Primary 3 Science Materials Quiz

Primary 3 Science Quiz - Materials

Answer Key

Section A: Multiple Choice (1 mark each)

1. (b) Wood
Reasoning: A material is a substance used to make things. Wood is a material. Water and air are not typically classified as "materials" in the P3 context, and light is not a material at all.

2. (b) conductor of heat
Reasoning: Metal conducts heat away from our hand quickly, making it feel cold. This is a key property of metals taught at P3 level.

3. (c) Rubber
Reasoning: Rubber can be bent and stretched easily, making it the most flexible material among the options. Glass, stone, and ceramic are rigid.

4. (a) waterproof
Reasoning: Raincoats need to keep water out. Plastic does not allow water to pass through, making it waterproof — the key property for this use.

5. (c) Cotton
Reasoning: Cotton is a natural material that comes from the cotton plant. Plastic, nylon, and polyester are man-made (synthetic) materials.

6. (c) transparent
Reasoning: Transparent means we can see through the material. Glass allows light to pass through, which is why it is used for windows.

7. (b) Wood
Reasoning: A cooking pot handle must not conduct heat well, or it would burn our hands. Wood is a poor conductor of heat (good insulator), making it the safest choice.

8. (b) absorbent
Reasoning: An absorbent material allows water to pass through or soak into it. Waterproof means water cannot pass through.

Section B: True or False (1 mark each)

9. False
Reasoning: Materials have different properties. Some materials are soft (e.g., cotton, rubber) and some are weak (e.g., tissue paper). Not all materials are hard and strong.

10. True
Reasoning: Wood is obtained from trees, which grow naturally. Therefore, wood is a natural material.

11. False
Reasoning: Plastic is a poor conductor of heat (it is an insulator). This is why plastic is often used to make handles for cooking utensils.

12. True
Reasoning: A single material can have multiple properties. For example, rubber is both flexible and waterproof.

Section C: Fill in the Blanks (1 mark each)

13. absorbent
Reasoning: A towel soaks up water. A material that soaks up water is described as absorbent.

14. transparent
Reasoning: We can see through glass. A material that allows light to pass through so we can see through it is called transparent.

15. flexible
Reasoning: Rubber bands can be stretched and bent. A material that can be bent or stretched without breaking is described as flexible.

Section D: Structured Questions

16. (a) Material B is most likely to be a plastic bag.
[2 marks]
Explanation: A plastic bag is flexible (can be bent/folded) and waterproof (does not let water through). Material B has both of these properties (Flexible ✓, Waterproof ✓).
Marking: 1 mark for correct material (B). 1 mark for correct explanation linking properties to the object.

(b) Material C is most likely to be a glass window.
[2 marks]
Explanation: A glass window is hard and transparent (we can see through it). Material C has both of these properties (Hard ✓, Transparent ✓).
Marking: 1 mark for correct material (C). 1 mark for correct explanation linking properties to the object.

17. (a) Plastic sheet
[1 mark]
Marking: 1 mark for correct answer.

(b) The plastic sheet is waterproof, so it will not let rain pass through. This keeps the person using the umbrella dry.
[2 marks]
Marking: 1 mark for stating the property (waterproof). 1 mark for linking the property to the use (keeps rain out / keeps person dry).
Common mistake: Students may choose cotton cloth because it is strong, but cotton is not waterproof and would let rain through.

18. (a) Object 1 (metal key)
[1 mark]
Reasoning: Metal is a good conductor of heat.

(b) Object 3 (rubber eraser)
[1 mark]
Reasoning: Rubber is flexible and can be bent.

(c) Object 4 (glass marble)
[1 mark]
Reasoning: Glass is transparent — we can see through it.

19. (a) Material X is waterproof. This makes it suitable for a water bottle because it will not leak.
[1 mark]
Accept: Any valid property from the table linked to the use (waterproof).

(b) Material Y is waterproof. This makes it suitable for a raincoat because it will keep rain out.
[1 mark]
Accept: Flexible is also acceptable (raincoat needs to be worn comfortably).

(c) Material Z is transparent. This makes it suitable for a window because we can see through it.
[1 mark]

20. (a) Material P or R (both stayed on the surface)
[1 mark]
Accept either P or R. Both are waterproof as water did not soak in.

(b) Material Q
[1 mark]
Reasoning: Material Q absorbed water the fastest, making it the most absorbent.

(c) Material Q should be chosen.
[2 marks]
Explanation: A kitchen towel needs to soak up water quickly. Material Q is the most absorbent because the water drop soaked into it quickly.
Marking: 1 mark for correct material (Q). 1 mark for explanation linking absorbency to the use of a kitchen towel.

Mark Summary