RIC-8458 Higher-order Thinking Skills - Book 5

Higher-order thinking skills – Book 5 (Ages 10–11) 

Published by R.I.C. Publications ® 2019 

Under licence from Evan-Moor ® Educational Publishers 

Copyright© 2018 Evan-Moor ® Educational Publishers 

This version copyright © R.I.C. Publications 2019 

RIC– 8458 

ISBN: 978-1-925698-68-8 

Titles in this series: 







The following illustrations were created by the artists listed (provided through Shutterstock.com); 

and are protected by copyright: 

Denis Cristo (page 2); Dvo (page 3); hobbit, mashakotcur, Natsmith1, vasosh, vectorkat, (page 4); 

Sapunkele (page 5); Henrik Larsson (page 7); Denis Cristo (page 8); Dmitry Natashin (page 15); 

Dualororua (page 16); PremiumVector (page 17); Ken Benner (page 18); Eric Isselee, mariait (page 

19); Africa Studio (page 26); Sarawut Padungkwan (page 27); Sabelskaya (page 28); photographyfirm 

(page 29); Ildarth (page 33); elbud, gringoglueck, ScofieldZa (page 34); imagedb.com (page 35); 

Ellerslie (page 37); Vibe Images (page 39); zuper_electracat (page 42); subarashii21 (page 43); 

Merkushev Vasiliy (page 44); wowomnom (page 45); pedro alexandre teixeira (page 48); Costazzurra 

(page 49); SofiaV (page 50); subarashii21 (page 51); Christos Georghiou (page 54); John Roman 

Images, Microgen, Nice_Media_PRODUCTION (page 57); Virinaflora (page 58); Victority (page 

59); Aleutie, Mascha Tace (page 62); Neda Sadreddin (page 63); InBetweentheBlinks, Naurora, 

UrbanImages, victoriyasmail (page 67); Denis Cristo (page 68); Ritesh Chaudhary (page 69); 

GraphicsRF (page 70); BlueRingMedia (page 71); ivector (page 72); Mascha Tace, Olga1818 (page 

73); Harvepino (page 74); Jacob Lund (page 77); Sarawut Padungkwan (page 78); Irina Danyliuk 

(page 80); yavi (page 83); GraphicsRF (page 86); Everett Historical (page 87); graphic-line (page 

88); Faber14 (page 89); MoreMass (page 90); Robert Kneschke (page 92); FloridaStock (page 94); 

Iaroslav Olenkovskyi (page 98); aekikuis (page 99); Lemonade Serenade (page 100); HitToon (page 

103); Murrrrr-s (page 104); Karkas, majeczka, mariait, Pixfiction (page 105); SunshineVector (page 

107); GoodStudio (page 109); Everett Collection (page 110); jimboly (page 113); leungchopan (page 

114); Elizabethmaher (page 115); Carla Francesca Castagno (page 116); Sarawut Padungkwan 

(page 118); Big Boy, Macrovector (page 120); bus109 (page 123); Cincinart, Daniel Fung, Kristina 

Shevchenko (page 124); Jurik Peter (page 126); Qvasimodo art (page 127); GraphicsRF (page 128); 

Aleksandar Grozdanovski, Boris Medvedev (page 129); dedMazay (page 153); Designua (page 134); 

EngravingFactory (page 137); BlueRingMedia (page 138); Spreadthesign (page 139); Kamieshkova 

(page 143); andere andrea petrlik (page 147); manas_ko, notkoo (page 148) 

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Contents 

About higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) ...iii 

Ten tips for tackling tough tasks ...................... iv 

What’s inside? ....................................................... v 

How to use this book ........................................ vi 

Higher-order thinking categories .............. vii–xi 

Behavioural verb definitions ................... xii–xiii 

Activities ...................................................... 2–151 

Answers ................................................... 152–159 

About higher-order thinking skills 

Teachers report that their curricula are lacking in materials that help students learn to think 

critically. This book provides practice applying higher-order thinking skills in English, maths, 

science, and humanities and social sciences contexts. 

What are higher-order thinking skills? 

They are not the skills—such as alphabetising or calculating a perimeter—used in specific 

academic subjects. Rather, they are skills used across all curriculum areas and in non-academic 

situations; the skills for making use of information. 

In this book, higher-order thinking skills are represented by behavioural verbs. Each page 

focuses on one behavioural verb, which is defined at the top of the page. Each behavioural verb 

is emphasised in the instructions so students become aware of when and how they are using the 

thinking skill. 

Why is it important to practise higher-order thinking skills? 

Teachers may debate which is the most important curriculum area or skill in school, but some 

things are widely accepted by teachers and academics alike: 

• Students need well-developed thinking skills to be successful in the classroom, on 

assessments and in the real world. 

• Students can learn to think better if they’re taught how to do so. 

• Critical thinking skills are more important than ever in today’s competitive, rapidly 

changing, technology-based environment. 

Young children naturally use thinking skills. They learn autonomy through exploration, 

observe their environment using logic and reasoning, try new things and think creatively. As 

children grow and enter an academic setting, some of their natural curiosity and problemsolving 

instincts are not engaged as often as they could be. 

While all thinking skills are important, students generally get ample practice with recall, 

recognition, identification and comprehension. Therefore, this book focuses on thinking skills 

that are more challenging to incorporate. These include analysing, predicting, modelling, 

composing, organising, evaluating options, designing, critiquing and problem-solving. 

People with strong critical thinking skills can accomplish a great deal, whether or not they 

have background knowledge in a topic. Critical thinkers know how to acquire new knowledge 

and how to approach problem-solving. They also know how to persevere and use productive 

struggle to find an answer. 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 iii

Ten tips for tackling tough tasks 

Before beginning these lessons, read the paragraph below to students, then share the tip that best 

supports each daily activity. 

These activities are not supposed to be things you’ve already learned how to do in 

class. These activities let you exercise your brain in new ways. Most of the activities 

don’t have just one right answer, so don’t worry; just answer in 

a way that makes sense to you. 

1 Unpack the task: Read the activity once to see what it’s about. Then 

re-read it very carefully. Ask yourself: What am I being asked to do? 

Solve a problem? Complete a puzzle? Write a story? Explain my thinking? 

Describe something? Then look at the information given. 

2 Put yourself in the situation: Spend a few minutes imagining that you are in the situation 

described. How does it feel? Why is it important? Is this situation like one you have been in 

before? 

3 Look for details: If an activity has a picture or a map, look at it closely. Look at everything, 

figure out what people are doing, and read any words. Think about which details might be 

the most important for what you have to do. 

4 Think about what you already know: You already know a lot! If you’re not sure how to 

begin, think about the topic or the objects you see on the page. Think about when you’ve 

seen or used something. Think about when you learned or talked about something. 

5 Think about what the activity is like: Sometimes when you learn to do one thing, you 

can do the same thing in a similar situation. Ask yourself: Have I done something like this 

before? 

6 Share ideas: If you can work with a partner or a group, talk about your ideas or where you 

are getting stuck. Sometimes different people have different parts of the answer. When you 

tell what you know, you can all succeed. 

7 Use trial and error: If you can’t get started, write down anything. Then compare it to what 

the activity asks for. Does it make sense or follow the activity’s instructions? If not, why 

not? Then start to change your answer, little by little, so it does follow the instructions. 

8 Work backward: Sometimes it makes sense to start at the end. Figure out where you want 

to end up. Then think about what your problem looks like just before that. What needs to 

happen to get from there to the end? 

9 Check your answers as you go: After you write or draw your answer, re-read the question 

you are answering or the instructions you are following. Does your response answer the 

question? Does it make sense? Does it follow the rules given? Does it solve the problem? If 

not, figure out what part could be better and fix it. 

10 Keep trying: Sometimes it takes a while for a new idea to come. Don’t give up if you can’t 

do an activity right away. When you figure it out, you’ll feel great! 

iv 

HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 

978-1-925698-68-8 www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®

What’s inside? 

A variety of challenges 

Curriculum-area contexts 

Each full-page activity gives students an 

opportunity to practise a higher-order 

thinking skill in the context of a different 

curriculum area. The curriculum area 

changes, rotating between English, maths, 

science, and humanities and social sciences, 

and sometimes combining them with art or 

logic. Engaging formats include: 

• logic and visual puzzles 

• spatial brainteasers 

• creative writing 

• picture comparisons 

• wordplay 

• ‘what if’ questions 

A behavioural verb representing a 

higher-order thinking skill is defined 

at the top of the page and highlighted 

in the instructions. Topic information 

is often provided on the page so that 

the student can go past recall and 

comprehension to focus on using the 

given higher-order thinking skill. 

The gold rush 

It’s a dog-eat-dog world 

represent: to show in a drawing or a graph or with a symbol 

Science 

A food chain is a sequence of living things in an ecosystem in which each member is the food of 

the next member of the chain. Look at the example below and read the text, then use the text to 

represent a desert food chain. Draw the living things, label them and draw an arrow from the 

living thing that is eaten to the one that eats it. 

male lion 

grasses Example of a savanna food chain 

In a desert ecosystem, animals must work hard for their food. Tortoises carefully avoid the 

spines of cactuses to eat their flowers and coyotes feast on the large tortoises, leaving their 

shells behind. 

drawing of drawing of a drawing of a 

a cactus with 

tortoise 

coyote 

f lowers 


Crossword numbers 

strategise: to make a plan to achieve a goal 

Here are some number tiles arranged like a crossword 

puzzle. When you add the digits of each three-digit 

number and then add those sums, you get a score of 59. 

123 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 

245 2 + 4 + 5 = 11 

567 5 + 6 + 7 = 18 

789 7 + 8 + 9 = 24 

score: 59 

9 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 determine: to figure out using facts or what you observe 

cactus tortoise coyote 

History 

In 1851, the gold rush began in Australia. Thousands of gold hunters, called diggers, hoped to 

strike it rich. Use the clues in the dialogue to determine which digger is which. Write each man’s 

name below his picture. 

Tom said, ‘Oh no, there goes my hat! Sam, can you grab it from that hole?’ 

‘Why me?’ Sam replied. ‘I’m not the shortest man here.’ 

‘Well, don’t look at me’, said Clem. ‘I’m not wiggling my tall self into that hole.’ 

Jim stroked his beard while staring at Slim, who was standing next to Tom. ‘I guess I’m 

elected’, said Slim with a sigh. 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 13 


Mathematics 

Rearrange the numbers 1 to 9 on the grids below. Connect them like words into three-digit 

numbers on a crossword puzzle. Each number shares only one digit with another number. Try to 

beat the score above. Strategise to get as high a score as possible. 

1. 2. 

1 

7 3 8 

2 4 

9 5 6 

69 69 

score: score: 

3. Which strategy gives the greatest possible score? 

Use 7, 8, and 9 in the squares where two 

numbers cross. 

1 

2 4 5 

3 6 

7 8 9 

6 1 7 

4 

9 3 8 

2 

5 

C lem Tom Slim Jim Sam 

Behavioural verb definitions 

The chart on pages xii and xiii lists the definition of each behavioural verb in the book. 

You may wish to reproduce these pages and distribute them to students. 

Answers 


R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 61 

Evaluate students’ responses based on your own expectations and on what content students have 

encountered. Accept any reasonable response. Answers for closed questions start on page 152. 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 v

How to use this book 

1 Reproduce the activities or distribute a student book to each student. The activities are 

organised to become more challenging as the year progresses. 

2 Introduce the activity to the whole class, reading the definition provided and relating it to 

any recent work done in class. 

3 Review the instructions and any information given to ensure students know what to do. It is 

recommended that students work with a partner or in a small group, although the activities 

do not require collaboration and may be completed independently by a capable student. 

4 Many activities have multiple solutions or are open-ended. Allow sufficient time for sharing 

responses and discussing problem-solving approaches. Modelling a variety of ideas and 

strategies offers valuable learning benefits and encourages peer respect and cooperation. 

Teaching tips 

• Preview the page yourself before assigning it to the class. Most pages do not rely on specific 

prior academic knowledge, but you may wish to connect the activity to a prior classroom 

experience or lesson. 

• Remind students that there are usually several ways to complete the activities, so they should 

not worry about finding ‘the right answer’. 

• Become familiar with the Ten tips for tackling tough tasks on page iv. When you introduce 

each activity page, review with students any tip(s) that you think might be particularly useful 

for them on that particular task. 

• Students may take some time to figure out how to start; productive struggle is often part 

of the higher-order thinking process. If they are getting frustrated and the Ten tips aren’t 

helping, guide students with leading questions. 

• Take the opportunity to call to students’ attention any behavioural verbs used in other 

academic lessons to reinforce students’ understanding and awareness of when they are using 

these skills. 

vi 



Higher-order thinking categories 

Behavioural 

verb 

Page 

number 

Page title 

adapt 72 Let’s play English 

analyse 

apply 

arrange 

assemble 

categorise 

compare 

Cross-curricular link 

21 Arty designs Mathematics 

32 Word relationships English 

59 Why so callus? Health and Physical Education 

88 Tiana’s tables Mathematics 

95 Analogies Civics and citizenship 

111 Wolf in sheep’s clothing English 

119 A puzzling plot Mathematics 

117 Complete relationships English 

132 Mountains and molehills English 

28 Royal rounding Mathematics 

81 Notation equations Mathematics 

91 Global time Geography/Mathematics 

110 Dot and dash alphabet English/History 

149 Bus time Mathematics 

33 Family portrait Mathematics 

71 Jazzy jewellery Mathematics 

84 Subtraction stumper Mathematics 

26 Menu challenge Mathematics/Health 

51 Inventing words English/Mathematics 

22 Tell me why English 

39 All about energy Science 

82 Anagram groups English 

119 All things science Science/Geography 

139 A grizzly’s kingdom Science 

4 Massive difference Mathematics 

19 Canine cousins Science 

37 Compare poems English 

62 How different are they? English 

73 A decimal path Mathematics 

84 Dense boxes Mathematics 

99 Tale of two cycles Science 

complete 64 Words in space Science 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 vii


Behavioural 

verb 

Page 

number 

Page title 


56 Life of a T-Rex Science/English 

116 Temperature rising Science/English 

compose 

135 An ode to you English 

136 City anthem Geography/English 

147 Say what? English 

conclude 134 The state of matter matters Science 

construct 

11 Tongue twister English/Geography 

128 Coordinated construction Mathematics 

convert 38 Factor factory Mathematics 

create 

critique 

7 Hide-and-seek English 

97 It’s all in the ad English/Arts 

79 Always a critic Science 

112 What’s new? English 

debate 65 Pros and cons Civics and citizenship 

decide 121 Baking for good Economics and business/Mathematics 

3 Missing signs Mathematics 

36 Pangaea puzzle Geography 

46 Whose house? Mathematics 

deduce 

53 Mighty Manuel Mathematics 

94 Meat eaters Science 

106 Facts that follow English/Logic 

151 Twin talk English 

defend 109 Technology vs work History/Technologies 

18 Gadget’s number patterns Mathematics 

describe 

27 Be on the lookout English 

34 Share the view Science 

55 Who am I? History 

design 

31 Your personal flag Geography/Arts 

85 Burke and Wills History 

viii 




Behavioural 

verb 

Page 

number 

Page title 


61 The gold rush History 

68 Mystery decimals Mathematics 

determine 

86 What a heart! Mathematics/Health and Physical Education 

131 Force of weight Science/Mathematics 

141 Shapes puzzler Mathematics/Logic 

devise 105 Two lands Civics and citizenship/Geography 

distinguish 104 Tsunami commute Science/Geography 

42 Mind reader English 

evaluate 

124 Our next home Science 

124 Would you rather ... Health/English 

examine 70 Let’s get extreme Health and Physical Education 

75 The great snow Geography 

exemplify 

75 How much can you chew? English 

142 Words in action English 

8 Number trios Mathematics 

experiment 

50 What in the word? Geography 

103 Fraction challenges Mathematics 

148 Magic moon square Mathematics 

explain 108 Roberto’s ribbons Mathematics 

extend 52 How will it end? English 

extrapolate 113 Say cheese! Mathematics 

form 41 Natural symmetry Mathematics/Arts 

formulate 

15 Ground rules English/Health 

23 What’s the question? Mathematics 

63 Shahlah’s shortcut Mathematics 

generate 

74 Report: Cyclone’s a-blowing! Science 

133 Mystery message Mathematics 

hypothesise 

hypothesise 

20 Respecting the kangaroo History/Geography 

144 Rainforest High-rise Science 



illustrate 6 Great Oz’s throne room English/Arts 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 ix


Behavioural 

verb 

hypothesise 

Page 

number 

Page title 




illustrate 6 Great Oz’s throne room English/Arts 

imagine 

126 Mission to Mars English/Science 

137 Sailing away English 

improvise 135 Toys and games History 

infer 

interpret 

interview 

12 Floriana’s English 

44 Ancient water Science 

60 Time zones Geography/Mathematics 

66 Invention convention History/Technologies 

130 The Australian bionic ear Science 

29 Can you dig it? Science 

101 Water works Science/Mathematics 

45 Time machine English/History 

57 Tell me more English 

87 Talk to me English/History 

invent 49 Transporting us to the future Science/Design and Technologies 

judge 10 A new colony History/Civics and citizenship 

justify 112 Decisions, decisions Science/Geography 

model 14 ‘Tis the season Science 

modify 96 Expedition display History/English 

paraphrase 90 Aussie sayings History/Civics and citizenship 

persuade 

plan 

predict 

2 Best idea since sliced bread English 

25 A sign of the times History 

67 Take me home! English 

140 Running for mayor Civics and citizenship 

58 Friendly beings Mathematics 

92 Athletics carnival English 

146 Good morning, Moon Science/English 

48 Odd or even? Mathematics 

69 As cold as ice Science/Geography 

80 Heat wave Economics and business 

114 For the love of pandas Science 

x 




Behavioural 

verb 

Page 

number 

Page title 


prioritise 

prove 

rank 

40 Choices, choices! Health/Economics and business 

47 In a few words English 

123 Popcorn time Mathematics 

143 Three lighthouses Mathematics 

35 Please come to order English 

54 The speed of sound Science 

rearrange 17 Mixed emotions English 

9 It’s a dog-eat-dog world Science 

24 We heart you Science/Health and Physical Education 

represent 

100 A loaf’s journey Technologies 

128 Camp KrazyFun Mathematics 

129 The sight of music Science 

145 Be a cartographer Mathematics/Geography 

rewrite 

107 Show, don’t tell English 

125 For want of a nail English 

sequence 30 Chain reaction Geography/English 

solve 5 Riddles old and new English 

sort 98 Fraction magician Mathematics 

speculate 

115 The writing on the wall Geography 

138 What’s in the bank? Mathematics 

13 Crossword numbers Mathematics 

strategise 

78 Crawling along Mathematics 

89 Structurally sound Science/Technologies/Civics and citizenship 

suggest 77 Make a difference Civics and citizenship 

16 Mapping it out Geography/Mathematics 

visualise 

43 Think big Mathematics 

76 Seeing is believing English/Arts 

93 Time to dine Mathematics 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 xi


adapt: to change 

something for a new 

purpose 

analyse: to look at how 

parts go together 

apply: to use what you 

know in a new way 

arrange: to put in place 

to meet a goal 

assemble: to put parts 

together 

categorise: to name a 

group 

change: to make 

something different 

compare: to look for 

things that are the same 

or different 

complete: to make 

something whole 

compose: to write 

creatively 

conclude: to decide 

using facts, data and 

inferences 

construct: to form by 

putting parts together 

convert: to change the 

form of something 

create: to make 

something new 

critique: to tell what is 

good and bad about 

something 

debate: to express 

opposing points of view 

decide: to choose after 

thinking 

deduce: to use facts to 

figure something out 

defend: to give reasons 

why you think someone 

is right 

describe: to tell the 

features of something 

design: to plan how 

something will look 

determine: to figure out 

using facts or what you 

observe 

devise: to create a 

method to do something 

distinguish: to tell the 

difference between 

things 

evaluate: to judge 

carefully 

examine: to look at 

closely 

exemplify: to be a good 

example of something 

experiment: to try 

doing things to see their 

effect 

explain: to give good 

reasons for your 

thoughts or for what you 

did 

extend: to make longer 

extrapolate: to use 

data to estimate beyond 

the range of the data 

form: to bring parts 

together to make 

something 

formulate: to produce 

by thinking carefully 

generate: to make 

something 

hypothesise: to make 

a good guess based on 

reasons 

xii 




illustrate: to represent 

in a picture 

imagine: to see an idea 

or picture in your mind 

improvise: to create 

something from 

whatever is available 

infer: to figure out 

using observation and 

experience 

interpret: to decided 

what something means 

interview: to ask 

someone questions 

about his or her life 

invent: to create for the 

first time 

judge: to decide how 

important or valuable 

something is 

justify: to give a good 

reason for something 

model: to make a 

drawing of something 

that is happening 

modify: to make small 

changes 

paraphrase: to restate 

in your own words 

persuade: to convince 

with good reason 

plan: to find a good 

way to do something 

predict: to tell what will 

probably happen 

prioritise: to figure out 

what is most important 

prove: to show that 

something is true or 

false 

rank: to put in order by 

value 

rearrange: to put things 

in a better order 

represent: to show in a 

drawing or a graph or 

with a symbol 

rewrite: to change 

something by writing it 

again 

sequence: to put things 

in an order that makes 

sense 

solve: to find a solution 

to a problem 

sort: to put things into 

groups 

speculate: to make a 

guess using incomplete 

information 

strategise: to make a 

plan to achieve a goal 

suggest: to tell an idea 

visualise: to imagine 

how something will look 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 

xiii

Best idea since sliced bread 

English 

persuade: to convince with good reasons 

For Patty’s science project, she invented a Helper Bot, a machine that helps with 

household chores. It was so good that TechE Company, an electronics builder, 

has agreed to produce and sell the Helper Bot. 

