3rd Grade Science : Life Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Describe Plant And Animal Inherited Traits

The picture below is a kitten and its father. What physical traits did the kitten inherit from its parent?

Cat, Cat Mother, Kitten, Striped, Red

Possible Answers:

Fur Pattern

Fur Length

All of the answer choices are correct

Fur color

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

This kitten and his father look very similar. The kitten has inherited his father's fur color, fur length, and the fur pattern. Offspring receive half of their genetic makeup from each parent and are a mix of the two when born. This kitten has a strong resemblance to his father, and inherited physical traits are the reason for this.

Example Question #1 : Describe Plant And Animal Inherited Traits

What is an inherited trait?

Possible Answers:

Inherited traits are physical or behavioral traits passed down to offspring from parents through their genes.

Inherited traits are behavioral traits that offspring pick up on through observation and repetition.

Inherited traits are physical traits that parents pass down to their offspring when the time is right.

Inherited traits are physical or behavioral traits that are taught to offspring by their parents.

Correct answer:

Inherited traits are physical or behavioral traits passed down to offspring from parents through their genes.

Explanation:

Inherited traits are things that are genetic and with an animal from birth. Both of their parents pass these traits to them, and they become a mix of their parents. Hair color, eye color, fur patterns are all examples of physical inherited traits. Behavioral inherited traits can include aspects of personality, learning style, vigilance, and desire to hunt.

Example Question #2 : Describe Plant And Animal Inherited Traits

Behavioral traits differ between each animal, and there are no similarities.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

The statement in the question is false. There are similarities between behavioral traits in animals of the same species. Honeybees can be expected to collect nectar and make honey, birds can be expected to build nests, and fish can be expected to swim. These are just a few examples of behaviors that are typically the same across a species.

Example Question #1 : Describe Plant And Animal Inherited Traits

Animals of the same kind share a standard set of physical traits.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement in the question is valid. Animals of the same species will have physical traits that are the same across all members. Giraffes all have long necks, cats have four legs, and birds lay eggs are just a few traits that do not change within a species. It can be assumed that all new giraffes born will have long necks because this is an inherited trait that is found across all giraffes.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sasha planted huge shrubs and trees in her backyard to give her privacy from her neighbors. She created lots of shade to sit in on hot summer days. What she didn't realize was that all of the darkness was hurting her smaller plants. They are supposed to be green and stand straight, but now they are wilting and brown.

Use evidence from the text to explain the environmental impact on the traits of the smaller plants.

Possible Answers:

The shrubs and trees have changed the environment by creating a beautiful shady spot to sit and relax.

The shrubs and trees are growing strong and tall. This means the soil is healthy and they are getting enough water.

The smaller plants are thriving and doing well in the backyard because of perfect conditions.

The plants inherited traits to be green and stand tall, but because of having no sunlight, they are drooping and turning brown.

Correct answer:

The plants inherited traits to be green and stand tall, but because of having no sunlight, they are drooping and turning brown.

Explanation:

Plants inherit traits from their parents, including their stem color, leaf shape, flower color, and height. If the environmental factors impact those traits, that means they are causing changes. In this case, the difference is a negative one. The plants need sunlight to grow tall and healthy, but the large shrubs and trees are blocking that light. This change plant's environment has caused the traits of the plant to be different. It is no wilting and brown rather than tall and green.

Example Question #2 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sasha planted huge shrubs and trees in her backyard to give her privacy from her neighbors. She created lots of shade to sit in on hot summer days. What she didn't realize was that all of the darkness was hurting her smaller plants. They are supposed to be green and stand straight, but now they are wilting and brown.

What traits have changed with the smaller plants?

Possible Answers:

Stem color and leaf shape

Plant shape and color

Root size and flowers

Leaf age and hobbies

Correct answer:

Plant shape and color

Explanation:

Plants inherit traits from their parents, including their stem color, shape, leaf texture, flower color, and stem shape. Due to the shade from the tall shrubs and trees, the plants are no longer straight, green plants like their parents but instead brown and wilting. The environmental impact on the plant's traits has caused it to change, and its appearance has been altered.

Example Question #3 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Matt got a new dog for his birthday. He wasn't sure how much to feed him, so he gave him two scoops. He also didn't like to walk him because it was so hot, so he didn't take him for long walks. When the dog would tease for treats, he always gave in because the dog was just so cute! When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds, and within a few months, he is almost 50 pounds but hasn't gotten taller. The rest of the dogs from the same litter are still 35 pounds.

Which words/phrases from the passage are examples of environmental factors on the dog's traits?

Possible Answers:

"Matt got a new dog," "it was so hot," and "the dog was just so cute."

"the dog would tease for treats," "When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds," and "The rest of the dogs from the same litter."

"he gave him two scoops," "he didn't take him for long walks," and "he always gave in [giving treats]."

"Matt got a new dog for his birthday." and "He also didn't like to walk him because it was so hot."

Correct answer:

"he gave him two scoops," "he didn't take him for long walks," and "he always gave in [giving treats]."

Explanation:

Environmental factors are outside factors, something outside of, in this case, the dog's control that affects his life. From the information given, the dogs in the same litter are about 35 pounds, so Matt's dog should be too. The factors of Matt feeding him too much, not taking him on long walks, and giving him treats all the time has led to his weight increasing.

Example Question #4 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Matt got a new dog for his birthday. He wasn’t sure how much to feed him, so he gave him two scoops. He also didn’t like to walk him because it was so hot, so he didn’t take him for long walks. When the dog would tease for treats, he always gave in because the dog was just so cute! When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds, and within a few months, he is almost 50 pounds but hasn’t gotten taller. The rest of the dogs from the same litter are still 35 pounds.
 
What trait has Matt impacted on his dog?
Possible Answers:

The dog's weight

The dog's pattern

The dog's color

The dog's height

Correct answer:

The dog's weight

Explanation:

Matt and the dog's environment have had an impact on the dog's weight. This trait is predetermined by genes and then effected by choices like diet and exercise. When Matt overfed the dog, gave it too many treats, and did not take it out for long walks, the dog gained weight. He has impacted this inherited trait with environmental changes.

Example Question #5 : Environmental Impact On Traits

What does the phrase environmental impact mean? Example: Animals have inherited traits but there can be environmental impacts that make changes.

Possible Answers:

The surroundings of forests, lakes, ponds, and other natural places

A change to the environment that can be positive or negative

A habitat where animals and their offspring live

One object coming into contact with another

Correct answer:

A change to the environment that can be positive or negative

Explanation:

Environmental impacts are changes made to the environment that can be a good or bad thing. A negative environmental effect could be the cutting down of trees in a forest; a positive could be adding bat houses to areas with large bat populations. Animals inherit traits from their parents, but those traits can be affected by environmental impacts.

Example Question #1 : Use Evidence To Explain Environmental Impacts On Traits

Use evidence from the data table to explain the environmental impact on the traits of the wheat plant.

Screen shot 2020 06 09 at 3.45.14 pm

Possible Answers:

Using more water causes the plants to be shorter

Using less water causes the plants to be taller

Using more water causes the plants to be taller

The amount of water does not affect a plant's height

Correct answer:

Using more water causes the plants to be taller

Explanation:

Environmental factors can have an impact on the traits of plants and animals. In the case of this farmer's wheat plants, the more water the field received, the taller the plant is. The data table provides evidence to support this claim and the impact that water has on the traits of a plant.

 

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