Variables, Controls & Repeated Trials — Drills · Grade 6 Science
Chapter: Inquiry, Measurement & ModelsWhat these drills covers
By the end of Variables, Controls & Repeated Trials you should be able to:
- I can name the independent, dependent and controlled variables in an investigation.
- I can explain why a control group is needed even when the treatment obviously works.
- I can explain what repeating a trial tells you that one trial cannot.
4 questions, multiple choice and written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: independent variable, dependent variable, evidence, system boundary, uncertainty.
Problem 1
- Repeating a confounded test makes its causal claim valid.
- independent variable: The factor deliberately changed for the intended comparison.
- A control treatment automatically keeps every other condition equal.
- A sample with missing measurements has proved those values are zero.
Answer and explanation
independent variable: The factor deliberately changed for the intended comparison.
The factor deliberately changed for the intended comparison.
Problem 2
- Repeating a confounded test makes its causal claim valid.
- A control treatment automatically keeps every other condition equal.
- dependent variable: The response measured under the stated method.
- Repeating any method makes every causal claim true.
Answer and explanation
dependent variable: The response measured under the stated method.
The response measured under the stated method.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
Keeping all planned trials represents the observed variation and prevents selecting only the result that favors a claim.
Compare the scientific meaning and reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; human review is required.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
No. It supplies a reference treatment, but the other influential conditions and measurement procedure must still be comparable.
Compare the scientific meaning and reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; human review is required.