Y5 Information Text: Explanation

Example Text
How Do Materials Change State?

Materials are made of tiny molecules (also known as particles) and

can exist in three forms, which we classify as solids, liquids and
gases. In scientific terms, these are called the three states of matter.
Varying the temperature or pressure of a material’s surroundings
affects its state.

The Three States of Matter

• Solid
In a solid, the molecules’ positions are quite rigid and they cannot
move around much, if at all. As a result, solids (for example, ice) hold
their shape.

molecules within a solid

• Liquid
A liquid material (such as the water in a tap) has more loosely-
packed molecules. Because they have more space, the particles
can move around and the material flows to take up the shape of
any container.

molecules within a liquid

Y5 Information Text: Explanation Example Text

• Gas
A gas’s molecules are spaced very widely apart and bounce around
freely to occupy the available space. Consequently, they will spread
out as far as possible and seem to disappear if they are not trapped
in a container.

molecules within a gas

Most materials, in everyday conditions, appear in only one state.

However, many can possibly change between these three states
according to alterations in their environment. For example, we can
manipulate materials into changing states through the processes of
heating and cooling.
Changing States
• Evaporation
Evaporation refers to the process of a liquid gradually turning into a
gas (vapour) at its surface as it is gently warmed by air currents. This
is how water from the oceans becomes the water vapour in the air.
• Condensation
Condensation is the scientific term for the process of a gas turning
into a liquid, which happens when it is cooled. An example of this is
when water vapour – the gas form of water – cools and returns to
its liquid state. It is possible to see this process if water is boiled in
a kettle. As the boiling water vapour from the spout meets cooler air,
it condenses and becomes microscopic droplets – steam. If the steam
then touches a cold surface such as a mirror, these droplets come
together and the water reverts to its liquid state, dripping from the
mirror.
• Boiling
When a liquid is heated to its boiling point, it turns immediately
into a vapour. Each liquid has a different boiling point. Water boils
at 100°C. The material nitrogen, which is a naturally occurring as
a gas, boils at almost -200°c! When water boils, it returns from its
liquid state into water vapour. Steam, which is what we see above a
boiling kettle’s spout, is a mixture of water vapour and tiny droplets
of water.
Y5 Information Text: Explanation Example Text

• Freezing
In order to turn a liquid into a solid, it must be cooled, causing the
molecules to slow down and assume a fixed position. When water is
cooled down to 0°C, it solidifies (turns to ice). Interestingly, ice is the
only solid that is less dense than its liquid form and therefore floats
in water. Why not try it with an ice cube in your next glass of water
to see?
• Melting
Melting means heating a solid until the molecules can move about
again, which will turn it into a liquid. Just like boiling points,
each material has its own melting point, although these may vary
drastically. For instance, chocolate will melt at a relatively low
temperature. You could try to refrigerate a chocolate button then hold
it in your hand and see what happens. Other materials, such as gold,
require very high temperatures of over 1000°C!

Melting Boiling
(heating) (heating)

Solid Liquid Gas

Freezing Condensing
(cooling) (cooling)

A diagram to show the cycle of the states

of matter

Materials can appear naturally at different states depending on their

environment. Otherwise, we have to deliberately alter the temperature
or pressure to force materials into changing state. There are a number
of different ways we can utilise changing the state of a material, such
as freezing food to keep it fresh, boiling water to purify it for drinking
or melting gold to form it into jewellery.
 Y5 Information Text: Example Text
Annotated Genre Features
a question as a
How Do Materials Change State?
1
1
title

2
an introduction
Materials are made of tiny molecules (also known as particles5) and
can exist in three forms, which we classify as solids, liquids and
3
detailed
information
gases. In scientific terms, these are called the three states of matter. 2

about the topic Varying the temperature or pressure of a material’s surroundings

affects its state5.
4
causal
conjunctions and The Three States of Matter 8

adverbials

5
technical • Solid8
language for the In a solid, the molecules’ positions are quite rigid and they cannot
topic move around much, if at all. As a result4, solids (for example, ice) hold
their shape.
6
time
conjunctions and
adverbials to
show the order of
events

