Class 8 Science Chapter 1 – Exploring the Investigative World of Science | NCERT Curiosity Worksheet

Practise Class 8 Science Chapter 1 – Exploring the Investigative World of Science with this easy NCERT Curiosity worksheet. Includes important questions and revision exercises to strengthen understanding, practise key concepts and prepare effectively for class tests and exams.

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Class 8 Science Worksheet

Chapter 1 – Exploring the Investigative World of Science

Subject: Science   |   Class: 8

Curiosity – Textbook of Science

Name: __________________________
Class & Section: __________________
Date: __________________________
Instructions: Read each question carefully. Answer all questions. Show your observations clearly wherever required.
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is usually the first step in a scientific investigation?
(a) Drawing a conclusion
(b) Asking a question
(c) Writing the result
(d) Changing all the conditions
2. Which of the following is most closely related to curiosity?
(a) Asking questions
(b) Ignoring observations
(c) Guessing without testing
(d) Copying results
3. Which of these is an example of observation?
(a) The plant will grow faster tomorrow.
(b) The leaves are green and broad.
(c) I think the plant needs more water.
(d) The plant should be kept outside.
4. Which instrument is commonly used to measure length?
(a) Thermometer
(b) Measuring scale
(c) Balance
(d) Stopwatch
5. Which instrument is used to measure temperature?
(a) Thermometer
(b) Ruler
(c) Balance
(d) Measuring cylinder
6. A test in which only one factor is changed at a time is called a:
(a) fair test
(b) random test
(c) guessing test
(d) drawing test
7. A possible explanation that can be tested is called a:
(a) measurement
(b) hypothesis
(c) conclusion
(d) observation
8. Why should observations and measurements be recorded?
(a) To forget the results
(b) To compare and analyse results
(c) To change the experiment
(d) To avoid making observations
9. Which of the following is a measurable quantity?
(a) Length
(b) Beauty
(c) Happiness
(d) Curiosity
10. Which sequence represents a scientific investigation?
(a) Guess → Observe → Ignore → Stop
(b) Observe → Ask → Guess → Test → Analyse
(c) Test → Guess → Observe → Stop
(d) Answer → Guess → Observe → Ignore
B. Fill in the Blanks
1. Science begins with __________________________ and asking questions.
2. Information obtained using our senses is called an __________________________.
3. A possible explanation that can be tested is called a __________________________.
4. A scientific investigation should be planned in a __________________________ manner.
5. The amount of something that can be measured is called a __________________________.
6. A device used to measure temperature is called a __________________________.
7. In a fair test, only one important __________________________ is changed at a time.
8. The results of an investigation should be carefully __________________________.
9. The final explanation based on evidence is called a __________________________.
10. A good scientific question should be possible to __________________________ through investigation.
C. True or False
1. Curiosity can lead us to ask scientific questions. __________
2. Scientific investigations should be based only on guesses. __________
3. Observations can be made using our senses and suitable instruments. __________
4. Measurements can help make observations more precise. __________
5. In a fair test, all variables should be changed together. __________
6. Repeating an experiment can make the results more reliable. __________
7. A hypothesis should be testable. __________
8. Scientific conclusions should be based on evidence. __________
9. It is unnecessary to record observations during an experiment. __________
10. A scientific investigation can sometimes lead to new questions. __________
D. Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. Observationa. Possible explanation
2. Hypothesisb. Finding out using senses or instruments
3. Measurementc. Final explanation based on evidence
4. Experimentd. Numerical value with a unit
5. Conclusione. Planned test
E. Very Short Answer Questions
1. What is curiosity?
2. What is an observation?
3. What is a hypothesis?
4. What is measurement?
5. What is a fair test?
6. Why are units used with measurements?
7. Name one instrument used for measuring time.
8. Name one instrument used for measuring temperature.
F. Short Answer Questions
1. Why is curiosity important in science?
2. Why should a scientific question be clear and specific?
3. How are observation and measurement related?
4. Why should an experiment be planned before it is performed?
5. Why is it important to change only one factor at a time in a fair test?
6. Why should an experiment sometimes be repeated?
7. Why should observations and results be recorded carefully?
8. What is the importance of evidence in science?
G. Scientific Investigation
Observe
Ask
Guess
Test
Analyse
1. Arrange the following steps in the correct order:
Analyse, Ask, Test, Observe, Guess
2. A student notices that one plant grows faster than another plant. Write one question that the student could investigate.
3. Write a possible hypothesis for your question.
4. Suggest one experiment to test the hypothesis.
H. Observation and Measurement
1. Identify the quantity being measured in each case:
SituationQuantity
A student runs for 20 seconds.
A table is 120 cm long.
Water has a temperature of 35°C.
A bag has a mass of 3 kg.
2. Why is “The object is heavy” less precise than “The object has a mass of 2 kg”?
3. Write two observations you can make about a glass of water without changing it.
I. The Puri Investigation
1. Suppose a puri is placed in hot oil. What changes might you observe?
2. Write one scientific question related to why a puri puffs up.
3. Write one possible hypothesis for this question.
4. Name one factor that could be changed while investigating the puffing of a puri.
5. Name one factor that should be kept the same to make the investigation fair.
6. What observations would you record during the investigation?
J. Application-Based Questions
1. Two students want to find out whether sunlight affects plant growth. Student A keeps one plant in sunlight and another in darkness, but uses different amounts of water for the two plants. Is this a fair test? Give a reason.
2. A student predicts that sugar dissolves faster in warm water than in cold water. How can the student test this idea fairly?
3. A student observes that wet clothes dry faster on a sunny day. Write one question and one hypothesis based on this observation.
4. A student gets different results each time an experiment is performed. What should the student do?
K. Case-Based Questions
Case Study 1
Riya notices that ice melts faster in one place than in another. She wonders whether the surrounding temperature affects the rate of melting.
(a) What is Riya’s observation?
(b) Write a suitable question for her investigation.
(c) Write a possible hypothesis.
(d) Name one variable that should be controlled.
Case Study 2
Aarav wants to know whether the amount of water given to a plant affects its growth. He uses two similar plants and keeps them in the same place. One plant receives more water than the other.
(a) What factor is being changed?
(b) Name two factors that should be kept the same.
(c) What measurement could Aarav record?
(d) Why should the experiment be repeated?
L. Think and Answer
1. Can a scientific investigation begin with an everyday observation? Explain with an example.
2. Why is a wrong hypothesis still useful in science?
3. Why should scientists be ready to change their ideas when evidence does not support them?
4. How can careful observation help us discover something new?
M. Challenge Questions
1. Design an investigation to find out which type of soil allows a seed to grow better.
2. Design an experiment to compare how quickly sugar dissolves in water at different temperatures.
3. Write one scientific question that you have about something you observe in your daily life. Then write a possible hypothesis.
4. Explain why science is not simply about collecting facts but also about asking questions, testing ideas and using evidence.

