Identifying 2D & 3D Shapes & Attributes — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A 2D shape is flat like a piece of paper.
A 2D shape is flat because it has only length and width, just like a drawing on paper. You cannot hold it in your hand like you can a 3D shape.
2. A cube has 8 vertices.
A cube has 8 vertices, one at each pointy corner, with 4 on the top face and 4 on the bottom face. Each vertex is where three edges meet.
3. A sphere looks like a ball.
A sphere is perfectly round from every side, just like a basketball or a marble. No matter how you turn a sphere, it looks the same.
4. A triangle has 3 vertices.
A triangle has 3 vertices because its 3 straight sides meet at 3 sharp corners. Each vertex sits where two sides come together.
5. A 3D shape is also called a solid shape.
A 3D shape is called a solid shape because it takes up space and you can hold it in your hand. Cubes, spheres, and cones are all solid shapes.
6. A cone has 1 edge.
A cone has 1 edge, which is the round line where the flat bottom circle meets the curved side. Run your finger around the rim of an ice cream cone to feel it.
7. A rectangle has 4 sides but not all sides are equal.
A rectangle has 4 sides, but usually 2 long sides and 2 short sides, so they are not all equal. That is how a rectangle is different from a square.
8. A cylinder has 2 edges.
A cylinder has 2 edges, one around the top circle and one around the bottom circle, where the flat faces meet the curved side. Picture the rims of a soup can.
9. A sphere has 0 faces.
A sphere has 0 faces because faces must be flat, and every part of a sphere is curved. Its smooth round surface has no corners or flat spots.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
triangle
→ 3 sides
3 sides
rectangle
→ 4 corners
4 corners
circle
→ 0 corners
0 corners
square
→ 4 equal sides
4 equal sides
Match each 2D shape to its special clue: a triangle always has 3 straight sides, a rectangle has 4 square corners, a circle is round and has 0 corners, and a square is the one shape with 4 sides that are all equal. Counting sides and corners is the fastest way to name a 2D shape.