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Year 11 · 2017 syllabus · Module 1 pilot

Observations before explanations — Evaluate worksheet

Original practice. Write explanations that distinguish observations, evidence and claims.

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Name: __________________________ Date: ______________

Question 1

Compare two proposed explanations for water on a cup: leaking and condensation. Identify a discriminating comparison and the predicted observation under each.

Question 2

A photograph shows a damp cup but has no timestamp or temperature record. Evaluate its evidence value.

Teacher answer key — 2 questions

Model responses identify the essential ideas. Accept scientifically correct alternatives that address the question; wording need not match exactly.

  1. Use an externally identical sealed container with no liquid inside, cooled safely. Leakage predicts no water from the interior; condensation can still predict external droplets when its surface is sufficiently cold in humid air. Record actual conditions.
  2. It supports the presence and location of droplets at one moment. It cannot establish timing, temperature dependence or source. Those missing records limit the conclusions; the photograph is not worthless.