7
diagrams or
illustrations with
captions

8
organisational
and
presentational
devices to
structure the text molecules within a solid7

9
end with a
summary • Liquid8 8

A liquid material (such as the water in a tap) has more loosely-

packed molecules. Because4 they have more space, the particles
can move around and the material flows to take up the shape of
any container.

molecules within a liquid7

Y5 Information Text: Example Text Annotated Genre Features

1
a question as a
title • Gas8
A gas’s molecules are spaced very widely apart and bounce around
2
an introduction
freely to occupy the available space. Consequently4, they will spread
3
detailed
out as far as possible and seem to disappear if they are not trapped
information in a container.
about the topic

4
causal
conjunctions and
adverbials

5
technical
language for the
topic

6
time
conjunctions and
adverbials to
show the order of
events molecules within a gas7

7
diagrams or Most materials, in everyday conditions, appear in only one state.
illustrations with However, many can possibly change between these three states
captions according to alterations in their environment5. For example, we can
manipulate materials into changing states through the processes5 of
8
organisational heating and cooling.
and
presentational Changing States 8
8
devices to
structure the text • Evaporation8
9
end with a Evaporation refers to the process of a liquid gradually turning into
summary a gas3 (vapour) at its surface as it is gently warmed by air currents.
This is how water from the oceans becomes the water vapour5 in the
air.
• Condensation8
Condensation is the scientific term for the process of a gas turning
into a liquid3, which happens when it is cooled. An example of this
is when water vapour – the gas form of water – cools and returns to
its liquid state. It is possible to see this process if water is boiled in a
kettle. As the boiling water vapour from the spout meets cooler air6,
it condenses and becomes microscopic5 droplets – steam. If the steam
then touches a cold surface such as a mirror, these droplets come
together and the water reverts to its liquid state, dripping from the
mirror.
• Boiling8
When a liquid is heated to its boiling point6, it turns immediately
into a vapour. Each liquid has a different boiling point. Water boils
at 100°C. The material nitrogen, which is a naturally occurring as
a gas, boils at almost -200°c! When water boils6, it returns from its
liquid state into water vapour. Steam5, which is what we see above a
boiling kettle’s spout, is a mixture of water vapour and tiny droplets
of water.
Y5 Information Text: Example Text Annotated Genre Features

1
a question as a
title • Freezing8
In order to4 turn a liquid into a solid, it must be cooled, causing the
2
an introduction
molecules to slow down and assume a fixed position. When water is
3
detailed
cooled down to 0°C, it solidifies5 (turns to ice). Interestingly, ice is the
information only solid that is less dense5 than its liquid form and therefore floats
about the topic in water. Why not try it with an ice cube in your next glass of water
to see?
4
causal 8
conjunctions and • Melting8
adverbials
Melting means heating a solid until the molecules can move about
5
technical again3, which will turn it into a liquid. Just like boiling points,
language for the each material has its own melting point, although these may vary
topic drastically. For instance, chocolate will melt at a relatively low
temperature. You could try to refrigerate a chocolate button then6
6
time hold it in your hand and see what happens. Other materials, such as
conjunctions and gold, require very high temperatures of over 1000°C!
adverbials to
show the order of
events

7
diagrams or Melting Boiling
illustrations with (heating) (heating)
captions

8
organisational
and
presentational Solid Liquid Gas
devices to
structure the text

9
end with a
summary
Freezing Condensing
(cooling) (cooling)

