Testable Questions Practice

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Part 1: Learn About Testable Questions

Testable question: A question that can be answered by making observations, collecting data, or doing an experiment.

Non-testable question: A question that cannot be answered with scientific evidence, such as a question about opinions, feelings, or personal preferences.

Word Bank: testable data observe measure experiment

A good testable question often includes something you can change and something you can measure.

Part 2: Circle the Testable Questions

Read each question. Circle the question that can be tested scientifically.

1. Which type of soil helps a bean plant grow the tallest?

Which type of soil helps a bean plant grow the tallest?

Which plant is the prettiest?

2. Which paper towel brand absorbs the most water?

Which paper towel brand absorbs the most water?

Which paper towel brand is the nicest?

3. Does water temperature affect how fast sugar dissolves?

Does water temperature affect how fast sugar dissolves?

Is sugar a delicious food?

4. Which music sounds best?

Which music sounds best?

Does music volume affect how well a person remembers a list of words?

5. Do different amounts of sunlight affect plant height?

Do different amounts of sunlight affect plant height?

Why are plants interesting?

6. Is a dog happier than a cat?

Is a dog happier than a cat?

Do dogs and cats respond differently to the same sound?

Part 3: Change Non-Testable Questions

Rewrite each non-testable question so it can be tested scientifically. Include something you can change or compare and something you can observe or measure.

7. Non-testable: Which snack is the best?

Testable question: __________________________________________________________

8. Non-testable: Which color is the most beautiful?

Testable question: __________________________________________________________

9. Non-testable: Are weekends more fun than school days?

Testable question: __________________________________________________________