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

LessonPrint · 3-5-ETS1-2 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Scoring the Options

Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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.