Educational worksheet on structural science concepts from Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Let’s go through each question one by one. I’ll think carefully and check my answers before writing them down.

---

1) The _______ and _______ of a structure depends on what they do.

→ Structures are built for specific purposes. Their shape and materials depend on their function. For example, a bridge needs to be strong and hold weight, so it might use steel and have arches or beams. A tent is light and portable, so it uses fabric and poles.

✔ Answer: shape, materials

*(Note: Some curricula may say “form” instead of “shape,” but “shape” is simpler and correct. Also, “materials” is key — you can’t build a skyscraper out of paper!)*

---

2) Two forces are in __________ when...

→ This is about balance. When two forces are equal and opposite, they cancel each other out. That’s called equilibrium.

Example: If you push a book left with 5N and someone else pushes right with 5N, the book doesn’t move → equilibrium.

✔ Answer: equilibrium

---

3) Give two examples of domes.

→ Domes are curved roofs that spread weight evenly. Common examples:

- The U.S. Capitol Building (Washington D.C.)
- St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)
- Or even simpler: igloos (traditional Inuit snow houses), sports stadiums like the Georgia Dome (before it was replaced)

We’ll pick two clear ones.

✔ Answers: U.S. Capitol dome, igloo

*(Acceptable alternatives: Sydney Opera House shells — though not true domes; better to stick with classic domes.)*

Actually, let’s use more universally recognized:

✔ Final choice: St. Paul’s Cathedral dome, Montreal Biosphere

But for school level, maybe simpler:

✔ Best for student: Capitol Building dome, sports stadium dome (like Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

Wait — let’s keep it simple and accurate:

✔ The dome of the U.S. Capitol, an igloo

Yes.

---

4) Name three things with opposite thumbs and a good foot.

→ Opposable thumbs = can touch other fingers. Good foot = helps with grip or climbing.

Animals that fit:

- Chimpanzee
- Gorilla
- Orangutan
- Human (we have opposable thumbs and feet that can grip — though we don’t use feet much anymore)
- Lemur
- Koala (has opposable thumbs AND big toes!)

Pick three:

✔ Answers: chimpanzee, gorilla, koala

*(Human also works, but animals are usually expected here.)*

---

5) Give two examples of structures.

→ Anything built to serve a purpose.

Examples:

- Bridge
- Tower
- House
- Dam
- Tunnel
- Skyscraper

Pick two:

✔ Answers: bridge, skyscraper

---

6) Why are elephant legs so thick? They have to support a lot of w_______.

→ Elephants are heavy! Their legs must carry their massive weight.

✔ Answer: weight

---

7) Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot.

→ Wait — this is repeated from #4? Looking back at original image text...

Actually, looking again — in your uploaded worksheet, #4 says “Give two examples of domes.” and #6 is about elephants, then #7 is “Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot.” — which is same as #4? No — wait, let me recheck.

Hold on — in your original problem list:

You wrote:

> 4) Give two examples of domes
> ...
> 6) Why are elephant legs so thick? ...
> 7) Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot. ← This is NEW — not duplicate.

Wait no — actually in your initial message, after #6 comes:

> 7) Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot. ← But earlier #4 was domes, #5 was structures, #6 elephant, then #7 is this.

But in standard worksheets, sometimes questions repeat concepts. However, in your case, #4 was domes, #5 structures, #6 elephant, then #7 is opposable thumbs + good foot — which is similar to #4? No — #4 was domes.

Wait — I think there's confusion because in your original text block, you listed:

After #6:
“7) Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot.” — but that seems like a repeat of an earlier idea? Actually, no — in many science units, they ask about primates/animals with grasping abilities.

But let’s look again at your exact input:

In your message, you pasted:

```
4) Give two examples of domes
5) Give two examples of structures
6) Why are elephant legs so thick? They have to support a lot of w______.
7) Name three things with opposable thumbs and a good foot.
8) Circle True or false? Bones are structures too.
...
```

So #7 is indeed asking for three things (probably animals) with opposable thumbs AND good feet (for gripping).

Same as what I answered for #4? No — #4 was domes. So #7 is new.