Imagine that you work for TechE Company. Design an ad that will persuade 

people to buy Patty’s machine. Include a picture and write persuasive text for 

the Helper Bot ad. 

2 



Missing signs 

Mathematics 

deduce: to use facts to figure something out 

Oh, no! Some of the operation signs have gone missing from the number sentences below. The 

signs are + , – , × and ÷ . Can you track them down and get them back? Deduce which signs are 

missing from each equation and write them in the boxes. 

1. 6 2 + 5 = 17 

2. 10 5 9 = 18 

3. 8 x 3 6 6 = 10 

4. (4 3) x 6 2 = 21 

5. (12 4) x 4 4 = 36 

6. (15 3) – (6 2) = 15 

7. (9 7) (2 1) = 16 

8. (20 4) (9 3) = 30 

9. (5 5) (5 5) = 9 

10. (10 8) (6 4) = 26 


3

Massive difference 

Mathematics 

compare: to find and describe similarities or differences 

Read the text. 

Mass and volume are two different ways of describing size. Mass is related to weight— 

how heavy something is. Volume is how much space something takes up. Bigger isn’t 

always heavier; it depends how closely packed the particles are that make up the object or 

substance. The more matter you can squeeze into a given size, the more mass it has and 

the denser it is. 

A coin is heavier than a 

feather because it has 

more mass, despite its 

size. It is more dense. 

Compare these pairs of objects, then circle the object that has more mass. 

1. 2. 

bowling ball basketball toothpick nail 

3. 4. 

washcloth paper napkin twenty cents leaf 

4 



Riddles old and new 

English 

solve: to find a solution to a problem 

Telling riddles was a popular form of entertainment in the 1700s. Read and solve these riddles 

from that time period. 

1. What kind of room is not in a house? 

2. What has teeth but cannot eat? 

3. What falls down but never gets hurt? 

4. What has a tongue but cannot talk? 

5. What has three feet but cannot walk? 

6. What flies up but is always down? 

7. Analyse the riddles above. What do most have in common that makes them surprising or 

funny? 

8. Write a modern riddle that you are certain no one in the 1700s could have solved. 

Answer: 


5

Great Oz’s throne room 

English/Arts 

illustrate: to represent in a picture 

Read the paragraphs from The wonderful wizard of Oz below. As you read, visualise the setting 

and what is happening, then illustrate it in the box below. 

She opened a little door and Dorothy walked boldly through and found herself in a wonderful 

place. It was a big, round room with a high arched roof, and the walls and ceiling and floor 

were covered with large emeralds set closely together. In the centre of the roof was a great 

light, as bright as the sun, which made the emeralds sparkle in a wonderful manner. 

But what interested Dorothy most was the big throne of green marble that stood in the middle 

of the room. It was shaped like a chair and sparkled with gems, as did everything else. In the 

centre of the chair was an enormous head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs 

whatever. There was no hair upon this head, but it had eyes and a nose and mouth, and was 

much bigger than the head of the biggest giant. 

6 



Hide-and-sneak 

English 

create: to make something new 

Sometimes animals sneak around in sentences. Examine each sentence and look for one of the 

animals listed in the box. Underline the animal name in the sentence and write it on the line. The 

first one has been done for you. 

ape bear cat dog goat hen 

llama mice otter owl pony rabbit 

1. Erica takes piano lessons. 

cat 

2. I do good work every day. 

3. Cleo will go at lunchtime. 

4. You should call a mathematics teacher for help. 

5. Experts say there are not enough engineers. 

6. Upon your arrival, we’ll go out to eat. 

It’s your turn to hide the animals. Create six sentences using the remaining words in the box, then 

circle the hidden animal. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 


7

Number trios 

Mathematics 

experiment: to try doing things to see their effect 

Consecutive numbers are numbers that follow one after the other, such as 10, 11 and 12. You can 

sometimes add consecutive numbers to get interesting sums. Experiment with three consecutive 

numbers at a time to get the number trio that answers each question. 

1. Which three consecutive numbers add up to 123? 



10, 11, 12 





8. Look at the consecutive numbers you found, then write one pattern you see. 

8 




Science 






grasses gazelle male lion 

Example of a savanna food chain 





9

A new colony 

History/Civics and citizenship 

judge: to decide how important or valuable something is 

Imagine it is 1829. You are one of the free colonists on the HMS Parmelia, which has landed in 

Perth. For a short while, you will continue to live on the ship as you build your new colony. 

1. Name and judge the importance of three tasks that must be done. 

Task 

Why it is important 

2. Each person, including the children, must help. What are two specific things you can do to 

help accomplish one or more of the tasks? 

What I can do 

How it will help 

10 



Tongue twister 

English/Geography 

construct: to form by putting parts together 

Pick any city in Australia and brainstorm 

some words that begin with the same letter as 

that city. Then construct a tongue twister by 

putting together the name of the city and some 

of your words. You can add other words, too. 

Then say it fast! 

Many men in 

Melbourne make 

marvellous 

macaroni. 

1. City: 

more words: 

tongue twister: 

2. City: 

more words: 

tongue twister: 


11

Floriana’s 

English 

infer: to figure out using observation and experience 

Read the flyer and infer the meanings of the bold words, then write them on the lines below. 

From casseroles to cakes, we provide it all! The aroma of our soups 

will delight your nose. 

Just call us! Then invite your ravenous guests to your gala, and we’ll 

come and feed them well. They’ll be clamouring for more. 

We have won accolades from local diners every year since we 

opened. We’ve even received acclaim from big-city critics. 

Their consensus is that Floriana’s will satisfy any knowledgeable 

connoisseur of fine food. 

It would be absurd to trust 

anyone else with your big 

event. 

Floriana’s 

0709 428 999 

www.f lorianas.com.au 

1. casseroles: accolades: 

aroma: 

ravenous: 

gala: 

clamoring: 

acclaim: 

consensus: 

connoisseur: 

absurd: 

2. What does Floriana’s business probably do? 

3. Explain how you figured out the type of business. 

12 




Mathematics 





123 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 

245 2 + 4 + 5 = 11 

567 5 + 6 + 7 = 18 

789 7 + 8 + 9 = 24 

score: 59 

1 

2 4 5 

3 6 

7 8 9 




1. 2. 

score: 

score: 



13

‘Tis the season 

Science 

model: to make a drawing of something that is happening 


As Earth moves around the sun, we experience different seasons. This is due to Earth’s tilt 

on its axis. The part of Earth that is tilted towards the sun has warmer weather while the part 

tilted away has colder weather. As the planet makes its way around the sun all year, a different 

part of the globe is tilted towards the sun. Different parts experience different seasons, and in 

different ways. 

Plan how you would model what is happening in space that causes Earth’s seasons to change. List 

materials that could represent the sun, Earth and Earth’s axis. Draw how you would set them up 

to show each season then explain how you could use them to model the sun’s movement. 

1. Materials 

sun: Earth: axis: 

2. Set-up 

3. What to do 

14 



Ground rules 

English/Health 

formulate: to produce by thinking carefully 

Read the text and look at the picture then complete the items. 

Nik and Bruno are discussing an issue they both care about. As you can see, their discussion 

hasn’t been going very well. 

I’m right! 

You’re wrong! 

Your ideas are 

just stupid! 

1. What is the main problem with their conversation? 

2. Formulate a set of three ground rules that Nik and Bruno could follow to make their next 

discussion go better. 

Rule 1: 

Rule 2: 

Rule 3: 


15

Mapping it out 

Geography/Mathematics 

visualise: to imagine how something will look 

The annual Pumpkin Parade is coming! Imagine that you got a flyer in the mail 

with the following information about the route of the parade. Read the text then 

visualise the route and draw a map of it. 

The parade will start on the corner of Jones and Mason Streets, across 

from the supermarket. It will continue along Jones Street, past Monroe 

Avenue. At Proctor Road, the route will turn right, away from the park. At 

Plain Street, the route will go right again along the front of Lincoln Primary 

School, with the farmers’ market and theatre on the left. It will continue along Plain Street, 

head right on Mason Street, and end where it started. 

16 



Mixed emotions 

English 

rearrange: to put things in a better order 

If you’ve ever felt mixed up, then you know how these words feel. Look at the emoji and the mixedup 

word. Rearrange the letters to make an emotion word, then write a situation in which you have 

experienced that emotion. 

1. I felt when . 

eusiprsendm 


adeihnosst 


doecrennc 


ceefhlru 


dseadedn 


umgs 


cdeeitx 


fiorsuu 


ellnoy 


dopru 


17

Gadget’s number patterns 

Mathematics 

describe: to tell the features of something 

Gadget the Robot likes experimenting with numbers. One 

day, he found an interesting relationship between an addition 

pattern and a multiplication pattern. 

1 + 3 = 4 4 = 2 x 2 

1 + 3 + 5 = 9 9 = 3 x 3 

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16 16 = 4 x 4 

Examine the patterns and complete the items. 

1. Describe Gadget’s number patterns. Write at least two things you notice. 

2. Write the next three equations in each pattern. 

3. Gadget wants to get a sum of 100. Is that possible with the patterns? How do you know? 

18 



Canine cousins 

Science 


Read the description of a dog and a wolf and look at the pictures. Fill in the Venn diagram to 

compare each animal’s traits. 

Dogs and wolves are closely related. Both dogs and wolves have keen senses of smell 

and a ‘prey drive’, which is the instinct to chase after anything that runs. But wolves mostly 

communicate in howls, while dogs mostly bark. Many dog breeds can have floppy ears and 

short snouts, while wolves have longer snouts and ears that only point up. 

Venn diagram 

both 


19

Respecting the kangaroo 

History/Geography 

hypothesise: to make a good guess based on reasons 


People who lived hundreds of years ago could only use whatever the land provided. They 

could not afford to waste anything. For instance, when Aboriginal people hunted kangaroos, 

they ate the meat and used the other parts to make things they needed. 

Read the two lists below. Hypothesise how each part might have been used. Draw lines to 

match each part to how it was probably used. 

Parts 

How the parts were used 

hide/fur 

made into water bags 

teeth 

dried and used to sew clothing together or attach spear heads 

bones 

inflated and used as a a ball 

skin 

made into necklaces and headbands 

tendons 

dried and used as tinder for fire 

dung 

made into points for spears 

bladders 

used for rugs or clothing 

20 



Arty designs 

Mathematics 

analyse: to look at closely for patterns and relationships 

Some students in an art class created designs by repeating a single shape. Only part of each design 

is shown below. Analyse each picture to help you figure out how many shapes were used in the 

entire design. 

1. Here is 2 3 

of Liam’s design. How many triangles did he use in all? 


of Naomi’s design. How many circles did she use in all? 


of Tobin’s design. How many squares did he use in all? 


of Nedra’s design. How many hexagons did she use in all? 

5. Create an interesting design by repeating one shape. Colour part of your design. 

Write a fraction describing the part you coloured. 

I coloured 

of my design. 


21

Tell me why 

English 

categorise: to name a group 

Each of these groups of things has one item 

that does not quite fit. Categorise three of the 

items in each set. Cross out the one that doesn’t 

belong and explain why. 

1. eyes, nose, hand, mouth 

2. lion, kitten, giraffe, hippopotamus 

3. Perth, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania 

4. cello, saxophone, clarinet, flute 

5. newspaper, magazine, book, radio 

6. cow, chick, duckling, puppy 

7. hammer, nail, spanner, saw 

8. basketball, table tennis, athletics, soccer 

9. ice cream, yoghurt, jelly, strawberry 

22 



What’s the question? 

Mathematics 


Mrs Quest needs to come up with some interesting maths questions that have the answers given. 

Help her formulate two questions for each answer. 

example: answer: 42 

question 1: 

question 2: 

How many centimetres are in 0.42 m? 

How many days are in 6 weeks ? 

1. answer: 18 cm 

question 1: 

question 2: 

2. answer: rectangle 

question 1: 

question 2: 

3. answer: 1 2 

question 1: 

question 2: 


23

We heart you 

Science/Health and Physical Education 


Read the text. The blanks are words that are scrambled in the word box. Using the text as clues, 

unscramble the words and use them to represent the circulatory system of the human body. 

The circulatory system moves blood through the body. Blood leaves your through 

the and returns to the heart through the . Tiny allow blood to reach each cell. 

snive staireer thera escalpailri 

24 



A sign of the times 

History 


Read the text, then state your position and explain it. 

If you had lived in Australia during colonial times, would you have favoured independence for 

the colonies or loyalty to Great Britain? Today, people believe they have good reasons for both 

positions. 

I would support 

because 

. 

People often put up signs that state their point of view. Imagine you are a colonist trying to 

persuade others to share your opinion. Create a sign that you would display to show your position. 

You may use a slogan, a symbol, a cartoon or whatever else you choose. 


25

Menu challenge 

Mathematics/Health 

assemble: to put parts together 

Marta is in Year 5 and wants to get enough of certain nutrients 

but not eat more than she can burn off. Examine her goal 

numbers for each meal: 

goal numbers: 

12 grams of protein 

430 mg of calcium 16 grams of fat 

75 grams of carbohydrates 7 grams of fibre 

Here are some foods Marta likes to eat, along with their nutrition facts: 

food: wheat bagel protein: 22 g food: chicken leg protein: 28 g 

calcium: 20 mg fat: 6 g calcium: 3 mg fat: 16 g 

carbohydrates: 73 g fibre: 9 g carbohydrates: 0 g fibre: 0 g 

food: 1 4 cup almonds protein: 13 g food: 1 cheese stick protein: 7 g 



food: baked potato protein: 4 g food: apple protein: 1 g 



Assemble two meals that are close to Marta’s goals using these foods. List the totals for each 

nutrition fact. 

meal 1: 

calcium mg: carb g: protein g: fat g: fibre g: 

meal 2: 

calcium mg: carb g: protein g: fat g: fibre g: 

26 



Be on the lookout 

English 


The ruby from the mask of an ancient pharaoh was stolen from a museum. Luckily, security 

cameras caught pictures of the thieves. Here are pictures of the suspects. Describe in detail what 

the suspects look like for a radio news report. 

the lookout 

the burglar 

the getaway driver 

1. the lookout: 

2. the getaway driver: 

3. the burglar: 


27

Royal rounding 

Mathematics 

apply: to use what you know in a new way 


King Roundsalot loves to round numbers! When you ask him how many rooms are in his 

castle, he’ll answer, ‘Rounded to the nearest ten, there are 70’. When you ask how many 

servants he has, he’ll say, ‘Rounded to the nearest hundred, I have 200’. One day, King 

Roundsalot received a report on the kingdom’s population. ‘Oh, my!’ said the king. ‘Rounded 

to the nearest million, there are 5 000 000 people living in my kingdom!’ 

Apply rounding rules to answer the questions. 

Rounding rules 

Look at the number in the place you are rounding to. 

If the digit to its right is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, round down. 

If the digit to its right is 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, round up. 

1. How many rooms might there be in the castle? List all the possibilities. 

2. How many servants could the king have? List three possibilities. 

3. What is the smallest possible number that the kingdom’s exact population could be? 

4. What is the largest possible number that the kingdom’s exact population could be? 

5. How many numbers in all would become 5 000 000 when rounded to the nearest million? 

Explain. 

28 



Can you dig it? 

Science 

interpret: to decide what something means 

Read, then interpret the text to answer the questions. 

If you have ever dug in a garden, you’ve probably 

found a lot more than just dirt. A closer look might have 

revealed ants and centipedes, or perhaps a network of 

plant roots. And although you might not have seen them, 

soil is full of microorganisms. In a sense, healthy soil is 

‘alive’. 

1. What is meant when the writer says, ‘In a sense, healthy soil is “alive’’’? 

2. If healthy soil can be considered alive, what do you think makes soil unhealthy? 

3. How do you think the living things help plants grow? 


29

Chain reaction 

Geography/English 

sequence: to put things in an order that makes sense 

Most things happen for a reason. This is often called cause and effect. But sometimes the effect 

causes something else to happen. A series of causes and effects is called a chain reaction. 

1. Read the events, then sequence them into a chain reaction that makes sense. 

Fields dried out. Food prices rose. Stores had to close. 

Crops failed. There was no rain. People spent less on other goods. 

2. How would the chain reaction change if there were too much rain instead of none? 

30 



Your personal flag 

Geography/Arts 

design: to plan how something will look 


All countries and many regions, such as states or provinces, have a flag to represent them. 

A country’s flag displays symbols that represent aspects of that place. They sometimes use 

colours symbolically, as well. For example, the colours of the Mexican flag symbolise peace 

and honesty (white), bravery and strength (red), and hope (green). The centre features an 

eagle on a cactus, a snake in its beak. This scene comes from an Aztec legend directing 

people to settle where they saw an eagle eating a snake on a cactus. 

Use the space below to design a flag that represents a group of people you belong to and care 

deeply about. Your personal flag could represent your class, your school, your family, your town, 

your soccer team, a club or any other group you choose. 

1. What colours or symbols will you use? What do they represent? 

2. 


31

Word relationships 

English 


An analogy shows how things are related by making a comparison. 

Look at the first two italic words. How are bird and worm related? 

Now read the last italic word. Think of a word that is related 

in the same way to complete the analogy. A bird eats a worm, 

just as a cow eats grass. 

Example: Bird is to worm as cow is to . 

barn farmer beef grass 

Analyse the italic words, then circle the word that best completes the analogy. 

1. Sad is to depressed as tired is to . 

bed elated exhausted dismayed 

2. Metre is to centimetre as dollar is to . 

money cent snack wallet 

3. Trickle is to gush as sprinkle is to . 

downpour gather water splatter 

4. Photograph is to blurred as knife is to . 

dangerous shiny clear blunt 

5. Horses are to corral as gold coins are to . 

rodeo vault silver wealth 

6. Snowflake is to blizzard as spark is to . 

heat forest thunder wildfire 

7. Choose one of the analogies you completed. Explain how the pairs of words are related. 

32 



Family portrait 

Mathematics 

arrange: to put in place to meet a goal 

Mr and Dr Kimble are having their picture taken with their 

children, Helena and Kelvin. The photographer wants two of 

them to sit in the front and two of them to stand in the back. 

The photographer will take several photos. How many ways 

can you arrange the family for the pictures? For example, 

Mr Kimble can stand in the back or sit in the front. He can 

be on the left or on the right. Use diagrams, words or a code 

to show the different combinations. 

The Kimbles can pose for the picture in 



33

Share the view 

Science 


Physical properties of matter are things that can be measured or observed, such as the amount 

of something or its colour, shape and texture. Look at the objects below. Describe the physical 

properties of each so that someone you are talking with on the phone could visualise them. 

1. silver coins: 

2. a rubber band: 

3. a wooden ruler: 

34 



Please come to order 

English 

rank: to put in order by value 

Each list contains four items in a category. Think 

about the qualities they have: size, location, amount, 

time, order etc. Think about the words themselves, 

too. Rank the items and write them in order (you can 

rank them any way you like). Use a different way for 

each list, then state the type of order you used. 

1. ACT, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria 

in order: 

type of order: 

2. Germany, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom 



3. teachers, actors, dentists, prime ministers 



4. internet, newspaper, TV, radio 



5. mountain, plain, desert, rainforest 




35

Pangaea puzzle 


Geography 

Scientists believe that almost 300 million years ago, all of the land on Earth was connected in 

one giant landmass called Pangaea. Each clue below describes a current landmass and a region 

on the map. Look at the map and read the clues. The numbers on the map correspond to the clue 

numbers. 

1. When Pangaea split up, this subcontinent 

travelled far north to combine with southern 

Asia. 

2. Today, this southern island is the smallest 

of the continents. 

3. This is the southernmost continent today. 

Fossils found on this continent show it was 

once tropical, but it is now covered in ice. 

4. This continent will break apart in the future. 

While the eastern part will separate to 

become an island, the mainland will move 

north to merge with Europe. 

5. This continent was once connected 

to Africa and Antarctica. Today, it is 

connected to North America. 

6. Today, this continent is bordered by oceans 

on its west and east coasts. 

7. Although it is considered two continents 

today, it is really only one landmass. 

Pangaea 

Deduce where today’s continents or landmasses once were on the supercontinent Pangaea. Write 

the number of the clue next to the current landmass it describes. 

Africa 

India 

Antarctica 

North America 

Australia 

South America 

Eurasia 

36 



Compare poems 

English 


Read both poems. Think about the topic, the number of lines, 

the number of syllables and the rhyming. 

Poem 1: 

Front cover to back 

I turn the pages quickly 

A whole world inside 

Poem 2: 

The places you can go, both quiet and grand 

A faraway country, an imaginary land 

Escape is in the palm of your hand! 

Use the Venn diagram to compare how they are similar and different. 

Venn diagram 

poem 1 poem 2 

both 


37

Factor factory 

Mathematics 

generate: to make something 


There are many factors that can make another number. For example, 24 can be the result of 

8 x 3 or 6 x 4 or 2 x 12. There are so many options. 

1. What are the factors of 360? Generate as many products as you can below. 

2. How many factors does 360 have? 

3. Find a number that has exactly 16 factors. 

38 



All about energy 

Science 


Each of these groups has one item that does not quite fit. 

Categorise three of the items in each set. All groups have 

something to do with energy. Cross out the one that doesn’t 


example: coal, natural gas, oil, trees 

Trees are not fossil fuels. 

