Which set of processes are part of the water cycle?

• A. Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation
• B. Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Infiltration, Runoff, and Transpiration
• C. Condensation, Precipitation
• D. Evaporation, Infiltration

Answer: (D)

The water cycle involves processes that move and transform water through air, land, and oceans. Evaporation and transpiration lift water into the atmosphere, where condensation forms clouds and eventually leads to precipitation—returning water to the surface. From there, water can infiltrate soil to recharge groundwater or flow as runoff across the landscape toward rivers and oceans. Including all of these steps—evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and transpiration—gives a complete picture of how water circulates. The option that lists these six processes best represents the cycle, while a choice that includes only evaporation and infiltration leaves out several essential steps and is incomplete.