What is the process of water soaking down into the soil surface called?

Correct answer: Infiltration

Direct answer: B, infiltration. When rainwater or other surface water enters the pores and spaces at the soil surface, the process is called infiltration. Some infiltrated water is held in the soil, may be taken up by plant roots, or may move farther downward and contribute to groundwater. Surface runoff is different: it flows over the land when water cannot enter quickly enough or the ground is saturated, so A is incorrect. Condensation is water vapour changing into liquid droplets, usually after cooling, so C is unrelated. Transpiration is the release of water vapour from plant surfaces, mainly leaves, so D describes water leaving plants rather than entering soil. Memory cue: infiltration is water going in; runoff is water moving over the surface.