1. dam, nuclear reactor, steam, water wheel 

2. radiation, solar, tidal, wind 

3. conductor, gravity, magnetism, wind 

4. chemical, circuit, kinetic, mechanical 

5. fire, oven, piano, sun 

6. degree, horsepower, kilowatt, turbine 

7. cooking, entertainment, insulation, transportation 

8. gears, lamps, tools, wheels 


39

Choices, choices! 

Health/Economics and business 

prioritise: to figure out what is most important 


We make choices every day about what to buy and how 

to spend our time. When we choose one thing, we are not 

choosing something else. For instance, you can spend 

Saturday morning riding your bike with friends or playing 

basketball in the park, but not both. If you choose riding 

your bike, you are giving up basketball. Maybe you can 

play basketball in the afternoon, but then you’ll be giving up 

something else. For every choice we make, we are giving up 

a different choice. 

basketball 

bike 

Read these choice pairs and prioritise them. Circle the one you would choose, then explain your 

choice. 

1. Eating lunch at your best friend’s house OR eating at your favourite restaurant by yourself. 

Why? 

2. Buy a new skateboard OR buy an ice cream. 

Why? 

3. Take a class in making pottery OR relax at the community pool. 

Why? 

4. Sell an old bookcase at a garage sale OR paint an old bookcase in your favourite colours. 

Why? 

40 



Natural symmetry 

Mathematics/Arts 

form: to bring parts together to make something 

The grid below shows one part of a flower design. The design has two lines of symmetry. If you 

fold along the vertical or horizontal line, the flower is divided into two equal halves. 

Study the lines that have been drawn in the grid. Use them as a guide to help you form the rest of 

the flower. 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 


41

Mind reader 

English 

evaluate: to judge carefully 

Imagine that you have the ability to read people’s 

minds and know what they are thinking and feeling. 

Evaluate what life would be like if you could read 

minds to answer the questions. 

1. What would be good about being able to read people’s minds? Give an example. 

2. What would be bad about being able to read people’s minds? Give an example. 

3. Would you want to have the ability to read minds? yes no 

Explain why or why not. 

42 



Think big 

Mathematics 


It’s easy to see examples of ten—ten books on a shelf, ten children at a playground, ten beads on a 

necklace and so on. But can you think of how a person could ‘see’ really large numbers? 

Visualise the large numbers below. Write at least three examples for each. 

1. one hundred things 

2. one thousand things 

3. one million things 

4. one billion things 


43

Ancient water 

Science 


Read the information about the water cycle and look at the diagram, then infer to answer the 

questions. 

The processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation have recycled the water on our 

planet for billions of years. In fact, every living thing is composed of water, so people are part 

of the water cycle, too. That means the water that we use every day is billions of years old— 

and could even be the same water that dinosaurs drank! 

1. What can you infer about the source of the water that humans are made of? 

2. What evidence supports your inference? 

44 



Time machine 

English/History 

interview: apply: to use to ask what someone you know questions in a new about way his or her life 

Time machines don’t really exist, but they have been in stories and 

people’s imaginations for centuries. Read and complete the items. 

1. Think back to people in history that you have learned about. 

List three people who interest you. 

2. Imagine you could climb into a time machine and travel back in time. You can meet one of 

the people on your list. Which one would you choose and why? 

Now imagine that you have travelled in the time machine to interview the person you chose. 

Write five questions you would ask. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 


45

Whose house? 

Mathematics 


Read the clues to deduce each child’s house number. 

Use the grid to help you. Draw an X in the space when 

you know that a house and a child do not match. Draw 

a circle in the space when a house and a child do match. 

• Jackson lives two houses west of Nick. 

• Kruti lives directly south of Nick. 

• Mei lives between Darcy and Kruti. 

• Leah lives east of Marcel. 

• Pedro lives 2 houses north of Leah. 

1 2 3 

4 5 6 

7 8 

1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Darcy 

Jackson 

Kruti 

Leah 

Marcel 

Mei 

Nick 

Pedro 

2. Write the correct house number beside each child’s name. 

Darcy Jackson Kruti Leah 

Marcel Mei Nick Pedro 

46 



In a few words 

English 


1. Imagine that you are allowed to use only 20 words to communicate. What words would you 

choose? Think about the most important things you will want to say. Also remember that you 

will need nouns, pronouns and verbs. Prioritise your list and write the words below. 

(a) 

(k) 

(b) 

(l) 

(c) 

(m) 

(d) 

(n) 

(e) 

(o) 

(f) 

(p) 

(g) 

(q) 

(h) 

(r) 

(i) 

(s) 

(j) 

(t) 

2. Write a sentence using the words from the list. 

3. Choose one word and explain why you chose it: 

I chose it because 

. 

4. Write a word you did not put on the list: 

I didn’t choose it because 

. 


47

Odd or even? 

Mathematics 

predict: to tell what will probably happen 

Solve each maths problem below, then complete the sentence by writing odd or even to predict the 

results of adding or multiplying certain types of numbers. 

1. 4 + 6 = 8 + 50 = 12 + 14 = 

When you add two even numbers, the sum is . 

2. 3 + 5 = 15 + 1 = 27 + 9 = 

When you add two odd numbers, the sum is . 

3. 6 + 9 = 31 + 8 = 12 + 13 = 

When you add an odd number and an even number, the sum is . 

4. 2 x 4 = 40 x 6 = 12 x 10 = 

When you multiply two even numbers, the product is . 

5. 3 x 9 = 5 x 15 = 11 x 11 = 

When you multiply two odd numbers, the product is . 

6. 5 x 4 = 30 x 7 = 10 x 27 = 

When you multiply an odd number and an even number, the product is . 

7. Predict when a sum or product of three numbers will be odd or even. 

48 



Transporting us to the future 

Science/Design and Technologies 

invent: to create for the first time 


The year is 2080. Fossil fuels are gone and airfares have become so expensive that most 

people can’t afford to fly. Cars run on electricity, but they cannot travel across the water, and 

they are still much slower than aeroplanes. 

1. Invent a mode of transportation that lets people travel distances and across the ocean 

without using fossil fuels. 

2. What forces will have to be addressed in your invention to achieve high speed? 


49

What in the word? 

Geography 


This tourist is as mixed up as these anagrams! An anagram is a word that 

is made by rearranging the letters of another word. For example, tacos is 

an anagram of coast. The words below are anagrams of words that name 

geography concepts. Experiment to find the geography words and then 

write them on the lines. 

1. horse 

2. iciest 

3. taste 

4. master 

5. ignore 

6. tracer 

7. altitude 

8. canoe 

9. rested 

10. kale 

Now make up your own anagrams with travel words. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

50 



Inventing words 

English/Mathematics 


Mathematical words are often made from word 

parts. Use the meanings of the word parts in the 

box to figure out what the whole words mean. 

equi: equal 

geo: Earth 

gon: angle 

inter: between 

lat: side 

meter: measure 

peri: around 

poly: many 

quad: four 

sect: cut 

Word: 

Meaning: 

1. perimeter 

2. intersect 

3. quadrilateral 

4. polygon 

Use the word parts above to assemble some new maths words, then write their meaning. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 


51

How will it end? 

English 


Read the fiction story then complete the item. 

Henry looked over at the classroom clock as it ticked by at a snail’s pace. The bell was taking 

forever to ring. He was expecting a big surprise when he got home that afternoon. At the bell, 

Henry ran out the door like a pack of wild buffalo were chasing him. 

Henry’s heart sang as he spotted the wrapped box waiting on the kitchen table. He quickly 

found its contents: a fuzzy purple stuffed monster with two horns. Around the monster’s neck 

was a small note that read, ‘Dear Henry, I thought of you when I saw this special toy. Love, 

Aunt Mable’. 

‘What a strange gift!’ thought Henry as he headed upstairs to play with it. On the stairs, his 

mum reminded him to call Aunt Mable and thank her for the gift. 

After Henry called, he headed upstairs to find his monster was missing. ‘Where did it go?’ he 

wondered. Just then, he heard a loud sound under his bed, so he peered underneath. A small 

purple creature was throwing some clothes down a huge hole in the floor. It said, ‘I’m Kivik. 

Would you like to go on an adventure with me?’ 

Extend the story and write what you think will happen next with Henry and his monster. 

52 



Mighty Manuel 

Mathematics 


Mighty Manuel is the star performer at the circus. He is 

known for his amazing feats of strength and balance. He 

likes to balance monkeys and boxes of bananas on a long 

stick. All the monkeys have the same weight, and all the 

boxes weigh exactly the same amount. 

Look at the pictures, then deduce how many monkeys or 

boxes Mighty Manuel needs to perform his act. 

1. How many boxes does Mighty Manuel need? 

How do you know? 

2. How many monkeys does Mighty Manuel need? 

How do you know? 


53

The speed of sound 

Science 


Read the table that shows how fast sound travels through certain materials. 

Material 

rubber 

freezing air (0 ˚C) 

warm air (20 ˚C) 

fresh water 

salt water 

glass 

copper 

Speed of sound* 

60 mps 

331 mps 

343 mps 

1493 mps 

1533 mps 

4540 mps 

4600 mps 

*mps = metres per second 

1. Rank how well sound travels in the settings below. Write a 1 next to the setting in which 

sound travels the fastest and write a 4 next to the setting in which sound travels the slowest. 

(a) 

On a cold winter day, two kids yell to each other on the playground. 

(b) 

A bird taps its beak on your glass patio door. 

(c) 

In the ocean, dolphins whistle to each other under water to announce 

that food is nearby. 

(d) 

A plumber bangs on a copper pipe in the basement. 

5. A construction site worker is installing copper water pipes and rubber insulation tubes in the 

ground. If a metal shovel falls on both at the same time, which one will conduct the sound 

faster? 

copper water pipe 

rubber insulation tube 

About how many times faster? 

54 



Who am I? 

History 


Choose a person in history that you have learned about, then pretend you are that person. Write 

a series of six clues that describe who you are pretending to be. Start with a general clue that 

could be true of a number of people, such as whether you are male or female or the time period in 

which you lived, then give more specific clues. The last clue should be the most specific, such as 

something this person did or said. 

Clue 1: 

Clue 2: 

Clue 3: 

Clue 4: 

Clue 5: 

Clue 6: 

I am . 

? 


55

Life of a T-rex 

Science/English 

compose: to write creatively 

Compose a short story about a day in the 

life of a tyrannosaurus rex. Give your T-rex 

a name. Include details about what it looked 

like, its environment and what it ate. 

56 



Tell me more 

English 

interview: to ask someone questions about his or her life 

Choose someone who has done something heroic. It can be someone you know or someone you 

have read or heard about. Interview this person to discover things about his or her life that led to 

heroic action. 

police officer rescue worker disaster relief worker 

I choose to interview . 

Write five questions for your interview. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 


57

Friendly beings 

Mathematics 

plan: to find a good way to do something 


The beings of the planet Oculon are quite a sight! Some 

have one eye, some have two and some have three! 

For every group of 5 one-eyed beings, there is a group of 

4 two-eyed beings and a group of 3 three-eyed beings. If 

there are 84 beings on Oculon, how many of each kind are 

there? 

Plan how you will solve the problem. Show your work then write your 

solution. 

1. My plan 

2. My work 

3. My solution 

one-eyed beings two-eyed beings three-eyed beings 

58 



Why so callus? 

Health and Physical Education 



Callus is a type of tough, dry tissue that forms from 

friction to protect your skin. Its cells are dry on the 

inside and have thick walls. 

Sebum is an oily substance that also protects your 

skin. It keeps skin from absorbing too much water or 

letting water out. It acts like a natural waterproof seal. 

Analyse each situation. Determine whether callus or sebum would better protect the skin. Circle 

your answer. 

1. digging with a shovel callus sebum 

2. playing on the monkey bars callus sebum 

3. swimming in a lake callus sebum 

4. staying outside on a hot day callus sebum 

5. handling a hot pan callus sebum 

6. taking a long bath callus sebum 

7. walking barefoot callus sebum 

8. playing the guitar callus sebum 

9. preventing viruses and bacteria callus sebum 

10. shoe rubbing the foot callus sebum 


59

Time zones 



Read the text, then infer to answer the questions. 

Planet Earth is divided into 24 standard time zones. These imaginary zone lines, which 

run north to south around the whole globe, indicate the time in that zone. The 24 zones 

correspond to the 24 hours in the day. Where do you think this idea for time zones came 

from? The government? Some scientists? Actually, it was railroad companies. 

Before railroads criss-crossed North America, most towns had their own local time. For 

instance, there were 38 different local times just in Wisconsin. Back when it took weeks to 

travel any distance by horse, this wasn’t a problem. But in the 1870s, trains made it possible 

to go quite far in a single day. Railways solved travel problems but created new scheduling 

problems. Which local time would they use to establish departure and arrival schedules? 

In 1883, the United States and Canada were divided into four time zones. Since the railroads 

were critical for delivering supplies in regions that were just being settled, most people gladly 

accepted the new time zones. A year later, 25 countries decided on a global time zone plan. 

By 1929, most countries were using the time zone plan. 

1. In ancient times, people came up with their own ways to tell time. Why? 

2. Imagine that it is the same time everywhere on the planet right now; there are no time zones 

anywhere. How would life be different? 

3. Imagine that time zones had never been established and towns had their own local times. 

What might be difficult today as a result of having so many local times? 

60 



The gold rush 

History 

determine: to figure out using facts or what you observe 

In 1851, the gold rush began in Australia. Thousands of gold hunters, called diggers, hoped to 

strike it rich. Use the clues in the dialogue to determine which digger is which. Write each man’s 

name below his picture. 

Tom said, ‘Oh no, there goes my hat! Sam, can you grab it from that hole?’ 

‘Why me?’ Sam replied. ‘I’m not the shortest man here.’ 

‘Well, don’t look at me’, said Clem. ‘I’m not wiggling my tall self into that hole.’ 

Jim stroked his beard while staring at Slim, who was standing next to Tom. ‘I guess I’m 

elected’, said Slim with a sigh. 


61

How different are they? 

English 


Compare a city bus and a school bus. Complete the Venn diagram to tell how they are the same 

and different. 

city bus 

Venn diagram 

both 

school bus 

Now compare dance to gymnastics. Complete the Venn diagram to tell how they are the same 


dance 

Venn diagram 

both 

gymnastics 

62 



Shahlah’s shortcut 

Mathematics 


A mathematics teacher gave the class two pairs of equivalent expressions: 

4762 + 2134 = 4761 + 2135 3558 – 1437 = 3557 – 1436 

The teacher asked the class to come up with more pairs of equivalent 

expressions showing addition and subtraction of four-digit numbers. 

Shahlah came up with some right away, and she didn’t even bother to 

figure out the sums and differences! Here are her equivalent expressions: 

4763 + 2135 = 4762 + 2136 3559 – 1437 = 3558 – 1436 

4772 + 2144 = 4771 + 2145 4558 – 2437 = 4557 – 2436 

1. What did Shahlah do to make sure her expressions were truly equivalent? 

2. Generate two more pairs of equivalent expressions using four-digit numbers. Write one for 

addition and one for subtraction, but don’t calculate the sums and differences. Explain how 

you came up with each pair. 


63

Words in space 

Science 

complete: to make something whole 

Unscramble the following word jumbles about the system of planets, then use the answers to 

complete the paragraph. 

1. sahtemopre 

2. lsaeteslit 

3. dastroise 

4. omrtese 

5. usnverei 

6. ilykM yWa 

7. rolsa ymstes 

8. tEhar 

9. antdiorai 

10. tlanpes 

Space is part of the 

which lies outside the earth’s atmosphere. It 

includes , stars, comets, our sun, moons, , 

meteors, natural and built 

and spacecraft. 

Our own special part of space—the — 

consists of the sun at its centre and the many objects which revolve around it. It is part of the 

galaxy. 

Our planet, 

, is one of the eight planets in our solar system. The 

planets are surrounded by layers of gases called an 

offers protection from the harmful 

, which 

of the sun and objects like 

which burn up on entry. 

64 



Pros and cons 

Civics and citizenship 

debate: to express opposing points of view 


There is a large area of open land in Dewville. Children play there. People walk their dogs 

there. Now the land has been sold to a company that plans to build the town’s first shopping 

centre. The people in Dewville have different opinions. Some think the shopping centre will be 

a good thing for the town. Others disagree. Think of good reasons for both points of view. 

Debate the pros and cons of, or reasons for and against, building a shopping centre in Dewville. 

List three arguments in favour of the idea and three arguments against it. 

Pros 

Cons 


65

Invention convention 

History/Technologies 


Ms Shah’s class visited an invention museum. One display showed the history of toothbrushes. 

Read the display and infer to finish the sentences. 

leaf-and-twig tool 

3000 BCE 

boar bristles 

1500 

In Babylonia and Egypt, people 

had a lot of grit in their grain. 

The grit would damage their 

teeth if they didn’t get rid of it. 

They cleaned their teeth with 

a tool made from leaves and 

twigs. 

1. The problem was 

China patented the first 

toothbrush, after possibly 900 

years of use. They attached stiff 

hairs from the neck of a boar 

onto a bamboo or bone handle. 


. 

. 

toothbrush in Europe 

1660 

nylon bristles 

1938 

Most Europeans couldn’t afford 

a toothbrush. They used a rag 

dipped in chalk, salt or soot. But 

the nobility had toothbrushes that 

improved on the Chinese version. 

Napoleon’s toothbrush had a 

silver handle and used softer 

horsehair. 


. 

Prior to World War II, trade 

disruptions made animal hair 

harder to buy. Shortly after 

nylon was invented, it was 

used to make bristles that were 

attached to plastic handles. The 

new affordable toothbrushes 

were made popular by soldiers. 

Offered in a variety of colours, 

sizes and angled bristles, these 

tools have helped people keep 

their teeth healthy ever since. 

66 



Take me home! 

English 


Imagine you work at a pet shelter. You have the great idea of posting photos of the homeless pets 

on the shelter’s website so that people will want to adopt them. Your job is to write a few sentences 

for each photo to persuade others to adopt them. 

Vincent and Theo 

Arty 

Mr Smalls 

Claire 


67

Mystery decimals 

Mathematics 

determine: to figure out by using facts or what you observe 

Three friends each wrote down a decimal number. Each number had three digits, and all nine 

digits were different. Read the clues and determine each friend’s number. Write the numbers on 

the lines. 

1. 

My number is less than 2. The digit in the 

tenths place is two times the digit in the ones 

place. The digits in my number add up to 12. 

2. 

My number is greater than 3 but less than 4. 

All the digits add up to 10. The hundredths 

digit is odd and greater than 5. 

3. 

My number is greater than 5 but less than 6. 

The digit in the hundredths place is two less 

than the digit in the tenths place. The digits in 

my number add up to 15. 

4. Write a decimal number that has 3 digits and is larger than the first number, 

but less than the second number. All the digits should add up to 13. 

5. Write another decimal number. Write three clues for it. 

68 



As cold as ice 

Science/Geography 


Predict what the world would be like if the polar ice 

caps melted. Think about the Arctic and Antarctic 

regions and the animals that live there. Also think 

about water and land in other places, then answer 

the questions. 

1. If the polar ice caps melt, what will happen to the ocean levels? Why? 

2. What would happen to ocean temperatures? Why? 

3. How would this affect the marine food web? Why? 

4. How would ocean changes affect coastal cities? 


69

Let’s get extreme 


examine: to look at closely 

Sometimes we have to make choices between things, and we don’t 

like either of them! If we examine hard choices carefully, we can 

find the most important factor. Read and answer the questions 

and state the main reason for your choice. 

1. Would you rather live on a deserted island or in the most crowded city? 

deserted island 

crowded city 

reason: 

2. Would you rather live through a huge storm or a long drought? 

huge storm 

long drought 

reason: 

3. Would you rather go to the hardest school ever or the easiest school? 

hardest school 

easiest school 

reason: 

4. Would you rather be famous and have no privacy or be completely left alone by everyone? 

no privacy 

left alone 

reason: 

70 



Jazzy jewellery 

Mathematics 



The Jazzy Jewellery Store sells beautiful 

necklaces that have symmetrical designs. 

Each half of a necklace is the mirror image 

of the other half. Look at the two examples. 

The dashed lines show that one half of 

each design is a reflection of the other half. 

1. Imagine you are designing necklaces for 

the store. Each necklace will have four 

large swirly beads and four small solidcoloured 

beads. Arrange the beads to 

make as many symmetrical necklaces as 

possible. Draw your designs below. 

2. You can make symmetrical designs with eight beads. 


71

Let’s play 

English 

adapt: to change something for a new purpose 

Adapt this scene from a play into a short story. Finish the story. 

(SCENE: A city park on a warm spring Saturday) 

ELENA: 

(approaching her friends at the park on a scooter) Hi, guys! 

GRACE: Hey, Elena! Is that scooter new? 

ELENA: 

KOHEI: 

Sort of. It’s new to me. My mom got it at the second-hand 

sports store. I think I’m getting pretty fast on it. 

(hopping on his bike) Cool! How about we race to the end 

of the block? 

GRACE: (with her head down) I want to race too, but I don’t have 

a bike or a scooter! 

ELENA: 

You could run. The winner buys ice cream for all of us. 

GRACE: Okay! Let’s do it! On your mark, get set, go! 

72 



A decimal path 

Mathematics 


Make a path to help these tourists get back to their tour bus. Start with 

the shaded box at the top left. To find the second box, compare the 

decimals in the surrounding boxes. The second box will have a decimal 

that is greater than the decimal in the first box. Colour the box. 

Continue colouring until you complete the path. Each box in the path 

should have a decimal that is greater than the decimal just before it. In 

addition, each box should share a side with the previous box. 