But wait — in some versions, #4 might have been misread. Let me clarify based on standard curriculum.

Actually, upon double-checking common Grade 4–6 science worksheets on structures and forces, question #7 is likely referring to animals that can climb or grasp — so:

✔ Answers: monkey, squirrel, human baby (babies can grip with feet)

Or better:

✔ Chimpanzee, orangutan, lemur

All have opposable thumbs and feet adapted for climbing/grasping.

Final pick:

✔ chimpanzee, gorilla, koala — same as before? But koala has very specialized feet.

To avoid repetition if this were a real worksheet, perhaps vary:

But since it’s standalone, we’ll go with:

✔ monkey, ape, possum — possums have opposable thumbs on hind feet!

Actually, best scientific answer:

✔ Primates like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans — all have opposable thumbs and prehensile feet.

For simplicity:

✔ Answers: chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan

---

8) Circle True or false? Bones are structures too.

→ Yes! Bones give shape and support to our body — just like beams in a building. They’re internal structures.

✔ Answer: True

---

9) Why can the eggs hold the weight of the cat? The w_______ is distributed evenly.

→ Eggshells are strong because of their curved shape — the weight (or force) is spread around the shell, not concentrated in one spot.

✔ Answer: weight

*(Sometimes “force” is used, but “weight” fits the blank and context.)*

---

10) Circle one: Ropes are structures that work really well under tension/compression.

→ Ropes pull — they’re great under tension (being stretched). They buckle under compression (pushing).

✔ Answer: tension

---

11) Circle one: Tires are structures that work well under tension/compression.

→ Tires get squished when the car sits on them — that’s compression. They also handle some tension from inflation, but primarily designed to compress and rebound.

Actually, tires experience both, but mainly compression from the vehicle’s weight.

However, air-filled tires rely on internal pressure (which creates tension in the rubber), but the main load-bearing mode is compression against the ground.

Standard answer in elementary science: tires work under compression.

✔ Answer: compression

*(Some sources say “both,” but since it says “circle one,” and given context, compression is primary for supporting weight.)*

Wait — let’s think: When you sit on a tire, it flattens slightly — that’s compression. The sidewalls stretch a bit — tension. But overall, for holding up a car, it’s compression.

Yes.

✔ compression

---

12) Circle one: Compression is pushing / pulling.

→ Compression = squeezing together = pushing

Tension = stretching apart = pulling

✔ Answer: pushing

---

13) Circle one: Tension is pushing / pulling.

→ Tension = being pulled apart → pulling

✔ Answer: pulling

---

14) Circle True or false? If a person is making a building flexible, it will have a better chance of standing up in an earthquake.

→ YES! Flexible buildings sway during earthquakes instead of breaking rigidly. Like bamboo vs. dry twig.

✔ Answer: True

---

15) Circle the one thing that Bill pumps into the rope to make it under stress / tension / compression?

→ This refers to prestressed concrete or cable-stayed bridges where ropes/cables are tightened.

Bill (probably an engineer) pumps something to put the rope under tension.

What does he pump? Usually, hydraulic jacks apply force to tighten cables — but the question says “pumps into the rope” — that might mean inflating? No, ropes aren’t inflated.

Wait — perhaps it’s a trick. In some contexts, “pumping” could mean applying force via pump mechanism.

But the key is: to put a rope under stress, you create tension.

The options are: stress / tension / compression

Ropes can only handle tension — so the goal is to put it under tension.

And “stress” is general term — tension is type of stress.

But the question says: “to make it under stress / tension / compression?”

Best answer: tension

Because that’s what ropes are designed for.

Also, in construction, cables are tensioned using pumps/jacks.

✔ Answer: tension

*(Note: You don’t “pump into” the rope — you pump hydraulic fluid to activate jacks that pull the rope. But the result is tension.)*

---

Now, compiling final answers clearly:

──────────────────────────────────────

Final Answer:

1) shape, materials
2) equilibrium
3) U.S. Capitol dome, igloo
4) chimpanzee, gorilla, koala
5) bridge, skyscraper
6) weight
7) chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan
8) True
9) weight
10) tension
11) compression
12) pushing
13) pulling
14) True
15) tension