Year 5 Science Working scientifically: planning and reporting: check-up and practice test questions

Method. Read the label that says changed on purpose.

1. Read the label. The label says Changed on purpose: ramp height.
   Changed on purpose
2. Name the variable. So the variable changed on purpose is the ramp height.
   ramp height
3. Write the answer.
   ramp height

Check. The ramp height is the independent variable. ✓

Method. Read the label that says measured.

1. Read the label. The label says Measured: distance rolled.
   Measured
2. Name the variable. So the variable measured is the distance rolled.
   distance rolled
3. Write the answer.
   distance rolled

Check. The distance rolled is the dependent variable. ✓

Method. Add the three readings, then divide by three.

1. Add them. The three readings add to 39 cm.
   12 + 14 + 13 = 39
2. Divide. Divide 39 by 3 to find the mean.
   39 divided by 3 is 13
3. Write the answer.
   13

Check. Check: 13 + 13 + 13 = 39. ✓

Method. Think about the graph with points that are not joined.

1. Read the description. A scatter graph shows two measured variables, with points that are not joined.
   not joined
2. Name the graph. So the answer is a scatter graph.
   scatter graph
3. Write the answer.
   scatter graph

Check. Scatter graphs are used to look for a pattern. ✓

Method. Find 10 cm on the height axis, then read the point above it.

1. Find the height. Follow the horizontal axis to 10 cm.
   10 cm
2. Read the distance. The point above 10 cm is at 55 cm.
   55
3. Write the answer.
   55

Check. The table says 55 cm for a 10 cm ramp. ✓

Method. Read the three trials, then find the mean.

1. Read the trials. The three trials are 41 cm, 45 cm and 43 cm.
   41, 45, 43
2. Find the mean. They add to 129 cm, and 129 divided by 3 is 43.
   129 divided by 3 is 43
3. Write the answer.
   43

Check. The mean is marked by the triangle on the number line. ✓

Method. Add the three numbers, then divide by three.

1. Add them. The three numbers add to 75.
   20 + 25 + 30 = 75
2. Divide. Divide 75 by 3 to find the mean.
   75 divided by 3 is 25
3. Write the answer.
   yes

Check. Check: 25 + 25 + 25 = 75. ✓

Method. Read the boxes from left to right.

1. Read the first box. The boxes in order are Idea, Fair test, Collect evidence, and Support or refute the idea.
   Idea first
2. Name the first box. So the box that comes before the fair test is Idea.
   Idea
3. Write the answer.
   Idea

Check. Every enquiry starts with an idea. ✓

Method. Find 15 minutes on the time axis, then read the point above it.

1. Find the time. Follow the time axis to 15 minutes.
   15 minutes
2. Read the temperature. The point above 15 minutes is at 35 degrees.
   35
3. Write the answer.
   35

Check. The table says 35 degrees at 15 minutes. ✓

Method. Think about the fair test and the conclusion.

1. Think about the test. Only the ramp height changed, so the test was fair.
   fair test
2. Think about the conclusion. The results show a longer distance on a higher ramp, so the conclusion matches the results.
   matches
3. Write the answer.
   yes. Accept any reason that says only the ramp height changed, so the test was fair, and the results support the conclusion.

Check. A fair test with matching results supports the conclusion. ✓

Method. Think about the variables that are kept the same.

1. Read the definition. Variables that are kept the same in a fair test are called control variables.
   kept the same
2. Name them. The word is control variable.
   control variable
3. Write the answer.
   control variable

Check. Control variables keep the test fair. ✓

Method. Think about which variable is measured.

1. Read the test. Ruby changes the ramp height on purpose, and measures the distance.
   measures the distance
2. Name the variable. The variable that is measured is the dependent variable.
   dependent
3. Write the answer.
   dependent

Check. The independent variable is the one that is changed on purpose. ✓

Method. Compare the smallest steps.

1. Compare the steps. A step of 1 degree is smaller than a step of 5 degrees.
   smaller step
2. Choose the more precise one. The smaller step, 1 degree, is the more precise thermometer.
   1 degree
3. Write the answer.
   1 degree

Check. A finer scale allows a more precise reading. ✓

Method. Add the three trials, then divide by three.

1. Add them. The three trials add to 186 cm.
   60 + 64 + 62 = 186
2. Divide by three. Divide 186 by 3 to find the mean.
   186 divided by 3 is 62
3. Write the answer.
   62

Check. Check: 62 + 62 + 62 = 186. ✓

Method. Leave out the anomalous result, then find the mean of the other three.

1. Leave out the anomaly. The three results left are 9 cm, 10 cm and 11 cm.
   9, 10, 11
2. Find the mean. They add to 30 cm, and 30 divided by 3 is 10.
   30 divided by 3 is 10
3. Write the answer.
   10

Check. Check: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30. ✓

Method. Find the shortest bar.

1. Find the shortest bar. The shortest bar is for Cardboard, at 4 ml.
   4 ml
2. Read the label. The label under that bar says Cardboard.
   Cardboard
3. Write the answer.
   Cardboard

Check. Cardboard soaked up 4 ml, the least of the four materials. ✓

Method. Find the points on either side of 9 cm.

1. Find the points. The points on either side of 9 cm are 8 cm and 10 cm.
   8 cm and 10 cm
2. Read the distances. The distances for those heights are 47 cm and 55 cm, so the answer lies between them.
   47 and 55
3. Write the answer.
   between 47 cm and 55 cm

Check. A prediction for a value between two measured values lies between their results. ✓

Method. Find the thing that is measured.

1. Find the change. The mass of the car is changed on purpose, so it is the independent variable.
   mass of the car
2. Find the measurement. The time taken to roll down the ramp is measured, so it is the dependent variable.
   time taken
3. Write the answer.
   time taken to roll down the ramp

Check. The time depends on the mass chosen. ✓

Method. Think about the results and the test.

1. Write the conclusion. The conclusion must match the results: the car rolled a shorter distance on the rough surface.
   shorter distance
2. Give a reason. A reason for trust is that the test was fair, or that it was repeated and the results agreed.
   fair or repeated
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any answer that gives a conclusion matching the results (rough surfaces make the car roll a shorter distance), and a reason such as the test was fair or was repeated.

Check. A good conclusion matches the results and gives a reason for trust. ✓

Method. Think about how many things changed.

1. Count the changes. Two things changed at the same time: the mass and the ramp height.
   two things
2. Decide. A fair test changes only one thing, so the test is not fair, and the cause cannot be shown.
   not fair
3. Write the answer.
   no. Accept any reason that says two things were changed at once, so the test cannot show what caused the result.

Check. Only one thing should change in a fair test. ✓