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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 3 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.Why generate several solutions before comparing?
  • A.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  • B.To use more paper
  • C.Because three is a lucky number
2.A design fails one criterion badly and passes the rest. What should you record?
  • A.Nothing at all
  • B.Only that it failed
  • C.Which criterion it fails and by how much
3.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
4.Two teams score the same design differently. What should they do?
  • A.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
  • B.Ignore the disagreement
  • C.Average the two scores silently
5.What makes a comparison unfair?
  • A.Having four criteria
  • B.Using a grid
  • C.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
6.Two designs tie on every criterion. What is a fair way to decide?
  • A.Toss a coin and say nothing
  • B.Pick the newer idea
  • C.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
7.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
8.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

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

Answer key — Scoring the Options

Set 3. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  2. 2.Which criterion it fails and by how much
  3. 3.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
  4. 4.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
  5. 5.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
  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.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint

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.