Bailey Keller

Selected Response Assessment

Unit: Earth Sciences
Grade Level: 6-8
Purpose: This summative task for learning was developed to assess the students ability of
describing the roles of water in Earths surface processes which are driven by forces from the sun and
gravity. This assessment will help students prepare to develop, use, and revise models to describe,
test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems. The student and teacher will be able
to meet individually after the assessment to discuss his/her progress and where they are headed.
Standards/Benchmarks:
MS-ESS2-4: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earths systems driven by
energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
MS-ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
Learning Goals:
Learning Goals

Where it is being
addressed

Knowledge-based
response

Reasoning-based
response

I can define water cycle

8, 20

20

I can define
precipitation

1, 17

17

I can define
condensation

13, 15

13, 15

I can define
transpiration

14, 19

14, 19

I can define evaporation

4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 16

4,7,9

I can define run-off

12, 18

12, 18

I can tell that the

amount of water on
Earth never changes

I can define where most

water is found

I can tell that the sun

powers the water cycle

6, 11

11

5,10,16

Name:________________________

Score:____/ 24

Earth Sciences: Water Cycle Test

Directions:
In class we have been learning about how water changes phases as it cycles through the Earth. This
assessment is to see how well you understand the water cycle. This assessment is made of 3 multiple
choice questions worth 2 points each, 6 true/false questions worth 1 point each, 5 fill in the blank
questions worth 1 point each, and 6 matching questions which are worth one point each.

A couple reminders:
Please be sure to write your name at the top of your test. Please read all questions carefully
before making a selection. Under each question, you will select if you are either sure or unsure of
your answer. Please place an X on your level of confidence in your answer. For example, if you
were unsure of the answer you provided, place an X on the unsure line. Record all of your answers
directly on this test. If you have a question, please raise your hand and I will come and assist
you. You will have 45 minutes to complete your test. When you are finished, complete the selfreflection and hand in your test on my desk. Return quietly to your desk and you can either read or
work on other homework.

Good luck - I know you will do great!

OVER ->

Section 1: Multiple Choice (2 points each)

Directions: Read each question carefully. Circle the letter of the correct answer. After each question,
you will select if you are either sure or unsure of your answer. Please place an X on your level of
confidence in your answer.

1.

Which of the following represent the 4 forms of precipitation?

A. Rain, Sleet, Snow, and Vapor
B. Rain, Sleet, Snow, and Hail
C. Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Mist
______ Sure

_____Unsure

2. Where is most of Earths water found?

A. In the oceans
B. In rivers and lakes
C. Underground in aquifers
______ Sure

_____Unsure

3. The amount of water on Earth grows by _____ percent each year.

A. 5 percent
B. 0 percent
C. 25 percent
______ Sure

_____Unsure

Section 2: True/false (1 point each)

Directions: Read each question carefully. Circle TRUE if the answer is true. Circle FALSE if the
answer is false. After each question, you will select if you are either sure or unsure of your answer.
Please place an X on your level of confidence in your answer.

4. TRUE / FALSE: Evaporation can only happen in salt water.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

5. TRUE / FALSE: Clouds contain water vapor.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

6. TRUE / FALSE: Heat is a part of the water cycle

______ Sure

_____Unsure

7. TRUE / FALSE: Salt water evaporates.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

8. TRUE / FALSE: The water cycle has no start and no end.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

9. TRUE / FALSE: More evaporation happens at night time.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

You're halfway done! Great job!

Section 3: Fill in the blank (1 point each)

Directions: Complete each sentence with the correct word from the word box below and write the
correct answer on the line provided after the question. Fill in the blank is separated into both
processes and definitions. The processes are on this page, and the definitions are on the next
page. There are 3 questions on processes and 2 questions on definitions. Words in the word boxes
will only be used once, and not all words in the word box will be used. Words in the word boxes will
not be used for the fill in the blanks on the next page. After each question, you will select if you are
either sure or unsure of your answer. Place an X on your level of confidence in your answer.

Processes: (questions 10, 11, 12)

Transpiration

Precipitation

Condensation

Evaporation

10. When ocean water is heated by the sun and forms water vapor, this is called ____________.
______ Sure

_____Unsure

11. When water cools and turns into droplets it is called __________.
______ Sure

_____Unsure

12. When plants give off drops of water it is called __________.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

OVER ->

Section 3: Fill in the blank (1 point each) *Continued

Directions: Complete each sentence with the correct word from the word box below and write the
correct answer on the line provided after the question. Words in the word box will only be used
once, and not all words in the word box will be used. After each question, you will select if you are
either sure or unsure of your answer. Place an X on your level of confidence in your answer.

Definitions: (questions 13 & 14)

Moon

Run-on

Run-off

Sun

13. The __________ is the driving force of Earths weather.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

14. When water flows back to the ocean it is called __________.

______ Sure

_____Unsure

Section 4: Matching (1 point each)

Directions: Read each question carefully. Write the correct letter on the line next to the word on the
left with its matching definition from the right. Please do not draw lines connecting the word with its
matching definition. Not all letters will be used. After each question, you will select if you are either
sure or unsure of your answer. Please place an X on your level of confidence in your answer.

Words

Definitions

15. Condensation: _____

A. The changes to water when it

evaporates into the air, condenses into
clouds, and then precipitates down to
Earth.

16. Evaporation: _____

B. The cooling of water in the atmosphere

changing from a gas to a liquid.

17. Precipitation: _____

C. Process when water is changed from a

gas to a solid

18. Run-off: _____

D. The passage of water vapor from a

plant to the atmosphere

19. Transpiration: ______

E. When snow falls from the atmosphere

20. Water cycle: _____

F. Water droplets fall from the atmosphere

in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
G. Rainfall that is not absorbed by soil and
travels to the ocean
H. The process that occurs when water
changes from a liquid to a gas, caused by
heat.

Almost done! Turn over for your self-reflection! :)

Self-reflection
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences in the space provided below. Once
you are finished, hand in your test to my desk and quietly return to your seat to read to yourself or
work on homework.

1. What were areas of the water cycle do you feel most confident in? (Evaporation, Condensation,
Transpiration, or Precipitation) Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. What could you have done to better prepare yourself for this test?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. What could Miss Keller have done to better prepare you for this test?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. What will you do differently to prepare yourself for the next test?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key:
Question #

Answer

FALSE

TRUE

TRUE

FALSE

TRUE

FALSE

10

EVAPORATION

11

CONDENSATION

12

TRANSPIRATION

13

SUN

14

RUN-OFF

15

16

17

18

19

20