1. 

0.009 0.002 0.001 0.003 0.004 

0.01 0.008 0.007 0.012 0.049 

0.015 0.03 0.036 0.07 0.068 

0.013 0.014 0.028 0.075 0.061 

0.09 0.1 0.08 0.0754 0.0732 

0.010 0.23 0.004 0.037 0.73 

0.12 0.5 0.603 0.99 1.0 

2. Suppose you were to add three more boxes after the last box in the path. The decimals 

need to be greater than 1.0 but less than 1.2. What decimals could they be, and in what 

order would you place them? 


73

Report: Cyclone’s a-blowing! 

Science 


Pretend you are a weather reporter for a local news station. Use the 

data below to figure out the impacts of a cyclone on the area, then 

generate a report for a broadcast describing in detail the effects of 

the cyclone. 

Cyclone data 

average wind speed: 152 km per hour 

maximum wind speed: 172 km per hour 

rain: 13.65 cm 

wave swells: 3 m 

74 



The great snow 

Geography 

exemplify: to be a good example of something 

Read the text and complete the items. 

In what was known as the Great Snow of 1717, huge 

snowstorms dropped one to two metres of snow on New 

England, USA. In some places, there were drifts seven 

metres high! People climbed in and out of second-storey 

windows because their doors were blocked by snow. 

Their wood piles were buried, so they burned wooden 

furniture for warmth. They shovelled tunnels and paths 

and got around on snowshoes. In one report, people were 

said to have walked around on stilts! 

1. Think about the people mentioned in the paragraph. Which of the following adjectives do the 

people best exemplify? Circle it. 

reckless rebellious reliable responsible 

resourceful restless relaxed remorseful 

2. Use information and examples from the paragraph to defend your choice. 

3. Write about another person or solution that exemplifies the word you chose. It can be from 

history or from your own experience. 


75

Seeing is believing 

English/Arts 


Read the paragraphs from Alice’s adventures in Wonderland below. As you read, visualise the 

setting and what is happening, then draw it in the box below. 

There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; and when Alice had been all the 

way down one side and up the other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, 

wondering how she was ever to get out again. 

Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing 

on it except a tiny golden key, and Alice’s first idea was that it might belong to one of the doors 

of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or the key was too small, but at any rate 

it would not open any of them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low 

curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little door about fifteen centimetres 

high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted! 

76 



Make a difference 


suggest: to tell an idea 

Imagine you want to make a difference in your 

community or another community you know. Think 

about the problems there, then choose a problem you 

want to work on. 

1. problem: 

Suggest how to solve this problem using the following 

resources: money, education and other people. 

2. money: 

3. education: 

4. other people: 


77

Crawling along 

Mathematics 


Help the snails crawl a path to a leaf. On each path, figure out how to fill in the blank lines with 1, 

10 and 100 so that all three expressions are equivalent. On the leaf, write the number that each of 

the three expressions equals. Strategise a way to complete the paths easily. 

1. 1.5 x , 15 x , 0.15 x 

2. 28 x , 280 x , 2800 x 

3. 31.6 x , 3160 x , 316 x 

4. 82 ÷ , 820 ÷ , 8200 ÷ 

5. 4.9 ÷ , 0.49 ÷ , 49 ÷ 

6. 73.6 ÷ , 736 ÷ , 7.36 x 

7. What strategy did you use to help you complete the paths? 

8. Create your own path using multiplication or division with 1, 10 and 100. 

78 



Always a critic 

Science 

critique: to tell what is good and bad about something 

Read about what makes a good hypothesis, then critique the hypotheses below. Explain whether 

the hypothesis is good or not. 

A good hypothesis: 

• states what scientists believe will happen 

• can be tested using the scientific method 

• includes specific variables, or qualities that you can control, change or measure 

1. There is a parallel universe that mirrors our own. good not good 

2. If you leave the lights on, it takes more time to fall asleep. good not good 

3. Blue pants are warmer to wear than white pants. good not good 

4. It is easier to ride a bike with small wheels than one with big wheels. good not good 

5. I think that dark chocolate tastes better than milk chocolate. good not good 


79

Heat wave 

Economics and business 


Read the situation, then predict how supply, demand and prices of goods will 

be affected. 

1. A heat wave sends everyone to the beach. The owner of an ice cream 

stand on the beach prepares to open. 

Will the demand for ice cream go up or down? up down 

Will ice cream prices go up or down? up down 

Explain your answer. 

2. The heat wave ripens all the tomatoes at once. An organic farmer brings 80 baskets to sell 

at the farmers market instead of 20 baskets. 

Is the supply of tomatoes going up or down? up down 

Will tomato prices go up or down? up down 


3. Some people who are now at the beach were originally planning to go to the mountains. The 

hotel in the mountains now has 14 rooms available for the weekend. 

Has the demand for hotel rooms gone up or down? up down 

Will hotel prices go up or down? up down 


80 



Notation equations 

Mathematics 



Exponents can be used to write very large numbers. 

Use an exponent to write a power of 10. The exponent 

shows how many times 10 is multiplied by itself. 

For example: 100 = 10 2 = 10 × 10 

100 000 = 10 5 = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 

Scientific notation uses exponents. To write a large 

number using scientific notation, write it as a number 

less than 10 multiplied by a power of 10. 

For example: 50 000 = 5 × 10 4 

Apply the definition of scientific notation to convert these equations to scientific notation and 

write the answers. 

1. 100 000 000 + 3 000 000 000 = 

2. 6 000 000 – 400 000 = 

3. 10 000 000 x 800 000 = 

4. 9 000 x 500 000 = 

5. Explain how you found your answer for Question 4. 


81

Anagram groups 

English 


Read each set of four anagrams, then unscramble them and write the words on the lines. All four 

unscrambled words have something in common. Categorise the set of words. Some clues have 

been provided. 

1. can chime chic treat 

our hat 

curl tops 

category: 

2. oil radar alone pear 

sushi price 

peas chips 

category: 

3. dice colour oak groan 

choir snore 

capline 

category: 

4. fall boot stingy scam 

girls went 

nine battles 

category: 

5. ink pump key rut 

cup result 

fruit nine 

category: 

82 



Subtraction stumper 

Mathematics 


Reggie is stumped. His maths teacher wants him to come up with four subtraction 

problems. The problems have to look like this: 

x 

— 

x 

Reggie must use the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and they can be used only once in a problem. The 

answer to each problem must be between 100 and 200. 

1. Arrange the digits to write four subtraction problems that Reggie can use. Include their 

answers. 

2. Reggie wants to know how you came up with the problems. What would you tell him? 


83

Dense boxes 

Mathematics 


Sharlene found two identical empty boxes. She completely stuffed one full of marbles and the 

other one with cottonwool, then she placed them on a balance. Compare marbles and cottonwool 

to answer the questions. 

1. Which box probably weighed more? 

Why? 

2. Sharlene counted the marbles and cottonwool. There were 

64 marbles. How many cottonwool balls do you think there were? 

3. How many boxes of cottonwool do you think would weigh the 

same as one box of marbles? 

Write an object that makes each drawing true. 

4. 5. 

erasers 

feathers 

84 



Burke and Wills 

History 


The Australian Government posted a reward for anyone 

who could find a route from the south to north of 

Australia, so that they could build a telegraph line. 

Burke and Wills were inexperienced explorers who led an 

expedition on behalf of the state of Victoria in order to win 

the reward. They took extra men, horses, camels, shoes and 

supplies. 

They left Melbourne on 20 August 1860, and made it to the Flinders River near the Gulf of 

Carpentaria on 9 February 1860. Unfortunately, they did not survive the return trip, but Burke 

and Wills are remembered as legendary figures in colonial history. 

The Australian Mint and the Post Office often commemorate important events or people from 

history in a postage stamp or a coin. In 2010, the Perth Mint released a 150-year anniversary 

silver coin. 

1. Think of an important event in any country’s history. Design a stamp or coin to honour the 

event. 

2. Explain your choice to the Mint or Post Office. 


85

What a heart! 

Mathematics/Health 


Your heart works really hard and never takes a break. In fact, some 

people say that the heart is the hardest-working muscle in the body! 

Did you know that the average heart beats 72 times in one minute? 

All those heartbeats add up to a lot of thumps in a lifetime! Read 

the clues to determine how many times the average heart beats in 

one year. 

Clues: 

• The number of beats per year is an eight-digit number. 

• The last three digits are a multiple of 100. 

• The hundreds digit is even. It is one less than the thousands digit. 

• The thousands digit is one less than the ten-thousands digit. 

• The hundred thousands digit is even. It is one more than the sum of the two digits 

immediately to the right of it. 

• The first two digits add up to 10. 

• Rounded to the nearest ten million, the number is 40 000 000. 

1. How many times does the heart beat in one year? 

2. Suppose you had to determine the answer without the above clues. Explain what you could 

do. 

3. Your heart pumps six litres of blood each minute. The average person has five litres of blood 

in his or her whole body. How would you determine how long it takes to pump all the blood 

through the body one time? Does it take more or less than one minute? 

86 



Talk to me 



Imagine you have the opportunity to talk to someone who made history. Who would it be and 

why? Pretend you are going to interview that person and write four questions below. 

©NASA 

Wolfgang Mozart Neil Armstrong Julia Gillard 

1. Who are you interviewing? 

2. Why? 

Interview questions: 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 


87

Tiana’s tables 

Mathematics 


Tiana is having a party at the park. Her family is going to join tables together to make one long 

row. One table seats six people. Two tables joined together seat ten. 

X 

X 

X X X X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X X X X 

Complete the chart showing how many people can be seated with 1, 2, 

3 and 4 tables, then analyse the chart and the diagram above to help 

complete the items. 

Number of tables 1 2 3 4 

Number of people 

1. Tiana thinks they will fill six tables. How many people is she expecting? 


2. What relationship do you see between the number of tables and the total number of people? 

3. Use your response above to find out how many people can be seated at 12 tables. 

88 



Structurally sound 

Science/Technologies/Civics and citizenship 


Imagine you have 4000 m 2 to create a skyscraper. 

Strategise how you would plan to build a structure 

that is both sturdy and tall. Write seven questions you 

would ask to get the information you need to proceed 

with planning your structure. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 


89

Aussie sayings 

History/Civics and citizenship 

paraphrase: to restate in your own words 

The Australian spirit and personality is quite unique and constantly changing 

as we become more diverse. Read and paraphrase each of these sayings 

that well-known Australians have said in the past. 

1. A determined soul will do more with a rusty monkey wrench than a loafer will 

accomplish with all the tools in a machine shop—Robert Hughes 

2. Unless you’re willing to have a go, fail miserably, and have another go, success won’t 

happen—Phillip Adams 

3. All our best heroes are losers—Richard Glover 

4. Those who lose dreaming are lost—Australian Aboriginal proverb 

5. The more you know, the less you need—Australian Aboriginal proverb 

Now write your own saying that you think would suit the modern Australian spirit. 

90 



Global time 



The clocks below show the local time in several cities around the world when it is 2 pm in London, 

England. Apply the information from the clocks to answer the questions. 

New York 

London 

Moscow 

Tokyo 

Rio de Janeiro 

Cape Town New Delhi Sydney 

1. Natalia calls her grandfather in Moscow when it is 9 pm 

in Sydney. What time is it in Moscow? 

2. Joao is in Rio de Janeiro. He has to call an office in Cape Town 

when it is 9.15 am there. At what time should he call? 

3. Reshma works in New Delhi for an international company in 

London. The company’s business hours are 8.30 am to 

6.00 pm. If she starts work when the company opens, 

what time is it in New Delhi? 

4. Mr Selinsky flies out of Moscow at 10 am. The flight takes 

11 hours. What time will it be when he lands in Cape Town? 

5. If Ms Rojas leaves Tokyo at 6.05 am and flies for 14 hours 

to New York, what time will it be where she lands? 


91

Athletics carnival 

English 


You are on the committee to help plan your school’s annual 

Athletics Carnival. There will be lots of outdoor activities 

for students to choose from, some silly, some competitive, all 

fun. The head of the committee wants your thoughts. 

Complete the items. 

1. Suggest five activities, games or challenges that include movement. 

2. What materials will be needed for these activities? 

3. Should prizes be awarded? Why or why not? 

4. How will parents be involved? 

5. How will clean-up happen when it is over? 

92 



Time to dine 

Mathematics 


The Lee family went to a restaurant and sat at a round 

table. The picture shows where Mr Lee sat. Use the 

clues to visualise where the other family members sat 

and write their names on the correct lines. 

• Mr Lee sat directly across from Mrs Lee. 

• Grandma sat directly across from Grandpa. 

• Sarah sat directly across from James. 

• Allen sat to the left of Mrs Lee. 

• Sarah sat between Mr Lee and Grandpa. 

• Kristine sat to the right of Grandma. 

7 

8 

1 

2 

3 

6 

5 

4 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 


93

Meat eaters 

Science 


Read the text and look at the photo, then complete the items. 

Most bears are omnivores. An omnivore is an animal that 

eats both plants and animals. However, polar bears live far 

north in the Arctic, where they spend most of their time on 

the sea ice, swimming in frigid waters and hibernating on 

nearby coastlines. Their habitat is frozen most of the year. 

They hunt their main source of food, seals, on the polar 

ice cap. 

1. Deduce why polar bears had to adapt to become carnivores, or meat eaters. 

2. In the distant future, if their arctic habitat becomes much warmer than it is now, what 

adaptations do you think polar bears will have to make? 

94 



Analogies 



An analogy shows how things are related by making a comparison. Analyse the italic words on 

the left side. How are king and kingdom related? Now analyse the italic words on the right side. 

Find a pair of words on the right side that are related in the same way. A king rules a kingdom, just 

as an emperor rules an empire. Draw a line to connect them. 

1. King is to kingdom as principal is to school. 

2. Mayor is to city as country is to nation. 

3. Democratic is to dictatorship as carrot is to vegetable. 

4. Vote is to elect as emperor is to empire. 

5. Democracy is to government as up is to down. 

Choose two pairs of analogies you connected. Explain how the two pairs of words are related. 

6. 

7. 

Make up three of your own analogies. 

8. 

9. 

10. 


95

Expedition display 

History/English 

modify: to make small changes 

Gene is creating a display about Charles Sturt’s expeditions to the centre of Australia. 

He has written text for an informational sign. However, it is full of language that shows Gene’s 

opinions and sounds like he is talking to friends. Read what he wrote. 

Charles Sturt was an English guy who was super 

keen to explore the Australian interior, especially 

its rivers. He was totally nuts about the idea that 

there was a sea in the middle somewhere. Gee, 

what was he thinking?! In 1829 he took some of 

his explorer mates to solve the mystery of where 

the rivers of New South Wales flowed. Anyway, 

they reached the Murrumbidgee River that led to 

the Murray River and then reached the Darling River, proving that all the rivers flowed into the 

Murray. I think he should have explored more of the land instead of being so obsessed with 

the rivers. He was the guy who discovered that the the mouth of the Murray River wasn’t any 

use because it was full of sandbars that a ship can’t pass. I would have been really annoyed! 

Then they had to make their way back up the Murray and Murrumbidgee in a rowboat in the 

Australian summer heat. This was a massive fail. Eventually they were saved from starvation 

but Sturt went blind for a bit. 

Modify the text to make it more neutral, factual and formal. 

96 



It’s all in the ad 

English/Arts 

create: to make something new 

Imagine you work for an advertising agency. Look at the 

sample advertisement. Use it as a model to create an ad 

for sport shoes. Think about your audience, or the type of 

person who buys sport shoes. Include a catchy phrase that 

highlights what is special about these shoes. 

1. Describe your audience. 

Refreshing as a 

mountain 

stream 

2. What is the name of your shoe brand or style? 

3. Which quality of the shoes is the most important one 

to show? 

4. Create your ad here: 


97

Fraction magician 

Mathematics 

sort: to put things into groups 

The Fraction Magician has special cards that display 

fractions. Today he’s pulled out 12 of them. He will 

make them reappear in different groups. 

Sort the fractions and write which ones belong in the 

groups below. You may put a fraction in more than 

one group. Some fractions have been placed for you. 

fractions less than 1 2 : 

1 

4 

2 

6 

3 

8 

fractions close to 1: 

2 

8 

2 

4 

9 

10 

3 

4 

3 

6 

1 

10 

fraction pairs that are equivalent: 

1 

4 = 2 8 

1 

3 

7 

8 

1 

6 

fraction pairs that add up to 1: 

1 

4 + 3 4 

98 



Tale of two cycles 

Science 


Look at the diagrams and consider what you know about the water cycle and the beetle life cycle. 

Complete the chart to compare the two cycles. 

Water cycle both Beetle life cycle 


99

A loaf’s journey 

Technologies 


A lot of people work to make a single loaf of bread. The questions 

below will help you think about what it takes. 

Read the questions, then represent the process. Use as much detail 

as you can. 

• Where does the wheat come from? 

• Where did you buy your loaf? 

• How did the wheat turn into flour? 

• Where was the loaf packaged? 

• How did the flour turn into bread? 

• How was the loaf packaged? 

1. 

2. Whose pay is included in the cost of the loaf? 

100 



Water works 

Science/Mathematics 


Analyse the pie chart and interpret it to complete the items. 

Home water use in Australia 

Shower 29% 

Toilet 12% 

Outdoor 25% 

Dishwasher 1% 

Leaks 6% 

Washing machine 14% 

Miscellaneous 13% 

1. Which use accounts for the highest water use in the home? 

2. What per cent of water use can be attributed to leaks? 

3. If the average Australian family of four uses 900 litres of water 

per day at home, about how much water is used in the shower? 

4. Suggest some things that people can do to reduce the amount of water they use. 

5. If people followed your suggestions, how would the pie chart change? 


101

Wolf in sheep’s clothing 

English 


Think about the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’. Analyse it by answering the questions below. 

1. What do wolves typically do to sheep? 

2. What is ‘sheep’s clothing’? 

3. Why would a wolf wear ‘sheep’s clothing’? 

4. What do you think the saying means? 

5. Write about an instance in which someone was like ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’. 

102 



Fraction challenges 

Mathematics 


Here are some fun fraction challenges for you! Write the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the boxes to 

make addition problems with fractions. Use the numbers exactly once in each challenge to form 

proper or improper fractions. Experiment with the numbers to find the problems and sums that 

meet each challenge. 

1. Write the problem that has the smallest sum. 

+ = 

2. Write the problem that has the largest sum. 

+ = 

3. Write a problem that has a whole number for a sum. 

+ = 

4. Write a problem of your own. 

+ = 


103

Tsunami commute 


distinguish: to tell the difference between things 


In March 2011, Japan experienced one of the 

largest earthquakes ever. The 9.0 earthquake 

in Fukushima also caused a king-sized 

tsunami, which brought powerful 100-m waves 

travelling at jet-speed over the town. More than 

15 000 people died, and entire villages were 

swept into the ocean. Buildings collapsed, 

roads and highways vanished, and vehicles 

were washed away. 

The 5 million tons of debris from the tsunami that was washed out to sea started showing up 

on the west coast of North America in 2012. Five years later, bits of Fukushima, from a soccer 

ball to a motorcycle, a boat, and even a dock, came to rest a continent away. 

Much of the debris is small and typical of marine trash that has been collecting in the water 

for decades. However, after the tsunami, scientists found that often there were hitchhikers on 

the debris. Around 300 Asian species of marine life, from algae to fish to crabs, have ridden 

halfway across the globe on plastics that don’t sink or biodegrade. 

Oceanographers are tracking the tsunami’s effects. Biologists are watching the changes in 

local food webs. One of the challenges for these scientists is to determine which pieces of 

garbage came from Japan and which were already in the water. 

Think about how to distinguish debris from the Japanese tsunami from other debris. Write three 

indications that people who find debris could look for. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

104 



Two lands 

Civics and citizenship/Geography 

devise: to create a method to do something 

Imagine that long ago, before cars, planes, phones or computers, there are two villages called 

Treeland and Gardenland. They are separated by the Big Wide River. The people in Treeland have 

good shelter but often lack food. The people in Gardenland have plenty of food but do not have 

adequate shelter. 

Devise a plan that will solve both of these problems. 

My plan 


105

Facts that follow 

English/Logic 


Read each pair of facts, then deduce a statement based on the facts. Circle the best statement. 

1. All cats are hunters. 

All pumas are cats. 

a. Therefore, all hunters are cats. 

b. Therefore, all leopards are hunters. 

c. Therefore, all cats are pumas. 

d. Therefore, all pumas are hunters. 

2. All maple trees are deciduous. 

All deciduous trees lose their leaves. 

a. Therefore, some pine trees are deciduous. 

b. Therefore, all maple trees lose their leaves. 

c. Therefore, all deciduous trees are maple trees. 

d. Therefore, some maple trees keep their leaves. 

3. All crabs are crustaceans. 

Most crustaceans live in water. 

a. Therefore, all shrimp live in water. 

b. Therefore, crabs most likely live in water. 

c. Therefore, some shrimp live on land. 

d. Therefore, all crustaceans are crabs. 

4. Sheep provide us with wool. 

Wool clothing keeps us warm and dry. 

a. Therefore, goat’s hair also keeps us warm and dry. 

b. Therefore, all warm and dry clothing is made of wool. 

c. Therefore, sheep have coats that stay warm and dry. 

d. Therefore, all clothing should be made from animal hair. 

106 



Show, don’t tell 

English 

rewrite: to change something by writing it again 

Read the story. 

Jamal and his grandfather had been fishing all day. Right before 

sunset, Jamal finally felt a tug on the line. He felt hopeful. 

