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WorksheetYear 3Level 1 · Easier

Free Year 3 Waterproof or Absorbent? Worksheet

Children learn the difference between waterproof materials that keep water out and absorbent materials that soak water up, choose the right material for a job, and run a fair soak-up test with a paper towel, a cloth and a plastic bag.

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Year
Year 3
Subject
Science
Topic
States of Matter & Materials
Difficulty
Level 1 · Easier
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
10
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • describing waterproof and absorbent materials
  • choosing a material for a purpose
  • carrying out a fair test
  • recording and explaining results

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

What's next?

Completed: Waterproof or Absorbent?

Ready for more? Move on to Year 4 Science.

← Easier: Getting started

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 3 students (typically ages 7–8) working on states of matter & materials. It is pitched at level 1 · easier; an easier version is linked above.

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 25 minutes for 10 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 3 science resources.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 3 · Science · States of Matter & Materials

Waterproof or Absorbent?

Name

Date

Score /

Does the material keep water out, or soak it up?

Part A: Keep it out or soak it up?

Read the box. Then circle the best answer.

Waterproof materials keep water out. Water stays on top or runs off. Plastic, rubber and metal are waterproof.

Absorbent materials soak water up. Sponges, towels, paper towels and cotton cloth are absorbent.

We choose a material that is right for the job. A raincoat must be waterproof. A bath towel must be absorbent.

1.Which material is absorbent?
  1. Aa plastic bag
  2. Ba sponge
  3. Ca metal tray
  4. Da glass jar
2.Which is best for a raincoat?
  1. Apaper
  2. Bcotton cloth
  3. Cwaterproof plastic
  4. Da towel
3.You spill some juice. What should you use to wipe it up?
  1. Aa paper towel
  2. Ba plastic plate
  3. Ca metal spoon
  4. Da glass
4.Why is an umbrella not made of paper?
  1. APaper is too heavy.
  2. BPaper soaks up water and tears.
  3. CPaper is too shiny.
  4. DPaper is waterproof.

Part B: Match and fill

5.Match each object to the word that suits it.
  • rain boots
  • a bath towel
  • an umbrella
  • a mop
  • waterproof
  • absorbent
  • waterproof
  • absorbent
6.A material that soaks up water is (answer space).

Part C: True or false?

Write True or False.

7.A towel is waterproof. ☐ True   ☐ False
8.Rubber boots keep your feet dry because rubber is waterproof. ☐ True   ☐ False
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

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.