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5.47 Control Variables in Life Science Experiments Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Grade 5 Science worksheet provides structured practice on 5.47 Control Variables in Life Science Experiments. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Control Variables in Life Science Experiments - Which plan or investigation best identifies independent, dependent, and control variables in plant or decomposer investigations; justify choices? (NGSS SEPs; CCSS: W.5.2)

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Grade 5

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 5.47 Control Variables in Life Science Experiments skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

In a decomposer investigation using lettuce scraps, students change type of leaf and record the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup. They keep the same container size, the same measurement days, and the same location the same. Which set matches independent, dependent, and control variables? They place all containers on the same shelf. The groups use oak, maple, and pine for type of leaf.

AIndependent: type of leaf; Dependent: the same container size; Controls: the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup

BIndependent: the same container size; Dependent: the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup; Controls: type of leaf

CIndependent: the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup; Dependent: type of leaf; Controls: the same container size, the same measurement days, and the same location

DIndependent: type of leaf; Dependent: the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup; Controls: the same container size, the same measurement days, and the same location

Solution & Explanation:The independent variable is what is changed on purpose (type of leaf). The dependent variable is what is measured (the amount of carbon dioxide bubbles in a simple test tube setup). Controls are the conditions kept the same so the test is fair (the same container size, the same measurement days, and the same location).

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Lucas sets up carrot tops plants to test type of seed. But there is a problem: they plant different numbers of seeds in each pot. Which change would BEST fix the investigation so only type of seed is tested? They measure at the same time each afternoon. The class still wants to measure amount of water left in the soil (moisture reading) after one day.

AAdd more different variables (like changing water and light) to learn more at once.

BStop measuring and just write opinions about which plant looks best.

CMake they plant different numbers of seeds in each pot the same for all groups and keep the same pot size, the same temperature, and the same light source distance consistent, so only type of seed changes.

DChange the dependent variable to something unrelated, like the color of the pots.

Solution & Explanation:To test only type of seed, everything else should stay the same. The best fix makes the same pot size, the same temperature, and the same light source distance consistent and keeps amount of water left in the soil (moisture reading) after one day as the measurement.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

A team plans an investigation: How does added dry leaves change decomposition of orange peel bits? They will measure the time (days) until the material tears easily. Which plan uses the best controls? They use the same ruler for every measurement. The levels are none, 5 g, 10 g.

AUse different added dry leaves levels, but also change another condition like temperature or container size. Then guess the results without measuring the time (days) until the material tears easily.

BUse 3 groups with different added dry leaves levels. Keep the same starting mass of material, the same type/amount of decomposer (earthworms), and the same amount of soil the same for all groups. Measure the time (days) until the material tears easily the same way at the same times. Use at least 3 plants/items per group.

CChange added dry leaves but also change the type of materials between groups. Measure the time (days) until the material tears easily only for one group.

DGive different added dry leaves levels, but measure the time (days) until the material tears easily on different days for each group (not the same schedule).

Solution & Explanation:A strong plan changes only the independent variable, measures the dependent variable the same way, and keeps control variables the same (the same starting mass of material, the same type/amount of decomposer (earthworms), and the same amount of soil). The best choice does all of these.

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Grade 5 Science students. It aligns with educational standard SCI.5.47 (Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables in life science experiments.).