Grade 2 · Science · Unit 2 of 9
Materials and Their Uses
Natural and processed materials, and picking the right one
What your child practises
Natural materials come from plants, animals, the land or the sky; processed materials are made by people from natural ones. Children test properties such as see-through, absorbent and bendy, and choose the best material for a job.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 2M 1.1, 2M 1.2, 2M 1.3, 2M 1.4, 2M 1.5 · natural and processed materials, their properties and choosing materials for a purpose
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
You want to measure a pencil with paper clips. This is…
- non-standard measuring
- standard measuring
- not measuring
Show answer
non-standard measuring
Hint: Everyday objects can be used to measure length. Rulers use standard units.
Question 2
Some Dene people make baskets from birchbark. Birchbark is…
- a natural material
- a processed material
- a plastic
Show answer
a natural material
Hint: Birchbark comes from a tree.
Question 3
Glass lets light pass through it. This property is called…
🪟- soft
- bendy
- transparent
Show answer
transparent
Hint: A transparent material lets you see through it.
Question 4
Where do natural materials come from?
- only from factories
- plants, animals, the land or the sky
- only from stores
Show answer
plants, animals, the land or the sky
Hint: Wood, wool, stone and clay are all natural.
Question 5
Which material soaks up water?
- a glass jar
- a plastic cup
- a sponge
Show answer
a sponge
Hint: Absorbent materials take in water.
Question 6
Paper is made from wood. Paper is…
- not a material
- a natural material
- a processed material
Show answer
a processed material
Hint: People turn trees into paper, so paper is processed.