Inheritance & Variation Test Prep Task Cards

Edgar and Olivia are friends and live next door to each other. Each of the two friends has a pet dog. Edgar's dog follows commands to sit, stay, fetch items, and bark. Olivia's dog follows commands to sit and stay only. Which of the following best explains the difference in behaviors between Edgar's dog and Olivia's dog?

• Edgar's interaction

• Edgar's bark on command

• Edgar's mother

• Edgar's training

A young cow is called a calf. Four calves are born on a farm. All of the calves have different parents. The table shows data describing the color of the hair of each calf. Which calves most likely have parents with brown hair?

• 3 and 4

• 1 and 4

• 1 and 2

• 2 and 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The table shows data describing physical traits of a litter of kittens. Which trait is the most common among the kittens in this litter?

• Long, solid fur

• Long, striped fur

• Short, solid fur

• Short, striped fur

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-6

A horse is shown. The color of the horse's fur was determined by:

• nutrients in the soil.

• where the horse was born.

• genes from both its parents.

• the person who raised the horse.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Although each of the kittens in a litter have the same parents, the kittens are not the same weight and size at 6 months old. Which of the following best explains why the kittens are not the same weight and size?

• The smaller kittens were likely injured while they were young.

• Physical traits, such as weight and size, naturally vary among animals of the same species or group.

• Each of the kittens moved to a different home at 3 months old.

• The larger kittens had access to more fresh water while they were young.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Aster is a flowering plant that is native to Tennessee. Which of the following best describes traits an Aster plant inherits from its parent plants?

• An Aster plant does not inherit any traits from its parent plants.

• An Aster plant inherits sunlight, soil, and water from its parent plants.

• An Aster plant inherits height, sharp teeth, and claws from its parent plants.

• An Aster plant inherits flower color, flower position, and leaf pattern from its parent plants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A student conducts an investigation applying different lighting conditions to plants of the same species. Aside from lighting, the plants have the same growing conditions. Data from the investigation is shown in the table. Which statement best explains the difference in the plants' growth over time?

• The plant grows best in conditions with no light.

• The plant grows best in conditions with natural light.

• The plant grows best in conditions with fewer hours of light.

• The plant grows best in conditions with more hours of light.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A plant requires warm, but not hot, soil to germinate. After germination, the plant requires at least 10 hours of sunlight. During which month of the year is a gardener most likely to succeed at growing this plant in Tennessee?

• The gardener should plant the seeds in January.

• The gardener should plant the seeds in April.

• The gardener should plant the seeds in July.

• The gardener should plant the seeds in December.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of these is a genetic trait that a child can inherit from their parents?

• eye color

• ability to ride a bike

• pierced ears

• ability to write

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Martin is a guitarist and has calluses (rough, hard skin) on his fingers. Which statement best explains how Martin acquired this trait?

• Martin was the only person in his family born with calluses on his fingers.

• Martin learned about calluses by reading articles and observing people with calluses.

• Martin drank tap water in his hometown, where many people drink tap water and have calluses.

• Martin acquired calluses on his fingers from playing guitars frequently and over an extended period of time.