Observing with simple equipment · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Looking closely with a hand lens

Science · Scientific Inquiry · ages 5-7
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A ladybug is red with black dots. Which word tells its colour?

    • Round
    • Small
    • Red

  2. What tool helps you see small details?

    • A pencil
    • A hand lens
    • A spoon

  3. Looking at a seed through a hand lens makes the seed grow.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Zayn looks at a petal through a hand lens. The tiny lines look blurry. What should he try?

    • Hold the lens still and turn away
    • Put the lens down and look away
    • Move the lens until the view is clear

  5. A safe leaf feels bumpy to touch. Which word describes its texture?

    • Bumpy
    • Smooth
    • Green

  6. Comparing two objects means noticing how they are the same and different.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Ben glances at a bug and sees no spots. Which sentence best tells what he knows?

    • I did not see any spots.
    • This bug has no tiny patterns.
    • No bugs ever have any patterns.

  8. Priya glances at two shells and says they look the same. How can she compare them more carefully?

    • Check their colour and ignore the rest
    • Check colour, shape, size and patterns
    • Check their size and ignore the rest
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_vJO5Bxk4z--s1

Answer key

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

Looking closely with a hand lens W1-mt_vJO5Bxk4z--s1

  1. Red · Red tells a colour. Round tells a shape, and small tells a size.
  2. A hand lens · A hand lens can make small details look bigger.
  3. False · The seed can look bigger through the lens, but its actual size stays the same.
  4. Move the lens until the view is clear · Moving the lens towards or away from the petal can bring the tiny lines into focus.
  5. Bumpy · Bumpy matches how the leaf feels. Green describes colour.
  6. True · A comparison includes features that match and features that differ.
  7. I did not see any spots. · Ben can report what he saw. A quick glance does not show whether tiny patterns are present.
  8. Check colour, shape, size and patterns · Checking several features can reveal a difference that a quick glance missed.
Worksheet · LightMySky