Year 7 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 3
Foundation Worksheet
Learning Goals
Fill the gap
Choose words from the word bank. Each word is used at most once. Two words are not needed: cross them out.
In a controlled experiment, also called a test, you change only thing on purpose and keep everything else the . Then you the result. If you changed two things at once, you could not tell which one the result. A observation is planned, repeated and recorded as you go, not written down later from .
Match each term to its meaning
Write the letter of the correct meaning next to each term. Each letter is used once.
| Term | Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothesis | A. A test where you change only one thing and keep everything else the same | |
| Method | B. Answering your question using the evidence you collected | |
| Analyse | C. A sensible prediction you make before you test | |
| Conclude | D. Noticing something in a planned, repeated and carefully recorded way | |
| Systematic observation | E. The exact steps, written so that someone else could repeat your test | |
| Controlled experiment | F. Looking at your results to find the pattern in them |
Sort it: systematic or casual?
Write each observation in the correct box. The boxes do not hold the same number of items.
Systematic observation
Casual observation
Plan a fair test: ice in salty water
Leo wants to answer the question: “Does adding salt to water change how long an ice cube takes to melt in it?” Complete his plan.
Variables
Read the data: a cooling cup of water
Scenario
Kai pours hot water into a mug and leaves it on the bench. Every 2 minutes he reads the temperature on a thermometer and writes it in Table 1 straight away.
| Time (min) | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature (°C) | 80 | 68 | 58 | 50 | 44 |
Source: sample class results for this worksheet.
1. Kai’s observations are systematic. Give two things from the scenario that make them systematic.
2. Describe the pattern in Table 1. Then predict the temperature at 10 minutes and explain your prediction.
3. Two friends argue about which of two brands of drink bottle keeps water cold for longer. One says: “Mine is better, I just know it.” Describe how they could use the steps of a scientific investigation to settle the argument.
Fill the gap
fair; one; same; measure; caused; systematic; memory. Not used: casual, guess.
Match each term to its meaning
Hypothesis → C; Method → E; Analyse → F; Conclude → B; Systematic observation → D; Controlled experiment → A. All six = 3; four or five = 2; two or three = 1. [3 marks]
Sort it: systematic or casual?
Systematic: counting birds every lunchtime; weighing the guinea pig every Friday; reading the rain gauge each day; recording the bus arrival time each day. Casual: the canteen line seemed longer; the Moon looked bigger; my shoes feel faster.
Plan a fair test: ice in salty water
Change: the amount of salt in the water (for example none and one teaspoon) (1). Measure: the time the ice cube takes to melt completely (1). Keep the same, any two, 1 mark each: the volume of water; the starting temperature of the water; the size of the ice cube; the type of cup. [4 marks]
Question 1
Any two, 1 mark each: he measures with a thermometer; he reads it at regular times, every 2 minutes; he records each reading in a table straight away. [2 marks]
Question 2
The temperature falls over time (1), but by less each time: 12, 10, 8, then 6 °C (1). Prediction about 40 °C (accept 38 to 42 °C), because the next drop should be a little smaller than 6 °C (1). [3 marks]
Question 3
Marking guide: 1 a testable question and a hypothesis; 1 change only the bottle brand; 1 keep at least two things the same (volume, starting temperature, place, time); 1 measure with a thermometer at a set time and record in a table as you go; 1 repeat, analyse and conclude which bottle kept water colder; 1 communicate so others can check or repeat it. [6 marks]
Model answer: Ask “Which bottle keeps water colder for longer?” and predict an answer. Fill both with 500 mL of the same cold water and leave them side by side, so only the brand changes. After 4 hours, measure each temperature with a thermometer and record it in a table straight away. Repeat three times, compare, and conclude. Share the method and results so others can check them.
Common error: listing the thing being changed as one of the things kept the same.