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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 4 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.The constraint is dropped
  • B.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint
  • C.It wins anyway
2.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
3.Two teams score the same design differently. What should they do?
  • A.Average the two scores silently
  • B.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
  • C.Ignore the disagreement
4.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
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.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
  • B.Pick the newer idea
  • C.Toss a coin and say nothing
7.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
8.Why generate several solutions before comparing?
  • A.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
  • B.Because three is a lucky number
  • C.To use more paper

LessonPrint · 3-5-ETS1-2 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Scoring the Options

Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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.