3rd Grade Science : Effect of Habitat on Organism Survival
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Natalie, Mike, and Melissa are arguing about why some organisms don’t survive as well as others in a habitat. They are thinking about a habitat like a rainforest as an example.
Which answer choice contains the best argument of why some animals wouldn’t survive as well as others in a rainforest?
Melissa - "I don't agree with either of you. I think that all animals could survive well in a rainforest regardless of where they came from."
Mike - "I believe some animals will not survive as well in a rainforest because they are too scared to leave their homes and go somewhere new."
Natalie - "I believe some animals will not survive as well in a rainforest because they do not have the right traits for this environment."
None of the arguments are reasonable.
Natalie - "I believe some animals will not survive as well in a rainforest because they do not have the right traits for this environment."
The best argument for why some organisms don't survive as well as others in a habitat is Natalie's. The reasoning she gave was clear and correct. If animals don't have the right traits for that particular environment, they will not survive as well. If something changes in their habitat and they don't adapt quickly, they may not survive as well as another plant or animal.
Example Question #2 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Organisms and their habitats depend on each other for survival. What would happen if one member of the habitat was removed?
It is possible that other organisms would not survive as well because they needed that one member to be present.
There is no way to predict what will happen if a member is removed from a habitat.
The entire habitat will collapse, and all of the organisms will die if one member is removed.
The other organisms will be fine without the missing member. The habitat will not have problems if a member is removed.
It is possible that other organisms would not survive as well because they needed that one member to be present.
Within each habitat, there is a balance that allows its members to thrive and survive. If one member is removed, it throws off that balance and affects the food chain and other organism's survival chances. Other organisms may not survive as well if one member is removed. If bamboo is removed from a forest where panda lives, then the panda is at risk for starvation because bamboo is their primary food source. One simple change can cause a ripple effect with other organisms.
Example Question #3 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
The barrel cactus will survive less well in the grasslands when compared to the desert because the habitat has many of the features a cactus needs but is not ideal.
The barrel cactus will survive very well in the grasslands when compared to the desert because the grasslands have more of the features a cactus needs than the desert.
There is not enough information to decide how well a cactus will survive.
The barrel cactus will not survive in the grasslands when compared to the desert because the habitat has none of the features a cactus needs.
The barrel cactus will survive less well in the grasslands when compared to the desert because the habitat has many of the features a cactus needs but is not ideal.
The grasslands are not the barrel cactus' natural habitat, so it does not have all of the features or characteristics that would make an ideal habitat. It does have plenty of sun, occasional rain, and open areas to grow, which would work well for a cactus. The cactus may not grow as well as it would in the desert and may need to adapt to the new environment to survive.
Example Question #3 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Alligators are freshwater reptiles that need warm, wet environments to live. They can live in areas with short periods of cold but cannot stand long, harsh winters. They can eat a wide variety of prey (fish, turtles, small/medium mammals, etc.) and can move from water source to water source. They are able to live for short periods in saltwater but need freshwater long term.
Which habitat would an alligator be able to live in, but less well than its natural environment?
A grassland with rolling plains of flowers and plants
A desert with lots of sand and cactus
A tropical rainforest with large lakes and ponds
A beachy area that leads to the ocean
A tropical rainforest with large lakes and ponds
An alligator would be able to survive in a tropical rainforest with large lakes and ponds better than any of the other choices. It may not survive as well in this habitat when you compare it to the swampy areas they thrive in, but it would have all of its basic needs met.
Example Question #14 : Effect Of Habitat On Organism Survival
Many birds of prey like the osprey live in areas with lots of open bodies of water for hunting. They have terrific eyesight and can spot a fish from many feet in the air and dive down to scoop them out of the water with their sharp talons and strong feet.
Which habitat would an osprey be able to survive in, but less well when compared to its natural habitat?
A swamp
A tundra
The desert
The grasslands
A swamp
The osprey would be able to survive in a swamp but maybe not as well as in its natural habitat. The wetland has other predators that hunt similar food sources and make nests where the ospreys would so it would have to compete for these basic needs to be fulfilled. Ospreys also have large open bodies of water for hunting, and many swamps have thick canopies from the trees. An osprey can survive in a swamp, but it would not do as well as native birds.
