Measuring Lengths (Nonstandard & Standard Units) — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. A pencil is 12 clips long. A marker is 9 clips. How much longer is the pencil?
A) 2 clips
B) 3 clips
C) 4 clips
D) 5 clips
Subtract the smaller length from the bigger one: 12 minus 9 equals 3, so the pencil is 3 clips longer.
2. Sam got 7 cubes. Mia got 10 clips for the same book. Why different?
A) Sam made a mistake
B) The book changed
C) Clips are smaller than cubes
D) Mia used a ruler
More clips fit along the same book because each clip is shorter than each cube, so smaller units always give a bigger count.
3. Which is the best tool to measure your desk in inches?
A) A paper clip
B) A cube
C) A ruler
D) A crayon
A ruler has inch marks already printed on it, so it gives an accurate measurement in inches without any extra counting.
4. A ribbon is 8 inches. A string is 1 foot. Which is longer?
A) The ribbon
B) The string
C) They are equal
D) Cannot tell
One foot equals 12 inches, and 12 is greater than 8, so the string is longer than the 8-inch ribbon.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A crayon is 4 inches and a marker is 6 inches. Together they are 10 inches.
When two objects are placed end to end, you add their lengths: 4 + 6 = 10 inches total.
2. A shelf is 5 cubes long. Two shelves end to end are 10 cubes.
Two shelves of 5 cubes each combine to 5 + 5 = 10 cubes when placed in a row.
3. The smaller unit gives a bigger number.
Tiny units fit more times along the same object, so counting them produces a larger number than counting big units.
4. 12 inches is the same as 1 foot.
One foot is defined as exactly 12 inches, which is why a ruler showing 12 inches measures one foot.
5. To get the same measurement every time, use standard units.
Standard units like inches and feet never change size, so everyone who measures the same object gets the same answer.