Choosing the Right Material · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Choosing the Right Material

Science · Matter & Materials · ages 6-8
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A kite is made of light plastic, not heavy wood. Why?

    • Wood would make the kite fly higher
    • Plastic is always the strongest material
    • A kite must be light to fly

  2. A towel is made of cloth. Why is cloth a good choice?

    • Cloth is hard and stiff
    • Cloth is see-through
    • Cloth soaks up water, so it dries you

  3. A pillow stuffed with pebbles would be comfy to sleep on.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Wellies (rain boots) are made of rubber. What property makes rubber a good choice?

    • It keeps water out
    • It is see-through
    • It lets water soak in

  5. Which is more suitable for an umbrella: fabric coated in plastic, or cotton wool?

    • Plastic-coated fabric, because it's waterproof
    • Cotton wool, because it's fluffy
    • Cotton wool, because it's heavy

  6. Which is more suitable for a baby's bib: soft cotton or stiff plastic?

    • Soft cotton, because it is gentle on skin and soaks up dribble
    • Stiff plastic, because it is shiny
    • Stiff plastic, because it is hard

  7. The best material for a job is always the strongest one.

    Circle one:   True   False

  8. Which is more suitable for a toy bridge that heavy toy trucks drive over: stiff wood or bendy rubber?

    • Stiff wood, because it holds its shape under the trucks
    • Bendy rubber, because it is lighter
    • Bendy rubber, because it bends

  9. A tent must keep rain out and be light enough to carry in a backpack. Which material is best?

    • Plastic sheeting, because it is waterproof and light
    • Thick wool, because it is warm
    • Wooden boards, because they are strong

  10. Ana says a toy box should be made of glass so you can see the toys inside. Bo says it should be made of wood because a toy box must be strong enough to hold heavy toys. Who has the better reasoning?

    • Ana, because seeing the toys matters most
    • Bo, because holding heavy toys without breaking is the box's main job
    • Ana, because glass is more waterproof than wood
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_rTn43s8RNX-s1

Answer key

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

Choosing the Right Material W1-mt_rTn43s8RNX-s1

  1. A kite must be light to fly · A kite's job is to fly. A heavy kite would fall, so light plastic works.
  2. Cloth soaks up water, so it dries you · A towel's job is to dry you. Cloth soaks up the water from your skin.
  3. False · A pillow's job is to be soft for your head. Pebbles are hard and lumpy, not soft.
  4. It keeps water out · Rubber is waterproof, so your feet stay dry when you splash in puddles.
  5. Plastic-coated fabric, because it's waterproof · An umbrella has to block rain. Plastic-coated fabric keeps water out, but cotton wool would soak it up.
  6. Soft cotton, because it is gentle on skin and soaks up dribble · A bib sits on soft skin and catches dribble. Soft, thirsty cotton does both jobs.
  7. False · The best material depends on the job. A pillow needs soft stuffing, not the strongest material.
  8. Stiff wood, because it holds its shape under the trucks · A bridge must stay up under weight. Stiff wood holds its shape; bendy rubber would sag and tip the trucks off.
  9. Plastic sheeting, because it is waterproof and light · The tent has two jobs: block rain and be easy to carry. Plastic sheeting does both; wool soaks up rain and boards are too heavy.
  10. Bo, because holding heavy toys without breaking is the box's main job · A toy box's main job is to hold heavy toys safely. Wood is strong enough; a glass box could not do that job as well.
Worksheet · LightMySky