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Primary Science · Year 4Chapter 1 · Working scientifically revisited
Year 4 Science · Working scientifically revisited · Lesson 1.1

Year 4 Science: Asking questions and predicting

Part of the Year 4 Science working scientifically revisited chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

1.1

Asking questions and predicting

Year 4
WS: ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiry to answer them
Story. Ruby and Aisha have a pile of paper towels on the kitchen table. “Which one soaks up the most water?” Ruby asks. Mr Patel smiles and says, “That is a good scientific question. Before we test it, what do you think will happen?”

Scientists begin with a question. A good scientific question can be answered by a test or by careful observation. It is a question that you can measure, such as: “How many millilitres of water does this towel soak up?”

Before the test, scientists make a prediction. A prediction says what you think will happen, and why. It is a guess that is based on an idea, so it can be tested. After the test, you compare the results with your prediction.

Changeone thingMeasurethe resultKeep the sameeverything elsethe brandof towelmillilitresof waterthe water, thetime and the size
Scientists plan a test in three parts: the thing they change, the thing they measure, and what they keep the same.

Key ideas

  • A scientific question is one that can be answered by a test or by careful observation.
  • A prediction says what you think will happen, and why.
  • A prediction is written before the test, so you can compare it with the results.
  • A question that can be measured makes a good scientific question.
Worked example 1.1.1
Ruby asks: “Which towel soaks up the most water?” Can this question be answered by measuring? Write yes or no.

Method. Think about whether you can measure the answer.

  1. Think about the answer. We can measure how many millilitres of water each towel soaks up.
    measure the millilitres
  2. Decide. Because we can measure the answer, the question can be tested.
    can be tested
  3. Write the answer.
    yes

Check. A question that can be tested by measuring is a good scientific question. ✓

Worked example 1.1.2
Aisha writes: “I think Towel B will soak up the most water, because it looks thick.” Is this a prediction or a measurement? Write prediction or measurement.

Method. Read what Aisha wrote.

  1. Find the words “I think”. Aisha says what she thinks will happen, before the test.
    before the test
  2. Decide. Something said before the test, with a reason, is a prediction.
    prediction
  3. Write the answer.
    prediction

Check. A measurement is something you read off a scale during the test. ✓

Worked example 1.1.3
Which of these is a question that can be tested? Write a or b. a) What is the nicest paper towel? b) Which paper towel soaks up the most water?

Method. Check which question you can measure.

  1. Look at a). You cannot measure which towel is the nicest, because that is an opinion.
    opinion
  2. Look at b). You can measure how much water each towel soaks up.
    measure
  3. Write the answer.
    b

Check. Question b) can be answered by a fair test. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a question about what someone likes is an opinion. It cannot be answered by measuring, so it is not a scientific question to test.

Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Choose two things at home that might soak up water, such as a tea towel and a sponge. Ask a question about them, such as: “Which one soaks up more water?” Write one prediction before you test. You will test it in section 1.2.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “What do you think will happen? Why do you think that?” Let your child write a prediction with a reason, and check it after the test.

Exercise 1A  Asking questions and predicting

1
FIs “How much water does a paper towel soak up?” a question that can be tested with a fair test? Write yes or no.
2
FWhich of these is a question that can be tested by measuring? Write a or b. a) What is your favourite towel? b) How many millilitres of water does a towel soak up?
3
FFill in the gap: a prediction is what you think will ___ before a test. Write the word.
4
FAisha writes: “Towel C will soak up 12 ml, because it looks thin.” Is this a prediction or a measurement? Write prediction or measurement.
5
FWhich of these is the best question for a fair test? Write a, b or c. a) Which towel is the prettiest? b) Which towel soaks up the most water? c) Which towel is the oldest?
6
FMo says: “Towel B is thicker, so it will soak up the most water.” Is Mo’s idea a question or a prediction? Write question or prediction.
7
FFill in the gap: a scientific question is one that can be ___ by testing. Write the word.
8
PSWhich of these is a question that can be tested? Write a or b. a) Is pink the nicest colour for a towel? b) Does a sponge soak up more water than a towel?
9
PSRuby says: “I know Towel B soaks up most water, so I do not need to test it.” Is Ruby right? Write yes or no.
10
PSWorking scientifically. Ruby asks: “Does the colour of a towel change how much water it soaks up?” Write one prediction and one reason.
11
PSWrite one question about paper towels that could be answered by a fair test.
12
RExplain why a prediction should be written before a test. Write one sentence.

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