Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 9
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the item that does not belong in each group. Then explain why it doesn't fit in the answer column.
| # | Group | Your answer (odd one + reason) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falsifiable Peer-reviewed Replicated Backed only by testimonials | |
| 2 | Clinical drug trial Theory of gravity Continental drift Astrology horoscope | |
| 3 | Vague mechanism Cherry-picking evidence Shifting the goalposts Self-correcting | |
| 4 | Could be proven wrong Tested by others Reports its failures Sounds impressive |
Evaluate the claim
A seller advertises...
"Our quantum healing pendant uses powerful energy frequencies to cure any illness. It is backed by thousands of five-star reviews. If it does not work for you, that simply means your personal energy was blocking it. No clinic could measure these frequencies because they are beyond ordinary science."
(a) Identify at least three separate checklist questions this claim fails, and explain how the wording reveals each failure.
(b) The sentence "if it does not work, your energy was blocking it" is a classic warning sign. Name the failure it shows and explain why it makes the claim impossible to disprove.
(c) A friend says "but continental drift was once rejected too, so maybe this pendant is just ahead of its time". Write a reply that explains the real difference between genuine emerging science and this claim, using the framework.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?