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Plant Adaptations

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Desert plants have a coat of wax on their leaves to

a)

keep water from escaping

b)

protect them from animals eating them

c)

absorb water from the air

d)

release scent to attract animals

2.

What is it called when a plant or animal has a trait that helps it survive in a specific environment?

a)

instinct

b)

mimicry

c)

camouflage

d)

adaptation

3.

Which feature of a rose helps it grow without being eaten by animals?

a)

flowers with bright colors

b)

sharp thorns

c)

small seeds

d)

deep roots

4.

What is one reason that some plants have a strong scent?

a)

to shed extra water off the plant

b)

to take in nutrients from the soil

c)

to attract animals to spread its pollen

d)

to conserve water during dry periods

5.

What is one possible reason for seeds to have hooks or barbs?

a)

to stay warm during the winter

b)

to protect themselves from sunlight

c)

to get attached to passing animals and get carried away

d)

to stick to animals and steal nutrients from them

6.

A plant is adapted to a forest with little sunlight. Identify the BEST adaptation this plant might have to ensure its survival.

a)

extremely long root system

b)

thick, waxy, spike covered leaves

c)

ability to attach to and grow upwards on taller trees

d)

shallow root system near the surface

7.

Why might some plants that grow on the shady rain forest floor have large leaves?

a)

to stay safe from predators

b)

to attract different animals

c)

to survive harsh winters with heavy snowfall

d)

to take in as much sunlight as possible

8.

Water plants have ___________ stems that allow them to bend with the flow.

a)

strong

b)

flexible

c)

unbendable

d)

long

9.
Why might some plants have thorns?
a)
to stay safe from animals that want to eat the plant
b)
to attract insects that spread pollen to other plants
c)
to take in nutrients from the air
d)
to provide shade for the plant
10.

Many plants have bright, sweet smelling flowers. How would this adaptation help the plant?

a)

It warns away predators

b)

It attracts bees and other pollinators

c)

It helps the plant store water

d)

It gives the plant shade.

11.

Which of the following plants, need insects to move pollen from one plant to another?

a)

Plant A

b)

Plant B

c)

Plant C

d)

Plants A and C

12.

Why do plants adapt to their environments?

a)

in order to give the surrounding animals and people enough food to survive

b)

in order to get the water and sunlight they need to survive in a harsh environment

c)

in order to block sunlight from the floors of the ocean and the rainforest

d)

in order to grow very tall and to become as bright and colorful as they can

13.

How do underwater plants adapt to their surroundings?

a)

They have flexible leaves and stems.

b)

They have an air space in their stems.

c)

They have floating seeds.

d)

They have very bright colors.

14.

How do plants attract pollinators? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.)

a)

colors

b)

scents

c)

nectar

d)

vocalizations (making sounds)

15.
Some trees shed their leaves in time for winter. Why is this adaptation useful?
a)
The trees save energy during the darker, colder months.
b)
The trees take in more sunlight through their branches.
c)
The trees attract animals to spread their seeds.
d)
The trees blend into their environment and hide.
16.
Which is NOT a way seeds scatter?
a)
water
b)
wind
c)
animals eat fruit and seeds are deposited
d)
lightning
17.
Which adaptation might help protect a plant from being eaten?
a)
A flower that looks like a bee
b)
A thorny stem
c)
A waxy coating
d)
Substance that attracts insects 
18.

Why does the carnivorous plant eat bugs?

a)

Soil in the swamps has few nutrients.

b)

Soil in the pond has few fish.

c)

Soil in the swimming pool has few plants.

19.

Water lilies live in lakes and ponds. The lilies have very long stems. The picture above shows a water lily in a pond. How do long stems help water lilies live in ponds?

a)

They absorb food for the plant.

b)

They absorb water from the pond.

c)

They enable the pads and flower to reach sunlight.

d)

They help the plants float away.

20.

Why do tundra plants typically grow close to the ground?

a)

This allows their roots to grow very deep

b)

To prevent herbivores from eating them

c)

To avoid the wind and conserve heat

d)

All of these choices