Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The color of a cat's fur is an inherited trait given by its parents.
Fur color is passed from parent cats, a key Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 example of an inherited trait.
2. A sunflower turned toward the sun shows how the environment can shape a plant's traits.
Grade 3 students learn that the environment, such as sunlight direction, can change how a plant grows and looks.
3. Two sibling puppies may have different spots, showing variation within a species.
Variation within a species is a Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 idea that explains why siblings do not look exactly the same.
4. A dog that learns to roll over after many practice tries has shown a learned behavior.
Tricks like rolling over are learned behaviors in Grade 3 science, as dogs must practice them with an owner.
5. A child receives traits from a mother and a father, who are both parents of the child.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 teaches that both parents pass traits to offspring through reproduction.
6. A plant grown in dim light will likely be shorter than one grown in bright sunlight.
Environment influences plant height in Grade 3 science, so low light often gives smaller, shorter plants.
7. A young child's ability to ride a bike is a learned behavior built by practice.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 lists riding a bike as a learned behavior because it takes many attempts and practice.
8. A feature or characteristic like hair color or beak shape is called a trait.
Grade 3 students define a trait as any feature of a living thing, such as color, shape, or size.
9. A group of living things that can reproduce together is called a species.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 introduces species as a group of the same kind of living thing with similar inherited traits.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Hair color of a child
→ Inherited trait
Inherited trait
Plant leaves turning toward light
→ Environmental influence
Environmental influence
A parrot saying words it heard people say
→ Learned behavior
Learned behavior
Siblings with different freckle patterns
→ Variation within a species
Variation within a species
This Grade 3 NGSS 3-LS3 matching set helps students sort inherited traits, environment effects, learned behaviors, and variation.