Year 1 Science Properties of Materials: worked examples and questions with answers
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Describe how hard, rough, shiny, bendy or stretchy a material is
- Say whether a material is see-through, waterproof or absorbent
- Sort materials into groups by what they are like
- Test a material in a simple, safe way and say what happened
- Choose a material for a job by testing it first
You should already know
- Objects and materials: the material that an object is made from (Chapter 7)
- Names of everyday materials: wood, plastic, glass, metal, fabric, paper
Where this leads
- Seasons and weather (Chapter 9)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science, Year 1. Content: Describe simple properties: hard and soft, rough and smooth, shiny and dull, Describe simple properties: bendy, stiff and stretchy, Say whether a material is see-through or not see-through, Say whether a material is waterproof or absorbent, Compare and group materials by their properties, Choose a material for a job, using a simple test such as the waterproof test.
- 8.1 Hard and soft: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 8.2 Rough and smooth: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 8.3 Shiny and dull: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 8.4 Bendy, stiff and stretchy: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 8.5 See-through and not see-through: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 8.6 Waterproof and absorbent: choosing for a job: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- Check-up and end-of-chapter quiz: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about what a bottle is, and what it is made of.
- Look at the two words. An object is a thing, like a bottle. A material is what the object is made of.bottle = object
- Find what it is made of. The material is the stuff that the bottle is made from.glass = material
- Write the answer. material
Check. A bottle is an object. The glass it is made of is the material. ✓
Watch out. The object is the thing. The material is what it is made of.
Method. Think about which material a window is usually made of.
- Look at a window in your home. Windows are made of a see-through material.a window
- Name the material. The see-through material in a window is glass.window = glass
- Write the answer. glass
Check. Glass is the material. The window is the object. ✓
Watch out. Glass is a material. Do not write window, because that is the object.
Method. Look at the spoon, then name the material it is made of.
- Look at the spoon. It is shiny and feels hard.metal spoon
- Name the material. Shiny, hard spoons like this are made of metal.spoon = metal
- Write the answer. metal
Check. Tap the spoon. It sounds hard, like metal. ✓
Watch out. Look at the material, not the shape of the object.
Method. Think about whether the word names a thing or what the thing is made of.
- Read the word. Paper is what a book is made of.paper
- Decide what kind of word it is. Paper is a material, so it names what things are made of.paper = material
- Write the answer. material
Check. A book is an object. The paper in it is the material. ✓
Watch out. A book is an object. Paper is a material.
Method. Think about what a bin bag is made of.
- Think about a bin bag. A bin bag is a thing that holds rubbish.bin bag = object
- Name the material. Bin bags are made of a thin, light plastic.bin bag = plastic
- Write the answer. plastic
Check. Plastic is the material. A bin bag is the object. ✓
Watch out. Name the material the bag is made from, not the bag itself.
Hard and soft
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A property tells you what a material is like. One property is how it feels when you press it. Hard things do not squash when you press them. Stone and wood are hard. Soft things squash when you press them. A sponge is soft, and so is cotton wool.
Look at these three things. Which one would squash?
Key ideas
- A property is what a material is like.
- Hard things do not squash when you press them.
- Soft things squash when you press them.
- Press gently with your thumb. Do not press anything sharp.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test the stone, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the stone. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not squash
- Choose the word that fits. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.hard
- Write the answer. hard
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is soft.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.metal spoon or sponge
- Find the one that is soft. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.sponge is soft
- Write the answer. sponge
Check. The other one is hard, so only sponge is soft. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is hard.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.sponge or wooden block
- Find the one that is hard. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.wooden block is hard
- Write the answer. wooden block
Check. The other one is soft, so only wooden block is hard. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a thing can be big and still be soft. Do not decide from how it looks. Press it gently and see whether it squashes.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Let your child press a cushion, a wooden spoon and a sponge, one at a time, with a gentle thumb. Ask: “Does it squash?” Then ask: “Is it hard or soft?”
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
Press a sponge gently with your thumb. Then press a wooden spoon in the same way. Which one squashes? Which one stays the same? Say “hard” or “soft”.
