Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Grade 3: A bean plant has inherited tall genes but grows short in poor soil. Which is true?
A) Height is inherited but also changed by environment.
B) Height is inherited and never changes at all.
C) Height depends only on soil, not on parents.
D) Height is a fully learned behavior from the plant.
Genes and soil both act on height, a Grade 3 combined-cause case.
2. Grade 3: Two siblings inherit tall genes, but one eats better and grows taller. Which statement fits?
A) Height is inherited and shaped by nutrition.
B) Height is only a learned behavior from parents.
C) Height depends only on inherited genes always.
D) Food has no effect on inherited human height.
Nutrition shifts inherited height, a Grade 3 environment case.
3. Grade 3: A child inherits a good singing voice but improves greatly with lessons. Which choice is correct?
A) Singing is inherited and improved by learning.
B) Singing is only a learned behavior with no genes.
C) Singing is fully inherited and never needs practice.
D) Singing has nothing to do with inherited traits.
Genes set voice; lessons add skill, a Grade 3 both-factors idea.
4. Grade 3: A flower plant inherits red petal color but looks pale in low sunlight. Which is true?
A) Color is inherited but brightness shifts with sunlight.
B) Color is only shaped by sunlight, not genes.
C) Color is a learned behavior the plant practices.
D) Color cannot change for any environmental reason.
Inherited color shifts with sunlight, a Grade 3 mixed example.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Plant growth patterns are inherited but can be changed by water and sunlight.
Inherited growth plus environment, a Grade 3 combined-factor idea.
2. Human height is partly inherited from parents and partly shaped by nutrition.
Height needs both factors, a Grade 3 two-cause trait.
3. Singing ability uses inherited voice and learned skill from practice.
Practice adds skill to inherited voice, a Grade 3 mix example.
4. A trait influenced by both genes and surroundings has multiple causes.
Multiple causes explain complex traits, a Grade 3 science idea.
5. Good food, exercise, and care form the environment that shapes inherited traits further.
Environment works with genes, a Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 concept.