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WorksheetYear 5Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 5 Planning a Fair Test: Variables, Tables and Graphs Worksheet

Students plan a fair test by naming the independent, dependent and controlled variables, see why scientists repeat trials and find an average, choose between a line graph and a bar graph, and draw a conclusion from bouncing-ball data.

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Year
Year 5
Subject
Science
Topic
Working Scientifically
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • identifying independent, dependent and controlled variables
  • explaining why trials are repeated
  • calculating an average
  • choosing a suitable graph
  • writing a conclusion from data

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Planning a Fair Test: Variables, Tables and Graphs

Ready for more? Move on to Year 6 Science.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 5 students (typically ages 10–11) working on working scientifically. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 5 science resources.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 5 · Science · Working Scientifically

Planning a Fair Test: Variables, Tables and Graphs

Name

Date

Score /

Use the words independent, dependent, controlled, average and conclusion in your answers.

Part A: Planning an investigation

Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.

A fair test changes only one thing and keeps everything else the same.

The independent variable is the one thing you change on purpose. The dependent variable is what you measure to see the effect. The controlled variables are everything you keep the same.

Scientists repeat each test (usually three times) and find the average: add the results and divide by how many there are. This makes results more reliable.

Put the independent variable in the first column of your results table. Use a line graph when the independent variable is a measurement that can change smoothly, such as height or temperature. Use a bar graph (also called a column graph) when it is a set of separate groups, such as types of ball.

A conclusion says what you found out, using your data: “As ___ increased, ___ increased.”

1.In a fair test, how many variables should you change on purpose?
  1. Anone
  2. Bone
  3. Ctwo
  4. Das many as possible
2.Tom tests whether the height a ball is dropped from changes how high it bounces. What is the dependent variable?
  1. Athe drop height
  2. Bthe type of ball
  3. Cthe bounce height
  4. Dthe floor
3.Why do scientists repeat each trial three times?
  1. ATo make the results more reliable and spot mistakes.
  2. BTo make the test take longer.
  3. CTo change the variables.
  4. DBecause the first result is always wrong.
4.Three trials give bounce heights of 28 cm, 31 cm and 31 cm. What is the average?
  1. A28 cm
  2. B31 cm
  3. C29 cm
  4. D30 cm
5.Which graph best shows how bounce height changes as drop height increases?
  1. Aa line graph
  2. Ba pie chart
  3. Ca picture graph
  4. Da bar graph of ball colours

Part B: Variables

6.The variable you change on purpose is the (answer space) variable.
7.The variables you keep the same are the (answer space) variables.
8.Name two controlled variables for Tom's bouncing-ball test. (answer space)

Part C: True or false?

Write True or False.

9.You should change the ball and the drop height at the same time to save time. ☐ True   ☐ False
10.The independent variable goes in the first column of a results table. ☐ True   ☐ False
11.A bar graph is best for comparing how high different types of ball bounce. ☐ True   ☐ False
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.