Distinguish between transfers and transformations using examples from the water cycles

For questions that ask the student to "distinguish" between two different terms, it is effective if they first define each of the terms. For example: Energy transfer is the passing of energy from one object to another. Transfers normally flow through a system and involve a change in location. Energy transformation, on the other hand, leads to an interaction within a system in the formation of a new end product, or involve a change of state.
Then, they can use examples from the water cycle to clearly explain the differences: An example of transfer can be precipitation. This is when water in the form of ice, rain, sleet, hail or snow, falls onto the earth. Another example could be the flow/movement of water through a river. An additional example could be a runoff, when precipitation hits the ground and it flows over the surface of the earth. A basic example of transformation can be evaporation. In the hydrological cycle, it could be the evaporation of water from the sea due to increased temperature, and the water changes its state into a gas. Another example of transformation could be when water vapour becomes a liquid by cooling down.