---
title: "Could there be another explanation?"
description: "Think of another possible cause before settling on an explanation. Compare the ideas with clues, and keep the answer open when the clues do not distinguish them."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/could-there-be-another-explanation-mt_QrVF5n7vci
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/could-there-be-another-explanation-mt_QrVF5n7vci.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Could there be another explanation?

Think of another possible cause before settling on an explanation. Compare the ideas with clues, and keep the answer open when the clues do not distinguish them.

Subject: Science · Area: Scientific Inquiry · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/could-there-be-another-explanation-mt_QrVF5n7vci

## Ready when they can

- Name a different possible cause rather than restating the first explanation.
- Choose relevant checks or clues to compare explanations, and recognise when more evidence is needed.

## Lesson: Is there another explanation?

An observation tells what you noticed. An explanation is an idea about why it happened. Your first explanation may fit, but another cause may fit too. Think of another possible cause before deciding. Naming an idea does not prove it.

**Example.** Sam's sandwich is missing from his lunchbox. He thinks his sister ate it. Another idea is that Dad put it in Sam's bag. Sam asks Dad, who shows him the sandwich in the bag. That observation supports the idea that the sandwich was moved.

*(drawing: Clues can support one explanation more than another. Sometimes you still need more information.)*

Another explanation names a different cause, not new words for the same cause. Check each idea. Look for clues that could tell them apart. A book may be lent out or moved to another shelf. Checking that shelf could help. If the clues do not distinguish your ideas, keep the answer open.

**Recap.** Consider another possible cause, then check clues that could tell the explanations apart.

*This lesson, its questions and flashcards were written for this dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Changing Your Mind with Evidence](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/changing-your-mind-with-evidence-mt_obF-6VYRya)

## Optional connections

- [Understanding Why](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/understanding-why-mt_Y6P9y1Rz-u)

## Opens up

- [Science Can Be Revised](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/science-can-be-revised-mt_1GVAmcwAiO)
- [Using evidence to answer questions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/using-evidence-to-answer-questions-mt_CVywzrjT_c)
- [Correlation vs Causation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/correlation-vs-causation-mt_X0Tr8IYaEd)