Scientific questions and observations

Correct answer: A. Does a bell sound quieter as distance increases

The loudness of sound can be observed by changing distance. Identify the changed factor and the outcome.

Correct answer: B. The soil is wet and dark brown

An observation is a statement based directly on what can be seen, touched, measured, or otherwise noticed at the time. It should describe evidence rather than express a personal judgement, a broad opinion, or a prediction about the future. Careful observations use simple, testable features such as colour, texture, wetness, smell, or temperature.

After rain, soil can be directly seen to contain moisture and often appear darker than dry soil. Thus “the soil is wet and dark brown” reports observable properties and is the suitable scientific observation. “Very good” is a judgement, “will always remain fertile” is a prediction, and “the best weather” is a preference. Therefore option B is correct.

Correct answer: C. Framing a testable question based on the observation

An observation creates curiosity and can lead to a testable question. The question guides further investigation.

Correct answer: B. The flower had five petals and a diameter of four centimetres

The governing concept is objectivity: a scientific observation should describe features that can be counted or measured and checked by another observer. Option B reports five petals and a diameter of four centimetres, so it uses observable evidence rather than personal judgement. The measurements should ideally be obtained with suitable instruments, but the sentence itself is still precise and testable. Options A and D use subjective value words such as lovely and best. Option C makes an unsupported conclusion about health, which requires additional evidence such as disease signs or growth data. Therefore B is the only clearly objective observation.