Year 6 Science Working scientifically (Years 5-6): check-up and practice test questions

Method. Read the test again.

1. Find the changed variable. We change the type of towel on purpose.
   type of towel
2. Find the measured variable. We measure the water absorbed to get the results.
   water absorbed
3. Write the answer.
   type of towel; water absorbed

Check. These are the two variables in the test. ✓

Method. Remember the rule.

1. Read the rule. A fair test changes only one variable.
   one
2. Write the answer.
   1

Check. Other variables are fixed. ✓

Method. Add and divide by three.

1. Add. The total is 19 + 18 + 20.
   57
2. Divide. Divide 57 by 3.
   57 divided by 3 is 19
3. Write the answer.
   19

Check. Three trials, so divide by 3. ✓

Method. Read the level on the scale.

1. Find the mark. The liquid is level with the 40 mL mark.
   40
2. Write the reading. The reading is 40 mL.
   mL
3. Write the answer.
   40 mL

Check. Read the bottom of the curve. ✓

Method. Think about separate groups.

1. Read the task. The three towels are separate groups.
   separate groups
2. Choose. A bar chart compares separate groups.
   bar chart
3. Write the answer.
   bar chart

Check. A line graph shows change over time. ✓

Method. Subtract.

1. Subtract the earlier height from the later height. The growth is 16 minus 11.
   16 - 11 = 5
2. Write the answer.
   5 cm

Check. 11 + 5 = 16. ✓

Method. Think about whether it has been measured yet.

1. Read the sentence. Week 6 has not happened yet, so the height is a guess based on a pattern.
   not yet
2. Decide. A guess based on a pattern is a prediction.
   prediction
3. Write the answer.
   prediction

Check. A prediction is tested later by measuring. ✓

Method. Think about what a prediction is.

1. Think about the guess. A prediction is based on a pattern, and may be wrong.
   may be wrong
2. Think about the test. A further test shows whether the evidence supports the prediction.
   supports
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says a prediction is only a guess until it is tested, and the test shows whether it is supported.

Check. Testing is how science checks an idea. ✓

Method. Find the result that does not fit the others.

1. Compare. Three results are 42 or 43.
   42, 43
2. Find the outlier. The result 61 is far away from the others.
   61
3. Write the answer.
   61

Check. Check this reading again. ✓

Method. Think about repeats.

1. Think about the spread. Repeats show how close the results are to each other.
   close together
2. Think about the mean. A mean of repeats is more reliable than one reading.
   more reliable
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says repeats show how close the results are, and a mean of repeats is more reliable than one result.

Check. Repeats make the result more trustworthy. ✓

Method. Find the thing that changes on purpose.

1. Read the test. The class changes the towel, and keeps the water and the size the same.
   type of towel
2. Write the answer.
   type of towel

Check. The water and the size are the fixed variables. ✓

Method. Check the number of changes.

1. Count the changes. Only the amount of water changes; the towel is the same.
   only water
2. Write the reason. With one changed variable, the test is a fair test of the water.
   one variable
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any answer that says only one variable, the amount of water, changes.

Check. Only one variable changes in a fair test. ✓

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

1. Add. The total is 120 + 121 + 122.
   363
2. Divide. Divide 363 by 3.
   363 divided by 3 is 121
3. Write the answer.
   121 cm

Check. The three readings are close together. ✓

Method. Work out the growth for each pair of weeks.

1. Week 1 to week 2. The growth is 6 minus 3.
   3 cm
2. Week 2 to week 3. The growth is 10 minus 6, which is 4 cm, the largest so far.
   4 cm
3. Week 3 to week 4. The growth is 13 minus 10, which is 3 cm.
   3 cm
4. Write the answer.
   week 2 and week 3

Check. Growth of 3, 4 and 3 cm. ✓

Method. Multiply the height by the value of one centimetre.

1. Read the scale. Each 1 cm stands for 5 mL.
   1 cm = 5 mL
2. Multiply. So 6 cm stands for 6 times 5.
   6 x 5 = 30
3. Write the answer.
   30 mL

Check. Check: 30 divided by 5 is 6 cm. ✓

Method. Think about the number of tests.

1. Count the tests. Each towel was tested only once.
   once
2. Explain the weakness. One result can be a chance result, so the evidence is weak.
   chance
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says the test was done only once, so the result may be a chance result.

Check. Repeats make the evidence stronger. ✓

Method. Add 3 cm for each of the four weeks.

1. Find the total growth. Four weeks of 3 cm is 4 times 3.
   4 x 3 = 12
2. Add to the start. The height is 10 plus the growth of 12.
   10 + 12 = 22
3. Write the answer.
   22 cm

Check. This is a prediction, and it is tested by measuring. ✓

Method. Find the result that does not fit.

1. Compare the results. Four results are 40 or 41 cm, which are close together.
   40, 41
2. Find the outlier. The result 58 cm is far from the others.
   58 cm
3. Write the answer.
   58 cm

Check. The outlier should be checked, and it may be a mistake. ✓

Method. Count the changed variables.

1. Count. The student changes two variables: the surface and the ramp height.
   two
2. Explain. If the car goes further, we cannot tell which change caused it.
   which change
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any answer that says two variables change, so the cause of any difference cannot be known.

Check. A fair test changes only one variable. ✓

Method. Find the largest mean.

1. Read the means. The means are 14, 10 and 19 mL.
   19 is the largest
2. Write the conclusion. So Towel C absorbed the most water on average.
   Towel C
3. Write the answer.
   Towel C

Check. 19 mL is more than 14 mL and 10 mL. ✓