Life Science Review

Some students examined two samples of pond water with a hand lens over three days. Each day they compared what they saw with pictures of samples their teacher had labeled. Their observations are listed below.

Based on their observations, the students concluded that mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis while dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Which of these explains why the students' conclusion is correct?

• The mosquito life cycle includes nymphs that hatch from eggs, while the dragonfly life cycle includes adults that develop directly from larvae.

• The mosquito life cycle includes larvae with wings, while the dragonfly life cycle includes nymphs.

• The mosquito life cycle includes larvae that become pupae, while the dragonfly life cycle includes adults that develop directly from nymphs.

• The mosquito life cycle includes eggs that hatch in water, while the dragonfly life cycle includes nymphs that develop in water.

If all the dead branches and dying trees in a wooded area are removed, which bird's nesting habit would be most affected?

• Baltimore oriole

• Belted kingfisher

• Downy woodpecker

• Barn swallow

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A group of students made the observations listed below about the size, shape, and appearance of their hands. 1. Two students have scars on their hands. 2. Five students have pointer fingers that are longer than their ring fingers. 3. Nine students have ring fingers that are longer than their pointer fingers. 4. Six students have rings on their fingers. 5. Seven students have pointer fingers and ring fingers that are the same length. Which of the students' observations describe inherited traits?

• Observations 2 and 5 only

• Observations 1, 3, and 4 only

• Observations 2, 3, and 5 only

• All the observations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

The table gives information about four types of fish. These fish all have mouth structures that allow them to eat different types of food. Which of these fish has mouth structures that allow it to eat algae by taking large bites of the hard coral on which the algae grows?

• Seahorse

• Goby

• Parrotfish

• Koi

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which observation describes this anole lizard interacting with the living elements in its environment?

• The anole jumped from the rock and scattered sand with its tail.

• The anole climbed the plant and then ate a cricket off one of the leaves.

• The anole rested on one of the rocks and lifted its head toward the light.

• The anole drank some water and then ran across the sand.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The diagram below shows rock layers next to a road. Layer 3 contains many plant fossils. Layer 3 most likely formed in which of these environments?

• Desert

• Ocean

• Forest

• Tundra

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

For a science assignment a student was asked to observe some organisms and then make a table to classify the organisms' traits as inherited or learned. The student's table is shown below.

How many of these observations describe learned behaviors and how many describe inherited traits?

• 4 learned behaviors, 4 inherited traits

• 1 learned behavior, 7 inherited traits

• 2 learned behaviors, 6 inherited traits

• 3 learned behaviors, 5 inherited traits

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

In parts of the East Texas Piney Woods ecosystems, there are forests with many tall pine trees. These thick forests have few other types of tall besides pine trees. The other plants growing in the ecosystem are usually small shrubs, grasses, and other short trees. A students wants to know what type of birds live in the Piney Woods region. The student reads the table shown below about four different birds.

Based on the table, which bird is most likely to live in Texas's Piney Woods region?

• Roseate spoonbill

• Burrowing owl

• Golden-cheeked warbler

• Red-cockaded woodpecker

A farmer is reading a nature guide to learn how to make changes to a pond so that it will attract and support wildlife. The guide gives the suggestions listed below.

Which suggestion involves interactions between two groups of living organisms?

• Suggestion 1

• Suggestion 2

• Suggestion 3

• Suggestion 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

A partial forest food web is shown. In this food web, energy is transferred directly between -

• blue grouse and wolves

• elk and sharp-shinned hawks

• conifer seeds and red crossbills

• conifer leaves and red crossbills

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3