Testing Materials for Uses · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Testing materials for the job

Science · Matter & Materials · ages 7-10
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A test shows metal holds more weight than plastic before bending. What does this tell you?

    • Metal is evidence for jobs needing strength
    • Plastic is always the better material
    • The test was not fair

  2. In a fair test comparing materials, what should stay the same?

    • Only the material tested
    • Everything except the material being tested
    • Nothing needs to stay the same

  3. Saucepan handles are made of plastic because tests show plastic does not carry heat well.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Ali wants to test which material is bendiest, metal or plastic. What should he do to keep the test fair?

    • Use different sized strips for each material
    • Bend each strip the same way with the same force
    • Test the metal strip for longer than the plastic one

  5. Look at the test results. Which material would be best for a strong hammer head?

    Metal8Plastic3Wood5
    • Plastic, because it held the least weight
    • Metal, because it held the most weight
    • Wood, because it held a middle amount

  6. Look at the chart. How many more kg did metal hold than plastic before it bent?

    Metal8Plastic3Wood5

    Answer: ______________

  7. A company tests three materials for an umbrella. Wood soaks up water fastest, metal rusts in water, and plastic stays dry and bends without breaking. Which material should the umbrella be made from, and why?

    • Wood, because it is a natural material
    • Metal, because it is the strongest
    • Plastic, because tests show it repels water and bends without breaking

  8. Mia tests waterproofing by pouring 100ml of water on cloth for 2 minutes, then 50ml of water on plastic for 2 minutes. What is wrong with her test?

    • She used different amounts of water for each material
    • She used the same amount of time for both
    • Nothing is wrong with the test
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Testing materials for the job W1-mt_e3-_toGuWf-s1

  1. Metal is evidence for jobs needing strength · The test result is evidence. It tells you metal is a good choice when something needs to be strong.
  2. Everything except the material being tested · A fair test changes only the material. Everything else, like the amount of water or weight used, stays the same.
  3. True · Plastic does not carry heat well, so the handle stays cool and safe to touch.
  4. Bend each strip the same way with the same force · To be fair, Ali must treat both materials the same way, using the same size strip and the same force.
  5. Metal, because it held the most weight · The chart shows metal held the most weight before bending, so it is best for a job needing strength.
  6. 5 · Metal held 8 kg and plastic held 3 kg. 8 minus 3 is 5.
  7. Plastic, because tests show it repels water and bends without breaking · The test evidence shows plastic repels water and bends without breaking, matching exactly what an umbrella needs.
  8. She used different amounts of water for each material · A fair test needs the same amount of water each time. Mia changed two things: the material and the water amount.
Worksheet · LightMySky