Life Cycles — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The first stage of a butterfly life cycle is an egg.
The butterfly life cycle begins when a mother butterfly lays a tiny egg on a leaf.
2. A caterpillar wraps itself in a chrysalis.
A caterpillar forms a chrysalis around itself where it will transform into a butterfly.
3. A tadpole breathes with gills.
A tadpole uses gills to breathe underwater, just like a fish does.
4. A frog breathes with lungs when it is an adult.
An adult frog breathes with lungs, which allow it to live on land.
5. The process of a tadpole becoming a frog is called metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis is the big change a tadpole goes through as it develops into an adult frog.
6. A plant grows roots, stems, and leaves.
Plants grow roots, stems, and leaves. Leaves help the plant take in sunlight to make food.
7. After the chrysalis stage, a butterfly comes out.
After changing inside the chrysalis, a fully formed butterfly emerges with wings.
8. A seed is planted in soil.
A seed is planted in soil, where it gets nutrients and water to help it grow.
9. A frog lays its eggs in water.
Frogs lay their eggs in water because tadpoles need water to survive and grow.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
egg
→ tiny round stage laid on a leaf
flies and sips nectar
caterpillar
→ eats leaves and grows bigger
tiny round stage laid on a leaf
chrysalis
→ hard shell where change happens
eats leaves and grows bigger
adult butterfly
→ flies and sips nectar
hard shell where change happens
Egg is the tiny round stage laid on a leaf. Caterpillar eats leaves and grows bigger. Chrysalis is the hard shell where change happens. Adult butterfly flies and sips nectar.