Life Science Boot Camp
5.10C
Describe the differences between
complete and incomplete
metamorphosis of insects.
STAAR #34; Supporting; 5.2D
1. The stages in the development of an insect are shown below:
Which observation best supports the conclusion that this insect
undergoes incomplete metamorphosis?
A. The insect changes color when it becomes an adult.
B. The first stage of the insect’s development is as an egg.
C. The insect undergoes more than four stages in its
development.
D. The insect has similar body parts throughout its development.
STAAR #34; Supporting; 5.2D
1. The stages in the development of an insect are shown below:
Which observation best supports the conclusion that this insect
undergoes incomplete metamorphosis?
A. The insect changes color when it becomes an adult.
B. The first stage of the insect’s development is as an egg.
C. The insect undergoes more than four stages in its
development.
D. The insect has similar body parts throughout its development.
2002 TAKS Information Booklet, #5
2. The pictures show the stages in the life cycle of a
beetle. What would be the correct sequence for the
development of the beetle?
A
B
C
D
Q, S, R, T
R, T, Q, S
S, R, Q, T
T, S, R, Q
2002 TAKS Information Booklet, #5
2. The pictures show the stages in the life cycle of a
beetle. What would be the correct sequence for the
development of the beetle?
A
B
C
D
Q, S, R, T
R, T, Q, S
S, R, Q, T
T, S, R, Q
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, # 9
3. egg  larva  pupa  adult
Which animal goes through the stages of
metamorphosis shown above?
A
B
C
D
Beetle
Frog
Bird
Snake
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, # 9
3. egg  larva  pupa  adult
Which animal goes through the stages of
metamorphosis shown above?
A
B
C
D
Beetle
Frog
Bird
Snake
2006 TAKS, #1 (95%)
4. Which part of this life cycle shows the adult
organism?
A
B
C
D
Q
R
S
T
2006 TAKS, #1 (95%)
4. Which part of this life cycle shows the adult
organism?
A
B
C
D
Q
R
S
T
2006, # 6 (90%)
5. Which diagram shows an example of
metamorphosis?
2006, # 6 (90%)
5. Which diagram shows an example of
metamorphosis?
6. The process by which organisms make more
organisms of the same kind is called—
A
B
C
D
growth
development
reproduction
offspring
6. The process by which organisms make more
organisms of the same kind is called—
A
B
C
D
growth
development
reproduction (re=again)
offspring
7. At which stage of its life cycle is a butterfly
able to produce offspring?
A
B
C
D
pupa
adult
egg
larva
7. At which stage of its life cycle is a butterfly
able to produce offspring?
A
B
C
D
pupa
adult
egg
larva
The diagrams below show the complete metamorphosis that a butterfly
undergoes and the incomplete metamorphosis of a grasshopper’s life cycle.
8. Which of the following creatures undergoes metamorphosis
during its lifetime?
A
B
C
D
A dog
A mayfly
A beaver
A person
The diagrams below show the complete metamorphosis that a butterfly
undergoes and the incomplete metamorphosis of a grasshopper’s life cycle.
8. Which of the following creatures undergoes metamorphosis
during its lifetime?
A
B
C
D
A dog
A mayfly
A beaver
A person
9. An adult dragonfly lays eggs. Nymphs emerge from the eggs,
grow and turn into adults. This cycle is a type of—
A
B
C
D
an incomplete metamorphosis
morphing into a new organism
a complete metamorphosis
organic photosynthesis
9. An adult dragonfly lays eggs. Nymphs emerge from the eggs,
grow and turn into adults. This cycle is a type of—
A
B
C
D
an incomplete metamorphosis
morphing into a new organism
a complete metamorphosis
organic photosynthesis
J
K
L
M
10. These pictures show the stages in the lifecycle of a
butterfly. What is the correct sequence for the development of
the butterfly?
A
B
C
D
J, K, L, M
M, L, K, J
M, J, L, K
K, L, J, M
J
K
L
M
10. These pictures show the stages in the lifecycle of a
butterfly. What is the correct sequence for the development of
the butterfly?
A
B
C
D
J, K, L, M
M, L, K, J
M, J, L, K
K, L, J, M
11. Which of the following is NOT a stage in the
life cycle of a butterfly?
A
B
C
D
Egg
Pupa
Larva
Phase
11. Which of the following is NOT a stage in the
life cycle of a butterfly?
