Choosing Materials: Properties and Uses — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 4th Grade states of matter & materials worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet4th Grade · Science · States of Matter & MaterialsChoosing Materials: Properties and Uses — Answers
Part A: Properties and uses
Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.
A property describes what a material is like. Materials can be strong or weak, rigid or flexible (bendy), waterproof or absorbent (soaks up water), and transparent (see-through) or opaque.
Some materials are conductors — heat or electricity passes through them easily. Most metals are good conductors. Other materials, such as plastic, wood, rubber and wool, are insulators — heat and electricity do not pass through them easily.
We choose a material for a job because of its properties. Many objects use more than one material, with each part doing a different job. A saucepan has a metal pan to heat the food and an insulating handle to keep your hand safe.
- Aabsorbent
- Btransparent
- Cflexible
- Dmagnetic
Answer: transparent
Glass lets light through so we can see out — it is transparent.
- AMetal is soft.
- BMetal is see-through.
- CMetal is a good conductor of heat.
- DMetal soaks up water.
Answer: Metal is a good conductor of heat.
Metal lets heat pass through it quickly to cook the food.
- AThey are insulators, so the handle stays cool.
- BThey are shiny.
- CThey are heavier than metal.
- DThey make food cook faster.
Answer: They are insulators, so the handle stays cool.
Plastic and wood are insulators — heat does not pass through them easily, so you can hold the handle.
- Aplastic
- Bglass
- Cmetal
- Dcotton
Answer: cotton
Cotton is absorbent — it soaks up water.
- ACopper conducts electricity; plastic insulates it to keep us safe.
- BPlastic conducts electricity; copper keeps it in.
- CBoth are there to make the wire waterproof.
- DCopper is used only for its color.
Answer: Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates it to keep us safe.
Copper is a good electrical conductor. The plastic is an insulator that stops electricity reaching our hands.
Part B: Choosing the best material
- rubber rain boots
- steel bridge
- woolen scarf
- strong
- insulator
- waterproof
Answer: rubber rain boots → waterproof; steel bridge → strong; woolen scarf → insulator
Answer: absorbent
Answer: flexible
Answer: Paper is absorbent and weak when wet, so it would soak up the rain and tear. An umbrella needs a waterproof material.
Part C: True or false?
Write True or False.
Answer: False
Metals are good conductors. They let heat pass through quickly.
Answer: True
Each part uses a material that suits its job, like a metal pan with a plastic handle.
Answer: True
Glass is see-through but brittle, so it can shatter if hit.
Part D: Working scientifically: which paper towel is most absorbent?
Try it at home with a measuring jug and different paper towels.
Priya has three brands of paper towel. She dips a square of each into a measuring cylinder of water for 10 seconds, lifts it out, and checks how much water is left.
Answer: The brand (type) of paper towel.
Answer: How much water each towel soaks up (the water left in the cylinder, or the amount absorbed).
Model answer: She must use the same size piece of towel and dip it for the same time in the same amount of water. If only the brand changes, any difference in water soaked up must be caused by the towel itself.
Success criteria:
- Names two controlled variables (size, time, amount of water, same method)
- Explains that only one thing changes so the result is fair
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.