1st Grade Materials & Properties Practice: Questions, Answers and Tips

Looking for 1st grade materials & properties practice? Below are worked examples, the mistakes students make most, and practice questions with an answer key.

Every example below comes from BAMS Academy's Materials & Properties practice, the same questions students answer on the site.

Materials & Properties in 1st grade, skill by skill

Sorting materials by properties like hard, soft, and flexible. BAMS Academy breaks the unit into the skills below (part of all 1st grade science topics). Each comes with one of its practice questions.

Describe materials using observable properties

Which word best describes a cotton ball you can squeeze flat? (Choices: Clear; Hard; Stretchy; Soft.)

Answer: Soft. A cotton ball you can squeeze flat is best described as soft. Properties are the words we use to sort materials.

How would a scientist describe a fluffy pillow you can squish and reshape? (Choices: Soft; Clear; Stretchy; Hard.)

Answer: Soft. A fluffy pillow you can squish and reshape is best described as soft. Properties are the words we use to sort materials.

Pick the best word for a glass window you can see straight through. (Choices: Soft; Clear; Hard; Stretchy.)

Answer: Clear. A glass window you can see straight through is best described as clear. Properties are the words we use to sort materials.

Worked examples

Example 1

Question: Which material is the best choice for a bookshelf that must be sturdy but easy to cut?

1. Wool
2. Plastic
3. Wood
4. Glass

How to solve it: Wood is the best choice for a bookshelf that must be sturdy but easy to cut, because its properties match the job.

Answer: Wood

Why the other choices don't work:

• A student who picks "Wool" usually picked a warm material for a job that needs to keep water out.
• A student who picks "Plastic" usually picked a waterproof material for a job that needs warmth or strength.
• A student who picks "Glass" usually picked a see-through but breakable material for a job that needs strength.

Example 2

Question: Which material is the best choice for a nail that must be strong and not bend?

1. Glass
2. Wool
3. Plastic
4. Metal

How to solve it: Metal is the best choice for a nail that must be strong and not bend, because its properties match the job.

Answer: Metal

Why the other choices don't work:

• A student who picks "Glass" usually picked a see-through but breakable material for a job that needs strength.
• A student who picks "Wool" usually picked a warm material for a job that needs to keep water out.
• A student who picks "Plastic" usually picked a waterproof material for a job that needs warmth or strength.

Common mistakes to watch for

• Question: To make a raincoat that keeps water out, which material works best? (Choices: Plastic; Wool; Metal; Glass.)

  Answer: Plastic.

  A student who picks "Metal" usually picked a strong material for a job that needs to be see-through or soft.

• Question: Which word best describes a cotton ball you can squeeze flat? (Choices: Clear; Hard; Stretchy; Soft.)

  Answer: Soft.

  A student who picks "Stretchy" usually called a stiff material stretchy.

• Question: How would a scientist describe a fluffy pillow you can squish and reshape? (Choices: Soft; Clear; Stretchy; Hard.)

  Answer: Soft.

  A student who picks "Clear" usually confused shiny with see-through.

• Question: Pick the best word for a glass window you can see straight through. (Choices: Soft; Clear; Hard; Stretchy.)

  Answer: Clear.

  A student who picks "Hard" usually called a squishy material hard.

Try these practice questions

1. To make a sweater that keeps you warm, which material works best?

   1. Plastic
   2. Metal
   3. Glass
   4. Wool

2. To make a raincoat that keeps water out, which material works best?

   1. Plastic
   2. Wool
   3. Metal
   4. Glass

3. Which material is the best choice for a window you can see through?

   1. Plastic
   2. Metal
   3. Glass
   4. Wool

Answer key

1. Wool — Wool is the best choice for a sweater that keeps you warm, because its properties match the job.
2. Plastic — Plastic is the best choice for a raincoat that keeps water out, because its properties match the job.
3. Glass — Glass is the best choice for a window you can see through, because its properties match the job.

Keep practicing

The fastest way to build confidence is a few questions at a time, with feedback on each answer. Start with Materials & Properties practice for grade 1, where every question comes with a step-by-step explanation.

More from BAMS Academy:

• All 1st grade science topics
• Animals & Habitats practice
• Living Things practice
• BAMS Academy science practice by grade
• Every 1st grade subject