Year 3 Science Working scientifically: check-up and practice test questions

Method. A relevant question can be answered with evidence.

1. Read A. This is a personal view, so it is not a science question.
   A: opinion
2. Read B. We can measure how much water soaks in.
   B: measure
3. Write the answer.
   B

Check. Measuring the water gives the answer. ✓

Method. Think about what must be kept the same in a fair test.

1. Think about the test. Only the towel changes in a fair test.
   towel changes
2. Name the thing kept the same. The same amount of water is poured on each towel.
   the amount of water
3. Write the answer.
   the amount of water

Check. The amount of water is kept the same. ✓

Method. Find the 10 mark, then count the small marks above it.

1. Find the 10 mark. The number 10 is labelled on the scale.
   10
2. Count the small marks above 10. The liquid stops four small marks above 10.
   10 + 4 = 14
3. Write the answer.
   14 °C

Check. Four marks above 10 is 14 degrees. ✓

Method. Follow the key for the wooden ruler.

1. Question 1. Is it made of wood? A wooden ruler is made of wood, so the answer is yes.
   yes
2. Find the group. The yes arrow leads to the wood group.
   wood
3. Write the answer.
   wood

Check. The wooden ruler is in the wood group. ✓

Method. Find the bar for Towel A, then read its top.

1. Find the bar for Towel A. It is the first bar.
   Towel A
2. Read the top of the bar. The bar reaches 70 on the scale, in ml.
   70 ml
3. Write the answer.
   70 ml

Check. Towel A soaked up 70 ml. ✓

Method. Take the smaller amount away from the bigger amount.

1. Read the two amounts. Towel B soaked up 88 ml. Towel C soaked up 55 ml.
   88 and 55
2. Take the smaller away from the bigger. The difference is how many ml more.
   88 − 55 = 33
3. Write the answer.
   33 ml

Check. 55 + 33 = 88, so the answer is right. ✓

Method. Use the pattern in the test: each book adds the same height to the stack.

1. Find the pattern in the results. Each book is the same thickness, so the stack grows by the same amount.
   1 book = 3 cm; 2 books = 6 cm; 3 books = 9 cm
2. Predict the height for 5 books. Multiply the thickness of one book by 5.
   5 × 3 = 15
3. Write the answer.
   15 cm

Check. Add 3 cm for each book: 5 books is 15 cm. ✓

Watch out. A prediction is a sensible guess from the pattern. It is only checked when we measure it.

Method. A conclusion says what the results show.

1. Compare the results. Towel B soaked up 88 ml and Towel C soaked up 55 ml.
   88 and 55
2. Write the conclusion. The bigger amount soaked up is Towel B.
   Towel B more
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any conclusion that says Towel B soaked up more water than Towel C.

Check. The conclusion matches the results. ✓

Method. Compare the two bounce heights.

1. Read the heights. Rubber ball 38 cm, sponge ball 9 cm.
   38 and 9
2. Find the higher one. 38 cm is more than 9 cm.
   rubber ball
3. Write the answer.
   rubber ball

Check. 38 is more than 9. ✓

Method. Look at the picture and think about its job.

1. Look at the device. The picture shows a box with a screen and a reading on it.
   box with a screen
2. Name the tool. A data logger records readings at set times, by itself.
   data logger
3. Write the answer.
   data logger

Check. The data logger records readings without a person. ✓

Method. Look for the one thing that is different in each test.

1. Read the test. Each test uses a different kind of paper towel.
   kind of towel
2. Name the thing that changes. Only this thing changes in a fair test.
   the kind of paper towel
3. Write the answer.
   the kind of paper towel

Check. Everything else is kept the same. ✓

Method. Think about which tool measures volume of a liquid.

1. Read A. A ruler measures length, not volume.
   A: length
2. Read B. A measuring cylinder measures volume in ml.
   B: ml
3. Write the answer.
   B

Check. A measuring cylinder reads ml directly. ✓

Method. Find the two tests where only one thing changes.

1. Compare the drop heights. Both tests use a drop height of 50 cm.
   50 cm and 50 cm
2. Compare the balls. Only the ball is different, so only one thing changes.
   only the ball
3. Write the answer.
   Tests 1 and 2, because only the ball changes

Check. The drop height stays the same in both tests. ✓

Method. Find the 20 mark, then count the small marks above it.

1. Find the 20 mark. The number 20 is labelled on the scale.
   20
2. Count the small marks above 20. The liquid stops two small marks above 20.
   20 + 2 = 22
3. Write the answer.
   22 °C

Check. Two marks above 20 is 22 degrees. ✓

Method. Read the two bars, then take the smaller number away from the bigger one.

1. Read the wood bar. The wood group has 2 objects.
   wood: 2
2. Read the metal bar. The metal group has 1 object.
   metal: 1
3. Take the smaller away from the bigger. The difference is how many more.
   2 − 1 = 1
4. Write the answer.
   1

Check. 1 + 1 = 2, the wood group size. ✓

Method. Find the height of one box, then multiply by 5.

1. Find one box. Three boxes make 36 cm, so one box is 36 divided by 3.
   36 ÷ 3 = 12 cm
2. Predict for 5 boxes. Five boxes, each 12 cm, make 60 cm.
   5 × 12 = 60
3. Write the answer.
   60 cm

Check. Three boxes at 12 cm each make 36 cm. ✓

Method. Think about the job of a data logger.

1. Think about the job. A data logger records readings at set times by itself.
   by itself
2. Give the reason. Nobody has to write each reading down, so fewer readings are missed.
   no writing needed
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any reason that says it records readings automatically, at set times, without a person writing each reading down.

Check. Automatic recording saves time and reduces mistakes. ✓

Method. Think about the rules for accurate measuring.

1. Think about the start. Measuring starts at the 0 mark.
   start at 0
2. Think about the reading. The scale is read straight across, at eye level.
   eye level
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any answer that says the stick started at 0 and the scale was read at eye level.

Check. Both rules make the measurement accurate. ✓

Method. Check each statement against the results.

1. Read A. Towel C soaked up 55 ml, which is the least, so statement A is not supported.
   55 is the least
2. Read B. Towel B soaked up 88 ml, which is the most, so statement B is supported.
   88 is the most
3. Write the answer.
   B

Check. The results support only statement B. ✓

Method. Use the three parts of a fair test: change, measure and keep the same.

1. Change. We change the sponge: we use a different sponge each time.
   the sponge
2. Measure. We measure the ml of water in the tray, or the ml soaked up.
   ml in the tray
3. Keep the same. We keep the same amount of water and the same pouring height.
   same water and height
4. Write the answer.
   Accept any plan that changes the sponge, measures the ml of water in a tray or the ml soaked up, and keeps one thing the same, such as the amount of water.

Check. Change one thing, measure the result and keep everything else the same. ✓