A diagram to show the cycle of the states

of matter7

Materials can appear naturally at different states depending on their

environment. Otherwise, we have to deliberately alter the temperature
or pressure to force materials into changing state. There are a number 9
of different ways we can utilise changing the state of a material, such
as freezing food to keep it fresh, boiling water to4 purify it for drinking
or melting gold to form it into jewellery.
 Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text
Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Features
1
Uses the 1
which, where,
full range when, whose,
of spelling, that), e.g.
grammar and How Do Materials Change State?3 ProfessorScrif-
punctuation fle, who was a
features famous inven-
that have
been taught
Materials are made of tiny molecules2 (also known as particles)7 and tor, had made a
can exist in three forms, which we classify as solids, liquids and new discovery.
in previous
year groups gases5. In scientific terms, these are called the three states of matter3. 6
Uses adverbs
including
and modal
fronted Varying the temperature12 or pressure of a material’s surroundings verbs to indicate
adverbials,
plural affects11 its state. degrees of
possibility, e.g.
possessive
surely, perhaps,
apostrophes The Three States of Matter3 should, might,
and
etc.
subordinate
clauses.
• Solid3 7
Uses brackets,
Selects dashes or
2
In a solid, the molecules’ positions are quite rigid2 and they cannot commas
appropriate
grammar and move around much,8 if at all. As a result4, solids (for example, ice) to indicate
parenthesis.
vocabulary hold their shape.
to match the
purpose and 8
Uses commas
audience of to clarify
their writing the meaning
present perfect or to avoid
tense ambiguity.

3
Uses 9
Spells a
organisational wider range of
and verb prefixes
presentational correctly, e.g.
devices that deactivate,
are relevant to overturn,
the text type, molecules within a solid3 misconduct,
e.g. headings, etc.
bullet points,
underlining, 10
Spells nouns
etc. • Liquid3 or adjectives
converted into
4
Uses linking A liquid material (such as the water in a tap)7 has more loosely- verbs using
words/phrases suffixes, e.g.
packed molecules. Because they have more space, the particles designate,
between
sentences and can move around and the material flows to take up the shape of classify,criticise,
any container. etc.
paragraphs to
build cohesion
including time Spells more
11

adverbials, e.g. complex

later; place homophones
adverbials, e.g. correctly, e.g.
nearby; and affect/effect,
number, e.g. practice/
secondly. practise, etc.

5
Uses 12
Spells most
relative clauses words correctly
beginning with from the Y5/6
a relative molecules within a liquid3 statutory
pronoun (who, spelling list.
Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and
Spelling Features
1
Uses the • Gas3 which, where,
full range when, whose,
of spelling, A gas’s molecules are spaced very widely apart and bounce around that), e.g.
grammar and ProfessorScrif-
punctuation freely to occupy12 the available12 space. Consequently, they will spread fle, who was a
features famous inven-
that have out as far as possible and seem to disappear9 if they are not trapped
tor, had made a
been taught in a container. new discovery.
in previous
year groups 6
Uses adverbs
including
and modal
fronted
verbs to indicate
adverbials,
degrees of
plural
possibility, e.g.
possessive
surely, perhaps,
apostrophes
should, might,
and
etc.
subordinate
clauses.
7
Uses brackets,
2
Selects dashes or
appropriate commas
grammar and to indicate
vocabulary molecules within a gas3 parenthesis.
to match the
purpose and 8
Uses commas
audience of
Most materials,8 in everyday conditions,8 appear in only one state. to clarify
their writing the However, many can possibly6 change between these three states meaning
present perfect or to avoid
tense according to2 alterations in their environment12. For example, we can ambiguity.
manipulate10 materials into changing states through the processes of
3
Uses heating and cooling.
9
Spells a
organisational wider range of
and verb prefixes
presentational Changing States3 correctly, e.g.
devices that deactivate,
are relevant to • Evaporation3 overturn,
the text type, misconduct,
e.g. headings, Evaporation refers to the process of a liquid gradually turning into a etc.
bullet points,
underlining, gas (vapour)7 at its surface as it is gently warmed by air currents11. 10
Spells nouns
etc.
This is how5 water from the oceans becomes the water vapour in the or adjectives
air. converted into
4
Uses linking verbs using
words/phrases suffixes, e.g.
between • Condensation3 designate,
sentences and classify,criticise,
Condensation is the scientific term for the process of a gas turning etc.
paragraphs to
build cohesion into a liquid, which happens when it is cooled5. An example of this is
including time Spells more
11