A
B
C
D
Egg
Pupa
Larva
Phase
12. The stages of an organism’s development is
called—
A
B
C
D
adult stages
the life cycle
the water cycle
the migration cycle
12. The stages of an organism’s development is
called—
A
B
C
D
adult stages
the life cycle
the water cycle
the migration cycle
13. Which of the following animals goes
through an incomplete metamorphosis?
A
B
C
D
Alligator
Grasshopper
Lizard
Turtle
13. Which of the following animals goes
through an incomplete metamorphosis?
A
B
C
D
Alligator
Grasshopper
Lizard
Turtle
14. What life cycle stage is present in complete
metamorphosis but not in incomplete
metamorphosis?
A
B
C
D
Nymph
Adult
Larva
Egg
14. What life cycle stage is present in complete
metamorphosis but not in incomplete
metamorphosis?
A
B
C
D
Nymph
Adult
Larva
Egg
15. Which statement correctly compares these life cycles?
A
B
C
D
Butterflies lay eggs and grasshoppers do not lay eggs.
Butterflies have wings throughout their life cycle and grasshoppers do
not.
Butterflies have more legs as adults than do grasshoppers as adults.
Butterflies go through more body-shape changes than do grasshoppers.
15. Which statement correctly compares these life cycles?
A
B
C
D
Butterflies lay eggs and grasshoppers do not lay eggs.
Butterflies have wings throughout their life cycle and grasshoppers do
not.
Butterflies have more legs as adults than do grasshoppers as adults.
Butterflies go through more body-shape changes than do grasshoppers.
16. The diagram shows the
life cycle of a darkling
beetle. The stages in its
life cycle are labeled W, X,
Y, and Z.
Which stage is shown at Y?
A
B
C
D
Adult
Egg
Larva
Pupa
16. The diagram shows the
life cycle of a darkling
beetle. The stages in its
life cycle are labeled W, X,
Y, and Z.
Which stage is shown at Y?
A
B
C
D
Adult
Egg
Larva
Pupa
17. The life cycles of beetles, butterflies, and
grasshoppers are called—
A
B
C
D
growth
species
metamorphosis
generations
17. The life cycles of beetles, butterflies, and
grasshoppers are called—
A
B
C
D
growth
species
metamorphosis
generations
18. The diagram below names three of the four stages in the
life cycle of a butterfly.
Egg
 ?  pupa  adult
Which of the following pictures shows the stage that is
missing in the diagram?
A. butterfly
B. baby
C. caterpillar
D. caterpillar in a cocoon
18. The diagram below names three of the four stages in the
life cycle of a butterfly.
Egg
 ?  pupa  adult
Which of the following pictures shows the stage that is
missing in the diagram?
A. butterfly
B. baby
C. caterpillar
D. caterpillar in a cocoon
19. Which stage of an butterfly’s life cycle is illustrated at
point B in the diagram above?
A
B
C
D
larva
egg
pupa
adult
19. Which stage of an butterfly’s life cycle is illustrated at
point B in the diagram above?
A
B
C
D
larva
egg
pupa
adult
MS ?’s
20. How is incomplete metamorphosis different than complete
metamorphosis?
A. Incomplete metamorphosis is an unfinished life cycle.
B. incomplete metamorphosis is the undeveloped growth of
organisms.
C. Incomplete metamorphosis has fewer life cycle stages.
D. Incomplete metamorphosis is the partial body development
of organisms.
MS ?’s
20. How is incomplete metamorphosis different than complete
metamorphosis?
A. Incomplete metamorphosis is an unfinished life cycle.
B. incomplete metamorphosis is the undeveloped growth of
organisms.
C. Incomplete metamorphosis has fewer life cycle stages.
D. Incomplete metamorphosis is the partial body development
of organisms.
21. What are the distinct life cycle stage of
complete metamorphosis?
A. seed, seedling, baby plant, adult
B. egg, larva, pupa, adult
C. seed, pupa, larva, adult
D. birth, growth, maturity, death
21. What are the distinct life cycle stage of
complete metamorphosis?
A. seed, seedling, baby plant, adult
B. egg, larva, pupa, adult
C. seed, pupa, larva, adult
D. birth, growth, maturity, death
22. Incomplete metamorphosis has only 3 life
cycle stages: egg, nymph, adult. The nymph
looks similar to a smaller version of the—
A. adult
B. egg
C. pupa
D. larva
22. Incomplete metamorphosis has only 3 life
cycle stages: egg, nymph, adult. The nymph
looks similar to a smaller version of the—
A. adult
B. egg
C. pupa
D. larva
23. Crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, and
dragonflies are examples of organisms that go
through incomplete metamorphosis. A physical
characteristic that distinguishes the nymph
from the other two stages would be that it is—
A. wingless
B. worm-like
C. colorless
D. developed
23. Crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, and
dragonflies are examples of organisms that go
through incomplete metamorphosis. A physical
characteristic that distinguishes the nymph
from the other two stages would be that it is—
A. wingless
B. worm-like
C. colorless
D. developed
24. Student want to examine the difference of
insects that go through incomplete and
complete metamorphosis. Which tool would
be most helpful?