Jamal’s grandfather watched his grandson’s struggle. He told 

Jamal not to reel too fast, but Jamal ignored his grandfather. 

He kept trying to reel in the fish. He didn’t want to lose it, 

because he had been trying all day. 

When the fish was almost out of the water, Jamal fell backward. The line had snapped. His 

face fell, showing his disappointment. His grandfather smiled and tried to reassure him that he 

would have another opportunity. 

Rewrite the story, adding dialogue and action to show what each character is like. 


107

Roberto’s ribbons 

Mathematics 

explain: to give good reasons for your thoughts or for what you did 

Roberto had a piece of ribbon that was 40 cm long. He cut the 

ribbon into pieces of equal length. When he was done, he had 

4 cm left over. If the length was a whole number, how long 

might each piece have been? 

1. Write all the possible lengths on the line. 

2. Explain how you found your solutions. 

3. Roberto cut another 40-cm ribbon into equal pieces. This time, nothing was left over. Could 

the new pieces be the same length as the pieces from the first ribbon? Explain. 

4. What lengths were possible with the second ribbon? 

5. Roberto needs to cut 6 pieces that are 8 cm long and 5 pieces that are 7 cm long. What is 

the smallest length of ribbon he can start with? 

6. Roberto cuts a 72-cm ribbon into 8 equal pieces. How long is each? 

108 



Technology vs work 

defend: to support an opinion 


Read the two statements from people of different generations. 

When I was 10, I walked to school. I 

helped prepare all the meals in pots 

and pans and lit the gas oven myself 

with a match. Then I washed all the 

dishes and pots by hand in the sink. 

I ride the bus to school. I microwave 

my lunch. After school, I have 

softball practice. I use my mobile 

phone to call for a ride home, and I 

do my homework on the computer. 

Do you think technology helps us or makes us lazy? Defend your opinion. 


109

Dot and dash alphabet 




Before the 1800s, news and messages were carried 

from place to place by riders on horseback. It took days 

or even weeks for news of important events to travel 

across the miles. That changed with Samuel 

FB Morse’s telegraph. As the telegraph cable networks 

were completed in the mid-1800s, communication 

became instantaneous. 

Morse also invented a famous code that was used to transmit the telegraph messages. Morse 

code uses a unique combination of dots and dashes to represent each letter. The telegraph 

operator would tap these into the telegraph (dots were short; dashes were long). Another 

operator at the receiving end would hear the taps and decode the message back into letters. 

Examine the telegraph message to figure out the code. Apply the code to decode the message 

below. 

C A N Y O U 

R E A D T H I S 

? 

! 

110 



A puzzling plot 

Mathematics 



Mr Liu was checking his students’ homework and found an assignment that had been turned 

in incomplete. The assignment was to survey 15 friends and show their responses. The 

student drew a line plot of the survey results, but there were no labels on the plot and no 

student name on the paper. Mr Liu is asking the class what they think the survey was about. 

Analyse the information on the line plot then complete the items. 

Title 

1. Mr Liu suggested several topics: amount of gum chewed daily, growth during last year, and 

number of text messages sent weekly. At the top of the line plot, write the topic that you 

think is most likely. Explain your answer. 

2. What could the numbers represent? Write this on the line below the numbers. 

3. Write the survey question you think the student asked. 

4. Think of another possible topic that the survey could have been about. 


111

What’s new? 

English 


Imagine you write for a website called ‘What’s new?’ You critique everything from new 

restaurants to new movies to new stores. Read this sample critique. 

Last week, Jake and I went to the new sandwich restaurant, Sumi’s Subs. We had heard great 

things about their double-decker foot-long sub from our friends. When we got there, a friendly 

woman behind the counter greeted us. Jake got the double-decker with ham, turkey and 

cheddar cheese, and I ordered the meatball sub. As we waited, we noticed the music was a 

little loud for us to have a conversation. Jake could barely bite into his double-decker because 

it was so tall but he said everything was fresh and tasty. My sub was also delicious, but there 

was a little too much tomato sauce, and it got pretty messy. Overall, Sumi’s Subs was pretty 

good. We will go back, and we’ll ask them to turn the music down and lighten up on the sauce! 

Critique something new in your neighbourhood. 

112 



Say cheese! 

Mathematics 

extrapolate: to use data to estimate beyond the range of the data 

It’s photo day at school. As students have their picture taken, they can 

order a set of prints. Here are the packages offered: 

Moon Valley Primary School photo order form 

Package Includes Price 

A 

one 8 × 10 photo, 

two 5 × 7 photos, a dozen 

wallet-size, one class photo 

$53.95 

B 

one 8 × 10 photo, 

one 5 × 7 photo, eight walletsize, 

one class photo 

$45.75 

C 

one 5 × 7 photo, four walletsize, 

one class photo 

$27.50 

custom 

Let us customise a package 

just for you. 

Call 1800-555-PIC 

for pricing information. 

Some students want custom packages. Extrapolate from the prices on the order form to estimate 

how much their custom packages would cost. 

1. Arpad has many relatives in Hungary who never get to visit in person. He wants to buy 

Package A. He also needs 2 additional 8 × 10 photos and another dozen wallet-sized 

photos. About how much will his custom package probably cost? 

2. Terry is moving away during the summer. He wants an 8 x 10 photo and a 5 x 7 photo. He 

also wants to trade wallet-sized photos with all 32 classmates. About how much will his 

custom package probably cost? 

3. Erino wants just the class photo. About how much will her custom package probably cost? 


113

For the love of pandas 

Science 



Giant panda bears live in the bamboo forests of 

China. While they eat small animals, they survive 

almost solely on eating bamboo, and a lot of it! In 

fact, pandas have developed flat molars to chew 

bamboo and a long bone that extends from the 

wrist to hold bamboo shoots and leaves. 

Read each statement about a variable that could affect 

the giant panda bear and its habitat. Predict what the 

impact would be. 

1. Businesses cut down much of the bamboo forest to use as a resource. 

2. A non-native predator enters panda territory, killing off many of the pandas. 

3. People build houses and roads in bamboo forests. 

114 



The writing on the wall 

Geography 

speculate: to make a guess using incomplete information 


The picture below shows ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, from a place called 

Newspaper Rock in America. These are similar to cave paintings found in Australia. Scientists 

believe these petroglyphs were carved by many different people over a period of time 

between 650 and 2000 years ago. We cannot know for sure what the pictures represent, but 

we can recognise some of the figures and use our knowledge to explain them. 

Study the picture and speculate about the meaning of the petroglyphs you see. 


115

Temperature rising 



Compose a poem or a rap about our changing planet and the impact of the changes. 

116 



Complete relationships 

English 


Analyse the first two italic words and figure out their relationship, then complete the analogy by 

writing a word that has the same relationship with the third italic word. Explain how each pair of 

words is related. 

1. Carpenter is to saw as chef is to . 

2. Baker is to pie as artist is to . 

3. Breeze is to gust as rain is to . 

4. Communicate is to talk as exercise is to . 

5. Angle is to obtuse as moon is to . 

Make up two of your own analogies that relate an item to its purpose. 

6. 

7. 


117

Camp KrazyFun 

Mathematics 


Camp KrazyFun is located on a square piece of property in the middle of the woods. It is divided 

into different regions. Below is a map showing the layout of the camp. 

2 3 

5 

6 

4 

Key 

1 – camp office 

2 – nurse’s 

station 

3 – dining hall 

4 – campground 

5 – lake 

6 – hiking trail 

1 

1. Write a fraction to represent the size of each region compared to the whole camp. 

camp office: 

1 

12 nurse’s station: dining hall: 

campground: lake: hiking trail: 

2. Explain how you figured out the fractions. 

118 



All things science 



Read each set of four anagrams. Unscramble them and write the words on the lines. All four 

unscrambled words have something in common. 

Categorise the set of words. Some clues have been provided. 

marsh 

1. Mr Ash flaw alert 

oiled pot 

category: 

water features 

ace girl 

desert 

2. red set ad turn 

grand lass 

faster iron 

rainforest 

category: 

predator 

3. drape rot cure drop 

Mrs Ounce 

scored poem 

category: 

4. ink dye one tug 

ham cost 

can pears 

category: 

5. tin rugs ring bun 

ear weight 

or noise 

category: 


119

Decisions, decisions 


justify: to give a good reason for something 

Read the conversation, then justify two different choices. 

Thakur asks his friends, ‘Imagine there is either oil or gold on the land where you live. Which 

would you wish for?’ 

‘I would choose oil’, Kadriye says. 

‘Not me’, says Jeremiah. ‘I’d choose gold.’ 

1. Write one good reason Kadriye might give to justify her choice. 

2. Write one good reason Jeremiah might give to justify his choice. 

3. What resource would you like to find on your land? Justify your answer. 

120 



Baking for good 

Economics and business/Mathematics 

decide: to choose after thinking 

Fox Creek Primary School is raising money to help victims of a recent bushfire. 

They have decided to sell biscuits and cakes. The goal is to raise as much money 

as possible and to not have any unsold items left over. 

The school will buy its baked goods from a local bakery. 

Here are the costs from the bakery: 

Analyse the costs of the biscuits and cakes then think about 

how much to charge for each unit. The unit is the smallest 

amount a customer can buy. For example, you can sell the 

biscuits separately or in boxes. You can sell the cakes whole 

or by the slice. 

Bakery costs 

item cost per piece 

biscuit $0.15 

20-cm cake $4.00 

Decide what to order and fill out the order 

form. Then decide how you will sell the 

biscuits and cakes (what a unit is and how 

much you will sell it for). Fill out the sale 

plan and explain your thinking. 

Order form 

item quantity total cost 

Sale plan 

unit to sell sale price plan to sell income expense profit 


121

How much can you chew? 

English 


Have you heard the saying ‘Don’t bite off more than you can chew’? What exactly does ‘bite off 

more than you can chew’ mean? Write a story to exemplify the meaning. 

Bite off more than you can chew 

122 



Popcorn time 

Mathematics 

prove: to show that something is true or false 

The Green Oak Cinema sells popcorn in three different sizes: small, medium and large. The 

medium bag holds twice as much popcorn as the small bag does. The large bag holds twice as 

much popcorn as the medium bag does. 

The small bag measures 20 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm. Figure out 

what the dimensions of the medium and large bags could be. 

Volume = 

length × width × height 

Use drawings or words to prove that your measurements work. 

Work space 

1. A medium bag might measure . 

2. A large bag might measure . 

3. At the fairground, a small bag of popcorn measures 12 cm × 8 cm × 4 cm, and a medium 

bag holds twice as much. Hildy said the medium bag’s dimensions are 24 cm × 16 cm × 

8 cm. Is this a possible size? Prove your answer. 


123

Our next home 

Science 


Imagine a future time when Earth is overpopulated and running out of resources. We will need to 

find a new place onto which we’ll expand. 

Evaluate the three options below. Decide which is most worth developing to support life in the 

future and explain why humans should consider pioneering there. 

Earth’s moon Mars Space station 

124 



For want of a nail 

English 


Read this proverb from long ago, then complete the items. 

For want of a nail, the horseshoe was lost. 

For want of a horseshoe, the horse was lost. 

For want of a horse, the rider was lost. 

For want of a rider, the message was lost. 

For want of a message, the battle was lost. 

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. 

Hint: 

‘For want of’ is an old way of 

saying ‘without’. 

‘Was lost’ means ‘didn’t 

happen’ or ‘wasn’t available’. 

1. What is the lesson of the proverb? 

2. Do you think that a battle could actually be lost because of a missing horseshoe nail? 

Explain your thinking. 

3. Rewrite the proverb using a modern setting. Keep the same lesson as the original. 


125

Mission to Mars 

English/Science 

imagine: to see an idea or picture in your mind 

Imagine that your family has been selected to be on the first 

mission to Mars. Here are some facts about Mars: 

• It is very cold. 

• It does not have an atmosphere that humans can breathe. 

• It is rocky and dusty. 

• It has deep canyons and old volcanoes. 

• It will take about eight months to get there. 

What would life on Mars be like? Where would you live? How would you get around? What would 

you do all day? What kinds of expeditions would you go on? Write a paragraph about your life on 

Mars. 

126 



An ode to you 

English 


The following poem was composed by someone whose childhood friend moved away. 

What fun we had 

The look of wonder in your eyes 

When we were young 

Under the Darwin skies. 

So many songs unsung 

So much more to say 

We will be together again 

When you come to visit someday. 

Think of someone you miss or appreciate. Compose a poem or song for that person. 


127

Coordinated construction 

Mathematics 

construct: to form by putting parts together 

At Cosmo’s Construction, all jobs begin with a plan on paper. Read the 

description of each geometric shape. Plot the points for the vertices according 

to the description, then connect the points with straight lines to construct 

the shape. Write the coordinates of the points to describe their location. The 

first one has been started for you. 

Y 

11 

10 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

A 

D 

B 

C 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

X 

1. Draw a square with an area of 9 square units. Label the vertices A, B, C and D. 

1 10 

A ( , ) B ( , ) C ( , ) D ( , ) 

2. Draw a hexagon with vertex E at (7, 3). Label the other vertices F, G, H, I and J. 

F ( , ) G ( , ) H ( , ) I ( , ) 

J ( , ) 

3. Draw a rectangle with a perimeter of 12 units. Label the vertices K, L, M and N. 

K ( , ) L ( , ) M ( , ) N ( , ) 

4. Draw a right triangle that is also an isosceles triangle. Label the vertices O, P and Q. 

O ( , ) P ( , ) Q ( , ) 

128 



The sight of music 

Science 



Shetal was editing a recording of the school orchestra on her computer. The screen showed 

her the sound waves for every note. Before she started, she heard a foghorn on a big ship in 

the harbor. Then someone blew a whistle, which made a big dog bark. Her computer showed 

the sound waves for the pitches of each of these sounds. She knows that pitch is related to 

the size of the things making the sound. 

foghorn 

dog barking 

whistle 

Compare the sounds and waves above, then think about the pitches of the instruments in the 

pictures below. Represent the sound waves. 


129

The Australian bionic ear 

Science 



Hearing works when soundwaves enter the ear canal and travel to the eardrum to make it 

vibrate. The vibrations make three small bones behind the eardrum vibrate too. The vibrations 

travel into the cochlear where fluid moves tiny hairs. The hairs convert the movement into 

signals which are detected by the hearing nerve and sent to the brain. 

Sound 

processor 

Transmitter 

Receiver 

Cochlear with 

implant electrodes 

Weak signal 

Amplified sound 

Examine the drawings of a hearing aid versus a cochlear implant then infer to answer the 

questions. 

1. What do you think is the major difference between how a cochlear implant works and how a 

hearing aid works? 

2. What observation did you base your speculation on? 

3. Which do you think is the more impressive invention? Why? 

130 



Force of weight 

Science/Mathematics 



A person’s weight depends on the person’s 

mass and the pull of gravity. Every planet’s 

gravity is a different strength. That is why the 

same person would weigh a different amount 

on a different planet. The stronger the gravity, 

the higher the weight. The chart shows how 

much Annika and her twin Addison would 

weigh together on each planet in our solar 

system. 

Mercury 

Venus 

Earth 

Mars 

Jupiter 

Saturn 

Uranus 

Neptune 

57 kg 

137 kg 

150 kg 

57 kg 

381 kg 

140 kg 

120 kg 

180 kg 

Here are the Earth weights of some adults. Determine how much these adults would weigh on 

different planets using the chart. 

Ben, 100 kg Celia, 80 kg Daniel, 65 kg 

1. Would Ben weigh more or less on Mercury than on Earth? 

2. Would Celia weigh more or less on Mars than on Earth? 

3. About how much would Daniel weigh on Mercury? 

4. How much would Daniel weigh on Neptune? 

5. On which planet would Celia weigh the least? 

6. On which planet do you think gravity is the strongest? 


131

Mountains and molehills 

English 


Think about the saying ‘Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill’. 

Analyse it by completing the items below. 

1. What does the saying compare? 

2. Think about what a mole does. What do you think a molehill is? 

3. How are the things in your answer to the first question different? 


5. Write about a time you or someone you know ‘made a mountain out of a molehill’. 

6. Do you think the saying gives good advice? Why or why not? 

132 



Mystery message 

Mathematics 


A secret message is written in the coordinates below. Plot a line of coordinates on the grid, then 

connect those points in the order they are listed. Plot and connect one line of coordinates at a 

time. You will see each letter of the message. 

(5, 11), (5, 14), (7, 14), (7, 11) 

(5, 13), (7, 13) 

(9, 14), (11, 14) 

(10, 14), (10, 11) 

y 

(13, 14), (13, 11) 

(15, 14), (15, 11) 

(13, 13), (15, 13) 

(19, 14), (17, 14), (19, 11), (17, 11) 

(6, 9), (6, 6) 

(10, 9), (8, 9), (10, 6), (8, 6) 

15 

14 

13 

12 

11 

10 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

Now think of a word to complete the mystery message. Write the word on the grid using straight 

lines, then generate the coordinates for the letters in your word. 

X 


133

The state of matter matters 

Science 

conclude: to decide using facts, data and inferences 

Look at the structure of molecules in each state of 

water. Complete the sentences below to describe 

the properties, or characteristics, of each state and 

the molecules’ structure, then conclude how the 

structure and properties are related. 

Properties: 

Water’s structure in three states, showing 

water molecules and their bonds 

1. A solid 

. 

2. A liquid 

. 

3. A gas 

. 

Structure in diagram: 

4. A solid’s molecules . 

5. A liquid’s molecules . 

6. A gas’s molecules . 

How properties and structure are related: 

7. 

134 



Toys and games 

History 

improvise: to create something from whatever is available 

Read the paragraph, then tell how you would use simple materials from nature or materials that 

are close at hand to improvise a toy or game. 

In colonial times and pioneer days, before electronics and toy 

stores, people made their own toys and games from whatever 

materials they had on hand. Dolls were made from cornhusks 

and rags. Pieces of wood and string were used to make 

spinning tops. Marbles were made of dried mud and clay dug 

from a riverbank. 

Think of a toy or game that you could improvise if you were living long ago. Write a description 

and draw a picture to show your idea. 


135

City anthem 

Geography/English 


Read the text then complete the items. 

Every country has a national anthem. It is an official 

patriotic song that is sung or played at important 

occasions, such as sporting events, parades and 

speeches given by the country’s leader. The song 

usually praises the country and its ideals. 

Think about the words to any national anthems you know and think about how they relate to the 

country. Now think about the city or town where you live. 

1. Write some of the good qualities of your city or town. 

2. Compose an anthem for your city or town. You can use the qualities you wrote above or any 

others. You can make it fit the tune of your national anthem or another song you know, or 

just write it as a poem. 

136 



Sailing away 

English 

imagine: to see an idea or picture in your mind 

Imagine that you have been selected to travel the world on a large 

sailboat for one year. What would your life be like? Who would go 

with you? What supplies would you need? What would you do all 

day? Where would you go and what kinds of adventures might you 

have? Write about your life on a sailboat. 


137

What’s in the bank? 

Mathematics 

speculate: to make a guess using incomplete information 

Three children are counting the money in their money banks. Read the clues 

then speculate two different amounts of money that could be in each bank. 

Draw or write to show the coins in the bank. 

1. There are 10 coins in Demitri’s bank. There are three kinds of silver coins. 

The coins’ value is less than $1.00. 3 of the coins are 5 cents. 

5 

coins: 

Possibility 1 Possibility 2 

coins: 

total value: 

total value: 

2. There are 24 coins in Chantal’s bank. There are four kinds of coins. Their value is $3 or less. 

One-sixth of the coins are 20c and one-fourth of the coins are 10c. 

coins: 


coins: 

total value: 

total value: 

3. There are 30 coins in Leigh’s bank. Their value is less than $20. One-half of the coins are $1 

and two-fifths of the coins are 10c. 

coins: 


coins: 

total value: 

total value: 

138 



A grizzly’s kingdom 

Science 



Grizzly bears are their own species, but they have some traits in common with other living 

things. They can be grouped with other animals who share characteristics. This levelled 

grouping system, from broad groups to specific groups, is called taxonomy. 

Analyse the living beings in each row. Categorise each group using a label from the word box, and 

write it on the line in that row. 

bears mammals has a nervous system 

animals meat eaters common bears 

grizzly bear 

black bear 

panda 

red fox 

squirrel 

snake 

starfish 

kingdom: 

phylum: 

class: 

order: 

family: 

genus: 

species: grizzly bear 


139

Running for mayor 




In some small towns, there is no age requirement to be the mayor. 

Brian Zimmerman was only 11 years old when the citizens of 

Crabb, Texas, elected him mayor in 1983. 

How would you like to be the mayor of your city or town? Read and 

answer the questions below and write a short speech to persuade 

voters to elect you. 

1. What issues would be important to you? 

2. What impression would you like to make on voters? 

3. Write a short speech that you might give to state your position and persuade voters to elect 

you mayor of your city or town. Give specific details about what you will do and how you will 

do it. 

140 



Shapes puzzler 

Mathematics/Logic 


Read the clues to determine the shapes of seven items in Kalani’s home. Use the grid to help you. 

Draw an X in the space when you know that a shape and an item do not match. Draw a circle in 

the space when a shape and an item do match. 

• The rug is a quadrilateral but not a square. 

• The mirror has twice as many sides as the photo frame. 

• The photo frame is not a quadrilateral. 

• The window has an odd number of sides. 

• The rug and the table have at least one right angle. 

