2nd Grade Science : Classify materials by observable properties

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 2nd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Kelly is trying to decide which item number is most likely describing the seashell below based on its observable properties. Looking at the data table, which item is the best match?

Sea, Shell, Clam, Ocean, Sea Shells

 

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Possible Answers:

Item 2

Item 3

Item 1

Item 4

Correct answer:

Item 1

Explanation:

The item that is most likely describing the seashell is "Item 1". A seashell has all of the matching observable properties, so it could be classified in the same category. A seashell is hard, does not bounce, is irregularly shaped, tan, and would feel rough to the touch. None of the other items would be a match.

Example Question #2 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Ralph made a table with the descriptions of four mystery items, and his friend Steven had to guess which item was describing a teddy bear's observable property. Which item should Steven choose as the teddy bear's description?

Teddy, Stuffed Animal, Funny, Toys

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Possible Answers:

Item 1

Item 3

Item 4

Item 2

Correct answer:

Item 4

Explanation:

Steven should guess "Item 4" is a match to his teddy bear because they share the same observable properties. The teddy bear is brown, soft, smooth, would not bounce, and is an irregular shape. The other items could not be classified as a teddy bear.

Example Question #3 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Which answer choice could be classified as "Item 2"?

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Possible Answers:

Tennis, Tennis Ball, Spinning, Ball

Cube, Box, Shape, Concept, Abstract, 3D

Green, Food, Cutting, Cutting Board

Brick, Building Block, Plastic, Toy

Correct answer:

Cube, Box, Shape, Concept, Abstract, 3D

Explanation:

"Item 2" is described as hard, not bouncy, square, green, and smooth to the touch. When reviewing the answer choices, they are all green but have other observable properties that would not allow them to be classified as "Item 2". The tennis ball is round, the block is rough on top and rectangular, and the leaves are irregular shaped. The only answer choice that matches the characteristics is the cube.

Example Question #4 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

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Observable properties classify all of the items listed. What observable property are all of the items in "Category 3" sorted by?

Possible Answers:

Shape

Texture

Hardness

Color

Correct answer:

Color

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics of an object or material that can be gathered using the five senses. When looking through each category, there is a common property that groups the items. In "Category 3," all of the items are brown, so they are classified by color.

Example Question #4 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Observable properties classify all of the items listed. What observable property are all of the items in "Category 1" sorted by?

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Possible Answers:

Shape

Hardness

Color

Texture

Correct answer:

Shape

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics of an object or material that can be gathered using the five senses. When looking through each category, there is a common property that groups the items. In "Category 1," all of the items are rectangular, so they are classified by shape.

Example Question #5 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Observable properties classify all of the items listed. What observable property are all of the items in "Category 2" sorted by?

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Possible Answers:

Color

Hardness

Texture

Shape

Correct answer:

Shape

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics of an object or material that can be gathered using the five senses. When looking through each category, there is a common property that groups the items. In "Category 2," all of the items are round, so they are classified by shape.

Example Question #6 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Which answer choice could be classified as "Item 4"?

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Possible Answers:

Cube, Box, Shape, Concept, Abstract, 3D

Brick, Building Block, Plastic, Toy

Tennis, Tennis Ball, Spinning, Ball

Green, Food, Cutting, Cutting Board

Correct answer:

Tennis, Tennis Ball, Spinning, Ball

Explanation:

When looking at items or materials, we can classify them based on their observable properties. If we look at the different descriptions of all four items and then think about a tennis ball, some similarities can be found between item 4 and a tennis ball. They can be described with the same properties, so they fall into the same category.

 

Example Question #7 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Ivy is trying to decide which item is most like a fuzzy refrigerator magnet based on its properties. Looking at the data table, which item is the best match?

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Possible Answers:

Item 3

None of the items

Item 2

Item 1

Correct answer:

Item 3

Explanation:

When looking at items or materials, we can classify them based on their observable properties. If we look at the different descriptions of all three items and then think about a baseball, some similarities can be found between item 2 and a baseball. They can be described with the same properties, so they fall into the same category.

 

Example Question #8 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Observable properties classify all of the items listed. Which category would Montel put a notebook in based on its features?

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Possible Answers:

Category 2

Category 3

All of the categories

Category 1

Correct answer:

Category 1

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics of an object or material that can be gathered using the five senses. When looking through each category, there is a common property that groups the items. In "Category 3," all of the things are brown, so they are classified by color. In "Category 2," all of the items are round, so they are sorted by shape. In "Category 1," all of the things are square or rectangular, so they are also categorized by shapes. The category that a notebook would best fit in is "Category 1".

Example Question #9 : Classify Materials By Observable Properties

Observable properties classify all of the items listed. Which category would Rishi put a green gummy bear in based on its properties?

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Possible Answers:

Category 1

Category 3

Category 2

None of the categories

Correct answer:

None of the categories

Explanation:

A green gummy bear would not fit into any of the categories based on its observable physical characteristics. "Category 1" is all rectangular or square objects, "Category 2" are round items, and "Category 3" is all brown items. A green gummy bear would need to be placed in a new category.

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