If somebody asks “What state is the material?” they mean is it a SOLID, LIQUID or a GAS?

Solids, liquids and gases are sometimes called the three states of matter

This is what you need  to know:
Solids always have the same shape.
Liquids and gases take the shape of their container

Gases will always completely fill whatever container they are placed in
Solids and liquids always have the same volume

Solids do not easily flow
Gases and liquids can flow

Some examples:
Ice is a solid
Water is a liquid
Water vapour is a gas

More examples:
Rock, Salt, Wax and sugar are all solids.
Petrol, vinegar and orangejuice are all liquids.
Air, carbon dioxide and helium are all gases.

	Shape	Volume	Able to flow
Solids	Always have the same shape	Always have the same volume	Don’t flow very easily
Liquids	Take the shape of their container	Always have the same volume	Can flow
Gases	Take the shape of their container	Will fill whatever container they are placed in	Can flow

    

Solids, liquids and gases are called the three STATES of mater

Changing from one state to another 

Melt	When a solid turns into a liquid
Evaporate	When a liquid turns into a gas
Boil	When a liquid turns into a gas at its boiling point
Condense	When a gas (vapour) turns into a liquid
Freeze (Solidify)	When a liquid turns into a solid

(See The Water Cycle)

Diagram to show changing state. 

We  can measure the volume of a liquid using a beaker or a measuring cylinder but the measuring cylinder is a lot more accurate

We measure liquid volume in millilitres (ml)

This is a measuring cylinder. Notice that you look at it from the side, keeping your eyes level with the liquid. The volume of water in this measuring cylinder is 16 ml