Name: _______________________
Writing a Hypothesis Practice
Part I: For each of the following testable questions, write the dependent and independent
variables on the lines provided then formulate a hypothesis using the two variables. Be sure to
include your reason for your hypothesis statement. See the example provided.
Example:
How does the time spent studying affect test scores for seventh graders?
Dependent variable (what you are testing or what is being affected)= test scores
Independent variable (the cause of the results you observe, is what is controlled by the
experimenter)= time spent studying
Hypothesis: If I spend more time studying,
then my test grades will improve
because I will know the material we learned in class.
Note: The “if” part of the hypothesis contains the independent variable, the “then” part has the
dependent variable, and the “because” states why you think the dependent variable will happen.
Your turn:
1. How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect how many birds will build nests in it?
Dependent variable:____________________________________________________
Independent variable:___________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________________________,
then ______________________________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________________________________.
2. How does the acid level of a lake affect how many fish live there?
Dependent variable:____________________________________________________
Independent variable:___________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________________________,
then ______________________________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________________________________.
Name: _______________________
3. How does the amount of milk you drink affect the strength of your bones?
Dependent variable:____________________________________________________
Independent variable:___________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________________________,
then ______________________________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________________________________.
4. What effect does studying music have on student test scores?
Dependent variable:____________________________________________________
Independent variable:___________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________________________,
then ______________________________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________________________________.
5. Do taller people have longer arms that shorter people?
Dependent variable:____________________________________________________
Independent variable:___________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________________________,
then ______________________________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________________________________.
Name: _______________________
Part II: Write a problem statement that was being answered by each of the following
hypotheses.
6. If I feed my dog Purina Dog Chow, he will have more energy because Purina is full of
vitamins.
Testable Question:
7. If I give my teacher chocolate, then she will give me less homework because she will be
happier.
Testable Question:
Part III: For each of the 5 hypotheses in part 1, rewrite a hypothesis statement without using
the “if…..then….because” format. Make sure to include the independent and dependent variables.
Example: If plants are watered with salt water, then they will die because fresh water will be lost
from the plant due to osmosis.
Without the “if…..then…..format” (more advanced version)
Plants watered with salt water will die because fresh water will be lost from the plant
due to osmosis.