Exercise 8A Hard and soft
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test the cotton wool, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the cotton wool. Try it gently, or look at the picture.squashes
- Choose the word that fits. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test the sponge, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sponge. Try it gently, or look at the picture.squashes
- Choose the word that fits. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test the wooden block, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the wooden block. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not squash
- Choose the word that fits. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.hard
- Write the answer. hard
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test the cotton wool, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the cotton wool. Try it gently, or look at the picture.squashes
- Choose the word that fits. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test the metal spoon, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal spoon. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not squash
- Choose the word that fits. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.hard
- Write the answer. hard
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test the sponge, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sponge. Try it gently, or look at the picture.squashes
- Choose the word that fits. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test the stone, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the stone. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not squash
- Choose the word that fits. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.hard
- Write the answer. hard
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is soft.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.stone or cotton wool
- Find the one that is soft. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.cotton wool is soft
- Write the answer. cotton wool
Check. The other one is hard, so only cotton wool is soft. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Method. Think about what a cushion does when you press it.
- Look at what Tom did. Tom pressed the cushion, and it squashed.cushion: squashes
- Decide the word. A thing that squashes when you press it is soft.squashes = soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Press a cushion yourself. It squashes, so it is soft. ✓
Watch out. Squashing means soft. Hard things stay the same shape.
Method. Think about what hard means.
- Look at the spoon. A hard thing does not squash when you press it.metal spoon: hard
- Think about pressing it. If it is hard, pressing it will not change its shape.press: no squash
- Write the answer. No. It does not squash, so it is hard.
Check. Press a spoon gently. It keeps its shape. ✓
Watch out. Pressing a hard thing does not change its shape.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.The sponge will squash, and the stone will not.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Press the sponge, then the stone, one at a time, with a gentle thumb.
- Write the answer. The sponge will squash and the stone will not. Press each one gently with your thumb to find out.
Check. Press both and check: the sponge squashes and the stone does not. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?stone, wooden block, sponge, cotton wool
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Hard: stone, wooden block. Soft: sponge, cotton wool.
- Write the groups. Hard: stone, wooden block. Soft: sponge, cotton wool.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Look at all four things. Think about which one is different.
- Look at each thing. Think about whether it is hard or soft.stone, wooden block, metal spoon: hard. sponge: soft.
- Find the one that is different. Three things are hard, so the soft one is the odd one out.sponge is the odd one out
- Write the answer. Sponge. It is soft, and the others are hard.
Check. Press each one. Only the sponge squashes. ✓
Watch out. Look for the one that is different from the rest, and say why.
Rough and smooth
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
Feel a thing with your fingers. A rough thing has bumps or scratchy bits. Sandpaper is rough, and so is a brick. A smooth thing is flat and even. You cannot feel any bumps. A plastic plate is smooth.
Which one is rough? Which one is smooth?
Key ideas
- A rough thing has bumps that you can feel.
- A smooth thing is flat and even.
- You can test this by feeling with your fingers.
- Some things look smooth but feel rough.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the sandpaper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sandpaper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Smooth means it is flat and even, with no bumps.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is smooth.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.sandpaper or plastic plate
- Find the one that is smooth. It is flat and even, with no bumps, so it is smooth.plastic plate is smooth
- Write the answer. plastic plate
Check. The other one is rough, so only plastic plate is smooth. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is rough.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.metal spoon or brick
- Find the one that is rough. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.brick is rough
- Write the answer. brick
Check. The other one is smooth, so only brick is rough. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a thing can look smooth and still feel rough. Shut your eyes and feel it. Do not decide from how it looks.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Let your child feel a few things with their eyes shut and say “rough” or “smooth”. Ask: “How do you know?”
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
Put a metal spoon, a piece of sandpaper and a plastic plate in a bag or box with a lid. Your child shuts their eyes, feels each thing, and says “rough” or “smooth”. Then check by looking.
Exercise 8B Rough and smooth
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the sandpaper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sandpaper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Smooth means it is flat and even, with no bumps.
Method. Test the plastic plate, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the plastic plate. Try it gently, or look at the picture.flat and even
- Choose the word that fits. It is flat and even, with no bumps, so it is smooth.smooth
- Write the answer. smooth
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the brick, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the brick. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Smooth means it is flat and even, with no bumps.
Method. Test the metal spoon, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal spoon. Try it gently, or look at the picture.flat and even
- Choose the word that fits. It is flat and even, with no bumps, so it is smooth.smooth
- Write the answer. smooth
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the sandpaper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sandpaper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the brick, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the brick. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Smooth means it is flat and even, with no bumps.
