HOTS Science Primary 5 Cycles

City A is located on a tropical coastline next to a warm ocean. City B is located inland, surrounded by dry plains, far from any large body of water. Both cities are at the same latitude and receive the same amount of sunlight. A scientist predicts that City A receives significantly more rainfall each year than City B. Which explanation BEST accounts for this difference?

A City A receives more rainfall because the warm ocean provides a large source of water for evaporation, producing more water vapour that rises, condenses, and falls as precipitation over the city.
B City A receives more rainfall because sunlight heats the land more strongly near the coast, causing stronger winds that blow clouds from the ocean directly over the city.
C City B receives less rainfall because it is farther from the equator, so the sun heats the ground less and less evaporation occurs in the inland region.
D City B receives less rainfall because dry plains absorb more solar radiation than ocean water, causing the water vapour to be destroyed before it can condense into clouds.
Show Worked Solution

Worked Solution

Step 1: Identify the key variable. City A is coastal (next to a warm ocean). City B is inland (far from water). Both receive the same sunlight. The key difference is the availability of a large water source. Step 2: Apply the water cycle. The water cycle begins with evaporation. A warm ocean provides an enormous, constant source of liquid water. When sunlight heats the ocean surface, large amounts of water evaporate and enter the atmosphere as water vapour. Step 3: Trace the cycle to precipitation. As water vapour rises and cools, condensation forms clouds. When enough water droplets accumulate, precipitation (rainfall) occurs. City A, being coastal, has access to much more evaporating ocean water, so more water vapour is produced, more clouds form, and more rainfall results. Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. Option B wrongly attributes rainfall to wind from land heating. Option C introduces the false premise of different latitudes. Option D misrepresents how solar radiation and water vapour interact — radiation does not destroy water vapour. Conclusion: City A receives more rainfall because the warm ocean is a large evaporation source, producing abundant water vapour that condenses into clouds and precipitation.

Correct answer: City A receives more rainfall because the warm ocean provides a large source of water for evaporation, producing more water vapour that rises, condenses, and falls as precipitation over the city.

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