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  1. Science
  2. Year 2
  3. Materials
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Choosing Solid Materials

Students will answer questions about the different properties of solids and their uses. They will learn about the vocabulary used to describe solids.

'Choosing Solid Materials' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 1

Curriculum topic:   Uses of Everyday Materials

Curriculum subtopic:   Suitability for Purpose

Difficulty level:  

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Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

Every object around us is made of material - solid, liquid or gas. When we choose materials, for example: to make a bicycle, it is the properties of those solids, liquids or gases which make them most useful.

 

 

Solids have a wide range of properties and we use science vocabulary to describe them. Although some solids have the same properties, this does not always make them the best material for the job!

For example, we wouldn't make a bicycle frame from stone, even though it's hard, or umbrellas from glass because it is waterproof!

Choose the most suitable material for these objects:

Column A

Column B

kitchen table
wood
bicycle frame
cotton
T-shirt
metal
picnic plate
glass
greenhouse
paper

Match up these solid materials with their most useful properties:

Column A

Column B

glass
strong, very thin, flexible sheets
metal
soft, flexible, can be made into threads
cotton
strong, can be bent into shapes
wood
see-through and waterproof
paper
hard, can be carved into shapes

Choose the best definition for these 'property' words:

Column A

Column B

flexible
soaks up liquid
absorbent
see-through
transparent
bendy
brittle
easily broken
opaque
does not let light through

Which TWO of these materials are flexible?

brick

leather

newspaper

slate

We choose some materials around the home because they are absorbent. Which TWO of these solids are absorbent?

cotton

metal

paper towel

wood

Materials which let light travel through are described as transparent. Find the TWO solids from this list which are transparent.

ceramic

some plastics

leather

glass

Which TWO of these objects are made of solids we could describe as brittle?

a clay pot

plastic bottle

woollen jumper

glass beaker

Rubber bands, knitted socks and lycra leggings are made out of solid materials, which are best described as...

shiny

hard

stretchy

waterproof

Lucy and Ben are designing the packaging for the biscuits they have baked.

Which one of these materials is most suitable?

cardboard

carpet

wood

glass

Sandra and Shaun are trying to decide which material to make new PE bags from. The material needs to be strong, washable, light and hard wearing.

Which one of these materials has all of those properties?

glass

denim (jeans fabric)

string

tissue paper

  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

Choose the most suitable material for these objects:

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

kitchen table
wood
bicycle frame
metal
T-shirt
cotton
picnic plate
paper
greenhouse
glass
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

Match up these solid materials with their most useful properties:

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

glass
see-through and waterproof
metal
strong, can be bent into shapes
cotton
soft, flexible, can be made into ...
wood
hard, can be carved into shapes
paper
strong, very thin, flexible sheet...
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

Choose the best definition for these 'property' words:

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

flexible
bendy
absorbent
soaks up liquid
transparent
see-through
brittle
easily broken
opaque
does not let light through
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

Which TWO of these materials are flexible?

CORRECT ANSWER
leather
newspaper
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

We choose some materials around the home because they are absorbent. Which TWO of these solids are absorbent?

CORRECT ANSWER
cotton
paper towel
EDDIE SAYS
Cotton is used to make towels and cleaning cloths because it soaks up liquids. Paper towels, or kitchen roll, is advertised as being highly absorbent.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

Materials which let light travel through are described as transparent. Find the TWO solids from this list which are transparent.

CORRECT ANSWER
some plastics
glass
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

Which TWO of these objects are made of solids we could describe as brittle?

CORRECT ANSWER
a clay pot
glass beaker
EDDIE SAYS
Solid clay, for example: a house brick, is not as brittle as a plant pot made of thin clay.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

Rubber bands, knitted socks and lycra leggings are made out of solid materials, which are best described as...

CORRECT ANSWER
stretchy
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 9

Lucy and Ben are designing the packaging for the biscuits they have baked.

Which one of these materials is most suitable?

CORRECT ANSWER
cardboard
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 10

Sandra and Shaun are trying to decide which material to make new PE bags from. The material needs to be strong, washable, light and hard wearing.

Which one of these materials has all of those properties?

CORRECT ANSWER
denim (jeans fabric)
EDDIE SAYS
Denim is a hard wearing fabric made from thick cotton fibres which has all of the properties Sandra and Shaun are looking for!
---- OR ----

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