Pre-Assessment and Accessing Prior Knowledge

Deer rely on having plenty of plants to eat. The habitat that meets its needs is one that has–

• a large population of mice.

• a decent amount of rainfall.

• extremely cold temperatures.

• sandy dunes and dry soil.

In one ecosystem, wolves eat rabbits and rabbits eat berries. During a year with little rain, there were fewer berries for the rabbits to eat. That year, there were fewer wolves. Which is the best explanation for why this happened?

• The wolves ate the rabbits.

• There were fewer rabbits for the wolves to eat.

• The area was flooded, and the wolves couldn’t hunt.

• The wolves ate fewer berries.

Which of the following would complete this food chain? Sun ➔ ? ➔ Insects ➔ Frogs ➔ Snakes

• Small fish

• Mosquitoes

• Green Plants

• Bald Eagles

As the seasons change, many environments change, too. Many animals, like the elk, migrate to a different area when–

• rain clouds fill the sky.

• plants begin to grow and flowers bloom.

• the wind blows harder.

• temperatures get cooler.

Woodpeckers find insects in the branches and trunks of trees. Trees are being cut down to make room for a new housing development. How would the woodpeckers in the area most likely be affected?

• They would change the color of their feathers to blend in with the buildings.

• The temperature in the area would be too cold for them.

• They would produce more offspring for their nests.

• There would not be enough food available to them.