Science Mini-Assessment Grade 5 SC.L.15.1 Form B

California quails spend much of their time on the ground. They eat seeds, leaves, berries, and insects. They nest on the ground under a shrub or brush pile. Many animals visit Norio’s yard, including birds, deer, skunks, cats, and opossums. Some of these animals only began visiting his yard two years ago. There have been no other changes to Norio’s yard. Three years ago, there were about 20 quails that were regular visitors. This year, there are 6. What is most likely the reason for the decrease in the number of quails visiting Norio’s yard?

• A. water

• B. food

• C. people

• D. predators

Gila monsters are the largest lizards in the United States. They live in deserts in the southwest. They spend much of their time in underground burrows. They come out to find food and to soak up the sun’s heat. They store fat in their tails and can go for long periods without eating. Which of these might make the difference between an individual Gila monster’s survival or death in times of little food?

• burrow size

• burrow temperature

• amount of fat stored in tail

• amount of skin to soak up sunlight

Elena made this graph showing the average beak sizes of Galápagos finches. What conclusion can you draw about Galápagos finch survival?

• In dry years, finches with longer beaks are more likely to survive.

• In wet years, finches with longer beaks are more likely to survive.

• In wet years, finches that leave the area are more likely to survive.

• In dry years, finches lay more eggs and are more likely to survive.

Before winter arrives, hedgehogs consume large amounts of food and store it as fat. During hibernation, they slow their breathing and heart rate and lower their body temperatures so they can use as little energy as possible. Which of these adaptations would help a hedgehog survive a longer than normal winter?

• storing more fat

• stopping its heart

• stopping its breath

• lowering its body temperature to zero

Bullfrogs are found in lakes, ponds, and streams of central Florida. They have permeable skin, so water and air can pass through it. Which environmental change would be most threatening to the survival of the bullfrog in Central Florida?

• building of a road

• an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico

• use of agricultural chemicals in Central Florida

• construction of a shopping mall in Central Florida.