Method. Test the plastic plate, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the plastic plate. Try it gently, or look at the picture.flat and even
- Choose the word that fits. It is flat and even, with no bumps, so it is smooth.smooth
- Write the answer. smooth
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Smooth means it is flat and even, with no bumps.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is smooth.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.metal spoon or brick
- Find the one that is smooth. It is flat and even, with no bumps, so it is smooth.metal spoon is smooth
- Write the answer. metal spoon
Check. The other one is rough, so only metal spoon is smooth. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Method. Think about what Ruby says and what a metal spoon feels like.
- Look at what Ruby says. Ruby says a metal spoon is rough.Ruby: spoon is rough
- Feel the spoon. A metal spoon is flat and even, with no bumps. So it is smooth.spoon: smooth
- Write the answer. No. A metal spoon is smooth.
Check. Feel the spoon with your eyes shut. No bumps. ✓
Watch out. A spoon can be smooth even though it is hard. Check each property on its own.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?brick, plastic plate, sandpaper, metal spoon
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Rough: brick, sandpaper. Smooth: plastic plate, metal spoon.
- Write the groups. Rough: brick, sandpaper. Smooth: plastic plate, metal spoon.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.The sandpaper will feel rough, and the plate will feel smooth.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Close your eyes, feel each one, one at a time, and say what you feel.
- Write the answer. The sandpaper will feel rough and the plate will feel smooth. Feel each one with your eyes shut to check.
Check. Feel both with your eyes shut and check the answer. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Method. Think about what scratchy means.
- Read what Mei felt. Mei rubs her hand on the sandpaper. It feels scratchy.sandpaper: scratchy
- Find the word that means scratchy. Scratchy things have bumps, so they are rough.scratchy = rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Rub your hand on sandpaper. It is rough. ✓
Watch out. Scratchy and bumpy both mean rough.
Method. Think about how you can feel the difference with your fingers.
- Use your fingers. Your fingers can feel bumps.feel for bumps
- Decide what each feeling means. Bumps mean rough. Flat and even means smooth.bumps = rough; flat = smooth
- Write the answer. Feel it with your fingers. Rough things have bumps you can feel. Smooth things feel flat and even.
Check. Try it with your eyes shut on two things. ✓
Watch out. Look at the thing last. Feel it first, so that you do not guess.
Shiny and dull
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A shiny thing looks bright. You can see a shine on it when light falls on it. A metal spoon and foil are shiny. A dull thing does not shine. It looks matt. A cardboard box and a cotton cloth are dull.
Key ideas
- A shiny thing has a bright shine.
- A dull thing does not shine.
- Look at each thing in the same light.
- Never shine a torch or a mirror into anyone’s eyes.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the metal spoon, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal spoon. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test the cardboard box, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the cardboard box. Try it gently, or look at the picture.no shine
- Choose the word that fits. It does not shine, so it is dull.dull
- Write the answer. dull
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is shiny.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.foil or cardboard box
- Find the one that is shiny. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.foil is shiny
- Write the answer. foil
Check. The other one is dull, so only foil is shiny. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a dull thing can still be bright in colour. Colour is not the same as shine. Look for a bright shine on the thing.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Put the things side by side on a table near a window. Ask: “Which one has a shine?” Your child can look at their face in a clean spoon to see the shine.
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
Look at a metal spoon, a piece of foil and a cardboard box in the same light. Which one is shiny? Which one is dull? Can you see your face in the shiny one?
Exercise 8C Shiny and dull
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the foil, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the foil. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test the cotton cloth, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the cotton cloth. Try it gently, or look at the picture.no shine
- Choose the word that fits. It does not shine, so it is dull.dull
- Write the answer. dull
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test the paper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the paper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.no shine
- Choose the word that fits. It does not shine, so it is dull.dull
- Write the answer. dull
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test the cotton cloth, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the cotton cloth. Try it gently, or look at the picture.no shine
- Choose the word that fits. It does not shine, so it is dull.dull
- Write the answer. dull
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the metal spoon, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal spoon. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test the paper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the paper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.no shine
- Choose the word that fits. It does not shine, so it is dull.dull
- Write the answer. dull
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the foil, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the foil. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is shiny.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.metal spoon or cotton cloth
- Find the one that is shiny. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.metal spoon is shiny
- Write the answer. metal spoon
Check. The other one is dull, so only metal spoon is shiny. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?foil, cotton cloth, metal spoon, cardboard box
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Shiny: foil, metal spoon. Dull: cotton cloth, cardboard box.
