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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 16 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.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
2.Two teams score the same design differently. What should they do?
  • A.Ignore the disagreement
  • B.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
  • C.Average the two scores silently
3.What makes a comparison unfair?
  • A.Using a grid
  • B.Having four criteria
  • C.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
4.Why generate several solutions before comparing?
  • A.Because three is a lucky number
  • B.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  • C.To use more paper
5.A design fails one criterion badly and passes the rest. What should you record?
  • A.Which criterion it fails and by how much
  • B.Only that it failed
  • C.Nothing at all
6.Why record why a design was rejected?
  • A.To fill the sheet
  • B.To be discouraging
  • C.Part of it may be useful in a later design
7.Three designs are scored against four criteria. What decides the winner?
  • A.Which was built first
  • B.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
  • C.Which looks strongest
8.Two designs tie on every criterion. What is a fair way to decide?
  • A.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
  • B.Toss a coin and say nothing
  • C.Pick the newer idea

LessonPrint · 3-5-ETS1-2 · Set 16 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Scoring the Options

Set 16. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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.