Hailstorms represent a special solid form of which stage of the water cycle?

Correct answer: Precipitation

The correct answer is B: precipitation. Precipitation means water falling from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface in different forms, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Hailstones are solid pieces of ice that develop inside strong storm clouds when water droplets and ice particles are carried upward and freeze or grow in layers. When the stones become heavy enough, they fall to the ground. A is evaporation, the change from liquid water to vapour. C is the downward movement of water through soil, and D is the release of water vapour from plant surfaces. Neither process describes ice falling from clouds. Memory cue: if water comes down from clouds, identify precipitation; then identify its form—rain is liquid, while hail and snow are solid.