- Write the groups. Shiny: foil, metal spoon. Dull: cotton cloth, cardboard box.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Think about whether paper has a shine.
- Look at what Dan says. Dan says paper is shiny.Dan: paper is shiny
- Check the paper. Paper does not shine, so it is dull.paper: dull
- Write the answer. No. Paper is dull, so it does not shine.
Check. Look at a sheet of paper in good light. It is dull. ✓
Watch out. Shine means a bright glint. Paper does not give one.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.The spoon will look bright and shiny, and the cardboard will look dull.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Put the spoon and the cardboard side by side, in the same light, and look at each one.
- Write the answer. The spoon will look bright, and the cardboard will look dull. Look at each one in the same light and compare.
Check. Compare them side by side. The spoon shines more. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Key words. Dull means it does not shine.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is dull.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.foil or cardboard box
- Find the one that is dull. It does not shine, so it is dull.cardboard box is dull
- Write the answer. cardboard box
Check. The other one is shiny, so only cardboard box is dull. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Method. Think about which thing does not match the others.
- Look at each thing. Foil and the metal spoon are shiny.foil: shiny; spoon: shiny
- Find the odd one out. The cardboard box is dull, so it is different.box: dull
- Write the answer. Cardboard box. It is dull, but the foil and the spoon are shiny.
Check. Look at all three in the same light. Only the box is dull. ✓
Watch out. Look for the one that is different, and say what makes it different.
Bendy, stiff and stretchy
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A bendy thing bends easily when you push or pull it. A plastic straw is bendy. A stiff thing does not bend much. It keeps its shape. A piece of card is stiff. A stretchy thing gets longer when you pull it, and then goes back to its shape. A rubber band is stretchy.
Key ideas
- Bendy things bend when you push or pull them.
- Stiff things do not bend much.
- Stretchy things get longer when pulled, then go back.
- A stretchy thing is usually bendy too. A bendy thing is not always stretchy.
Key words. Bendy means it bends easily when you push or pull it.
Method. Test the plastic straw, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the plastic straw. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bends easily
- Choose the word that fits. It bends easily when you push it, so it is bendy.bendy
- Write the answer. bendy
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Stiff means it does not bend easily.
Method. Test the piece of card, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the piece of card. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not bend much
- Choose the word that fits. It does not bend much, so it is stiff.stiff
- Write the answer. stiff
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Stretchy means it gets longer when you pull it, then goes back to its shape.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is stretchy.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.plastic straw or rubber band
- Find the one that is stretchy. It gets longer when you pull it and then goes back, so it is stretchy.rubber band is stretchy
- Write the answer. rubber band
Check. The other one is not stretchy, so only rubber band is stretchy. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a bendy thing is not always stretchy. A straw bends, but it does not get longer and then spring back.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Let your child bend a straw and then a piece of card. Ask: “Which one bends more?” Stretch a rubber band a little, then let go. Ask: “What happened to its length?”
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
Bend a plastic drinking straw. Then try to bend a piece of card. Stretch a rubber band a little, then let go. Keep the band away from faces, and do not stretch it until it snaps.
Exercise 8D Bendy, stiff and stretchy
Key words. Bendy means it bends easily when you push or pull it.
Method. Test the plastic straw, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the plastic straw. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bends easily
- Choose the word that fits. It bends easily when you push it, so it is bendy.bendy
- Write the answer. bendy
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Stiff means it does not bend easily.
Method. Test the piece of card, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the piece of card. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not bend much
- Choose the word that fits. It does not bend much, so it is stiff.stiff
- Write the answer. stiff
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Stretchy means it gets longer when you pull it, then goes back to its shape.
Method. Test the rubber band, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber band. Try it gently, or look at the picture.gets longer, then goes back
- Answer yes or no. It gets longer when you pull it and then goes back, so it is stretchy.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Stretchy means it gets longer when you pull it, then goes back to its shape.
Method. Test the rubber band, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber band. Try it gently, or look at the picture.gets longer, then goes back
- Answer yes or no. It gets longer when you pull it and then goes back, so it is stretchy.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not stretchy means it does not get longer when you pull it.
