How to Write a
Testable Question
Review: What is a
“Testable Question?”
A testable question is one that can be
answered by designing and carrying
out an experiment.
Testable Questions have
• A dependent variable.
• An independent variable.
(A VARIABLE is something in
an experiment that changes)
What is a
Dependent Variable?
• Something that we will
measure in an experiment
What is an
Independent Variable?
• Something that we will
change in an experiment
Testable Question
The thing we change
- independent
variable
• Does ____________ affect
__________________?
The thing we measure –
dependent variable
Spot the parts of a
testable question.
Find :
1. The dependent variable – the thing
we would measure.
2. The independent variable – the
thing we would change.
Testable Question 1
• Does the height of the ramp
affect the speed of the car
going down the ramp?
What would you measure?
What would you need to change?
Testable Question 2
• Does changing the amount
of light affect how much a
plant grows?
What would you measure?
What would you need to change?
Testable Question 3
• Does the temperature of
water affect the time it
takes a sugar cube to
dissolve?
What would you measure?
What would you need to change?
Testable or Not Testable?
Review
• Testable Questions need 2 parts
– _____________ variable
– _____________ variable
Testable Question Format
Independent
variable
Dependent
variable
Does changing _______ affect _______?
How to make a Testable Question
Step 1: Read the question carefully.
Which type of shoe makes you run
faster, Nike or Adidas?
Step 2: Work out what you would
change and what you would measure.
Which brand of shoe makes you
run faster, Nike or Adidas?
Step 3: Use the question style:
So the correct testable question looks like…
Independent
variable
Dependent
variable
Does _______ affect _______?
“Does the brand of shoe affect how
fast you can run?”
Problem 1
Non-Testable:
What happens if you wear a sweatshirt
during gym ?
Testable:
Does wearing a sweatshirt during gym
affect how warm you get?
Problem 2
Non-Testable:
Do children do better at school if they
have lots of tests?
Testable:
Does doing tests affect student
success?
Is it Testable?
How does a paper airplane fly?
Let’s Make the Question
TESTABLE!
Decide what you are going to
measure
For example:
• Distance the plane will fly
• Length of time the plane stays in
the air
Make the Question
Testable
Now select decide what will be
changed.
For example:
• The paper the plane is made of
• The shape of the plane
Make the Question
Testable
How does a paper airplane fly?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
TICKET TO LEAVE!
Write your own testable question
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