Paper 1: Material Identification and Comparison Questions — How to Structure Answers

Material identification and comparison questions are among the most common question types on AQA GCSE D&T Paper 1. This lesson provides strategies, model answers and practice for these questions. Specification reference: AQA 8552, Sections 3.1.6, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.

Types of Material Questions

Question Type	Example	Marks
Identify	"Name the type of timber shown in the photograph."	1
Select and justify	"Recommend a suitable material for the handle of a frying pan. Justify your choice."	3–4
Compare	"Compare the properties of mild steel and aluminium for use in bicycle frames."	4–6
Classify	"Classify the following materials as thermoplastic, thermosetting polymer or elastomer."	2–3
Explain properties	"Explain why carbon fibre is used for Formula 1 car bodies."	3–4

Material Classification Reference

Timbers

Category	Examples	Key Properties
Hardwoods	Oak, beech, mahogany, teak, ash, balsa	Generally harder, denser, more durable; from deciduous trees
Softwoods	Pine (Scots pine), spruce, cedar, larch	Generally softer, lighter, cheaper, faster-growing; from coniferous trees
Manufactured boards	MDF, plywood, chipboard, hardboard	Made from wood fibres/veneers; available in large sheets; no grain direction

Metals

Category	Examples	Key Properties
Ferrous (contain iron)	Mild steel, cast iron, high-speed steel, stainless steel	Magnetic (except stainless steel); prone to rust (except stainless steel)
Non-ferrous (no iron)	Aluminium, copper, brass, zinc, tin, silver, gold	Do not rust; not magnetic; often lighter or better conductors
Alloys	Stainless steel (iron + chromium + nickel), brass (copper + zinc), bronze (copper + tin), duralumin (aluminium + copper)	Combinations of metals to improve properties

Polymers

Category	Examples	Key Property
Thermoplastics	ABS, acrylic (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), HDPE, PET, PVC, HIPS, nylon	Can be reheated and reshaped; recyclable
Thermosetting	Epoxy resin, polyester resin, melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde	Set permanently when cured; cannot be reshaped; heat resistant
Elastomers	Natural rubber, silicone, neoprene	Can stretch and return to original shape

AQA Exam Tip: Learn at least three specific examples for each material category. Exam questions often ask you to "name a suitable material" — generic answers like "plastic" or "metal" score zero marks. You must name the specific material (e.g. "polypropylene" or "mild steel").

Strategy for "Recommend a Material" Questions

Step-by-Step Approach

Identify the requirements — What must the material do? (strength, weight, appearance, cost, food-safe, weather-resistant, etc.)
Select a specific material — Name it precisely (e.g. "stainless steel grade 304" or "3 mm acrylic sheet").
Justify your choice — Link the material's properties to the product's requirements.
Mention manufacturing — How will this material be worked? Is it suitable for the intended manufacturing process?

Worked Example (4 marks)

Question: Recommend a suitable material for a child's outdoor playground slide surface. Justify your choice.

Answer: I would recommend HDPE (high-density polyethylene).

HDPE is a thermoplastic with a smooth, low-friction surface, which is essential for a slide to allow children to slide freely. (1)
It is highly resistant to UV degradation and weathering, making it suitable for permanent outdoor use without cracking or fading. (1)
HDPE is tough and impact-resistant — it will not crack or shatter if struck, which is important for child safety. (1)
It can be manufactured using rotational moulding or CNC routing, both of which can produce the curved profile required for a slide. (1)

Strategy for "Compare Materials" Questions

The Table Method

Always use a comparison table for compare questions. This ensures you cover both materials and directly compare equivalent properties.

Worked Example (6 marks)

Question: Compare mild steel and aluminium as materials for a bicycle frame. Recommend which is more suitable for a lightweight racing bicycle.

Paper 1: Material Identification and Comparison Questions