Method. Test the plastic straw, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the plastic straw. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not stretch
- Answer yes or no. It does not get longer when you pull it, so it is not stretchy.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not stretchy means it does not get longer when you pull it.
Method. Test the piece of card, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the piece of card. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not stretch
- Answer yes or no. It does not get longer when you pull it, so it is not stretchy.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Bendy means it bends easily when you push or pull it.
Method. Test the rubber band, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber band. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bends easily
- Answer yes or no. It bends easily when you push it, so it is bendy.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Stiff means it does not bend easily.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is stiff.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.plastic straw or piece of card
- Find the one that is stiff. It does not bend much, so it is stiff.piece of card is stiff
- Write the answer. piece of card
Check. The other one is bendy, so only piece of card is stiff. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Bendy means it bends easily when you push or pull it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?piece of card, plastic straw, rubber band
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Bendy: plastic straw, rubber band. Stiff: piece of card.
- Write the groups. Bendy: plastic straw, rubber band. Stiff: piece of card.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 3 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Think about what stiff means.
- Look at what Sam says. Sam says a rubber band is stiff because it is hard to bend.Sam: stiff
- Test the rubber band. A rubber band bends easily and it stretches, so it is not stiff.band: bends easily
- Write the answer. No. A rubber band bends easily, and it stretches.
Check. Bend a rubber band. It is easy to bend. ✓
Watch out. Stiff things do not bend much. Test before you agree.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.The band will get longer, then go back to its first length.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Stretch the band a little, let go, and look at its length each time.
- Write the answer. The band will get longer, then go back to its first shape. Stretch it a little, let go, and look.
Check. Stretch it a little and let go. It goes back. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Method. Think about which word fits a thing that gets longer and then goes back.
- Read the sentence. A rubber band can be pulled longer and then spring back.pulled longer, then back
- Find the word. A thing that gets longer and goes back is stretchy.stretchy
- Write the answer. stretchy
Check. Stretch a rubber band a little. It is stretchy. ✓
Watch out. Stretchy means it gets longer and goes back, not only that it bends.
Method. Think about what a straw does when it bends, and when it is pulled.
- Test the straw. A plastic straw bends when you push it.straw: bends
- Pull it gently. It does not get longer and then go back, so it is not stretchy.straw: not stretchy
- Write the answer. It bends when you push it, but it does not get longer and then go back when you pull it.
Check. Bend the straw, then pull it gently. It bends, but it does not stretch. ✓
Watch out. Bendy and stretchy are not the same. A straw is bendy, but not stretchy.
See-through and not see-through
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A see-through material lets light through, so you can see what is on the other side. Window glass is see-through, and so is a clear plastic bag. A not see-through material stops you seeing through it. You cannot see through a wooden door or a metal tin.
Key ideas
- See-through means you can see things through it.
- Not see-through means you cannot see things through it.
- Glass can be see-through. Metal is not see-through.
- Test by holding the material over a picture in a book.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the window, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the window. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Answer yes or no. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not see-through means you cannot see things through it.
Method. Test the wooden door, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the wooden door. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star is hidden
- Answer yes or no. You cannot see the star through it, so it is not see-through.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is see-through.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.metal tin or clear plastic bag
- Find the one that is see-through. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.clear plastic bag is see-through
- Write the answer. clear plastic bag
Check. The other one is not see-through, so only clear plastic bag is see-through. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a clear plastic bag is see-through, but a black bin bag is not. Test the material you are looking at.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child: “Can you see through it?” Hold each thing up in front of the same picture, so the test is fair. Ask: “What did you see?”
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
Hold a clear plastic bag over a picture in a book. Then hold a piece of card over the same picture. Can you see the picture through each one? Keep the bag and card still while you look.
Exercise 8E See-through and not see-through
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the window, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the window. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Answer yes or no. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not see-through means you cannot see things through it.
Method. Test the wooden door, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the wooden door. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star is hidden
- Answer yes or no. You cannot see the star through it, so it is not see-through.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Answer yes or no. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the window, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the window. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Choose the word that fits. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.see-through
- Write the answer. see-through
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Not see-through means you cannot see things through it.
Method. Test the metal tin, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal tin. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star is hidden
- Choose the word that fits. You cannot see the star through it, so it is not see-through.not see-through
- Write the answer. not see-through
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Choose the word that fits. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.see-through
- Write the answer. see-through
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Not see-through means you cannot see things through it.