adverbials, e.g. when water vapour – the gas form of water –7 cools and returns to complex
later; place homophones
adverbials, e.g. its liquid state. It is possible2 to see this process if water is boiled in correctly, e.g.
nearby; and a kettle. As the boiling water vapour from the spout meets cooler air, affect/effect,
number, e.g. practice/
secondly. it condenses and becomes microscopic9 droplets – steam. If the steam practise, etc.
then touches a cold surface such as a mirror, these droplets come
5
Uses together and the water reverts9 to its liquid state,8 dripping from the 12
Spells most
relative clauses mirror. words correctly
beginning with from the Y5/6
a relative statutory
pronoun (who, spelling list.
Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and
Spelling Features
1
Uses the • Boiling3 which, where,
full range when, whose,
of spelling, When a liquid is heated to its boiling point, it turns immediately that), e.g.
grammar and into a vapour. Each liquid has a different boiling point. Water boils ProfessorScrif-
punctuation fle, who was a
features at 100°C. The material nitrogen, which is a naturally occurring as famous inven-
that have tor, had made a
been taught a gas,5 boils at almost -200°c! When water boils,4 it returns9 from its
new discovery.
in previous liquid state into water vapour. Steam, which is what we see above a
year groups 6
Uses adverbs
including boiling kettle’s spout,5 is a mixture of water vapour and tiny droplets and modal
fronted of water. verbs to indicate
adverbials,
degrees of
plural
• Freezing3 possibility, e.g.
possessive
surely, perhaps,
apostrophes
should, might,
and In order to turn a liquid into a solid, it must6 be cooled, causing the etc.
subordinate
clauses. molecules to slow down and assume2 a fixed position. When water is
7
Uses brackets,
cooled down to 0°C, it solidifies10 (turns to ice).7 Interestingly, ice is dashes or
2
Selects
appropriate the only solid that is less dense than its liquid form5 and therefore commas
grammar and to indicate
floats in water. Why not try it with an ice cube in your next glass of parenthesis.
vocabulary water to see?
to match the
purpose and 8
Uses commas
audience of • Melting 3
to clarify
their writing the meaning
present perfect Melting means heating a solid until the molecules can move about or to avoid
tense ambiguity.
again, which will turn it into a liquid5. Just like boiling points,8
3
Uses each material has its own melting point,8 although these may vary 9
Spells a
organisational drastically. For instance, chocolate will6 melt at a relatively low wider range of
and verb prefixes
presentational temperature. You could try to refrigerate a chocolate button then hold correctly, e.g.
devices that it in your hand and see what happens. Other materials, such as gold,7 deactivate,
are relevant to overturn,
require very high temperatures of over 1000°C! misconduct,
the text type,
e.g. headings, etc.
bullet points,
underlining, Melting Boiling
(heating) (heating)
10
Spells nouns
etc. or adjectives
converted into
4
Uses linking verbs using
words/phrases suffixes, e.g.
between designate,
Solid Liquid Gas classify,criticise,
sentences and
etc.
paragraphs to
build cohesion
including time Spells more
11

