L.4.2

A strawberry farmer finds that, after a hard freeze, some of his strawberries are still alive. Which best explains why these strawberries were able to survive?

• They have larger leaves to protect the fruit than the other strawberries.

• They have different genetic variations that cause them to be more resistant to cold temperatures.

• They are able to reproduce more quickly than the other strawberries.

• The color of the strawberries is darker, and they maintain their temperature better than other strawberries.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Four species of Galapagos finches are shown above. Which best explains why the birds evolved with differently shaped beaks?

• They adapted to eating different types of food.

• All of the birds ate the same type of food.

• Some birds had defective gene pools.

• They interbred with each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Over time, the length of giraffes’ necks changed slightly to allow them to reach taller trees. How should this change be classified?

• mutation

• adaptation

• acquired trait

• genetic constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which represents an adaptation?

• a turtle with a damaged shell

• a cat that cannot see in the dark

• a bird with a curved wing that allows it to fly faster

• a dog that learns to bark when someone knocks on the door

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which will most likely prevent a species from becoming extinct?

• absence of a predator species

• large habitat areas for the species

• genetic variability within the species

• adequate sources of water for the species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A brown rabbit is easily hunted and killed in an arctic ecosystem. Which would be expected to appear most often in future generations born in the same ecosystem?

• grey rabbits

• white rabbits

• brown rabbits

• an even mix of grey, white, and brown rabbits

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which is true about the ability of a species to survive?

• A species that is able to migrate will more likely survive.

• A species that eats a specific food will more likely survive.

• A species with increased genetic diversity will more likely survive.

• A species whose individuals have identical traits will more likely survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which would most likely cause an entire species to become extinct?

• disease

• predators

• competition for food

• limited genetic variation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

An arctic hare experiences a genetic variation that keeps its coat from changing to white for the winter season. Which element in the environment would pose the greatest threat because of this variation?

• pesticides

• predators

• pollution

• prey

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which best describes what would occur in a species that has little or no genetic variation?

• The rate of species survival would increase over time.

• The rate of species survival would decrease over time.

• Most of the offspring would survive, but the gene pool would be weakened.

• Most of the offspring would survive, and the gene pool would be strengthened.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4