• The trophy stand has half as many sides as the clock. 

clock 

mirror 

photo frame 

rug 

table 

trophy stand 

window 

Write the name of the shape beside the item it matches. 

clock mirror photo frame 

rug table trophy stand 

window 


141

Words in action 

English 


‘Actions speak louder than words’ is a phrase people often 

use. Think about what this phrase means. Write a story that 

exemplifies what this phrase means. 

Actions speak louder than words 

142 



Three lighthouses 

Mathematics 

prove: to show that something is true or false 


A seaside community has three lighthouses. 

Every night the lights from the lighthouses 

blink on and off. 

• The light from Lighthouse A shines for 

3 seconds and then is off for 3 seconds. 

• The light from Lighthouse B shines for 


• The light from Lighthouse C shines for 


A B C 

Answer the question. Use pictures to prove your answer is correct and then explain it. 

At how many seconds will all three lights be off? Prove how you know. 

All three lights will be off at 

seconds. 

Proof 

Explain. 


143

Rainforest high-rise 

Science 


Read the text and look at the diagram. 

The rainforest is divided into four layers 

emergent 

of plants that have adapted to different 

levels of sunlight. At the top, rising 

canopy 

more than 60 metres in the air, are 

the giant trees of the emergent layer. 

The next layer is the canopy, a dense 

ceiling of closely spaced trees and 

plants. Below that is the understorey, 

which is composed of shorter trees 

and shrubs with large leaves to catch 

forest floor 

available light. Below the understorey is 

the forest floor, which receives very little sunlight. 

understorey 

Hypothesise what types of living things live in each layer of a rainforest. Explain your answers. 

1. emergent: 

2. canopy: 

3. understorey: 

4. forest floor: 

144 



Be a cartographer 

Mathematics/Geography 


A cartographer is a mapmaker. Read the information and create a map to represent Tara’s 

neighbourhood. Draw and label streets and landmarks. 

Tara turns left out of her house on Oak Street and walks to the end of the block. She turns 

right onto Pine Street. Halfway down Pine Street, she returns a book to the library, which is 

on her left. Then she turns right onto Maple Avenue and passes the supermarket, which is 

on her right. At the next corner, she turns left onto Elm Street and meets her friend for lunch 

at the Happy Trees Restaurant. 


145

Good morning, Moon 



Complete the items to plan an ad campaign for the 

future that aims to persuade people to move to the 

moon. 

1. Describe your target audience, or the types of people 

who would be most likely to want to move to the moon. 

2. What benefits will moon-dwellers have? 

3. Design and illustrate an ad that makes your target audience aware of the benefits. 

146 



Say what? 

English 


In the book The phantom tollbooth, a boy sets out to search for some 

lost princesses. The author plays with language throughout the book. 

In one dialogue, the main character uses a lot of homophones. The 

character he is talking to interprets them incorrectly, since he can’t see 

the spelling. 

Compose a dialogue using homophone pairs from the word box. 

Circle the homophones. Here is an example: 

Tim: ‘I thought that talking wasn’t allowed in the library.’ 

Ms Dewey: ‘Of course it’s aloud. Otherwise talking would be writing!’ 

Word box 

be, bee bare, bear cent, scent hour, our 

knot, not plain, plane read, red right, write 

rose, rows sail, sale threw, through wait, weight 


147

Magic moon square 

Mathematics 



Scientists have discovered 12 unusual moons in space. The moons orbit their planet in a giant 

square, with each side of the square being formed by four moons. Each moon has craters 

that look like fractions and numbers when seen from afar. Not only that, but the four numbers 

along each side have a sum of 5. Now that’s awesome! 

Right now only six numbers are visible. The others should appear any minute. Experiment 

with where the numbers below should go, then write each one on the correct moon to show 

what the astronaut will see when all the craters are visible. 

6 1 1 5 

6 2 5 3 3 5 

3 1 5 4 

2 

5 3 5 2 4 5 

2 

5 

1 

5 

1 3 5 

1 2 5 

1 

148 



Bus time 

Mathematics 


Monday–Friday 

#07 Port Garden – Jamieson 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

Port Garden to 

Jamieson 

(20 min. trip) 

Jamieson to 

Port Garden 


Minutes 

45 

30 30 30 30 

00 

30 

00 00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 

00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 

00 00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 30 00 00 00 30 

30 00 15 00 00 30 

Saturday 

Sunday, Holidays 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 


Jamieson 


Jamieson to 

Port Garden 


Minutes 

00 

00 30 30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 

00 30 30 00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 30 30 

00 00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

30 00 00 00 30 

30 15 00 00 30 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 


Jamieson 


Jamieson to 

Port Garden 


Minutes 

00 

00 

30 

00 30 30 30 30 00 

30 30 30 00 00 00 30 00 00 00 

00 

30 

30 

00 

30 

00 30 

1. If travelling to Port Garden on a Sunday 

evening, which buses are available? Write 

the answer in 12-hour time. 

2. Shayla is attending a dinner in Jamieson 

on Friday night which will finish at 9.30 pm. 

She wants to catch the bus home to Port 

Garden. How long after dinner will she 

need to wait for the next available bus? 

4. It’s Saturday, which means grocery 

shopping day for Sami. She lives in 

Jamieson and does her shopping in Port 

Garden, which opens at 9 am, so she 

would like to arrive soon after it opens. If 

she spends 40 minutes shopping, what 

time is the earliest bus can she take back 

to Jamieson and what time will she reach 

the Jamieson bus stop? 

3. Rhys has decided to spend the day in 

Jamieson on the public holiday that is 

coming up. He wants to leave on the first 

bus and be home in Port Garden by 6 pm. 

What time bus does he depart on and 

then return on? Write the answer in 

12-hour time. 

5. Dean is heading to a movie in Port 

Garden on Tuesday night and is catching 

the bus from Jamieson. The movie starts 

at 6.30 pm and finishes at 8.30 pm—he 

does not want to be late! What is the least 

amount of minutes he can spend travelling 

and waiting, not including the time spent 

watching the movie? 


149

Would you rather … 

Health/English 


Sometimes choices we have to make are really important because they will affect us in a big way 

or for a long time. It’s helpful to evaluate the choices carefully to make the best decision. Read the 

questions and support your answers. 

1. Would you rather visit the past or visit the future? past future 

Evaluate each option to explain your answer, using examples. 

2. Would you rather live on Earth all your life or colonise Mars? Earth Mars 


150 



Twin talk 

English 


Terri and Kerri Mulligan are twins. They have very particular likes and dislikes. Use the clues to 

deduce the reason for their likes and dislikes then add three more. 

Hint: Look closely at the words. 

Clues 

• They like Geelong but not Melbourne. 

• They like apples but not oranges. 

• They like business but not industry. 

• They like Rihanna but not Beyonce or Kanye. 

• They like villages but not cities or towns. 

• They like hills and valleys but not plains. 

• They like eyedroppers but not beakers. 

• They like grasshoppers but not ladybugs. 

• They like mass but not weight. 

• They like constellations but not stars. 

• They like the community but not the state. 

• They like Queensland but not South Australia. 

They like soccer and baseball. 

1. What do all of their ‘likes’ have in common? 

2. Write six more examples of the twins’ likes and dislikes. 

They like but not . 







151

Answers 

Page 3 

Page 4 

Page 5 

Missing signs 


Oh, no! Some of the operation signs have gone missing from the number sentences below. The 

signs are + , – , × and ÷ . Can you track them down and get them back? Deduce which signs are 

missing from each equation and write them in the boxes. 

x 

1. 6 2 + 5 = 17 

÷ 

2. 10 5 9 = 18 

÷ 

3. 8 x 3 6 6 = 10 

+ 

4. (4 3) x 6 2 = 21 

– 

5. (12 4) x 4 4 = 36 

+ 

6. (15 3) – (6 2) = 15 

+ 

7. (9 7) (2 1) = 16 

÷ 

8. (20 4) (9 3) = 30 

+ 

9. (5 5) (5 5) = 9 

– 

x 

÷ 

x 

– 

+ 

+ 

÷ 

+ 

÷ 

– 

– 

÷ 

x 

10. (10 8) (6 4) = 26 

Mathematics 


3 

Massive difference 



Mass and volume are two different ways of describing size. Mass is related to weight— 

how heavy something is. Volume is how much space something takes up. Bigger isn’t 

always heavier; it depends how closely packed the particles are that make up the object or 

substance. The more matter you can squeeze into a given size, the more mass it has and 

the denser it is. 

A coin is heavier than a 

feather because it has 

more mass, despite its 

size. It is more dense. 

Compare these pairs of objects, then circle the object that has more mass. 

1. 2. 

bowling ball basketball toothpick nail 

3. 4. 

washcloth paper napkin twenty cents leaf 

4 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 

978-1-925698-68-8 www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications® ® 

Mathematics 

Riddles old and new 

English 

solve: to find a solution to a problem 

Telling riddles was a popular form of entertainment in the 1700s. Read and solve these riddles 

from that time period. 

1. What kind of room is not in a house? a mushroom 

2. What has teeth but cannot eat? 

a comb/zip 

3. What falls down but never gets hurt? snow/rain/leaves 

4. What has a tongue but cannot talk? 

a shoe 

5. What has three feet but cannot walk? a yardstick 

6. What flies up but is always down? goose feathers 

7. Analyse the riddles above. What do most have in common that makes them surprising or 

funny? 

They have a word with two or more meanings. 

8. Write a modern riddle that you are certain no one in the 1700s could have solved. 

Answers will vary. 

Answer: Answers will vary. 


5 

Page 8 Page 9 Page 13 

Number trios 

Consecutive numbers are numbers that follow one after the other, such as 10, 11 and 12. You can 

sometimes add consecutive numbers to get interesting sums. Experiment with three consecutive 

numbers at a time to get the number trio that answers each question. 



40, 41, 42 


77, 78, 79 

10, 11, 12 


114, 115, 116 


151, 152, 153 


188, 189, 190 


225, 226, 227 


262, 263, 264 

8. Look at the consecutive numbers you found, then write one pattern you see. 

The middle number in the trio is the sum divided by 3. 



Mathematics 


Science 






grasses gazelle male lion 

Example of a savanna food chain 




drawing of drawing of a drawing of a 

a cactus with 

tortoise 

coyote 

f lowers 

cactus tortoise coyote 


9 






123 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 

245 2 + 4 + 5 = 11 

567 5 + 6 + 7 = 18 

789 7 + 8 + 9 = 24 

score: 59 

Mathematics 

1 

2 4 5 

3 6 

7 8 9 




1. 2. 

1 

6 1 7 

7 3 8 

4 

2 4 

9 3 8 

9 5 6 

2 

5 

69 69 

score: 

score: 


Use 7, 8, and 9 in the squares where two 

numbers cross. 


13 

Page 18 

Page 19 

Page 20 

Gadget’s number patterns 


Gadget the Robot likes experimenting with numbers. One 

day, he found an interesting relationship between an addition 

pattern and a multiplication pattern. 

1 + 3 = 4 4 = 2 x 2 

1 + 3 + 5 = 9 9 = 3 x 3 

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16 16 = 4 x 4 

Examine the patterns and complete the items. 

1. Describe Gadget’s number patterns. Write at least two things you notice. 

Each time, he adds on the next odd number. The sum 

always equals the product of a number times itself. 

2. Write the next three equations in each pattern. 

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25 25 = 5 x 5 

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 = 36 36 = 6 x 6 

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 = 49 49 = 7 x 7 

3. Gadget wants to get a sum of 100. Is that possible with the patterns? How do you know? 

It’s possible because 100 = 10 x 10. 

18 



Mathematics 

Canine cousins 

Science 


Read the description of a dog and a wolf and look at the pictures. Fill in the Venn diagram to 

compare each animal’s traits. 

Dogs and wolves are closely related. Both dogs and wolves have keen senses of smell 

and a ‘prey drive’, which is the instinct to chase after anything that runs. But wolves mostly 

communicate in howls, while dogs mostly bark. Many dog breeds can have floppy ears and 

short snouts, while wolves have longer snouts and ears that only point up. 

Venn diagram 

both 

house pet 

fur 

wild animal 

barks 

sense of smell howls 

short/long snout 

chase prey long snout 

pointy/f loppy 

four legs and tail pointy ears 

ears 


19 

Respecting the kangaroo 



match each part to how it was probably used. 

Parts 

How the parts were used 

hide/fur 

made into water bags 

teeth 

bones 

inflated and used as a a ball 

skin 

tendons 

dung 

made into points for spears 

bladders 

used for rugs or clothing 

20 



History/Geography 

People who lived hundreds of years ago could only use whatever the land provided. They 

could not afford to waste anything. For instance, when Aboriginal people hunted kangaroos, 

they ate the meat and used the other parts to make things they needed. 

Read the two lists below. Hypothesise how each part might have been used. Draw lines to 

dried and used to sew clothing together or attach spear heads 

made into necklaces and headbands 

dried and used as tinder for fire 

152 



Answers 

Page 21 

Page 22 

Page 23 

Arty designs 

Mathematics 

Tell me why 

English 

What’s the question? 

Mathematics 




Some students in an art class created designs by repeating a single shape. Only part of each design 

is shown below. Analyse each picture to help you figure out how many shapes were used in the 

entire design. 

1. Here is 2 3 of Liam’s design. How many triangles did he use in all? 

9 

Each of these groups of things has one item 

that does not quite fit. Categorise three of the 

items in each set. Cross out the one that doesn’t 


1. eyes, nose, hand, mouth A hand is not part of the face. 

Mrs Quest needs to come up with some interesting maths questions that have the answers given. 

Help her formulate two questions for each answer. 

example: answer: 42 

question 1: How many centimetres are in 0.42 m? 

question 2: How many days are in 6 weeks ? 

2. Here is 3 7 of Naomi’s design. How many circles did she use in all? 

3. Here is 5 8 of Tobin’s design. How many squares did he use in all? 

4. Here is 2 5 of Nedra’s design. How many hexagons did she use in all? 

5. Create an interesting design by repeating one shape. Colour part of your design. 

Write a fraction describing the part you coloured. 

Teacher check 

I coloured 

of my design. 

28 

16 

25 

2. lion, kitten, giraffe, hippopotamus A kitten is not a wild animal. 

3. Perth, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, 

Perth is not a state 

4. cello, saxophone, clarinet, flute A cello is not an instrument that you 

blow into. 

5. newspaper, magazine, book, radio You don’t read a radio. 

6. cow, chick, duckling, puppy A cow is not a young animal. 

7. hammer, nail, spanner, saw A nail is not a tool. 

8. basketball, table tennis, athletics, soccer Athletics is the only sport 

without a ball. 

9. ice cream, yoghurt, jelly, strawberry Strawberry is the only food that 

doesn’t need to be manufactured. 

1. answer: 18 cm 

question 1: If you grow 6 cm every year, how many 

centimetres do you grow in 3 years ? 

question 2: If you cut a 3-foot piece of yarn in half, how long is 

each piece ? 

2. answer: rectangle 

question 1: What shape is a textbook ? 

question 2: What quadrilateral has four right angles but isn’t a 

square ? 

3. answer: 1 2 

question 1: What fraction is equal to 0.5 ? 

question 2: If you eat half a doughnut, what fraction describes 

how much is left? 


21 

22 




23 


A sign of the times 

History 

Can you dig it? 

Science 

Your personal flag 

Geography/Arts 




Read the text, then state your position and explain it. 

Read, then interpret the text to answer the questions. 


If you had lived in Australia during colonial times, would you have favoured independence for 

the colonies or loyalty to Great Britain? Today, people believe they have good reasons for both 

positions. 

I would support independence because Great Britain wasn’t 

being fair to the colonies 

. 

People often put up signs that state their point of view. Imagine you are a colonist trying to 

persuade others to share your opinion. Create a sign that you would display to show your position. 

You may use a slogan, a symbol, a cartoon or whatever else you choose. 

drawing of several boys and girls with this caption: 

“Let us grow up in a free country!” 

If you have ever dug in a garden, you’ve probably 

found a lot more than just dirt. A closer look might have 

revealed ants and centipedes, or perhaps a network of 

plant roots. And although you might not have seen them, 

soil is full of microorganisms. In a sense, healthy soil is 

‘alive’. 

1. What is meant when the writer says, ‘In a sense, healthy soil is “alive’’’? 

The writer means that healthy soil contains many living 

creatures, including ants, centipedes, plant roots, and 

microorganisms. 

2. If healthy soil can be considered alive, what do you think makes soil unhealthy? 

Unhealthy soil probably doesn’t have any living things in 

it, or it has something that is harmful to the things living 

in it. 

3. How do you think the living things help plants grow? 

Ants and centipedes move around and keep the soil loose. 

That probably helps the roots find water. Microorganisms 

could be breaking down dead plants. 

All countries and many regions, such as states or provinces, have a flag to represent them. 

A country’s flag displays symbols that represent aspects of that place. They sometimes use 

colours symbolically, as well. For example, the colours of the Mexican flag symbolise peace 

and honesty (white), bravery and strength (red), and hope (green). The centre features an 

eagle on a cactus, a snake in its beak. This scene comes from an Aztec legend directing 

people to settle where they saw an eagle eating a snake on a cactus. 

Use the space below to design a flag that represents a group of people you belong to and care 

deeply about. Your personal flag could represent your class, your school, your family, your town, 

your soccer team, a club or any other group you choose. 

1. What colours or symbols will you use? What do they represent? 

I will use a red rose to represent my family because our 

last name is Rose. 

2. 

drawing of a f lag with a red rose and 

“The Rose Family” in fancy writing 

underneath 


25 


29 


31 

Page 33 

Page 34 

Page 37 

Family portrait 

Mathematics 

Share the view 

Science 

Compare poems 

English 




Mr and Dr Kimble are having their picture taken with their 

children, Helena and Kelvin. The photographer wants two of 

them to sit in the front and two of them to stand in the back. 

The photographer will take several photos. How many ways 

can you arrange the family for the pictures? For example, 

Mr Kimble can stand in the back or sit in the front. He can 

be on the left or on the right. Use diagrams, words or a code 

to show the different combinations. 

Physical properties of matter are things that can be measured or observed, such as the amount 

of something or its colour, shape and texture. Look at the objects below. Describe the physical 

properties of each so that someone you are talking with on the phone could visualise them. 

Read both poems. Think about the topic, the number of lines, 

the number of syllables and the rhyming. 

Poem 1: Front cover to back 

I turn the pages quickly 

A whole world inside 

Poem 2: 

The places you can go, both quiet and grand 

A faraway country, an imaginary land 

Escape is in the palm of your hand! 

D M 

G B 

G B 

D M 

D B 

G M 

D G 

B M 

M G 

B D 

M B 

G D 

D M 

B G 

B G 

D M 

D B 

M G 

D G 

M B 

M G 

D B 

M B 

D G 

M D 

G B 

G B 

M D 

B D 

G M 

G D 

B M 

G M 

B D 

B M 

G D 

M D 

B G 

B G 

M D 

B D 

M G 

G D 

M B 

G M 

D B 

B M 

D G 

D = dad 

M = mum 

G = girl 

B = boy 

1. silver coins: a large number of coins, each coin is light but 

together they are heavy, made of silver/nickel, shiny, hard, 

thin, round 

2. a rubber band: a single rubber band, thin, stretchy, very 

lightweight, changes shape but comes back to an oval 

3. a wooden ruler: made of wood, rectangular, has line and 

number markings, not as hard as metal, easier to break 

than metal 

Use the Venn diagram to compare how they are similar and different. 

haiku/5, 7, 5 

syllables 

no rhyme 

Venn diagram 

poem 1 poem 2 

both 

about 

books 

3 lines 

longer lines 

than poem 1 

all lines rhyme 

The Kimbles can pose for the picture in 

24 



33 

34 




37 

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 153

Answers 

Page 38 

Page 39 

Page 40 

Factor factory 



There are many factors that can make another number. For example, 24 can be the result of 

8 x 3 or 6 x 4 or 2 x 12. There are so many options. 

1. What are the factors of 360? Generate as many products as you can below. 

1, 360 8, 45 

2, 180 9, 40 

3, 120 10, 36 

4, 90 12, 30 

5, 72 15, 24 

6, 60 18, 20 

2. How many factors does 360 have? 24 

3. Find a number that has exactly 16 factors. 1 x 120, 2 x 60, 3 x 40, 4 x 30, 

5 x 24, 6 x 20, 15 x 8, 10 x 12 (120) 



Mathematics 

Science 

All about energy 


Each of these groups has one item that does not quite fit. 

Categorise three of the items in each set. All groups have 

something to do with energy. Cross out the one that doesn’t 


example: coal, natural gas, oil, trees 

Trees are not fossil fuels. 

1. dam, nuclear reactor, steam, water wheel Steam is not a structure that 

produces energy. 

2. radiation, solar, tidal, wind Radiation is not a type of renewable 

energy. 

3. conductor, gravity, magnetism, wind A conductor is not an invisible force. 

4. chemical, circuit, kinetic, mechanical A circuit is not a type of energy. 

5. fire, oven, piano, sun A piano does not produce thermal (heat) 

energy. 

6. degree, horsepower, kilowatt, turbine A turbine is not a measurement of 

energy. 

7. cooking, entertainment, insulation, transportation 

Insulation does not use energy. 

8. gears, lamps, tools, wheels Lamps do not use force to operate. 


39 

Choices, choices! 



We make choices every day about what to buy and how 

to spend our time. When we choose one thing, we are not 

choosing something else. For instance, you can spend 

Saturday morning riding your bike with friends or playing 

basketball in the park, but not both. If you choose riding 

your bike, you are giving up basketball. Maybe you can 

play basketball in the afternoon, but then you’ll be giving up 

something else. For every choice we make, we are giving up 

a different choice. 

