MS-ESS2-4 | The Water Cycle · NYS standard · Grade 8 test questions

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Revision as of 09:55, 17 October 2026 by Conrad (talk | contribs) (Vocabulary section (terms from the Middle School Science Glossary) and PLD example questions)
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Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the Sun and the force of gravity.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the ways water changes its state as it moves through the multiple pathways of the hydrologic cycle. Examples of models could include conceptual or physical models.

Assessment boundary: A quantitative understanding of the latent heats of vaporization and fusion is not assessed.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-ESS2-4 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam Cluster Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test The Changing Landscape of Niagara Falls Question 10
Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test Mount Lyell and the Lyell Glacier Question 6
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test Death Valley Question 36

Vocabulary

Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard
  • atmosphere
  • change of state
  • conceptual model
  • condensation
  • cycling of water
  • deposition
  • Earth's systems
  • energy from the Sun
  • evaporation
  • force of gravity
  • gravity
  • hydrologic cycle
  • infiltration
  • latent heat of fusion
  • latent heat of vaporization
  • model
  • ocean
  • pathway
  • phase change
  • physical model
  • precipitation
  • runoff
  • state of water
  • sublimation
  • sunlight
  • transpiration
  • water cycle
From released test questions

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-ESS2-4 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given a model, identify one process in the cycling of water that is driven by energy from the Sun or identify one process in the cycling of water that is driven by the force of gravity. Spring 2025 Question 6
Level 2: Given a model, describe one process in the cycling of water through one or more of Earth’s systems and describe how this process is driven by energy from the Sun or by the force of gravity. Spring 2026 Question 10
Level 3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the Sun and the force of gravity.
Level 4: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water, and its phase changes, through all Earth’s systems driven by energy from the Sun and the force of gravity.
Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-ESS2-4.

Pixel beaver This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.


NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-ESS2-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices
  • Developing and Using Models
    • Develop a model to describe unobservable mechanisms.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
    • (NYSED) Water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation, sublimation, deposition, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.
    • (NYSED) Global movements of water and its changes in form are driven by sunlight and gravity.
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Energy and Matter
    • Within a natural or designed system, the transfer of energy drives the motion and/or cycling of matter.
Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen
MS | MS. Earth's System
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