Example Question #3 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Organisms and their habitats depend on each other for survival. Some survive better than others, depending on the conditions.
False
True
True
Within each habitat, there is a balance that allows its members to thrive and survive. Organisms depend on one another for survival. If there were no prey for predators in a habitat, they would die out, be forced to relocate, or have to adapt to the new changes. Some organisms survive better in habitats than others, and it is dependent on their ability to adapt to their changing surroundings.
Example Question #4 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Alligators are freshwater reptiles that need warm, wet environments to live. They can live in areas with short periods of cold but cannot stand long, harsh winters. They can eat a wide variety of prey (fish, turtles, small/medium mammals, etc.) and can move from water source to water source. They can live for short periods in saltwater but need freshwater long term.
Based on the provided information, if an alligator is moved to a Northern state, what would most likely happen?
The alligator would adapt and do well all year long.
The alligator would die immediately upon its arrival.
There is no way to predict what would happen to an alligator if it was moved north.
The alligator may live during the warmer months but would not survive the winter.
The alligator may live during the warmer months but would not survive the winter.
Northern states are known to have cold winter, and in many areas they experience long periods with freezing temperatures and frozen water. Alligators cannot survive in the winter months in a Northern state. The alligator may be fine during the warmer seasons but would not survive all year. Many alligators are moving further north in the United States, but they are still not able to reach the upper Northern states due to the cold winters.
Example Question #15 : Effect Of Habitat On Organism Survival
Allison, Rachel, and Erik are arguing about why some organisms don’t survive as well as others in a habitat. They are thinking about a panda bear as an example.
Which answer choice contains the best argument of what would happen to a panda bear if moved to a desert?
Allison - "I believe that a panda bear can survive just as well in a desert as its natural habitat. Panda bears can adapt quickly to the heat and lack of bamboo."
Rachel - "I believe that a panda bear will not survive as well in the desert as its natural habitat because they won't have the right food, shelter, or weather conditions."
None of the friends are correct in their thinking.
Erik - "I believe that a panda bear could survive in the desert if it becomes less nervous about leaving its natural habitat."
Rachel - "I believe that a panda bear will not survive as well in the desert as its natural habitat because they won't have the right food, shelter, or weather conditions."
The best argument for what would happen to panda bears if moved to the desert is Rachel's argument. The reasoning she gave was clear and correct. If animals don't have the right traits for that particular environment, they will not survive as well. If something changes in their habitat and they don't adapt quickly, they may not survive as well as another plant or animal.
Example Question #1 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
What would happen to an organism if it was moved from its natural environment to somewhere new?
It will perish immediately and cannot live outside of its natural habitat at all.
There is no way to predict what will happen to an organism outside of its natural habitat.
It may not survive as well, depending on the conditions and its natural adaptations.
It will survive better than it does in its natural habitat and adapt quickly.
It may not survive as well, depending on the conditions and its natural adaptations.
If an organism is moved from its natural habitat, it may not survive as well as it did previously. If the new environment has different conditions (weather, food source, water source, etc.), it may not be able to adapt. If an organism has specific natural adaptations to a desert environment, for example, it will have difficulty living somewhere cold or very wet because it is not suited to it.
Example Question #2 : Argue That In A Habitat Some Organisms Survive Less Well
Bromeliads: Bromeliads grow on tree trunks and branches and wrap their roots around the trees. They need wet habitats to grow well. They have a center portion like a cup or bowl that collects water. Their leaves are waxy, and the water slides into the center. The leaves are long and curved to collect water.
Which habitat would a bromeliad be able to survive in, but less well when compared to its natural habitat?
Desert
Swamp
Grassland
Tundra
Swamp
A bromeliad is a plant that thrives in warm wet environments. They are typically found in tropical and sub-tropical areas, so they may survive in a swamp. Swamps are damp and have a lot of trees and standing water, but depending on the location, rain is not as frequent as places bromeliads usually live. They may survive in the swamps but not as well as their natural habitats.
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