Read these choice pairs and prioritise them. Circle the one you would choose, then explain your 

choice. 

1. Eating lunch at your best friend’s house OR eating at your favourite restaurant by yourself. 

Why? I’m more comfortable with a friend. 

2. Buy a new skateboard OR buy an ice cream. 

Why? I prefer ice cream to skateboarding. 

3. Take a class in making pottery OR relax at the community pool. 

Why? I like learning new things. 

4. Sell an old bookcase at a garage sale OR paint an old bookcase in your favourite colours. 

Why? I’d rather get money to buy a new one. 



Health/Economics and business 

basketball 

bike 


Mind reader 


Imagine that you have the ability to read people’s 

minds and know what they are thinking and feeling. 

Evaluate what life would be like if you could read 

minds to answer the questions. 

1. What would be good about being able to read people’s minds? Give an example. 

It would be good when people act oddly and don’t say 

what they are feeling. Last week, my friend Maya was 

upset, but she wouldn’t say what was wrong. I could have 

helped her. 

2. What would be bad about being able to read people’s minds? Give an example. 

It would sometimes be distracting. If I wanted to read a 

book or wanted to concentrate on a game or movie, it 

would drive me crazy to know what those around me 

were thinking. 

3. Would you want to have the ability to read minds? yes no 

Explain why or why not. 

I think it would be too distracting. I’d feel like I’d have to 

solve the problems they were thinking about. I’d rather just 

encourage others to communicate more. 



English 

In a few words 

English 


1. Imagine that you are allowed to use only 20 words to communicate. What words would you 

choose? Think about the most important things you will want to say. Also remember that you 

will need nouns, pronouns and verbs. Prioritise your list and write the words below. 

(a) I 

(k) I 

(b) I 

(l) I 

(c) I 

(m) I 

(d) I 

(n) I 

(e) I 

(o) I 

(f) I 

(p) I 

(g) I 

(q) I 

(h) I 

(r) I 

(i) I 

(s) I 

(j) I 

(t) I 

2. Write a sentence using the words from the list. 

I want to play. 

3. Choose one word and explain why you chose it: 

water 

I chose it because water is the most important thing for staying 

alive 

. 

4. Write a word you did not put on the list: book 

I didn’t choose it because with only 20 words, there probably 

aren’t any books 

. 


47 

Transporting us to the future 

Science/Design and Technologies 

invent: to create for the first time 


The year is 2080. Fossil fuels are gone and airfares have become so expensive that most 

people can’t afford to fly. Cars run on electricity, but they cannot travel across the water, and 

they are still much slower than aeroplanes. 

1. Invent a mode of transportation that lets people travel distances and across the ocean 

without using fossil fuels. 

We could invent an underground light rail system by 

tunneling under the water and building high-speed 

trains that can get from continent to continent faster than 

airplanes travel. They can be powered by electricity and 

by huge solar farms that are built on top of every city 

building. 

2. What forces will have to be addressed in your invention to achieve high speed? 

friction, air resistance 


49 

Page 51 

Page 52 

Page 54 

9. 

Inventing words 

Teacher check 

Teacher check 

English/Mathematics 


Mathematical words are often made from word 

parts. Use the meanings of the word parts in the 

box to figure out what the whole words mean. 

equi: equal meter: measure 

geo: Earth 

peri: around 

gon: angle poly: many 

inter: between quad: four 

lat: side 

sect: cut 

Word: Meaning: 

1. perimeter the measure around something 

2. intersect to cut in between 

3. quadrilateral has four sides 

4. polygon has many angles 

Use the word parts above to assemble some new maths words, then write their meaning. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

10. 


51 

How will it end? 


Read the fiction story then complete the item. 

Henry looked over at the classroom clock as it ticked by at a snail’s pace. The bell was taking 

forever to ring. He was expecting a big surprise when he got home that afternoon. At the bell, 

Henry ran out the door like a pack of wild buffalo were chasing him. 

Henry’s heart sang as he spotted the wrapped box waiting on the kitchen table. He quickly 

found its contents: a fuzzy purple stuffed monster with two horns. Around the monster’s neck 

was a small note that read, ‘Dear Henry, I thought of you when I saw this special toy. Love, 

Aunt Mable’. 

‘What a strange gift!’ thought Henry as he headed upstairs to play with it. On the stairs, his 

mum reminded him to call Aunt Mable and thank her for the gift. 

After Henry called, he headed upstairs to find his monster was missing. ‘Where did it go?’ he 

wondered. Just then, he heard a loud sound under his bed, so he peered underneath. A small 

purple creature was throwing some clothes down a huge hole in the floor. It said, ‘I’m Kivik. 

Would you like to go on an adventure with me?’ 

Extend the story and write what you think will happen next with Henry and his monster. 

“This is a special toy!” thought Henry as he jumped down 

the hole. They landed in an upside-down world. Monsters 

were hanging from roads above them, and they were 

walking in reverse. 

“Henry, Esrever to welcome!” Kivik said. “Home my is 

this.” That didn’t make any sense! Did the monsters talk in 

reverse, too? This would take some getting used to! 

“This looks like an interesting place,” said Henry. 

The other monsters cocked their heads at Henry 

and bent their horns as he spoke. 



English 

The speed of sound 

Read the table that shows how fast sound travels through certain materials. 


Material Speed of sound* 

rubber 

60 mps 

freezing air (0 ˚C) 

331 mps 

warm air (20 ˚C) 

343 mps 

fresh water 

1493 mps 

salt water 

1533 mps 

glass 

4540 mps 

copper 

4600 mps 

*mps = metres per second 

1. Rank how well sound travels in the settings below. Write a 1 next to the setting in which 

sound travels the fastest and write a 4 next to the setting in which sound travels the slowest. 

(a) 4 On a cold winter day, two kids yell to each other on the playground. 

(b) 2 A bird taps its beak on your glass patio door. 

(c) 3 In the ocean, dolphins whistle to each other under water to announce 

that food is nearby. 

(d) 1 A plumber bangs on a copper pipe in the basement. 

5. A construction site worker is installing copper water pipes and rubber insulation tubes in the 

ground. If a metal shovel falls on both at the same time, which one will conduct the sound 

faster? 

copper water pipe rubber insulation tube 

About how many times faster? about 75 times faster 



Science 

154 



Answers 

Page 55 

Page 57 

Page 59 

Who am I? 

History 

Tell me more 

English 

Why so callus? 





Choose a person in history that you have learned about, then pretend you are that person. Write 

a series of six clues that describe who you are pretending to be. Start with a general clue that 

could be true of a number of people, such as whether you are male or female or the time period in 

which you lived, then give more specific clues. The last clue should be the most specific, such as 

something this person did or said. 

Clue 1: I am a man. 

Clue 2: I live in Victoria. 

Clue 3: I live during the colonial times. 

Clue 4: I demand justice for the poor rural people. 

Clue 5: Some see me as the Australian Robin Hood. 

Clue 6: I am a bushranger. 

I am I am Ned Kelly. 

. 

? 

Choose someone who has done something heroic. It can be someone you know or someone you 

have read or heard about. Interview this person to discover things about his or her life that led to 

heroic action. 

police officer rescue worker disaster relief worker 

I choose to interview my great-uncle 

. 

Write five questions for your interview. 

1. When did you join the navy? 

2. Were you scared to go to war? 

3. Did you have any heroes when you were growing up? 

4. Would you choose to go in the military again? 

5. Had your parents or other relatives been in the military? 


Callus is a type of tough, dry tissue that forms from 

friction to protect your skin. Its cells are dry on the 

inside and have thick walls. 

Sebum is an oily substance that also protects your 

skin. It keeps skin from absorbing too much water or 

letting water out. It acts like a natural waterproof seal. 

Analyse each situation. Determine whether callus or sebum would better protect the skin. Circle 

your answer. 

1. digging with a shovel callus sebum 

2. playing on the monkey bars callus sebum 

3. swimming in a lake callus sebum 

4. staying outside on a hot day callus sebum 

5. handling a hot pan callus sebum 

6. taking a long bath callus sebum 

7. walking barefoot callus sebum 

8. playing the guitar callus sebum 

9. preventing viruses and bacteria callus sebum 

10. shoe rubbing the foot callus sebum 


55 


57 


59 


Time zones 

Read the text, then infer to answer the questions. 


Planet Earth is divided into 24 standard time zones. These imaginary zone lines, which 

run north to south around the whole globe, indicate the time in that zone. The 24 zones 

correspond to the 24 hours in the day. Where do you think this idea for time zones came 

from? The government? Some scientists? Actually, it was railroad companies. 

Before railroads criss-crossed North America, most towns had their own local time. For 

instance, there were 38 different local times just in Wisconsin. Back when it took weeks to 

travel any distance by horse, this wasn’t a problem. But in the 1870s, trains made it possible 

to go quite far in a single day. Railways solved travel problems but created new scheduling 

problems. Which local time would they use to establish departure and arrival schedules? 

In 1883, the United States and Canada were divided into four time zones. Since the railroads 

were critical for delivering supplies in regions that were just being settled, most people gladly 

accepted the new time zones. A year later, 25 countries decided on a global time zone plan. 

By 1929, most countries were using the time zone plan. 

1. In ancient times, people came up with their own ways to tell time. Why? 

A lot of their work was farming, and they did not have 

electricity. They had to carefully plan what they could 

finish in daylight hours. 

2. Imagine that it is the same time everywhere on the planet right now; there are no time zones 

anywhere. How would life be different? 

It would be easy to tell time, but the times wouldn’t mean 

the same thing everywhere. For example, people wouldn’t 

eat lunch at noon everywhere because it would be 

nighttime in a lot of places. 

3. Imagine that time zones had never been established and towns had their own local times. 

What might be difficult today as a result of having so many local times? 

At events where people come from several cities like 

movies, sports, parades, it could be confusing. 




How different are they? 


Compare a city bus and a school bus. Complete the Venn diagram to tell how they are the same 


Venn diagram 

city bus 

school bus 

both 

anyone can ride carry lots of only students ride 

people 

goes lots of places large, long goes to school 

quiet inside vehicle loud inside 

no seatbelts 

Now compare dance to gymnastics. Complete the Venn diagram to tell how they are the same 


Venn diagram 

dance 

gymnastics 

both 

coordinated 

art form perform 

tricky 

routines 

sport 

footwork 

tumbling 

takes 

strength 



English 

Words in space 

complete: to make something whole 

Unscramble the following word jumbles about the system of planets, then use the answers to 

complete the paragraph. 

1. sahtemopre 

2. lsaeteslit 

3. dastroise 

4. omrtese 

5. usnverei 

6. ilykM yWa 

7. rolsa ymstes 

8. tEhar 

9. antdiorai 

10. tlanpes 

Space is part of the universe which lies outside the earth’s atmosphere. It 

includes planets , stars, comets, our sun, moons, asteroids , 

meteors, natural and built satellites and spacecraft. 

Our own special part of space—the solar system — 

consists of the sun at its centre and the many objects which revolve around it. It is part of the 

Milky Way galaxy. 

Our planet, Earth , is one of the eight planets in our solar system. The 

planets are surrounded by layers of gases called an atmosphere , which 

offers protection from the harmful radiation of the sun and objects like 

meteors which burn up on entry. 



Science 

Page 65 

Page 69 

Page 74 

Pros and cons 

debate: to express opposing points of view 


There is a large area of open land in Dewville. Children play there. People walk their dogs 

there. Now the land has been sold to a company that plans to build the town’s first shopping 

centre. The people in Dewville have different opinions. Some think the shopping centre will be 

a good thing for the town. Others disagree. Think of good reasons for both points of view. 

Debate the pros and cons of, or reasons for and against, building a shopping centre in Dewville. 

List three arguments in favour of the idea and three arguments against it. 

Pros 

A shopping mall will create 

jobs for people in town. 

People will have more 

choices of places to shop. 

It will be convenient for 

people to shop in one place. 

Cons 


There will be less open 

space for people to enjoy. 

There will be more traffic, 

so streets will be less safe. 

More traffic will create 

more pollution. 


65 


As cold as ice 


Predict what the world would be like if the polar ice 

caps melted. Think about the Arctic and Antarctic 

regions and the animals that live there. Also think 

about water and land in other places, then answer 

the questions. 

1. If the polar ice caps melt, what will happen to the ocean levels? Why? 

Ocean levels will rise. All that snow and ice that is on land 

or f loating will enter the ocean. 

2. What would happen to ocean temperatures? Why? 

The same thing that causes the ice caps to melt would also 

cause ocean temperatures to rise. 

3. How would this affect the marine food web? Why? 

Animals such as the polar bear may go extinct because the 

water is too warm. This could change the balance of prey 

and predators, causing a chain reaction with other species. 

4. How would ocean changes affect coastal cities? 

Coastal cities could f lood. Their land could be permanently 

eroded as the oceans rise. 


69 

Report: Cyclone’s a-blowing! 


Pretend you are a weather reporter for a local news station. Use the 

data below to figure out the impacts of a cyclone on the area, then 

generate a report for a broadcast describing in detail the effects of 

the cyclone. 

Cyclone data 

average wind speed: 152 km per hour rain: 13.65 cm 

maximum wind speed: 172 km per hour wave swells: 3 m 

Last night’s cyclone made landfall in northern Queensland 

at 7:16. It brought winds blowing an average of 152 kmph, 

along with at least 13 cm of rain. Higher gusts of wind that 

reached over 170 kmph blew down trees and power lines 

leaving at least 6,000 households without power. 

Mobile phone towers are also down, so if you haven’t yet 

heard from family and friends in that area, that may be 

the reason. Many buildings along the coast were damaged 

because of f looding and powerful waves, some over 3 m 

tall. Debris was scattered throughout the region. It may take 

the town a long time to recover. 



Science 


Answers 

Page 76 

Page 79 

Page 81 

Seeing is believing 

Read the paragraphs from Alice’s adventures in Wonderland below. As you read, visualise the 

setting and what is happening, then draw it in the box below. 


There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; and when Alice had been all the 

way down one side and up the other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, 

wondering how she was ever to get out again. 

Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing 

on it except a tiny golden key, and Alice’s first idea was that it might belong to one of the doors 

of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or the key was too small, but at any rate 

it would not open any of them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low 

curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little door about fifteen centimetres 

high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted! 

drawing of a hallway with closed doors on 

both sides, a small curtain on the wall, and 

a 3-legged table with a key 



English/Arts 

Always a critic 

Science 


Read about what makes a good hypothesis, then critique the hypotheses below. Explain whether 

the hypothesis is good or not. 

A good hypothesis: 

• states what scientists believe will happen 

• can be tested using the scientific method 

• includes specific variables, or qualities that you can control, change or measure 

1. There is a parallel universe that mirrors our own. good not good 

It is impossible to test. Scientists have no way of knowing if 

this is true or not. 

If you leave the lights on, it takes more time to fall asleep. good not good 

2. 

It is impossible to test. Scientists have 

no way of knowing if this is true or not. 

3. Blue pants are warmer to wear than white pants. good not good 

It is a statement that scientists can test, and it has specific 

variables (colour and temperature). 

is easier to ride a bike with small wheels than one with big wheels. good not good 

4. It 

It doesn’t state what scientists think. 

It just asks a question. 

5. I think that dark chocolate tastes better than milk chocolate. good not good 

It states an opinion, not something that can be tested. 


79 

Notation equations 

Mathematics 



Exponents can be used to write very large numbers. 

Use an exponent to write a power of 10. The exponent 

shows how many times 10 is multiplied by itself. 

For example: 100 = 10 2 = 10 × 10 

100 000 = 10 5 = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 

Scientific notation uses exponents. To write a large 

number using scientific notation, write it as a number 

less than 10 multiplied by a power of 10. 

For example: 50 000 = 5 × 10 4 

Apply the definition of scientific notation to convert these equations to scientific notation and 

write the answers. 

1. 100 000 000 + 3 000 000 000 = 3 100 000 000 

2. 6 000 000 – 400 000 = 5 600 000 

3. 10 000 000 x 800 000 = 8 000 000 000 000 

4. 9 000 x 500 000 = 4 500 000 000 

5. Explain how you found your answer for Question 4. 

Teacher check 


81 


Anagram groups 


Read each set of four anagrams, then unscramble them and write the words on the lines. All four 

unscrambled words have something in common. Categorise the set of words. Some clues have 

been provided. 

1. can chime mechanic 

chic treat architect 

our hat author 

curl tops sculptor 

category: jobs/careers 

2. oil radar railroad 

alone pear airplane 

sushi price cruise ship 

peas chips spaceship 

category: transportation 

3. dice colour crocodile 

oak groan kangaroo 

choir snore rhinoceros 

capline pelican 

category: wild animals 

4. fall boot football 

stingy scam gymnastics 

girls went wrestling 

nine battles table tennis 

category: sports 

5. ink pump pumpkin 

key rut turkey 

cup result sculpture 

fruit nine furniture 

category: things you carve 



English 

Subtraction stumper 


Reggie is stumped. His maths teacher wants him to come up with four subtraction 

problems. The problems have to look like this: 

— 

Mathematics 

Reggie must use the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and they can be used only once in a problem. The 

answer to each problem must be between 100 and 200. 

1. Arrange the digits to write four subtraction problems that Reggie can use. Include their 

answers. 

365 

– 214 

151 

541 

– 362 

179 

2. Reggie wants to know how you came up with the problems. What would you tell him? 


83 

x 

x 

Teacher check 

465 

– 321 

144 

632 

– 514 

118 

Dense boxes 


Sharlene found two identical empty boxes. She completely stuffed one full of marbles and the 

other one with cottonwool, then she placed them on a balance. Compare marbles and cottonwool 

to answer the questions. 

1. Which box probably weighed more? marbles 

Why? Marbles are heavier than cottonwool balls. 

2. Sharlene counted the marbles and cottonwool. There were 

64 marbles. How many cottonwool balls do you think there were? 80 

3. How many boxes of cottonwool do you think would weigh the 

same as one box of marbles? 

10 

Write an object that makes each drawing true. 

4. 5. 

erasers Teacher check Teacher check feathers 



Mathematics 

Page 85 

Page 87 

Page 89 

Burke and Wills 

History 

Talk to me 


Structurally sound 

Science/Technologies/Civics and citizenship 




The Australian Government posted a reward for anyone 

who could find a route from the south to north of 

Australia, so that they could build a telegraph line. 

Burke and Wills were inexperienced explorers who led an 

expedition on behalf of the state of Victoria in order to win 

the reward. They took extra men, horses, camels, shoes and 

supplies. 

Imagine you have the opportunity to talk to someone who made history. Who would it be and 

why? Pretend you are going to interview that person and write four questions below. 

Imagine you have 4000 m 2 to create a skyscraper. 

Strategise how you would plan to build a structure 

that is both sturdy and tall. Write seven questions you 

would ask to get the information you need to proceed 

with planning your structure. 

They left Melbourne on 20 August 1860, and made it to the Flinders River near the Gulf of 

Carpentaria on 9 February 1860. Unfortunately, they did not survive the return trip, but Burke 

and Wills are remembered as legendary figures in colonial history. 

©NASA 

1. 

What is the shape of the land ? 

The Australian Mint and the Post Office often commemorate important events or people from 

history in a postage stamp or a coin. In 2010, the Perth Mint released a 150-year anniversary 

silver coin. 

1. Think of an important event in any country’s history. Design a stamp or coin to honour the 

event. 

Wolfgang Mozart Neil Armstrong Julia Gillard 

1. Who are you interviewing? Neil Armstrong 

He risked his life to increase our knowledge. 

2. Why? 

2. Which shapes will make tall buildings stable ? 

3. What kind of support beams will it need ? 

2. Explain your choice to the Mint or Post Office. 

Teacher check 

Teacher check 

Interview questions: 

3. Did you dream of going to the moon when you 

were a kid ? 

4. How did you feel when you found out you were selected 

to go to the moon ? 

5. Do you think we should ever start a colony on the moon ? 

6. Were you ever afraid that you would forget how to f ly the 

rocket on your way there ? 

4. How tall does it need to be ? 

5. What will the building be used for ? 

6. What types of natural disasters will it have to survive ? 

7. What kind of power will it use ? 


85 


87 


89 

156 



Answers 

Page 92 

Page 94 

Page 96 

Athletics carnival 


You are on the committee to help plan your school’s annual 

Athletics Carnival. There will be lots of outdoor activities 

for students to choose from, some silly, some competitive, all 

fun. The head of the committee wants your thoughts. 

Complete the items. 

1. Suggest five activities, games or challenges that include movement. 

sack race, three-legged race, tug-of-war, jumping rope, 

egg relay 

2. What materials will be needed for these activities? 

large sacks, short ropes or long cloths, a really long rope, 

jump ropes, a stopwatch, eggs and big spoons 

3. Should prizes be awarded? Why or why not? 

Maybe they can get a small prize like a sticker. Maybe 

they get another reward like getting in line first for lunch 

or dessert. 

4. How will parents be involved? 

They can donate the materials that we don’t already 

have. They can say “Go” for the races. They can pass out 

stickers. 

5. How will clean-up happen when it is over? 

Students can’t leave without putting one piece of trash in 

the trash can or recycle bin. 



English 

Meat eaters 

Read the text and look at the photo, then complete the items. 


Most bears are omnivores. An omnivore is an animal that 

eats both plants and animals. However, polar bears live far 

north in the Arctic, where they spend most of their time on 

the sea ice, swimming in frigid waters and hibernating on 

nearby coastlines. Their habitat is frozen most of the year. 

They hunt their main source of food, seals, on the polar 

ice cap. 

