Here’s the solution to the worksheet “Are You Certain?” with explanations for each answer:
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1. The seeds I planted yesterday were full grown flowers today!
✔ Answer: Impossible
🔹 *Explanation:* Seeds take days, weeks, or even months to grow into full-grown flowers. It is biologically impossible for a seed to become a mature flower overnight. So this event can never happen — it’s
impossible.
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2. Today, I will win $100,000 in the lottery.
✔ Answer: Unlikely
🔹 *Explanation:* Winning the lottery is possible — people do win — but the odds are extremely low. Since it’s not certain and not impossible, but very rare, the best term is
unlikely.
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3. The Earth will turn and the sun will heat the Earth tomorrow morning.
✔ Answer: Certain
🔹 *Explanation:* The Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours, causing day and night. The sun heats the Earth daily as part of the natural cycle. This happens without fail — it’s a scientific certainty. So,
certain.
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4. Tomorrow, I will be in school sitting at my desk.
✔ Answer: Likely
🔹 *Explanation:* If you’re a student who normally goes to school, this is very probable — especially if tomorrow is a school day. But there’s a small chance of being sick, on vacation, or having a holiday. So it’s
likely, not certain.
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5. I will wear a skirt tomorrow.
✔ Answer: Possible
🔹 *Explanation:* Whether you wear a skirt depends on your choice, weather, occasion, etc. It might happen, but it’s not guaranteed. There’s no strong reason to say it’s likely or unlikely — just that it
could happen. So,
possible.
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6. It is going to snow today.
✔ Answer: Possible *(or Unlikely — depending on location/season)*
🔹 *Explanation:* Snow is possible in many places, especially in winter. But if you live in a tropical area or it’s summer, it would be
unlikely. Since the worksheet doesn’t specify location or season, and shows a snowy tree (suggesting it’s plausible),
possible is the safest general answer. If context suggests it’s winter or cold, you could argue
likely — but without more info,
possible is most accurate.
> 💡 *Note: In many classrooms, teachers accept “Possible” here unless students are told to consider local weather.*
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Write an example of a certain probability.
✔ Example Answer: The sun will rise tomorrow.
🔹 *Explanation:* Just like the Earth turning, the sun rising is a predictable, natural event based on Earth’s rotation. It happens every day without exception — making it a
certain probability.
> Other good examples:
> - The moon will be visible tonight (sometimes true, but not always — so not perfect).
> - A day has 24 hours.
> - Water boils at 100°C at sea level.
But “The sun will rise tomorrow” is the most universally accepted example of certainty.
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✔ Final Answers Summary:
1. Impossible
2. Unlikely
3. Certain
4. Likely
5. Possible
6. Possible
7. Example: *The sun will rise tomorrow.*
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Let me know if you’d like to adjust any answers based on specific context (like your local weather or school schedule)!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of probability worksheet middle school.
