Classification Pre and Post Test
SC.912.L.15.6 Discuss distinguishing characteristics of the domains and kingdoms of living organisms.
SC.912.L.15.5 Explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are classified.
SC.912.L.15.4 Describe how and why organisms are hierarchically classified and based on evolutionary
relationships.
Circle the correct response for each question:
1. Which of the following characteristics would be appropriately used in developing a classification key for
birds?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
Decide from the following options the best course of action for scientists to take when a new type of
organism is discovered that does NOT fit into current classification systems.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Nothing. They're many organisms that do not fit into current classification systems.
Nothing. They wait until they find at least 10 new species and then make a new place in the
classification system.
Scientists create a new classification system and discard old classification systems.
Scientists modify current classification systems to make a place for the new organism.
For hundreds of years, all living things were classified as either plants or animals. Today however, most
scientists agree that the six kingdom system is in order. Choose the statement that explains why this is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
Where the bird was seen.
What food the bird eats.
How plentiful that bird is in your neighborhood.
Color markings on the bird's head.
Some living things like Euglena had characteristics of the plant and animal kingdoms and couldn’t
be place in just one kingdom.
Scientist continued to learn more about living things and needed a better system to account for the
differences and similarities between organisms/
Taxidermist thought that there wouldn’t be many new organisms to classify.
A and b only.
Aristotle (320 BC) classified all living things as plants or animals. In the 1600’s English scientist John Ray
developed the idea of species. But our modern classification system was originated by scientist Carolus
Linnaeus. In this system, all living things are organized or layered by a 7 tier level. Which is the correct
order going from the most general to the most specific?
a.
b.
c.
d.
kingdom, division, class, order, family, genus, species
kingdom, division, order, class, family, species, genus
kingdom, phylum, class, family, order, genus, species
kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
5.
This written chart of characteristics is used to identify unknown organisms.
a.
b.
c.
d.
6.
According the classification chart, which two organisms are most closely related?
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.
A graphic organizer
A dichotomous key
An animal encyclopedia
Darwin’s The Origin of the Species
human and lion
lion and grizzly bear
parrot and human
grizzly bear and human
Use the chart of DNA bases below to determine which two organisms are most closely related.
a.
b.
c.
d.
1 and 2
2 and 3
3 and 4
1 and 4
8.
Use the dichotomous key to identify the organism shown below:
a.
b.
c.
d.
9.
Tadarida brasiliensis
Felis concolor
Mephitis mephitis
Spermophilus variegates
Use the dichotomous key to identify the organism shown below.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Southern yellow pine
Eastern white pine
sugar maple
silver maple
10. The cladogram shown is representative of the animal kingdom. Which
organisms would have claws or nails, but not feathers?
a.
b.
c.
d.
salamander, hagfish, and trout
lizard, owl, and mouse
salamander, lizard, and owl
lizard, chimp, and mouse
11. In 1990, Carl Woese introduced the three domain system for classifying living things, after the
advancement of DNA analysis allowed for a comparison of species genetic code. Which of the following is
the best explanation for why domains were added to the previous system of classification?
a. The old system of classification was wrong and needed to be corrected.
b. New species are evolving too quickly to keep up with the old system of classification.
c. Domains have always been included, they were just made official recently.
d. Some organisms, which were previously characterized together, were determined to be genetically
very different.
12. The diagram below represents possible evolutionary pathways of certain organisms.
Identify the species is most closely related to species L.
a.
b.
c.
d.
species
species
species
species
E
F
G
I