Compare fast and slow changes

Supplied materials

• For younger learners, an adult may read each direction aloud; pointing, drawing and spoken explanations count as responses.
• Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
• Reference card A: change described over seconds or minutes. Reference card B: change described over many years.
• Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Slope collapses within a minute.
• Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Shore wears back over decades.
• Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Two matched pictures show the same outline.
• Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Only one undated picture is supplied.
• Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Earthquake shifts ground in seconds.
• Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: River valley deepens over many years.

Learn the idea

The timescale matters. Earth changes can occur quickly or accumulate gradually. Use the stated intervals, not a guess from how dramatic a picture looks.

Rapid means change described over seconds or minutes. Gradual means change described over many years. Unchanged means no difference in the supplied records. Unknown means the interval or comparison is missing.

For rapid, look for the clue “change described over seconds or minutes.” For gradual, look for “change described over many years.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.

1. Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
2. Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
3. Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
4. Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Take it further

Create one new case showing rapid and one showing gradual. Expected: the first explicitly shows “change described over seconds or minutes”; the second explicitly shows “change described over many years.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.