Plants and Their Needs — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What three things do plants need to make their own food?
A) soil, rocks, and shade
B) sunlight, water, and air
C) sand, ice, and wind
D) darkness, clay, and snow
Plants need sunlight, water, and air to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
2. Which part of the plant absorbs water from the soil?
A) leaves
B) flower
C) roots
D) stem
The roots absorb water from the soil. They reach deep underground to find water and nutrients.
3. What gas do plants release during photosynthesis?
A) carbon dioxide
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) helium
Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis. This is the gas that people and animals breathe.
4. Why are leaves usually green?
A) They are painted green.
B) They have a green substance that catches sunlight.
C) They reflect all colors of light.
D) They are covered in green dust.
Leaves are green because they contain chlorophyll, a green substance that catches sunlight to make food.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The green color in leaves comes from a substance called chlorophyll.
The green color in leaves comes from chlorophyll, which helps the plant capture sunlight for photosynthesis.
2. Plants need nutrients from the soil to grow strong.
Plants need nutrients from the soil to grow strong. Nutrients are like vitamins for plants.
3. A stem acts like a straw carrying water up to the leaves.
A stem acts like a straw, pulling water up from the roots to the leaves where it is needed.
4. Without sunlight, a plant cannot make food.
Without sunlight, a plant cannot make food because sunlight is needed for photosynthesis.
5. Bees visit flowers to collect nectar and help spread pollen.
Bees visit flowers to collect nectar, a sweet liquid. While doing so, they help spread pollen to other flowers.