The Plastic Behind the Snap: teacher key

How Plastic Toy Bricks Are Made, grade 4 edition, written for 4th grade. Toy bricks are made from a plastic called ABS. Learn why it suits toys and how a factory turns grains into bricks.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. What does ABS stand for?
   • Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (answer)
   • Always bright strong shape
   • A brick stud system
2. What does a thermoplastic do when heated?
   • It turns to ash
   • It softens so it can be shaped (answer)
   • It turns to water
3. When did LEGO switch to ABS?
   • 1932
   • 2011
   • 1963 (answer)
4. Why does ABS suit a toy?
   • It is tough and survives drops (answer)
   • It is very soft
   • It dissolves in water
5. What happens to leftover plastic from the mold?
   • It is thrown in the sea
   • It is ground up and used again (answer)
   • It is turned into wood
6. What holds a stud tightly in place?
   • Glue
   • Tape
   • The tubes inside another brick (answer)

Words

• ABS: tough plastic
• thermoplastic: melts, then sets
• granules: tiny grains
• silos: big tanks