Measuring Lengths (Nonstandard & Standard Units) — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A marker is about 5 paper clips long.
Lining paper clips along a marker, you would count about five before reaching the other end.
2. The ruler is the tool we use to measure inches.
A ruler has tick marks for every inch printed along its edge, which is exactly what we need to measure in inches.
3. If a book is 8 cubes long and a box is 5, the book is longer.
Eight is greater than five, so the book stretches farther and is the longer object.
4. Always line up objects at the same end when comparing.
Starting from the same end ensures you compare full lengths fairly without one object getting a head start.
5. A table is about 3 feet long.
A typical classroom table stretches about three feet across, since one foot is roughly the length of your forearm.
6. Cubes and paper clips are called nonstandard units.
Cubes and paper clips are nonstandard units because they are not official measurements that everyone everywhere uses.
7. A pencil measured 6 cubes but only 4 clips because clips are bigger.
When the unit is bigger, fewer of them fit along the same pencil, so 4 clips means each clip is larger than each cube.
8. Inches and feet are called standard units.
Inches and feet are standard units because they always have the exact same size no matter who is measuring.
9. If two crayons are the same length, they are equal.
Equal means having the same amount, so two crayons of matching length are equal in size.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
ruler
→ measures inches
measures inches
paper clip
→ nonstandard unit
nonstandard unit
cube
→ snap together to measure
snap together to measure
foot
→ equals 12 inches
equals 12 inches
A ruler has inch marks for measuring, paper clips work as nonstandard units, cubes snap into a line, and one foot is made up of 12 inches.