wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Dichotomous key

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 4hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
A dichotomous key for trees is provided. Hikers found a tree that has large brown cones and single sharp needles. What species of tree have the hikers found?
a)
Juniper
b)
Pine
c)
Spruce
d)
Fir
2.
A dichotomous key for insects is given. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?
a)
Coleoptera
b)
Heteroptera
c)
Diptera
d)
Lepidoptera
3.
What step do we always start with when using dichotomous keys?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
4.
When using a dichotomous key to identify organisms, what do we look at?
a)
physical features
b)
weather patterns
c)
environment
d)
diet
5.
An illustration and a dichotomous key are given. What is the correct classification for this organism?
a)
Class Insecta
b)
Order Amblygygi
c)
Order Araneae
d)
Order Scorpiones
6.
A table of arachnid and insect characteristics is shown. Which characteristic could be used to distinguish between
arachnids and insects?
a)
Jointed legs
b)
Body segments
c)
Presence of eyes
d)
Presence of antennae
7.
A botanist discovers a new plant in the jungle. Which of the
following observations of the plant’s characteristics would be useful in determining its identity with a dichotomous key?
a)
It was discovered in the summertime
b)
It is wet from a recent rain storm.
c)
Its leaves curl up on the edges.
d)
It is eaten by native jungle ants.
8.

A student discovers an arachnid without a segmented abdomen, and legs longer than its body. The student uses the dichotomous key below to identify it. Which arachnid has the student found?

a)

Whip Scorpion

b)

Wind Scorpion

c)

Daddy long legs

d)

Scorpion

9.

Which of the following is an accurate description of the fiddler crab?

a)

3 Paris of walking legs on both sides

b)

Two propodus

c)

3 Chelipeds

d)

A pair of eyes

10.

A student discovers an arachnid with a segmented abdomen, long legs, and a tail with no stinger.

The student uses the dichotomous key below to identify it.

1. a) Abdomen segmented.............go to 2

b) Abdomen not segmented ......go to 4

2. a) Abdomen with tail....................go to 3

b) Abdomen without tail...............go to 5

3. a) Tail with stinger..........................Scorpion

b) Tail without stinger.....................Whip scorpion

4. a) Legs longer than body.............Daddy Long Legs

b) Legs not longer than body……….Wind scorpion

5. a) Covered with spines .......................Mite

b) Few spines.....................................Tick

a)

Whip Scorpion

b)

Daddy Long Legs

c)

Mite

d)

Tick

11.

To what order does a two pairs of wings, rigid and leathery and mouth for sucking belong to?

a)

Diptera

b)

Lepidoptera

c)

Heteroptera

d)

Coleoptera

12.

Which of the following characteristics will most likely be helpful in identifying a butterfly using a dichotomous key?

a)

It migrates north in the summer

b)

It has long tail

c)

It likes only certain plants

d)

Its wings beat very fast in hot weather

13.

Which letter in the picture has two pairs of wings?

a)

M

b)

K

c)

F

d)

L

14.

Which leaf is shown in the drawing?

a)

Magnolia

b)

Redbud

c)

Sweetgum

d)

None of the above

15.

Which of the paired statements could be used to tell the difference between the two insects using a dichotomous key?

a)

Has 6 legs

Has 8 legs

b)

Large hind legs

Small hind legs

c)

2 pairs of spots on wing cover

3 pairs of spots on wing cover

d)

Antennae absent

Antennae present

16.

Which of the following characteristics would be useful in determining the identify of a tree in a dichotomous key?

a)

It provides shade

b)

It has a nest

c)

It has several birds in it

d)

Its leaves are long and narrow

17.

Which shark is the picture of?

a)

Cow Shark

b)

Great White Shark

c)

Hammerhead Shark

d)

Saw Shark