Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A puppys floppy ears is an inherit trait from its parents.
Corrected: A puppy's floppy ears are an inherited trait from its parents.
Grade 3 science writing needs correct possessive 'puppy's', plural verb 'are', and the adjective 'inherited' when describing traits.
2. Fix the sentence:
The rose bush flower colors are pass from the parent plant to the seeds.
Corrected: The rose bush flower colors are passed from the parent plant to the seeds.
Inherited traits in Grade 3 science pass from parent to offspring, so the verb must be 'are passed' in the past participle form.
3. Fix the sentence:
Baby birds inherit beak shape from there parents before they hatch.
Corrected: Baby birds inherit beak shape from their parents before they hatch.
'Their' shows possession, while 'there' points to a place; Grade 3 students must use 'their parents' when describing inherited traits.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A trait that a child gets from a parent is called an inherited trait.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 defines an inherited trait as a feature that is passed from parent to offspring through reproduction.
2. A kitten often has the same fur color as its mother cat.
Fur color is a classic inherited trait in Grade 3 science because kittens receive color information from both parent cats.
3. The shape of a bird's beak is inherited and helps it eat certain foods.
Grade 3 students learn that beak shape is inherited, and different beak shapes help birds eat nuts, seeds, or insects.
4. The color of a sunflower's petals is inherited from the parent plant.
Petal color in plants is inherited from parent plants, a core example in Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 life science lessons.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Eye color is an inherited trait that comes from a child's parents.
True False
Eye color is determined before birth and passed from parents, making it a Grade 3 example of an inherited trait.
2. A dog is born already knowing how to sit when its owner says 'sit.'
True False
Sitting on command is a learned behavior in Grade 3 science because the dog must be taught by its owner through practice.
3. A calf inherits its spotted coat pattern from its mother and father.
True False
Coat patterns like spots on a calf are inherited traits passed from both parents, a key Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 example.