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bill nye matter - Printable Science Worksheets 5th Grade - Wayground

bill nye matter

Andrea Rawlings

Created by Andrea Rawlings

16 questions

5th Grade

Science

Updated Sept 2025

Bill Nye Matter is a free printable Grade 5 science worksheet that uses 16 multiple-choice questions to build understanding of matter and its states. Students identify the order and properties of solids, liquids, and gases; distinguish matter, mass, volume, and shape; and connect molecular movement with temperature and spacing. Questions also address phase changes as changes in energy, freezing a liquid into a solid, water vapor as a gas, and ice as solid water. The worksheet’s Bill Nye-themed wording, including the informal term “stuff,” gives students an accessible way to review essential vocabulary while selecting and comparing answer choices. It is useful for introducing or reviewing states of matter, checking whether students can apply definitions to familiar examples, and identifying misunderstandings about how particles behave. This free printable worksheet includes a complete answer key for efficient review and grading.

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bill nye matter

Total questions: 16

Name
Class
Date
1.
According to the picture, which one of the following best describes the order the states are shown?
According to the picture, which one of the following best describes the order the states are shown?
a)
gas, liquid, solid
b)
solid, gas, liquid
c)
solid, plasma, liquid
d)
liquid, gas, solid
2.
Something that takes up space and has mass.
a)
volume
b)
matter
c)
mass
d)
density
3.
A state of matter that has a definite volume and shape.
a)
solid
b)
liquid
c)
gas
d)
matter
4.
The amount of space something takes up
a)
density
b)
volume
c)
mass
d)
matter
5.
Solids have a definite _______________.
a)
smell
b)
shape
c)
picture
d)
sound
6.
Liquid matter takes the shape of _______.

Liquid matter takes the shape of _______.

a)

a gas

b)

water

c)

a pet

d)

Its container

7.
The faster molecules move,
The faster molecules move, 
a)
the higher the temperature
b)
the less temperature
c)
the same temperature
d)
I don't know
8.

Phase changes always involve changes in

a)

matter.

b)

space.

c)

color.

d)

energy.

9.

Bill Nye is the

a)

Butcher

b)

Baker

c)

Candlestick Maker

d)

Science Guy

10.

The unscientific word for matter is

a)

Steel

b)

Water

c)

Stuff

d)

Bill Nye

11.

The three basic phases of matter are

a)

Solid, liquid, pass

b)

Atoms, molecules, plasma

c)

gas, liquid, solid

d)

one, two, three

12.

What is one way to turn a liquid into a solid?

a)

Put the liquid in the big freezer of science

b)

Put it in the oven

c)

Put it in a cooler

d)

Put it in glass

13.

Water vapor is a _______ you can see

a)

Solid

b)

Liquid

c)

Gas

d)

Plasma

14.

When molecules slow down, what happens?

a)

They get closer together

b)

They get farther apart

c)

Nothing Happens

d)

A fairy gets its wings

15.

Water in a solid form is called

a)

Water

b)

Ice Cream

c)

Molecules

d)

Ice

16.

If molecules move slower when they lose energy, what must happen to molecules when they gain energy?

a)

Molecules move slower.

b)

Molecules move faster.

c)

Molecules stay the same speed.

d)

It depends.

WaygroundAnswer Key

bill nye matter

Total questions: 16

1.
b) solid, gas, liquid
2.
b) matter
3.
a) solid
4.
b) volume
5.
b) shape
6.
d)

Its container

7.
a) the higher the temperature
8.
d)

energy.

9.
d)

Science Guy

10.
c)

Stuff

11.
c)

gas, liquid, solid

12.
a)

Put the liquid in the big freezer of science

13.
c)

Gas

14.
a)

They get closer together

15.
d)

Ice

16.
b)

Molecules move faster.

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FAQs

What does the Bill Nye Matter worksheet cover?

This Grade 5 science worksheet uses 16 multiple-choice questions to assess states of matter, their defining properties, and how molecular movement relates to temperature and spacing. Students distinguish solids, liquids, and gases; apply terms such as matter and volume; and connect phase changes, freezing, water vapor, and ice with changes in energy or state.

How can I use this worksheet to teach states of matter?

Introduce the worksheet by reviewing what makes matter matter, then model how shape and volume distinguish solids, liquids, and gases. As students work through the multiple-choice items, pause to discuss why a liquid takes the shape of its container, why faster-moving molecules indicate higher temperature, and how slowing molecules can bring them closer together.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this matter worksheet?

Watch for students confusing mass, volume, and matter, especially when choosing between “the amount of space something takes up” and “something that takes up space and has mass.” Students may also reverse the state sequence, treat a liquid as having a fixed shape, or confuse water vapor with solid ice. Check that they connect faster molecular movement with higher temperature and recognize phase changes as involving energy.

How do I assign and grade this Bill Nye Matter worksheet?

The worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, and it includes a complete answer key for the multiple-choice items. You can grade printable submissions by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app. The printable format can also support schools that are reducing screen time.

How can I differentiate this states-of-matter worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing or choose a larger font size so the multiple-choice questions and answer choices are easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when that better supports access to the matter vocabulary and particle concepts.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a broad collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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