adverbials, e.g. Freezing Condensing complex

later; place (cooling) homophones
(cooling)
adverbials, e.g. correctly, e.g.
nearby; and affect/effect,
number, e.g. A diagram to show the cycle of the states of matter3 practice/
secondly. practise, etc.
Materials can appear naturally at different states depending on
5
Uses their environment. Otherwise4, we have to deliberately alter11 the 12
Spells most
relative clauses temperature or pressure to force materials into changing state. There words correctly
beginning with from the Y5/6
a relative are a number of different ways we can6 utilise10 changing the state statutory
pronoun (who, spelling list.
of a material, such as freezing food to keep it fresh, boiling water to
purify it for drinking or melting gold to form it into jewellery.
 Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text
Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Features
1
Uses the full 1 6
Uses adverbs and
range of spelling, modal verbs to
grammar and indicate degrees
punctuation How Do Materials Change State?3 of possibility, e.g.
features that surely, perhaps,
have been taught should, might, etc.
in previous
year groups
Materials are made of tiny molecules2 (also known as particles)7
including fronted and can exist in three forms, which we classify as solids, liquids and 7
Uses brackets,
dashes or
adverbials, gases5. In scientific terms, these are called the three states of matter2. commas
plural possessive
to indicate
apostrophes Varying the temperature12 or pressure of a material’s surroundings parenthesis.
and subordinate
clauses. affects11 its state.
8
Uses commas to
2
Selects The Three States of Matter 3 clarify meaning
appropriate or to avoid
grammar and ambiguity.
vocabulary to
match the purpose
• Solid3
9
Spells a wider
and audience of In a solid, the molecules’ positions are quite rigid2 and they cannot range of verb
their writing.
move around much,8 if at all. As a result4, solids (for example, ice7) prefixes correctly,
e.g. deactivate,
3
Uses hold their shape. overturn,
organisational misconduct, etc.
and
presentational 10
Spells nouns
devices that
or adjectives
are relevant to converted into
the text type, verbs using
e.g. headings, suffixes, e.g.
bullet points, designate,
underlining, classify,criticise,
etc. etc.

4
Uses linking
11
Spells more
words/phrases
molecules within a solid3 complex
between homophones
sentences and correctly, e.g.
paragraphs to affect/effect,
build cohesion • Liquid3 practice/practise,
including time etc.
adverbials, e.g. A liquid material (such as the water in a tap)7 has more loosely-
later; place 12
Spells most
adverbials, e.g. packed molecules. Because they have more space4, the particles words correctly
can move around and the material flows to take up the shape of from the Y5/6
nearby; and statutory spelling
number, e.g. any container. list.
secondly.

5
Uses
relative clauses
beginning with a
relative
pronoun (who,
which, where,
when, whose,
that), e.g.
ProfessorScrif-
fle, who was a
famous inventor, molecules within a liquid3
had made a new
discovery.
Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and
Spelling Features
1
Uses the • Gas3 which, where,
full range when, whose,
of spelling, A gas’s molecules are spaced very widely apart and bounce around that), e.g.
grammar and ProfessorScrif-
punctuation freely to occupy12 the available12 space. Consequently4, they will fle, who was a
features famous inven-
that have spread out as far as possible and seem to disappear9 if they are not
tor, had made a
been taught trapped in a container. new discovery.
in previous
year groups 6
Uses adverbs
including
and modal
fronted
verbs to indicate
adverbials,
degrees of
plural
possibility, e.g.
possessive
surely, perhaps,
apostrophes
should, might,
and
etc.
subordinate
clauses.
7
Uses brackets,
2
Selects dashes or
appropriate commas
grammar and to indicate
vocabulary molecules within a gas3 parenthesis.
to match the
purpose and 8
Uses commas
audience of
Most materials,8 in everyday conditions,8 appear in only one state. to clarify
their writing the However, many can possibly6 change between these three states meaning
present perfect or to avoid
tense according to2 alterations in their environment12. For example, we can ambiguity.
manipulate10 materials into changing states through the processes of
3
Uses heating and cooling.
9
Spells a
organisational wider range of
and verb prefixes
presentational Changing States3 correctly, e.g.
devices that deactivate,
are relevant to • Evaporation3 overturn,
the text type, misconduct,
e.g. headings, Evaporation refers to the process of a liquid gradually turning into a etc.
bullet points,
underlining, gas (vapour)7 at its surface as it is gently warmed by air currents11. 10
Spells nouns
etc.
This is how water from the oceans becomes the water vapour in the or adjectives
air. converted into
4
Uses linking verbs using
words/phrases suffixes, e.g.
between • Condensation3 designate,
sentences and classify,criticise,
Condensation is the scientific term for the process of a gas turning etc.
paragraphs to
build cohesion into a liquid, which happens when it is cooled5. An example of this
including time Spells more
11

