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Scoring the Options is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 science worksheet on comparing multiple solutions against criteria and constraints, aligned to Common Core standard 3-5-ETS1-2. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 12 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Scoring the Options

3-5-ETS1-2

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.Two designs tie on every criterion. What is a fair way to decide?
  • A.Toss a coin and say nothing
  • B.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
  • C.Pick the newer idea
2.Three designs are scored against four criteria. What decides the winner?
  • A.Which looks strongest
  • B.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
  • C.Which was built first
3.Why record why a design was rejected?
  • A.To fill the sheet
  • B.Part of it may be useful in a later design
  • C.To be discouraging
4.One design scores highest but needs mains power, which is not allowed. What follows?
  • A.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint
  • B.The constraint is dropped
  • C.It wins anyway
5.Two teams score the same design differently. What should they do?
  • A.Average the two scores silently
  • B.Ignore the disagreement
  • C.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
6.What makes a comparison unfair?
  • A.Having four criteria
  • B.Using a grid
  • C.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
7.Why generate several solutions before comparing?
  • A.To use more paper
  • B.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  • C.Because three is a lucky number
8.A design fails one criterion badly and passes the rest. What should you record?
  • A.Nothing at all
  • B.Which criterion it fails and by how much
  • C.Only that it failed

LessonPrint · 3-5-ETS1-2 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Scoring the Options

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
  2. 2.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
  3. 3.Part of it may be useful in a later design
  4. 4.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint
  5. 5.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
  6. 6.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
  7. 7.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  8. 8.Which criterion it fails and by how much

More practice for 3-5-ETS1-2

Compare several possible solutions against the criteria and the constraints.

Teaching this next? Scoring the Options is the 55-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 to Grade 5 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 3-5-ETS1-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.