Characteristics and Traits

Manuel’s pet parakeet is shown in the picture.

Manuel made a list of characteristics (traits) he thinks the parakeet inherited from its parents.

Which characteristic (trait) did Manuel list incorrectly?

• laying eggs

• blue feathers

• saying “Hello”

• a short beak

Which of the following characteristics (traits) can be inherited? 5.L.3.2

• curly hair

• beautiful handwriting

• multiplying numbers

• playing a piano

Which of the following is an example of an animal’s inherited behavior? 5.L.3.2

• a cat using a litter box

• a seal balancing a ball on its nose

• a bird building a nest

• a dog sitting at the command, “Sit!”

Samantha’s pet dog had puppies. Some of the puppies were brown and some were white. The father dog was brown. The mother dog was white.

Which statement best explains why some puppies were brown and some were white? 5.L.3.1

• The puppies only inherited traits (characteristics) from the mother dog.

• The puppies inherited traits (characteristics) from both the father dog and the mother

  dog.

• The puppies only inherited traits (characteristics) from the father dog.

• The puppies inherited traits (characteristics) from each other.

Angelica speaks French fluently. Her parents and grandparents do not speak any other language besides English.

How is it possible that Angelica can speak French so well? 5.L.3.2

• Angelica inherited her knowledge of French.

• Angelica must be a genius.

• Angelica has a sister who speaks Spanish.

• Angelica learned how to speak French.

James and Ava are brother and sister. They both have dimples in their cheeks, just like their father. James has brown eyes like his father, but Ava has blue eyes like her mother.

Which statement best explains the reason for the similarities and differences in their characteristics (traits)? 5.L.3.1

• Children only inherit characteristics (traits) from the father.

• Children inherit some characteristics (traits) from both parents.

• Children only inherit characteristics (traits) from the mother.

• Children’s characteristics (traits) keep changing as they grow.

Which of the following traits (characteristics) would not be passed on from a tree to its offspring? 5.L.3.2

• The shape of its leaves

• Roots that grow toward water

• A trunk burned by lightning

• The kind of seeds is produces

Groundhogs are animals that have curved, sharp claws for digging soil.

Why would baby groundhogs have curved, sharp claws like their parents? 5.L.3.1

• The structure of the claws is inherited.

• They eat the same type of food.

• They live in the same grassland habitat.

• The claws become sharp because of digging.

In a population of cardinals, all of the birds have short beaks.

Which statement best explains why the cardinals’ beaks are short? 5.L.3.1

• The short beaks are a learned behavior.

• The short beaks are an inherited trait (characteristic).

• The short beaks are an inherited behavior.

• The short beaks were caused by an injury.

The picture shows a pine tree and its offspring:

Which characteristic (trait) of the offspring was not acquired from the parent pine tree? 5.L.3.2

• The species structures of roots, a trunk, branches, and pine needles

• The species function of producing pine cones (seeds)

• The species characteristic of growing tall with a pointy top

• The characteristic of being bent by strong wind