Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 78%

The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.

What was the author's primary purpose for writing this essay?

Rationale

To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle.

The passage explains the water cycle by describing its stages: precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation. The author's focus is on outlining how water moves through the environment, highlighting each step to provide a clear understanding of the cycle.

A (To persuade the reader to conserve water) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not include arguments or persuasive language aimed at encouraging water conservation. Instead, it focuses on explaining the natural process of the water cycle without suggesting behavioral changes by the reader.

B (To persuade the reader that runoff is not the best way to collect water) YOUR ANSWER

While runoff is mentioned, the passage does not argue against it as a method of collecting water. It simply describes runoff as one part of the water cycle, without comparing it to other methods or implying any inefficiency.

C (To analyze different types of runoff) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not delve into a detailed analysis of runoff types. It provides a general overview of the water cycle, mentioning runoff as a stage but not distinguishing between various forms or discussing their characteristics.

D (To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle) CORRECT

Throughout the passage, the author describes each stage of the water cycle in sequence: precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation. The clear, informative tone and structured presentation of these stages indicate the primary purpose of enhancing the reader's understanding of this natural process.

Conclusion

The author's main goal is to inform readers about the stages of the water cycle. By detailing each stage—precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation—the passage educates readers on how water circulates in the environment. There is no persuasive intent or detailed analysis of runoff types, reinforcing the informative nature of the text.

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