A. telescope
B. stopwatch
C. hand lens
D. beaker
24. Student want to examine the difference of
insects that go through incomplete and
complete metamorphosis. Which tool would
be most helpful?
A. telescope
B. stopwatch
C. hand lens
D. beaker
25. Entomology is the scientific study of insects.
Entomologists study the way insects develop,
grow, and change form. Some insects go
through three stages of development while
others go through 4 stages. The development,
growth, and form change of insects is called—
A. ecosystems
B. metamorphosis
C. photosynthesis
D. classification
25. Entomology is the scientific study of insects.
Entomologists study the way insects develop,
grow, and change form. Some insects go
through three stages of development while
others go through 4 stages. The development,
growth, and form change of insects is called—
A. ecosystems
B. metamorphosis
C. photosynthesis
D. classification
26. Which describes a characteristic of nymphs in
incomplete metamorphosis?—
A. Nymphs molt their exoskeletons as they grow.
B. Nymphs reproduce to make more of their kind.
C. Nymphs protect the egg and hold it together
D. Nymphs do not eat or move
26. Which describes a characteristic of nymphs in
incomplete metamorphosis?—
A. Nymphs molt their exoskeletons as they grow.
B. Nymphs reproduce to make more of their kind.
C. Nymphs protect the egg and hold it together
D. Nymphs do not eat or move
27. Which best explains what is
shown in the diagram?
A. Larval stage of a common
beetle.
B. Complete metamorphosis of a
beetle.
C. Pupa stage of a common
beetle
D. Incomplete metamorphosis of
a beetle.
27. Which best explains what is
shown in the diagram?
A. Larval stage of a common
beetle.
B. Complete metamorphosis of a
beetle.
C. Pupa stage of a common
beetle
D. Incomplete metamorphosis of
a beetle.
28. Which statement about the difference between
complete metamorphosis and incomplete
metamorphosis is NOT correct?—
A. Both have four stages.
B. Both begin with the egg stage.
C. Both end with the adult stage.
D. Both are cycles of insects.
28. Which statement about the difference between
complete metamorphosis and incomplete
metamorphosis is NOT correct?—
A. Both have four stages.
B. Both begin with the egg stage.
C. Both end with the adult stage.
D. Both are cycles of insects.
29. The praying mantis life cycle is shown in the diagram below:
egg  nymph  adult
Which statement best describes the life cycle of a praying mantis?
A. The praying mantis grows from egg to adult by complete metamorphosis.
B. The praying mantis grows to adult size by the pupa stage.
C. The praying mantis grows from egg to adult by incomplete metamorphosis.
D. The praying mantis grows to adult size by the larval stage.
29. The praying mantis life cycle is shown in the diagram below:
egg  nymph  adult
Which statement best describes the life cycle of a praying mantis?
A. The praying mantis grows from egg to adult by complete metamorphosis.
B. The praying mantis grows to adult size by the pupa stage.
C. The praying mantis grows from egg to adult by incomplete metamorphosis.
D. The praying mantis grows to adult size by the larval stage.
30. If an insect forms a chrysalis during the
third stage of complete metamorphosis, the
adult will be a –
A. moth
B. mosquito
C. dragonfly
D. butterfly
30. If an insect forms a chrysalis during the
third stage of complete metamorphosis, the
adult will be a –
A. moth
B. mosquito
C. dragonfly
D. butterfly
31. Which stage is missing below?
Egg  ??  cocoon  butterfly
A. egg
B. adult
C. pupa
D. larva
31. Which stage is missing below?
Egg  ??  cocoon  butterfly
A. egg
B. adult
C. pupa
D. larva
32. The 5th grade class receives a ladybug kit with 10 live larvae.
Students make daily observations and record how many of the
pupas hatch each day. At the end of the investigation, students
make a table to show their data:
Date
10
11
12
13
14
15
#
Hatched
1
2
4
2
0
0
What title should they give the table?
