Name: _________________________
Date: __________
Adaptations Assessment
Multiple Choice – Use the data tables below to answer questions 1-6.
Organism 2
Organism 1
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•
•
•
Claws
Sharp teeth
Thick fur
Layer of fat
•
•
•
•
Shallow and widespread
root system
Spines
Waxy skin
Large stems
Organism 3
•
•
•
•
Hooves
Tail with fringe of hair
Long tongue
Long legs
1. Which organism(s) would be most likely to live in a grassland region?
a. Organism 1
b. Organism 2
c. Organism 3
d. Organisms 1 and 3
2. Which organism(s) would be most likely to live in an extremely cold region?
a. Organism 1
b. Organism 2
c. Organism 3
d. Organisms 1 and 2
3. Which organism(s) would be most likely to live in a desert region?
a. Organism 1
b. Organism 2
c. Organism 3
d. Organisms 2 and 3
4. Based on the characteristics on the data table, Organism 1 is most likely to be which
of the following organisms?
a. Wolf
b. Polar Bear
c. Whale
d. Arctic Hare
5. Based on the characteristics on the data table, Organism 2 is most likely to be which
of the following organisms?
a. Oak Tree
b. Fern
c. Prickly Pear Cactus
d. Pine Tree
6. Based on the characteristics on the data table, Organism 3 is most likely to be which
of the following organisms?
a. Pig
b. Elephant
c. Coyote
d. Giraffe
Multiple Choice - continued
7. Which of the following is not an example of an adaptation?
a. Eye Color
b. Hibernation
c. Camouflage
d. Webbed Feet
8. Which answer below is an example of a learned behavior?
a. A spider spinning a web
b. A caterpillar making a cocoon
c. A bird building a nest
d. A dog responding to a command to “sit”
9. A finch is a type of bird. What characteristic of finches is significant when studying
adaptations?
a. Feather
b. Beak Shape
c. Wing Shape
d. Coloration
10.Which of the following would be a reason certain organisms migrate?
a. Seeking a warmer climate
b. Mating season
c. Following a food source
d. All of the above
Fill in the Blank – Each answer choice will be used once.
Adaptation
Natural Selection
Instinct
Learned Behavior
Migration
Mimicry
Camouflage
Hibernation
11.A(n) _______________ is a type of behavioral pattern that an animal is born with.
12.One organism trying to resemble or look like another organism is _______________.
13.Organisms that are better suited for their environment are more likely to survive and
reproduce is known as _______________.
14.An animal greatly reducing its activity during the winter is _______________.
15.A(n) _______________ is a characteristic that allows an organism to survive in its
environment.
16.A characteristic that allows an organism to blend in with its environment is known as
_______________.
17.A _______________ is a behavior that is taught after birth.
18.A relatively long distance journey of individuals on a seasonal basis is known as
_______________.
True or False – Read each statement. Write “T” for True or “F” for False.
19._____ Charles Darwin studied many different species on the Canary Islands.
20._____ Behavioral adaptations can be instinctive or learned.
21._____ Organisms with favorable adaptations have a better chance of getting the
resources they need for survival.
22._____ All characteristics of organisms in a certain species are identical.
23._____ Camouflage can be used to avoid predators or to sneak up on prey.
24._____ Learned behaviors can be passed from one generation to the next.
Matching – Identify the type of adaptation for each example below.
A. Behavioral
B. Structural
C. Physiological
25._____ Plants are able to grow toward the light due to the process known as
phototropism. This process takes place inside the plant.
26._____ Many types of rabbits have long ears to monitor the environment and
to detect predators.
27._____ When opossums feel threatened they will play dead. Their bodies become
stiff, their eyes glaze over, and they drool from their mouth.
28._____ Monarch butterflies are not able to survive extremely cold winters, so they
migrate south to reach warmer regions.
29._____ A poison dart frog secretes harmful toxins through its skin to protect it from
predators.
30._____ A moose has long legs which allow the moose to move through deep snow.
Short Response - Answer each question in detail.
31.Over time, the neck length of giraffes has been getting longer. What could be a
possible explanation for this occurrence?
32.A Dorcas gazelle lives in Africa and does not need to drink water. It gets all of its
water from the food it eats. How would this adaptation be beneficial?
33.Think about all of the beneficial adaptations that allow humans to thrive on Earth.
Identify and explain 3 of these adaptations. Be detailed in your explanations.