Scoring the Options is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 science worksheet on comparing multiple solutions against criteria and constraints, aligned to NGSS performance expectation 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 students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.Why generate several solutions before comparing?
A.To use more paper
B.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
C.Because three is a lucky number
2.Two designs tie on every criterion. What is a fair way to decide?
A.Toss a coin and say nothing
B.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
C.Pick the newer idea
3.A design fails one criterion badly and passes the rest. What should you record?
A.Which criterion it fails and by how much
B.Nothing at all
C.Only that it failed
4.Three designs are scored against four criteria. What decides the winner?
A.Which was built first
B.Which looks strongest
C.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
5.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
6.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
7.What makes a comparison unfair?
A.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
B.Using a grid
C.Having four criteria
8.One design scores highest but needs mains power, which is not allowed. What follows?
A.The constraint is dropped
B.It wins anyway
C.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint
LessonPrint · 3-5-ETS1-2 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Scoring the Options
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.The first idea is rarely the best against every criterion
2.Compare them on cost, build time or ease of repair
3.Which criterion it fails and by how much
4.How well each meets the criteria, once any breaking a constraint is removed
5.Part of it may be useful in a later design
6.Agree what the criterion means, then score again
7.Scoring one design generously because it is yours
8.It is ruled out for breaking a constraint
Questions about Scoring the Options
What does the Scoring the Options worksheet cover?
It practices comparing multiple solutions against criteria and constraints — 8 questions for Grade 3 to Grade 5, all on NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2: Compare several possible solutions against the criteria and the constraints. The instruction to students is “Circle the best answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which NGSS performance expectation does Scoring the Options practice?
3-5-ETS1-2, under Engineering Design for Grade 3 to Grade 5. The published performance expectation reads: “Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.” The worksheet assesses that performance expectation rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Scoring the Options is written for Grade 3 to Grade 5, typically ages 40-41. It is one of the sheets on 3-5-ETS1-2, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Scoring the Options come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Scoring the Options can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Scoring the Options free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Scoring the Options, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach 3-5-ETS1-2?
Yes — “Scoring the Options” is a 55-minute Grade 3 to Grade 5 plan for 3-5-ETS1-2, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Scoring the Options is the practice that follows it.
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.