adverbials, e.g. is when water vapour – the gas form of water –7 cools and returns to complex
later; place homophones
adverbials, e.g. its liquid state. It is possible2 to see this process if water is boiled in correctly, e.g.
nearby; and a kettle. As the boiling water vapour from the spout meets cooler air, affect/effect,
number, e.g. practice/
secondly. it condenses and becomes microscopic9 droplets – steam. If the steam practise, etc.
then touches a cold surface such as a mirror, these droplets come
5
Uses together and the water reverts9 to its liquid state,8 dripping from the 12
Spells most
relative clauses mirror. words correctly
beginning with from the Y5/6
a relative statutory
pronoun (who, spelling list.
Y6 Infomation Text: Example Text Annotated Grammar, Punctuation and
Spelling Features
which, where,
1
Uses the • Boiling3 when, whose,
full range that), e.g.
of spelling, ProfessorScrif-
grammar and When a liquid is heated to its boiling point,4 it turns immediately
into a vapour. Each liquid has a different boiling point. Water boils fle, who was a
punctuation famous inven-
features at 100°C. The material nitrogen, which is a naturally occurring as tor, had made a
that have new discovery.
been taught a gas,5 boils at almost -200°c! When water boils4,it returns9 from its
in previous
year groups liquid state into water vapour. Steam, which is what we see above a 6 Uses adverbs
including and modal
fronted
boiling kettle’s spout,5 is a mixture of water vapour and tiny droplets verbs to indicate
adverbials, of water. degrees of
plural possibility, e.g.
surely, perhaps,
possessive • Freezing 3
should, might,
apostrophes
and etc.
subordinate In order to turn a liquid into a solid,4 it must6 be cooled, causing the
clauses. molecules to slow down and assume2 a fixed position. When water is
7
Uses brackets,
dashes or
2
Selects cooled down to 0°C, it solidifies10 (turns to ice).7 Interestingly4, ice is commas
appropriate to indicate
the only solid that is less dense than its liquid form5 and therefore parenthesis.
grammar and
vocabulary
floats in water. Why not try it with an ice cube in your next glass of
to match the water to see? 8
Uses commas
purpose and to clarify
audience of • Melting3 meaning
their writing the or to avoid
present perfect Melting means heating a solid until the molecules can move about ambiguity.
tense
again, which will turn it into a liquid5. Just like boiling points,8 9
Spells a
3
Uses each material has its own melting point,8 although these may vary wider range of
organisational verb prefixes
and drastically. For instance, chocolate will6 melt at a relatively low correctly, e.g.
presentational temperature. You could try to refrigerate a chocolate button then hold deactivate,
devices that overturn,
are relevant to it in your hand and see what happens. Other materials, such as gold,7 misconduct,
the text type, require very high temperatures of over 1000°C! etc.
e.g. headings,
bullet points, 10
Spells nouns
underlining, Melting Boiling or adjectives
etc. (heating) (heating) converted into
verbs using
4
Uses linking suffixes, e.g.
words/phrases designate,
between classify,criticise,
Solid Liquid Gas etc.
sentences and
paragraphs to
build cohesion Spells more
11

including time complex

adverbials, e.g. homophones
later; place Freezing Condensing correctly, e.g.
adverbials, e.g. (cooling) (cooling) affect/effect,
nearby; and practice/
number, e.g. practise, etc.
secondly. A diagram to show the cycle of the states of matter3

Materials can appear naturally at different states depending on 12

Spells most
5
Uses words correctly
relative clauses their environment. Otherwise4, we have to deliberately alter11 the
from the Y5/6
beginning with temperature or pressure to force materials into changing state. There statutory
a relative spelling list.
are a number of different ways we can6 utilise10 changing the state
pronoun (who,
of a material, such as freezing food to keep it fresh, boiling water to
purify10 it for drinking or melting gold to form it into jewellery.