sun and turning into water vapour—the most appropriate term for blank number 2 is evaporation. This process is fundamental to lifting water from the Earth's surface into the atmosphere, initiating cloud formation and subsequent precipitation.
Similar Questions
- Choose the word from the given options which fits in the blank labelled 1 and gives correct meaning
- Choose the word from the given options which fits in the blank labelled 2 and gives correct meaning.
- Choose the word from the given options which fits in the blank labelled 3 and gives correct meaning
- Choose the word from the given options which fits in the blank labelled 4 and gives correct meaning
- Identify the phrasal verb which fits in the blank labelled as 5 and gives correct meaning.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