Method. Test the wooden door, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the wooden door. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star is hidden
- Choose the word that fits. You cannot see the star through it, so it is not see-through.not see-through
- Write the answer. not see-through
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Method. Look at each panel. If you can see the star, the panel is see-through.
- Look at each panel. Ask: can I see the star through it?window: yes; metal tin: no; clear plastic bag: yes; wooden door: no
- Find the panels that hide the star. A panel that hides the star is not see-through.metal tin and wooden door
- Write the answer. the metal tin and the wooden door
Check. Only the window and the clear plastic bag let you see the star. ✓
Watch out. Look for the star in every panel, not only the first one.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?clear plastic bag, window, metal tin, wooden door
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.See-through: clear plastic bag, window. Not see-through: metal tin, wooden door.
- Write the groups. See-through: clear plastic bag, window. Not see-through: metal tin, wooden door.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Think about what Zainab wants to do.
- Read what Zainab wants. Zainab wants a panel she can look through to see outside.look outside
- Choose the see-through material. A window is see-through, so she can see outside. A wooden door is not.window = see-through
- Write the answer. A window, because it is see-through.
Check. Hold a window up. You can see through it. ✓
Watch out. Choose the material that does the job. Check the property first.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.You will still see the picture through the clear plastic bag.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Hold the clear bag over a picture in a book, then look through it. Do the same with card.
- Write the answer. You will still see the picture through the clear bag. Hold the bag over the picture and look.
Check. Look through the bag and check the picture is still there. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Method. Think about what shiny means, and what see-through means.
- Read what Ruby says. Ruby says metal is see-through because it is shiny.Ruby: shiny = see-through
- Test the idea. A shine does not let you see through a material. Metal stops you seeing through it.metal: not see-through
- Write the answer. No. Metal is not see-through, even when it is shiny.
Check. Hold a metal tin in front of a picture. You cannot see it. ✓
Watch out. A material can be shiny and still not see-through.
Method. Think about which thing is different.
- Look at each thing. The window and the clear plastic bag are see-through.window: see-through; bag: see-through
- Find the odd one out. The metal tin is not see-through, so it is different.tin: not see-through
- Write the answer. Metal tin. It is not see-through, but the window and the bag are.
Check. Hold each one up in front of a picture. Only the tin hides the picture. ✓
Watch out. Look for the one that is different, and say why.
Waterproof and absorbent: choosing for a job
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A waterproof material stops water going through it. When you drip water on it, the water sits on top in drops. A clear plastic bag and a rubber boot are waterproof.
An absorbent material soaks up water. The water soaks in, and the material gets wet. A paper towel and a towel are absorbent.
Key ideas
- Waterproof: water sits on top and does not soak in.
- Absorbent: water soaks into it.
- Cardboard and paper are not waterproof.
- Test first, then choose the material that does the job best.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water sits on top
- Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test the paper towel, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the paper towel. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water soaks in
- Answer yes or no. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is waterproof.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.paper or clear plastic bag
- Find the one that is waterproof. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.clear plastic bag is waterproof
- Write the answer. clear plastic bag
Check. The other one is not waterproof, so only clear plastic bag is waterproof. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Watch out
Watch out: a material can look strong and still soak up water. Cardboard looks strong, but it is not waterproof. It soaks in and goes soft.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Let your child choose a material for a job at home, such as drying a spill or keeping a snack dry. Ask: “Did you test it first? What did you see?”
Try it at home (with a grown-up)
On a tray or an old plate, put a small piece of plastic bag, a piece of paper towel and a piece of cardboard. Drip three drops of water on each one. Wait one minute. Which one lets the water soak in? Wipe up the water when you finish.
Exercise 8F Waterproof, absorbent and choosing a material
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water sits on top
- Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test the paper towel, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the paper towel. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water soaks in
- Answer yes or no. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test the rubber boot, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber boot. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water sits on top
- Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water sits on top
- Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test the cotton cloth, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the cotton cloth. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water soaks in
- Answer yes or no. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not waterproof means water soaks in or gets through.
Method. Test the cardboard box, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the cardboard box. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water soaks in
- Answer yes or no. Water soaks in, so it is not waterproof.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Not absorbent means it does not soak up water.
