Scarcity and Choice

Grade 3 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the answer.

1. 1.

   There are 3 library copies of a new book and 20 readers. Which plan is fair?

   • give the copies to the first 3 readers to keep
   • let the librarian's friends read first
   • let the readers who ask loudest go first
   • make a list and lend each copy for one week
2. 2.

   A town has $500. Fixing the playground costs $500. New library books cost $500. It fixes the playground. What does it give up?

   • $500 more next year
   • the playground repair
   • the new library books
   • the library building
3. 3.

   One soccer field is shared by 4 teams that take turns. What does each team give up?

   • its team uniforms
   • playing soccer at all
   • playing whenever it wants
   • its coach
4. 4.

   Why are 12 bus seats for 20 riders a problem?

   • Twelve riders have no seat.
   • Eight riders have no seat.
   • Eight seats stay empty.
   • Every rider has a seat.
5. 5.

   Which is the best example of scarcity?

   • a lake full of water after spring rain
   • a store with shelves full of bread
   • a school with a book for every child
   • a town with little water in a dry summer
6. 6.

   Eli has 30 minutes. He can read or play a game, not both. He reads. What does he give up?

   • his homework
   • 30 more minutes
   • playing the game
   • reading the book
7. 7.

   There are 2 art kits for 18 students. Which plan shares the kits fairly?

   • the first two students keep them all week
   • students who sit closest get them
   • the teacher keeps the kits on a shelf
   • groups take turns with the kits each day
8. 8.

   A bakery has flour for 20 loaves. It gets 30 orders. What must the baker do?

   • bake 30 loaves with the flour
   • choose which 20 orders to fill
   • stop selling bread forever
   • fill every order today
9. 9.

   What can a family do when money is scarce?

   • buy needs first and wait on wants
   • stop buying food
   • buy wants first and wait on needs
   • buy everything they see
10. 10.

    Two classes want the gym at 10:00. Which choice solves the problem?

    • one class goes at 10:00, one at 11:00
    • the class that asked last gets it
    • both classes go at 10:00
    • neither class makes a plan