Science Club
Reading · 45 minutes
Reading texts
The Balloon Test
The balloon car rolled only a handspan before stopping. Instead of groaning, Sienna wrote 'too much tape?' in her notebook. She peeled away two strips and tried again. This time the car wobbled past the chalk line. The class cheered the improvement, not just the distance.
Fair Testing
A fair test changes only one thing at a time. If students test balloon size and wheel type together, they cannot tell which change affected the car. Keeping most things the same makes the result easier to explain.
Club Reminder
Subject: Science Club materials
Please bring a clean bottle lid, two straws and a small cardboard box on Thursday. Do not buy new materials. Reused items are perfect for testing designs. If you cannot find something, the club box has spares.
Questions
Text: The Balloon Test
What did Sienna write in her notebook?
Answer and explanation
Answer: too much tape?
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: The Balloon Test
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Testing and changing designs can improve results.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: The Balloon Test
In this text, what does 'improvement' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: a change that makes something better
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: The Balloon Test
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Sienna thinks like a problem-solver.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: The Balloon Test
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to show learning through testing
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: The Balloon Test
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: test, reflection, change and improvement
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: The Balloon Test
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: The Balloon Test
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Testing and changing designs can improve results.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Fair Testing
How many things should change in a fair test?
Answer and explanation
Answer: one thing at a time
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: Fair Testing
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Fair tests help students explain results clearly.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: Fair Testing
In this text, what does 'affected' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: changed or influenced
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: Fair Testing
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Changing too many things makes results confusing.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: Fair Testing
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to explain a science idea
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: Fair Testing
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: definition, example and reason
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: Fair Testing
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: Fair Testing
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Fair tests help students explain results clearly.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Club Reminder
When should students bring materials?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Thursday
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: Club Reminder
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Science Club needs reused materials for design testing.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: Club Reminder
In this text, what does 'spares' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: extra items kept in case they are needed
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: Club Reminder
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Students do not need to spend money.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: Club Reminder
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to remind and reassure
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: Club Reminder
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: subject, list, instruction and reassurance
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: Club Reminder
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: Club Reminder
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Science Club needs reused materials for design testing.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Science Club
Which feature helps show that the texts have different purposes?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Their text types and structures are different.
Different text types use different features to suit their purpose and audience.
Text: Science Club
Name one idea that connects at least two texts in this paper.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Answers will vary but should name a shared idea from the texts.
A suitable answer links two texts using a shared topic, idea, setting or purpose.
Curriculum links
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