Method. Test the rubber boot, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber boot. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water does not soak in
- Answer yes or no. Water does not soak in, so it is not absorbent.No
- Write the answer. No
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is absorbent.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.rubber boot or cotton cloth
- Find the one that is absorbent. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.cotton cloth is absorbent
- Write the answer. cotton cloth
Check. The other one is not absorbent, so only cotton cloth is absorbent. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?clear plastic bag, towel, rubber boot, cardboard box
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Waterproof: clear plastic bag, rubber boot. Not waterproof: towel, cardboard box.
- Write the groups. Waterproof: clear plastic bag, rubber boot. Not waterproof: towel, cardboard box.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is waterproof.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.cardboard box or rubber boot
- Find the one that is waterproof. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.rubber boot is waterproof
- Write the answer. rubber boot
Check. The other one is not waterproof, so only rubber boot is waterproof. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is absorbent.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.rubber boot or paper towel
- Find the one that is absorbent. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.paper towel is absorbent
- Write the answer. paper towel
Check. The other one is not absorbent, so only paper towel is absorbent. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Method. Make a prediction first, then plan a fair test.
- Make a prediction. A prediction is a sensible guess before you test.The drop will sit on the plastic bag, and the paper towel will soak it up.
- Plan the test. Test each thing in the same way, so the test is fair.Put one drop of water on a plastic bag and one on a paper towel. Watch each one for one minute.
- Write the answer. The drop will sit on the plastic bag, and the paper towel will soak it up. Put a drop on each one and watch for one minute.
Check. Watch both for one minute. The bag keeps the drop on top. ✓
Watch out. Make your guess before you test. Then check what really happens.
Method. Think about what waterproof means, and what happens to cardboard in water.
- Read what Samir says. Samir says cardboard is waterproof because it is strong.Samir: strong = waterproof
- Test the cardboard. Water soaks into cardboard and it goes soft, so water does not stay on top.cardboard: water soaks in
- Write the answer. No. Water soaks into cardboard and it goes soft, so it is not waterproof.
Check. Drip water on cardboard. It soaks in. ✓
Watch out. Strong does not mean waterproof. Test the water first.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Hard and soft | Hard things do not squash when you press them. Soft things squash. |
| Rough and smooth | Rough things have bumps you can feel. Smooth things are flat and even. |
| Shiny and dull | Shiny things have a bright shine. Dull things do not shine. |
| Bendy, stiff and stretchy | Bendy things bend easily. Stiff things do not bend much. Stretchy things get longer and go back. |
| See-through | You can see through a see-through material. You cannot see through a not see-through material. |
| Waterproof and absorbent | Waterproof: water sits on top. Absorbent: water soaks in. Test first, then choose. |
Can you…?
- I can say whether a material is hard or soft, rough or smooth
- I can say whether a material is shiny or dull, bendy or stiff, and stretchy
- I can say whether I can see through a material
- I can say whether a material is waterproof or absorbent, using a simple test
- I can sort materials into groups by what they are like
- I can choose a material for a job by testing it first
Key terms
- property
- what a material is like, such as hard or shiny
- material
- what something is made of, such as wood, glass or metal
- hard
- does not squash when you press it
- soft
- squashes when you press it
- rough
- has bumps that you can feel
- smooth
- flat and even, with no bumps
- shiny
- bright, with a shine you can see
- dull
- does not shine
- bendy
- bends easily when you push or pull it
- stiff
- does not bend much
- stretchy
- gets longer when you pull it, then goes back
- see-through
- you can see things through it
- waterproof
- water sits on top and does not soak in
- absorbent
- soaks up water
- test
- a simple, safe way to find out what a material is like
Exercise 8Z Check-up
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test the stone, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the stone. Try it gently, or look at the picture.does not squash
- Choose the word that fits. It does not squash when you press it, so it is hard.hard
- Write the answer. hard
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is rough.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.sandpaper or plastic plate
- Find the one that is rough. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.sandpaper is rough
- Write the answer. sandpaper
Check. The other one is smooth, so only sandpaper is rough. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the metal spoon, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the metal spoon. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Stretchy means it gets longer when you pull it, then goes back to its shape.
Method. Test the rubber band, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber band. Try it gently, or look at the picture.gets longer, then goes back
- Answer yes or no. It gets longer when you pull it and then goes back, so it is stretchy.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Stretchy means it gets longer when you pull it, then goes back to its shape.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is stretchy.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.piece of card or rubber band
- Find the one that is stretchy. It gets longer when you pull it and then goes back, so it is stretchy.rubber band is stretchy
- Write the answer. rubber band
Check. The other one is not stretchy, so only rubber band is stretchy. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the window, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the window. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Answer yes or no. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test the rubber boot, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the rubber boot. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water sits on top
- Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test both things, then find the one that is absorbent.
- Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.rubber boot or sponge
- Find the one that is absorbent. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.sponge is absorbent
- Write the answer. sponge
Check. The other one is not absorbent, so only sponge is absorbent. ✓
Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.
Key words. Hard means it does not squash when you press it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?sponge, wooden block, cotton wool, stone
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Hard: wooden block, stone. Soft: sponge, cotton wool.
- Write the groups. Hard: wooden block, stone. Soft: sponge, cotton wool.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Think about what a window must do, and what cardboard is like.
- Think about a window. A window must let you see outside, so it must be see-through.window = see-through
- Compare the two. Cardboard is not see-through, so you cannot see outside through it.cardboard: not see-through
- Write the answer. Glass, because it is see-through.
Check. Look through glass to check it is see-through. ✓
Watch out. Choose the material that does the job. Check the property first.
Total 14 marks. Allow about 14 minutes.
Exercise 8X End-of-chapter quiz
Key words. Soft means it squashes when you press it.
Method. Test the sponge, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sponge. Try it gently, or look at the picture.squashes
- Choose the word that fits. It squashes when you press it, so it is soft.soft
- Write the answer. soft
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Rough means it has bumps that you can feel.
Method. Test the sandpaper, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the sandpaper. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bumpy
- Choose the word that fits. It has bumps that you can feel, so it is rough.rough
- Write the answer. rough
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Shiny means it is bright and has a shine.
Method. Test the foil, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the foil. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bright shine
- Choose the word that fits. It has a bright shine, so it is shiny.shiny
- Write the answer. shiny
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. Bendy means it bends easily when you push or pull it.
Method. Test the plastic straw, then choose the word that fits it.
- Test the plastic straw. Try it gently, or look at the picture.bends easily
- Choose the word that fits. It bends easily when you push it, so it is bendy.bendy
- Write the answer. bendy
Check. Test it again the same way, and the word stays the same. ✓
Watch out. Test first, then choose the word. Do not guess from the name.
Key words. See-through means you can see things through it.
Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.the star can be seen
- Answer yes or no. You can see the star through it, so it is see-through.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.
Method. Test the towel, then answer Yes or No.
- Test the towel. Try it gently, or look at the picture.water soaks in
- Answer yes or no. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.Yes
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓
Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.
Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.
Method. Test each thing for this property, then put it in the right group.
- Look at each thing. Ask: does it have this property?towel, rubber boot, cardboard box, clear plastic bag
- Put each thing in one group. Each thing goes in only one group.Waterproof: rubber boot, clear plastic bag. Not waterproof: towel, cardboard box.
- Write the groups. Waterproof: rubber boot, clear plastic bag. Not waterproof: towel, cardboard box.
Check. Count the things in the groups. There are 4 in all. ✓
Watch out. Test each thing first. Do not sort by colour or size.
Method. Think about which material keeps water out of your hands.
- Look at the two gloves. A cotton glove soaks up water. A rubber glove does not let water soak in.cotton: absorbent; rubber: waterproof
- Choose the glove that keeps hands dry. Rubber is waterproof, so it keeps the water out.rubber glove = waterproof
- Write the answer. A rubber glove, because it is waterproof.
Check. Drip water on each one. Only the rubber one keeps the water on top. ✓
Watch out. Choose the material that does the job. Check the property first.
Method. Think about what a window must let you do.
- Think about a window. A window must let you see outside.see outside
- Test the metal tin. A metal tin is not see-through, so light cannot show you the outside.tin: not see-through
- Write the answer. It is not see-through, so you cannot see outside through it.
Check. Hold a metal tin in front of a picture. You cannot see it. ✓
Watch out. A window must be see-through. Metal is not see-through.
Method. Think about how to find out which material soaks up water.
- Think about the two materials. We need to test each one with water in the same way.same test for each
- Plan the test. Drip water on each material and see whether the water soaks in.drip, then look
- Write the answer. Drip water on each material and see whether the water soaks in.
Check. The material that soaks the water in is absorbent. ✓
Watch out. Use the same amount of water on each material, so the test is fair.