Answer Key

Section A – MCQs

Q.Answer
1b
2a
3b
4b
5a
6a
7b
8b
9a
10b

Section B – Fill in the Blanks

Q.Answer
1curiosity
2observation
3hypothesis
4systematic
5quantity
6thermometer
7variable
8recorded
9conclusion
10test

Section C – True or False

Q.Answer
1True
2False
3True
4True
5False
6True
7True
8True
9False
10True

Section D – Match the Following

Q.Answer
1. Observationb. Finding out using senses or instruments
2. Hypothesisa. Possible explanation
3. Measurementd. Numerical value with a unit
4. Experimente. Planned test
5. Conclusionc. Final explanation based on evidence

Section E – Very Short Answers

Q.Key Answer
1A desire to know or understand something and ask questions.
2Information obtained by noticing something using senses or instruments.
3A possible explanation that can be tested.
4Finding the value of a quantity using an appropriate instrument and unit.
5A test in which relevant conditions are controlled and one main factor is changed.
6Units make measurements clear and comparable.
7Stopwatch/clock.
8Thermometer.

Section G – Scientific Investigation

QuestionKey Answer
1Observe → Ask → Guess → Test → Analyse
2Example: Does the amount of sunlight affect plant growth?
3Example: A plant receiving more suitable sunlight may grow faster.
4Use similar plants, control other conditions, change the selected factor and record growth.

Section H – Observation and Measurement

SituationQuantity
20 secondsTime
120 cmLength
35°CTemperature
3 kgMass

Section I – Puri Investigation

QuestionKey Points
1The puri may expand or puff up; its size, shape, colour and texture may change.
2Example: What factors affect whether a puri puffs up?
3Any testable hypothesis related to the selected factor.
4One selected factor, such as thickness, oil temperature or moisture.
5Other relevant conditions such as size, dough quantity or cooking time.
6Size, degree of puffing, time taken, colour or other measurable observations.

Section J – Application-Based Questions

Q.Key Answer
1No. More than one factor is changed, so the test is not fair.
2Use equal amounts of sugar and water, keep the amount and stirring method the same, change only temperature and measure dissolving time.
3Example question: Does sunlight affect drying time? Hypothesis: Clothes dry faster in greater sunlight.
4Check the method and conditions, control variables, repeat the experiment and record results carefully.

Section K – Case-Based Questions

CaseKey Answer
Case 1Observation: ice melts at different rates. Question: Does temperature affect melting rate? Hypothesis: Ice melts faster at higher temperature. Control factors such as amount and size of ice.
Case 2Changed factor: amount of water. Controlled factors: plant type, soil, light and pot size. Measure plant height or growth. Repeat to improve reliability.

Sections L–M – Key Points

TopicKey Answer
Everyday observationsEveryday observations can lead to questions that can be investigated scientifically.
Wrong hypothesisTesting can show that an idea is not supported and can help develop a better explanation.
EvidenceScientific ideas should be supported by observations, measurements and experimental evidence.
InvestigationA good investigation includes a question, hypothesis, fair test, observations, analysis and conclusion.

Note: Descriptive and investigation-based answers may be worded differently if the scientific idea and reasoning are correct.

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