Unit 8 Test: Structures and Functions

An ostrich is a tall, flightless bird that lives in Africa. Ostriches have long legs that allow them to run more than 40 miles per hour and sharp claws on their wing fingers. These structures help ostriches survive in the desert by helping them ―

• attract a mate

• escape predators

• search for food

• feed their chicks

Tags

NGSS.3-LS4-2

NGSS.3-LS4-3

NGSS.4-LS1-1

How does the structure of a hawk's foot help it to survive in its environment?

• The sharp talons help the hawk run across the ground.

• The sharp talons help the hawk fly.

• The sharp talons help the hawk dig for food.

• The sharp talons help the hawk catch, hold, and eat its prey.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

This monkey below has a tail that can grasp tree limbs. The tail helps the monkey live in a habitat filled with trees. What other characteristic helps the monkey move through the trees?

• The monkey sees colors much like humans can, so it can tell if fruit is ripe enough to eat.

• The monkey has back teeth that help it grind and smash leaves to eat.

• The monkey changes the sound it makes when it communicates with other monkeys.

• The monkey has strong hands that help it swing through the branches.

The bug below has structures that help it hide in its environment. Which environment will give the pictured bug the best chance of survival?

• Soil

• Tree

• Water

• Rock

The tree below shows several labeled structures. Which structure helps the tree live in an environment where it only rains sometimes?

• Branches, because they hold the leaves up to the light

• Leaves, because they use sunlight to make food

• Roots, because they take water from the ground

• Fruit, because seeds are carried away to make new trees

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-1

Which animal foot has structures that help the animal dig underground homes?

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Purple saxifrage is a type of flower that grows in Alaska and other very cold environments near the North Pole. Purple saxifrage flowers have traits that make them grow low to the ground, have wooden branches, and grow in bunches. How does the function of these traits help the flower live in cold environments?

• They help the flowers stay cold.

• They help the flowers stay warm.

• They help the flowers attract bees.

• They help the flowers eat food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A class read about corn crops in South Dakota. They studied the effects of water conditions on the corn. They drew pictures to show the root systems in different years. The class read that there was a drought in South Dakota in 2012 and 2013. What pattern could the students identify using the data they gathered?

• The corn grew the same size roots during each of the years.

• The corn grew longer roots during a drought to be able to gather more water.

• The corn grew shorter roots during a drought to be able to gather more water.

• The corn grew taller above ground during a drought to be able to gather more water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Blue whales live in cold Arctic waters and, like many whales, they migrate to warmer waters for part of the year. During the time they are in the cold Arctic waters, which characteristic helps a whale protect itself from the cold temperatures of its environment?

• The blue color that makes it hard to see in the ocean water

• A large body size that scares predators away

• A smooth skin that helps the whale swim fast

• A thick layer of blubber that keeps heat inside the whale

Look at the images below. Which foot would most likely belong to a bird that lives in a pond environment?

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