KS1 Shapes | Comparing and Sorting 2D and 3D Shapes

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Maths Quiz - Year 2 Shapes - Comparing and Sorting (Questions)

Compare and sort 2D and 3D shapes by their properties. Spot sides, vertices and right angles, and group shapes using rules like ‘all have curves’ or ‘no corners’.

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Fascinating Fact:

Squares are special rectangles. Four equal sides and four right angles. Every square is a rectangle, not every rectangle is a square.

In KS1 Maths, pupils compare and sort shapes by properties such as sides, vertices (corners), and right angles. They use simple rules to group 2D and 3D shapes and explain their choices.

Key Terms

Side (edge): A straight line on a 2D shape. On 3D shapes, an edge is where two faces meet.
Vertex (corner): The point where sides (2D) or edges (3D) meet. More than one vertex = vertices.
Right angle: A square corner, like the corner of a book. It measures 90°.

Try a quick practice: play the Shapes Practice Game to rehearse comparing and sorting by properties.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do children compare 2D shapes in KS1?

Children compare 2D shapes by looking at sides and vertices, and noticing features like equal sides or right angles. They explain which properties are the same or different.

What properties help me sort shapes in Year 2?

Useful properties include number of sides or faces, number of vertices, right angles, straight or curved edges, and equal sides. Choose a rule and group shapes that match it.

What is the difference between 2D and 3D shapes for KS1?

2D shapes are flat and have sides and vertices, like squares and triangles. 3D shapes are solid and have faces, edges, and vertices, like cubes and pyramids.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

This pattern is made up from...

[ ]	squares
[ ]	rectangles
[ ]	triangles
[ ]	circles

Tennis balls are...

[ ]	cubes
[ ]	cylinders
[ ]	cones
[ ]	spheres

Why might parking cones be shaped the way they are?

[ ]	They look good in orange
[ ]	They stack together easily
[ ]	They fall over more easily
[ ]	Drivers can't see them and get distracted

The sphere is different to the other shapes because...

[ ]	It is at the end of the line
[ ]	It is much smaller
[ ]	You can drop it more easily
[ ]	It is the only shape with one face

These pasta tubes are shaped like...

[ ]	cuboids
[ ]	cubes
[ ]	cones
[ ]	cylinders

Here are two sugar...

[ ]	cubes
[ ]	cones
[ ]	spheres
[ ]	cylinders

A lot of food packages are...

[ ]	spheres
[ ]	pyramids
[ ]	circles
[ ]	cuboids

This famous landmark is known as...

[ ]	the spheres
[ ]	the cuboids
[ ]	the pyramids
[ ]	the triangles

The windows in this building are..

[ ]	spheres
[ ]	triangles
[ ]	cylinders
[ ]	cones

10.

Shapes which have height, width and depth, like any object in the real world, are known as what?

[ ]	Plastic shapes
[ ]	Three dimensional shapes
[ ]	Flat shapes
[ ]	Wooden shapes

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - 2D and 3D shapes

Maths Quiz - Year 2 Shapes - Comparing and Sorting (Answers)

This pattern is made up from...

[ ]	squares
[x]	rectangles
[ ]	triangles
[ ]	circles

Some of the rectangles have been turned to form the pattern

Tennis balls are...

[ ]	cubes
[ ]	cylinders
[ ]	cones
[x]	spheres

Lots of sports use balls which are spheres

Why might parking cones be shaped the way they are?

[ ]	They look good in orange
[x]	They stack together easily
[ ]	They fall over more easily
[ ]	Drivers can't see them and get distracted

Cones are also sturdy shapes which don't blow over easily

The sphere is different to the other shapes because...

[ ]	It is at the end of the line
[ ]	It is much smaller
[ ]	You can drop it more easily
[x]	It is the only shape with one face

All the other shapes have two or more faces

These pasta tubes are shaped like...

[ ]	cuboids
[ ]	cubes
[ ]	cones
[x]	cylinders

Food cans are also cylinders

Here are two sugar...

[x]	cubes
[ ]	cones
[ ]	spheres
[ ]	cylinders

The cubes stack together easily in the box

A lot of food packages are...

[ ]	spheres
[ ]	pyramids
[ ]	circles
[x]	cuboids

This helps them to be packed and stacked more easily

This famous landmark is known as...

[ ]	the spheres
[ ]	the cuboids
[x]	the pyramids
[ ]	the triangles

They are thousands of years old!