Understand the idea.
Start at the same place
Length describes the distance from one end of something to the other. To compare two strips, lay them straight beside each other and line up one end. Now both lengths start in the same place.
Look at their other ends. The strip reaching farther from the shared start is longer. The strip stopping first is shorter. Say both names, such as A is longer than B, to make your comparison clear.
Turn and check
Sliding or turning a strip does not change its length. It can change where its end appears on the table. Move it back beside the other strip and match the starts before comparing again.
Straighten a bent string without stretching it before comparing its length. If two straight objects start together and their other ends also match, neither is longer: they have the same length.
See the method in action.
Compare two strips
Look at strips A and B. Which strip is longer?
Worked solution
- 1
Check the starting ends.
A and B both start at the dashed line, so the comparison is fair.
- 2
Compare the other ends.
Strip A reaches farther to the right from that same start.
- 3
Name the longer strip.
A is longer than B because the distance between its ends is greater.
A is longer than B.
Check an unfair start
One ribbon starts farther along the table. It seems to end farther away. Can you say it is longer yet?
Worked solution
- 1
Check whether the ribbons start together.
One ribbon starts farther along the table, so their end positions alone are misleading.
- 2
Slide one ribbon until the starting ends match.
Matching starts lets us compare just the lengths.
- 3
Compare the far ends after moving.
Only then can the ribbon reaching farther be called longer; there is not enough information yet.
Not yet. Line up the starting ends first.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Two straight strips start together and end together. What can you say?
Show answer & reasoning
They have the same length.
They have the same length. Starting together and ending together means both strips cover the same distance from end to end.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Use the picture. Which strip is shorter?
- A straw is longer than a spoon. Which is shorter?
- Two strings have matching starts and matching ends. Finish: They have the ___ length.
- Two pencils start in different places. What should you do before comparing their lengths?
- Does turning a pencil around change its length?
- Find two safe objects. Draw them with one end lined up. Label the longer object.
Read the worked solutions
- Use the picture. Which strip is shorter?
The starts match.
B does not reach as far.
B - A straw is longer than a spoon. Which is shorter?
Longer and shorter compare the same pair.
The spoon. - Two strings have matching starts and matching ends. Finish: They have the ___ length.
Both ends match.
same - Two pencils start in different places. What should you do before comparing their lengths?
Use the same starting place.
Line up one end of the pencils. - Does turning a pencil around change its length?
It is still the same pencil from end to end.
No. - Find two safe objects. Draw them with one end lined up. Label the longer object.
Compare actual objects after lining up one end.
Answers vary: the drawing lines up one end and correctly labels the object reaching farther.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 informal comparisons and measuring with uniform units; explanation and practical activity accompany fluency.
Official curriculum source ↗