Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
- A test means changing one thing on purpose and measuring what happens.
- Question (b): you could dry some towels in front of a fan and some without one, and time them. A test can answer it.
- Question (a): “prettiest” is a matter of opinion. People can disagree, and no measurement settles it.
Answer: Question (b)
Example 2
- A hypothesis is a possible answer to the question, written as a statement that a test could show to be wrong.
- Use the “If … then …” form. The “if” part names the change; the “then” part names the result you expect to measure.
- If the test shows the fan makes no difference, the hypothesis is shown to be wrong. That is what makes it testable.
Answer: If wet laundry hangs in front of a fan, then it will dry faster than laundry hung without a fan.
Where this is taught: Science Practices, part 3: The scientific method and a fair test · Look Again Quiz 2: The Scientific Method
In your Kaplan book: Unit 4, Chapter 1, Lesson 2: Use the Scientific Method · Map of the Terrain, topic 2: The scientific method
The drill
Ten questions
Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Then tap your answer; a few questions ask you to choose words from a drop-down instead, the way the GED test does. Press Check my answers at the bottom.Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Circle your answer; where there are brackets, circle the choice that fits. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.