measurement · Year 4 · AC9M4M01
Read a thermometer
A thermometer is a scale that stands up. The labels usually go up by 10 degrees. Count the spaces between two labels to find what each mark is worth: 10 spaces means 1 degree each, 5 spaces means 2 degrees each. Find the top of the liquid, start at the label just below it and count up. Below zero the numbers are negative and get colder as you go down: the mark just under 0 is −1 or −2, not −9. Count down from 0 to read them.
Sample questions
What temperature does the thermometer show, in °C?
- The labels go up by 10 degrees with 10 spaces between them, so each mark is 1 degree.
- The liquid stops 3 marks above 30: 30 + 3 = 33.
- The thermometer shows 33 °C.
Answer: 33
What temperature does the thermometer show, in °C?
- The labels go up by 10 degrees with 10 spaces between them, so each mark is 1 degree.
- The liquid stops 2 marks above 30: 30 + 2 = 32.
- The thermometer shows 32 °C.
Answer: 32
What temperature does the thermometer show, in °C?
- The labels go up by 10 degrees with 10 spaces between them, so each mark is 1 degree.
- The liquid stops 8 marks above 20: 20 + 8 = 28.
- The thermometer shows 28 °C.
Answer: 28