1. Deduce why polar bears had to adapt to become carnivores, or meat eaters. 

Polar bears live in a habitat that is cold and frozen most 

of the year. That means it’s probably very difficult for any 

plants to grow along the coastlines. And since they spend 

most of their time on the sea ice and in the water, there 

are no plants to eat there, either. Instead, they adapted 

to eat only what they could find in their habitat, which is 

seals, or meat. 

2. In the distant future, if their arctic habitat becomes much warmer than it is now, what 

adaptations do you think polar bears will have to make? 

They will probably have to have less fur and fat. They also 

might change their diet if it’s warm enough for plants to 

start growing that far north. 



Science 

Expedition display 

modify: to make small changes 

Gene is creating a display about Charles Sturt’s expeditions to the centre of Australia. 

He has written text for an informational sign. However, it is full of language that shows Gene’s 

opinions and sounds like he is talking to friends. Read what he wrote. 

Charles Sturt was an English guy who was super 

keen to explore the Australian interior, especially 

its rivers. He was totally nuts about the idea that 

there was a sea in the middle somewhere. Gee, 

what was he thinking?! In 1829 he took some of 

his explorer mates to solve the mystery of where 

the rivers of New South Wales flowed. Anyway, 

they reached the Murrumbidgee River that led to 

the Murray River and then reached the Darling River, proving that all the rivers flowed into the 

Murray. I think he should have explored more of the land instead of being so obsessed with 

the rivers. He was the guy who discovered that the the mouth of the Murray River wasn’t any 

use because it was full of sandbars that a ship can’t pass. I would have been really annoyed! 

Then they had to make their way back up the Murray and Murrumbidgee in a rowboat in the 

Australian summer heat. This was a massive fail. Eventually they were saved from starvation 

but Sturt went blind for a bit. 

Modify the text to make it more neutral, factual and formal. 



History/English 

Charles Sturt was an English explorer, determined to discover which 

rivers and waterways were located in the Australian interior. His 

theory was that the interior would contain an inland sea. In 1829, 

he set off with his associates to solve the mystery of where the rivers 

of New South Wales flowed. They reached the Murrumbidgee River 

and found it flowed into the Murray River and then connected to the 

Darling River. They proved that all the rivers flowed into the Murray. 

Sturt also found that the mouth of the Murray could not be entered 

from the sea because of sandbars, which was a disappointing 

discovery. The return journey in a rowboat in the summer heat was 

very difficult and starvation was a major problem. Sturt himself lost 

his sight for several months after, but survived the journey. 


Fraction magician 

sort: to put things into groups 

The Fraction Magician has special cards that display 

fractions. Today he’s pulled out 12 of them. He will 

1 

make them reappear in different groups. 

4 

Sort the fractions and write which ones belong in the 

groups below. You may put a fraction in more than 

one group. Some fractions have been placed for you. 

2 

6 

fractions less than 1 2 : 

2 

1 

3 8 

4 2 8 

6 

1 

1 

3 

1 3 

6 

8 

10 

2 

4 

fractions close to 1: 

9 

7 

2 

10 

8 

9 

8 

10 

3 

3 

6 

4 

1 

10 

fraction pairs that are equivalent: 

1 

1 

3 

7 

4 = 2 8 

2 

4 = 3 6 

8 

1 

6 

fraction 

1 

4 + 3 pairs that add up to 1: 

4 

1 

10 + 9 10 

1 

6 + 3 6 + 2 6 



Mathematics 

Tale of two cycles 


Look at the diagrams and consider what you know about the water cycle and the beetle life cycle. 

Complete the chart to compare the two cycles. 

Science 

Water cycle both Beetle life cycle 

affects Earth form change 

continues need heat 

non-stop 

affected by global 

temperature 

not dependent on 

beetle cycle 

speed of steps 

can change 

affects living 

things 

cycle can be 

broken 

dependent on 

water cycle 

speed of steps is 

the same 


99 

A loaf’s journey 


A lot of people work to make a single loaf of bread. The questions 

below will help you think about what it takes. 

Read the questions, then represent the process. Use as much detail 

as you can. 

• Where does the wheat come from? 

• Where was the loaf packaged? 

• Where did you buy your loaf? 

• How did the flour turn into bread? 

• How did the wheat turn into flour? 

• How was the loaf packaged? 

1. 

2. Whose pay is included in the cost of the loaf? 



Teacher check 

Teacher check 

Technologies 

Page 102 

Page 104 

Page 107 

Wolf in sheep’s clothing 


Think about the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’. Analyse it by answering the questions below. 

1. What do wolves typically do to sheep? Wolves eat sheep. 

2. What is ‘sheep’s clothing’? wool 

3. Why would a wolf wear ‘sheep’s clothing’? 

A wolf might make itself look like a sheep to get close 

enough to a sheep to eat it. 


Sometimes people try to make themselves seem 

nice, but really they mean harm. 

5. Write about an instance in which someone was like ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’. 

Once my mom made a new friend. 

She asked the friend to come over and 

feed our cats while we were away. After 

we got home, Mom noticed things were missing, like her 

special earrings from Grandma. The “friend” wouldn’t call 

Mom back, and they never spoke again. Mom never found 

her missing things. I think this woman was like “a wolf 

in sheep’s clothing” because she pretended to be Mom’s 

friend and then stole from her. 



English 

Tsunami commute 

distinguish: to tell the difference between things 


In March 2011, Japan experienced one of the 

largest earthquakes ever. The 9.0 earthquake 

in Fukushima also caused a king-sized 

tsunami, which brought powerful 100-m waves 

travelling at jet-speed over the town. More than 

15 000 people died, and entire villages were 

swept into the ocean. Buildings collapsed, 

roads and highways vanished, and vehicles 

were washed away. 

The 5 million tons of debris from the tsunami that was washed out to sea started showing up 

on the west coast of North America in 2012. Five years later, bits of Fukushima, from a soccer 

ball to a motorcycle, a boat, and even a dock, came to rest a continent away. 

Much of the debris is small and typical of marine trash that has been collecting in the water 

for decades. However, after the tsunami, scientists found that often there were hitchhikers on 

the debris. Around 300 Asian species of marine life, from algae to fish to crabs, have ridden 

halfway across the globe on plastics that don’t sink or biodegrade. 

Oceanographers are tracking the tsunami’s effects. Biologists are watching the changes in 

local food webs. One of the challenges for these scientists is to determine which pieces of 

garbage came from Japan and which were already in the water. 

Think about how to distinguish debris from the Japanese tsunami from other debris. Write three 

indications that people who find debris could look for. 

1. Look for any Japanese writing on the debris. 

2. If it’s a vehicle, find a license plate or other registration 

number. 

3. If there are fish or seaweed with the debris, have a 

biologist see if it’s an Asian species. 




Show, don’t tell 

English 


Read the story. 

Jamal and his grandfather had been fishing all day. Right before 

sunset, Jamal finally felt a tug on the line. He felt hopeful. 

Jamal’s grandfather watched his grandson’s struggle. He told 

Jamal not to reel too fast, but Jamal ignored his grandfather. 

He kept trying to reel in the fish. He didn’t want to lose it, 

because he had been trying all day. 

When the fish was almost out of the water, Jamal fell backward. The line had snapped. His 

face fell, showing his disappointment. His grandfather smiled and tried to reassure him that he 

would have another opportunity. 

Rewrite the story, adding dialogue and action to show what each character is like. 

Jamal and his grandfather had been fishing all day. Right 

before sunset, Jamal finally felt a tug on the line. “Gotcha!” 

he called out, reeling in his line.Jamal’s grandfather watched 

his grandson’s struggle. “Easy now,” he advised Jamal. “You 

don’t want to pull it in too fast.” 

Jamal ignored him, jumping to his feet. He turned the reel as 

fast as he could. “It can’t get away! I’ve been waiting all day 

for this!” 

When the fish was almost out of the water, Jamal fell 

backward. The line had snapped. His face fell as he 

grumbled, “There goes my first fish.” 

His grandfather smiled knowingly. “Don’t fret. 

It won’t be your last,” he said. 


107 


Answers 

Page 109 

Page 111 

Page 114 


Technology vs work 

defend: to support an opinion 

Read the two statements from people of different generations. 

When I was 10, I walked to school. I 

helped prepare all the meals in pots 

and pans and lit the gas oven myself 

with a match. Then I washed all the 

dishes and pots by hand in the sink. 

I ride the bus to school. I microwave 

my lunch. After school, I have 

softball practice. I use my mobile 

phone to call for a ride home, and I 

do my homework on the computer. 

Do you think technology helps us or makes us lazy? Defend your opinion. 

Teacher check 


109 

A puzzling plot 

Mathematics 



Mr Liu was checking his students’ homework and found an assignment that had been turned 

in incomplete. The assignment was to survey 15 friends and show their responses. The 

student drew a line plot of the survey results, but there were no labels on the plot and no 

student name on the paper. Mr Liu is asking the class what they think the survey was about. 

Analyse the information on the line plot then complete the items. 

Growth During Last Year 

Title 

centimetres 

1. Mr Liu suggested several topics: amount of gum chewed daily, growth during last year, and 

number of text messages sent weekly. At the top of the line plot, write the topic that you 

think is most likely. Explain your answer. 

These numbers are about how much my friends and I 

grew. I sent way more texts, and who chews half a stick of 

gum? 

2. What could the numbers represent? Write this on the line below the numbers. 

3. Write the survey question you think the student asked. 

How many centimetres did you grow in the last year? 

4. Think of another possible topic that the survey could have been about. 

Amount of Exercise Each Week 


111 

For the love of pandas 



Giant panda bears live in the bamboo forests of 

China. While they eat small animals, they survive 

almost solely on eating bamboo, and a lot of it! In 

fact, pandas have developed flat molars to chew 

bamboo and a long bone that extends from the 

wrist to hold bamboo shoots and leaves. 

Read each statement about a variable that could affect 

the giant panda bear and its habitat. Predict what the 

impact would be. 

1. Businesses cut down much of the bamboo forest to use as a resource. 

Since panda bears eat mostly bamboo, many will likely 

die because they will have no other food to eat. 

2. A non-native predator enters panda territory, killing off many of the pandas. 

The bamboo would probably overgrow because there 

wouldn’t be enough pandas there to eat as much of it. 

3. People build houses and roads in bamboo forests. 

Pandas will have a smaller habitat and more competition 

for food. They could start fighting or bothering people for 

food or raiding the garbage. 



Science 



All things science 


Read each set of four anagrams. Unscramble them and write the words on the lines. All four 

unscrambled words have something in common. 

Categorise the set of words. Some clues have been provided. 

1. Mr Ash marsh 

flaw alert waterfall 

oiled pot tidepool 

ace girl glacier 

category: water features 

2. red set desert 

ad turn 

tundra 

grand lass grassland 

faster iron rainforest 

category: biomes 

3. drape rot predator 

cure drop producer 

Mrs Ounce consumer 

scored poem decomposer 

category: food chain 

4. ink dye kidney 

one tug tongue 

ham cost stomach 

can pears pancreas 

category: organs 

5. tin rugs rusting 

ring bun burning 

ear weight weathering 

or noise erosion 

category: change 


119 

Decisions, decisions 

Read the conversation, then justify two different choices. 

justify: to give a good reason for something 

Thakur asks his friends, ‘Imagine there is either oil or gold on the land where you live. Which 

would you wish for?’ 

‘I would choose oil’, Kadriye says. 

‘Not me’, says Jeremiah. ‘I’d choose gold.’ 

1. Write one good reason Kadriye might give to justify her choice. 

Oil is an important resource that people 

use to heat their homes and run their 

cars and other vehicles. I would sell it at 

a fair price so people could afford to 

have what they need. 

2. Write one good reason Jeremiah might give to justify his choice. 

I think we need to use less oil and 

more clean energy like solar and 

wind power. I would rather have gold 

because it can be used to make jewelry 

and other beautiful things. 

3. What resource would you like to find on your land? Justify your answer. 

I would like to find titanium. It’s a 

metal that is strong, light, and durable. 

It is used to make sports equipment 

and vehicles. 




The sight of music 


Science 


Shetal was editing a recording of the school orchestra on her computer. The screen showed 

her the sound waves for every note. Before she started, she heard a foghorn on a big ship in 

the harbor. Then someone blew a whistle, which made a big dog bark. Her computer showed 

the sound waves for the pitches of each of these sounds. She knows that pitch is related to 

the size of the things making the sound. 

foghorn 

dog barking 

whistle 

Compare the sounds and waves above, then think about the pitches of the instruments in the 

pictures below. Represent the sound waves. 


129 

Page 132 

Mountains and molehills 

Think about the saying ‘Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill’. 

Analyse it by completing the items below. 


1. What does the saying compare? 

mountains and molehills 

2. Think about what a mole does. What do you think a molehill is? 

a little hill of dirt that a mole makes when it digs in the 

ground 

3. How are the things in your answer to the first question different? 

A mountain is big, and a molehill is small. 


Don’t make a big deal out of something that is a small 

problem. 

5. Write about a time you or someone you know ‘made a mountain out of a molehill’. 

I got angry when my brother let one of his friends use my 

skateboard. I shouldn’t have been so upset. I wasn’t using 

it, and he didn’t damage it. 

6. Do you think the saying gives good advice? Why or why not? 

I think this is good advice in most situations because you 

can waste a lot of time making a big deal out of things 

that don’t really matter. 



English 

Page 134 

The state of matter matters 

conclude: to decide using facts, data and inferences 

Look at the structure of molecules in each state of 

water. Complete the sentences below to describe 

the properties, or characteristics, of each state and 

the molecules’ structure, then conclude how the 

structure and properties are related. 

Water’s structure in three states, showing 

water molecules and their bonds 

Properties: 

1. A solid keeps its shape, size, and weight 

. 

2. A liquid takes its container’s shape but keeps its size and 

weight 

. 

3. A gas has no definite shape or size 

. 

Structure in diagram: 

4. A solid’s molecules are connected in groups of six 

. 

5. A liquid’s molecules are connected but have no shape 

. 

6. A gas’s molecules are not connected 

. 

How properties and structure are related: 

7. The more bonds something has, or the more shape the 

bonds have, the more stable the substance is. 



Science 

Page 135 

Toys and games 

History 

improvise: to create something from whatever is available 

Read the paragraph, then tell how you would use simple materials from nature or materials that 

are close at hand to improvise a toy or game. 

In colonial times and pioneer days, before electronics and toy 

stores, people made their own toys and games from whatever 

materials they had on hand. Dolls were made from cornhusks 

and rags. Pieces of wood and string were used to make 

spinning tops. Marbles were made of dried mud and clay dug 

from a riverbank. 

Think of a toy or game that you could improvise if you were living long ago. Write a description 

and draw a picture to show your idea. 

Acorn Toss: Players stand behind a line. They take turns 

trying to toss ten acorns into an old bucket. The player who 

gets the most acorns in the bucket wins the round. The first 

player to win ten rounds wins the game. 

drawing of a bucket with some acorns on the 

ground around it and a child standing several 

feet away in a toss pose 


135 

158 



Answers 

Page 140 

Page 142 

Page 144 

Running for mayor 



In some small towns, there is no age requirement to be the mayor. 

Brian Zimmerman was only 11 years old when the citizens of 

Crabb, Texas, elected him mayor in 1983. 

How would you like to be the mayor of your city or town? Read and 

answer the questions below and write a short speech to persuade 

voters to elect you. 

1. What issues would be important to you? 

keeping the streets clean and safe, creating more bike 

paths 

2. What impression would you like to make on voters? 

I would like them to see that I have good ideas. 

3. Write a short speech that you might give to state your position and persuade voters to elect 

you mayor of your city or town. Give specific details about what you will do and how you will 

do it. 

I’m running for mayor to make our city a better place to 

live. If I’m elected, I will create a city safety commission 

to find ways to keep our streets safer and to create 

more bike paths. If people can bike safely to work and 

to school, there will be less air pollution and people will 

be healthier. I want to hear your ideas, too. Let’s work 

together to improve our city! 




Words in action 


‘Actions speak louder than words’ is a phrase people often 

use. Think about what this phrase means. Write a story that 

exemplifies what this phrase means. 

Actions speak louder than words 

When Marisol’s and Nick’s mom announced that they were 

moving, Marisol was truly excited. She’d had a tough year at 

school. Marisol cheered. 

Nick said, “That’s great news” and went into his room. 

As the weeks went by, Marisol and her mom were packing. 

Nick just spent all his time with his friends. 

On moving day, Nick’s mom found that he hadn’t packed 

anything! She thought for a moment and said, “You don’t 

want to move, do you, Nick ?” He replied that he just decided 

to keep quiet because his mom and sister were so excited. 

“I’m sorry, honey,” said his mom. “Next time, please tell me 

how you really feel.” 



English 

Rainforest high-rise 


Read the text and look at the diagram. 

The rainforest is divided into four layers 

emergent 

of plants that have adapted to different 

levels of sunlight. At the top, rising 

canopy 

more than 60 metres in the air, are 

the giant trees of the emergent layer. 

The next layer is the canopy, a dense 

ceiling of closely spaced trees and 

plants. Below that is the understorey, 

which is composed of shorter trees 

and shrubs with large leaves to catch 

forest floor 

understorey 

available light. Below the understorey is 

the forest floor, which receives very little sunlight. 

Hypothesise what types of living things live in each layer of a rainforest. Explain your answers. 

1. emergent: 

2. canopy: 

3. understorey: 

4. forest floor: 



Teacher check 

Science 

Page 149 

Page 150 

Page 151 

Bus time 


Monday–Friday 

Saturday 

Sunday, Holidays 

Mathematics 

#07 Port Garden – Jamieson 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 


00 00 00 00 

Jamieson 

30 30 30 30 30 

30 30 30 00 00 00 30 


30 30 30 30 

Jamieson to 

00 

00 00 

00 

Port Garden 45 

00 00 00 00 00 30 00 15 00 00 30 


30 

30 30 

30 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 


00 00 

00 

Jamieson 

00 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 00 00 00 30 


30 30 

30 

Jamieson to 

00 

00 

00 

Port Garden 

00 00 30 30 00 00 00 30 15 00 00 30 


30 

30 

30 

Hours 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 


00 

Jamieson 

00 

30 30 30 00 00 00 30 00 00 00 


30 

Jamieson to 

00 00 

Port Garden 

00 30 30 30 30 00 30 

00 30 


30 30 

Minutes 

Minutes 

Minutes 

1. If travelling to Port Garden on a Sunday 4. It’s Saturday, which means grocery 

evening, which buses are available? Write shopping day for Sami. She lives in 

the answer in 12-hour time. 

Jamieson and does her shopping in Port 

Garden, which opens at 9 am, so she 

6 pm, 9.30 pm 

would like to arrive soon after it opens. If 

she spends 40 minutes shopping, what 

2. Shayla is attending a dinner in Jamieson time is the earliest bus can she take back 

on Friday night which will finish at 9.30 pm. to Jamieson and what time will she reach 

She wants to catch the bus home to Port the Jamieson bus stop? 

Garden. How long after dinner will she 

need to wait for the next available bus? She can take the 10.30 am 

1 hour 

bus back to Jamieson and 

she will arrive at 10.50 am 

3. Rhys has decided to spend the day in 

Jamieson on the public holiday that is 

5. Dean is heading to a movie in Port 

coming up. He wants to leave on the first 

Garden on Tuesday night and is catching 

bus and be home in Port Garden by 6 pm. 

the bus from Jamieson. The movie starts 

What time bus does he depart on and 

at 6.30 pm and finishes at 8.30 pm—he 

then return on? Write the answer in 

does not want to be late! What is the least 

12-hour time. 

amount of minutes he can spend travelling 

and waiting, not including the time spent 

watching the movie? 

Depart on 9 am bus, return 

on 4.30 pm bus 

2 hours and 20 minutes 


149 

Would you rather … 

Sometimes choices we have to make are really important because they will affect us in a big way 

or for a long time. It’s helpful to evaluate the choices carefully to make the best decision. Read the 

questions and support your answers. 


1. Would you rather visit the past or visit the future? past future 


We know what the past was like, so I could make sure 

to stay away from dangerous situations. For example, if 

I lived when a war was going on, I could leave that area 

before it started. In the future, I wouldn’t even know how 

to do normal things anymore because they change all the 

time. 

2. Would you rather live on Earth all your life or colonise Mars? Earth Mars 


Earth is beautiful, but it’s starting to have a lot of 

problems, like overcrowding and pollution. With more 

would be exciting to go somewhere no one has lived and 

with. We could avoid making the same mistakes. 



Health/English 

people taking up space, there is less space to grow food. It 

start with a clean slate. We could set things up well to start 

Twin talk 

English 


Terri and Kerri Mulligan are twins. They have very particular likes and dislikes. Use the clues to 

deduce the reason for their likes and dislikes then add three more. 

Hint: Look closely at the words. 

Clues 

• They like Geelong but not Melbourne. 

• They like apples but not oranges. 

• They like business but not industry. 

• They like Rihanna but not Beyonce or Kanye. 

• They like villages but not cities or towns. 

• They like hills and valleys but not plains. 

• They like eyedroppers but not beakers. 

• They like grasshoppers but not ladybugs. 

• They like mass but not weight. 

• They like constellations but not stars. 

They like soccer and baseball. 

• They like the community but not the state. 

• They like Queensland but not South Australia. 

1. What do all of their ‘likes’ have in common? 

All the words have double letters. 

2. Write six more examples of the twins’ likes and dislikes. 

Teacher check Teacher check 












Publications ® 978-1-925698-68-8 HIGHER–ORDER THINKING SKILLS – BOOK 5 

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