A. Life of a Ladybug
B. Weekly Observations
C. Ladybug Pupa Hatchings
D. Incomplete Metamorphosis Table
32. The 5th grade class receives a ladybug kit with 10 live larvae.
Students make daily observations and record how many of the
pupas hatch each day. At the end of the investigation, students
make a table to show their data:
Date
10
11
12
13
14
15
#
Hatched
1
2
4
2
0
0
What title should they give the table?
A. Life of a Ladybug
B. Weekly Observations
C. Ladybug Pupa Hatchings
D. Incomplete Metamorphosis Table
33. Students design an experiment to see what impact
temperature might have on the length of time it takes
for Planted Lady butterflies to go through a complete
metamorphosis. Based on the purpose of their
experiment, what should their variable be?
A. The number of specimens
B. The amount of time it takes the butterflies to
transform
C. The location of the hatchery
D. The temperature of the hatchery
33. Students design an experiment to see what impact
temperature might have on the length of time it takes
for Planted Lady butterflies to go through a complete
metamorphosis. Based on the purpose of their
experiment, what should their variable be?
A. The number of specimens
B. The amount of time it takes the butterflies to
transform
C. The location of the hatchery
D. The temperature of the hatchery
34. Students go outside in the fall and collect crickets from the
grass around the building. They notice that some of the
crickets have wings and some of the smaller ones do not.
Based on what they know about the different stages of
metamorphosis, what do the students conclude about the
crickets with no wings?
A. The crickets are old and have lost their wings.
B. The crickets are immature and have not developed wings yet.
C. A predator tried to eat the cricket and broke its wings
D. The crickets are a species that does not develop wings.
34. Students go outside in the fall and collect crickets from the
grass around the building. They notice that some of the
crickets have wings and some of the smaller ones do not.
Based on what they know about the different stages of
metamorphosis, what do the students conclude about the
crickets with no wings?
A. The crickets are old and have lost their wings.
B. The crickets are immature and have not developed wings yet.
C. A predator tried to eat the cricket and broke its wings
D. The crickets are a species that does not develop wings.
The diagram shows the life cycle of a mosquito.
35. What is represented in the diagram?
A. Complete metamorphosis
B. Incomplete photosynthesis
C. Complete development
D. Incomplete metamorphosis
The diagram shows the life cycle of a mosquito.
35. What is represented in the diagram?
A. Complete metamorphosis
B. Incomplete photosynthesis
C. Complete development
D. Incomplete metamorphosis
36. Students observe the changes in the life cycle stages of a
beetle and a grasshopper. What should the students do to
remember what they observed?
A. Repeat the experiment one more time
B. Record their information in a science notebook
C. Analyze the information using a computer
D. Discuss their observations with other students
36. Students observe the changes in the life cycle stages of a
beetle and a grasshopper. What should the students do to
remember what they observed?
A. Repeat the experiment one more time
B. Record their information in a science notebook
C. Analyze the information using a computer
D. Discuss their observations with other students
Use the table below and your knowledge of science to answer
the following question
Organisms that Experience Metamorphosis
Complete
Incomplete
Butterfly
Grasshopper
Ladybug
Cricket
???
Walking stick
37. Which of the following best completes the table above?
A. ant
B. cockroach
C. dragonfly
D. praying mantis
Use the table below and your knowledge of science to answer
the following question
Organisms that Experience Metamorphosis
Complete
Incomplete
Butterfly
Grasshopper
Ladybug
Cricket
???
Walking stick
37. Which of the following best completes the table above?
A. ant
B. cockroach
C. dragonfly
D. praying mantis
In the activity, students make a chart describing complete and
incomplete metamorphosis
Complete Metamorphosis
Incomplete Metamorphosis
4 stages
3 stages
Egg, larva, pupa, adult
Egg, nymph, adult
Complete change in body
structure
???
38. Which information would best complete the chart?
A. Incomplete change in body structure
B. Similar body structure, different sizes
C. Different body structure, same size
D. Complete change in body structure
In the activity, students make a chart describing complete and
incomplete metamorphosis
Complete Metamorphosis
Incomplete Metamorphosis
4 stages
3 stages
Egg, larva, pupa, adult
Egg, nymph, adult
Complete change in body
structure
???
38. Which information would best complete the chart?
A. Incomplete change in body structure
B. Similar body structure, different sizes
C. Different body structure, same size
D. Complete change in body structure
39. Which tool would be most helpful for
students to measure the differences between
the nymph and adult stages of a grasshopper?
A. meter stick
B. triple beam balance
C. calculator
D. metric ruler
39. Which tool would be most helpful for
students to measure the differences between
the nymph and adult stages of a grasshopper?
A. meter stick (too big)
B. triple beam balance
C. calculator
D. metric ruler