Life Boot Camp
5.10B
Differentiate between inherited traits of plants
and animals such as spines on a cactus or shape
of a beak, and learned behaviors such as an
animal learning tricks or a child riding a bicycle.
STAAR 2013 #13; RC 4; Readiness; 5.2D
1. Fox squirrels live in the trees of city parks
throughout Texas. Each spring they build nests of
twigs and leaves in the tops of the trees. Fox squirrels
are often found near park benches, waiting to be fed
by visitors. For fox squirrels, which of these is a
learned behavior?
A. Building a nest each spring
B. Taking food from people
C. Having a long, bushy tail
D. Having sharp claws
STAAR 2013 #13; RC 4; Readiness; 5.2D
1. Fox squirrels live in the trees of city parks
throughout Texas. Each spring they build nests of
twigs and leaves in the tops of the trees. Fox squirrels
are often found near park benches, waiting to be fed
by visitors. For fox squirrels, which of these is a
learned behavior?
A. Building a nest each spring
B. Taking food from people
C. Having a long, bushy tail
D. Having sharp claws
STAAR 2013 #39; RC 4; Readiness
2. Crayfish live in water and often hide under rocks or
plants. They come out to look for food and will eat
both plants & animals. Which of these is a trait that a
crayfish most likely inherits from his parents?
A. The average distance it travels each day
B. The number of legs it has
C. The amount of food it eats each day
D. They type of plants in its habitat
STAAR 2013 #39; RC 4; Readiness
2. Crayfish live in water and often hide under rocks or
plants. They come out to look for food and will eat
both plants & animals. Which of these is a trait that a
crayfish most likely inherits from his parents?
A. The average distance it travels each day
B. The number of legs it has
C. The amount of food it eats each day
D. They type of plants in its habitat
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #6
3. Coyotes learn some of their behaviors as they move
around in their environment. Which behavior is most likely
learned?
A
B
C
D
Running
Drinking water
Avoiding cacti
Sleeping
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #6
3. Coyotes learn some of their behaviors as they move
around in their environment. Which behavior is most likely
learned?
A
B
C
D
Running
Drinking water
Avoiding cacti
Sleeping
TAKS 2003—#23 (82%)
4. Raccoons living in cities have learned to open lids
of garbage cans. This is an example of an animal —
A
B
C
D
adapting to its environment
inheriting the ability to change its diet
being tamed by humans
becoming a plant eater
TAKS 2003—#23 (82%)
4. Raccoons living in cities have learned to open lids
of garbage cans. This is an example of an animal —
A
B
C
D
adapting to its environment
inheriting the ability to change its diet
being tamed by humans
becoming a plant eater
TAKS 2004—#17 (89%)
5. Which of these is an example of a learned behavior?
TAKS 2004—#17 (89%)
5. Which of these is an example of a learned behavior?
TAKS 2009—#39 (86%)
6. Crows are found throughout many parts of the
world. They are black birds with excellent hearing. In
the wild they live for six to seven years. Some crows in
Japan open hard-shelled nuts by dropping them in
front of moving cars. Which of these is a learned
behavior?
A
B
C
D
Having excellent hearing
Living six to seven years
Dropping nuts in front of cars
Having black feathers
TAKS 2009—#39 (86%)
6. Crows are found throughout many parts of the
world. They are black birds with excellent hearing. In
the wild they live for six to seven years. Some crows in
Japan open hard-shelled nuts by dropping them in
front of moving cars. Which of these is a learned
behavior?
A
B
C
D
Having excellent hearing
Living six to seven years
Dropping nuts in front of cars
Having black feathers
7. Which of the following is most likely a learned
behavior?
A A lizard warming itself in the heat of the sun
B A cat running to the kitchen at the sound of a can
opener
C Butterflies migrating from Canada to Mexico each
year
D A caterpillar feeding on a milkweed plant
7. Which of the following is most likely a learned
behavior?
A A lizard warming itself in the heat of the sun
B A cat running to the kitchen at the sound of a can
opener
C Butterflies migrating from Canada to Mexico each
year
D A caterpillar feeding on a milkweed plant
8. Every day a rancher feeds his new horses in the
barn at 5:00 p.m. Soon, the horses start heading for
the barn at about 4:55 p.m. This behavior is an
example of 
A
B
C
D
an instinct
an inherited behavior
a migration pattern
a learned behavior
8. Every day a rancher feeds his new horses in the
barn at 5:00 p.m. Soon, the horses start heading for
the barn at about 4:55 p.m. This behavior is an
example of 
A
B
C
D
an instinct
an inherited behavior
a migration pattern
a learned behavior
9. Bears in Yellowstone Park have become accustomed
to people being around. The bears often look for food
in garbage cans. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
an inherited trait
a learned behavior
trial and error
imprinting
9. Bears in Yellowstone Park have become accustomed
to people being around. The bears often look for food
in garbage cans. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
an inherited trait
a learned behavior
trial and error
imprinting
10. Which characteristic listed below is inherited
rather than learned?
A
B
C
D
Telling a joke
Saluting the flag
Having green eyes
Riding a bicycle
10. Which characteristic listed below is inherited
rather than learned?
A
B
C
D
Telling a joke
Saluting the flag
Having green eyes
Riding a bicycle
11. Which behavior is an example of an animal
adapting to a change in the environment?
A
B
C
D
A squirrel climbing a tree
A rabbit feeding its young
A frog eating an insect
A bird migrating south
11. Which behavior is an example of an animal
adapting to a change in the environment?
A
B
C
D
A squirrel climbing a tree
A rabbit feeding its young
A frog eating an insect
A bird migrating south
12. The picture below shows some caddis fly larvae.
These larvae cover themselves with small twigs and
pebbles. What is the advantage of this behavior?
A
B
C
D
They can eat the twigs.
They are hidden from predators.
They can crawl on the bottom of creeks.
They are able to keep warm
12. The picture below shows some caddis fly larvae.
These larvae cover themselves with small twigs and
pebbles. What is the advantage of this behavior?
A
B
C
D
They can eat the twigs.
They are hidden from predators.
They can crawl on the bottom of creeks.
They are able to keep warm
13. Which of the following is an example of a learned
behavior in animals?
A
B
C
D
A lizard avoids certain beetles that taste bad.
A baby breathes just after being born.
Fish swim together in groups called schools.
A baby chick cracks open its egg shell.
13. Which of the following is an example of a learned
behavior in animals?
A
B
C
D
A lizard avoids certain beetles that taste bad.
A baby breathes just after being born.
Fish swim together in groups called schools.
A baby chick cracks open its egg shell.
14. Which is a learned behavior?
A
B
C
D
Being colorblind
Riding a bicycle
Having large hands
Having brown hair
14. Which is a learned behavior?
A
B
C
D
Being colorblind
Riding a bicycle
Having large hands
Having brown hair
15. Which of the following characteristics are
you most likely to inherit from a parent?
A
B
C
D
Weight
Temper
Eye color
Food preferences
15. Which of the following characteristics are
you most likely to inherit from a parent?
A
B
C
D
Weight
Temper
Eye color
Food preferences
16. Which animal below looked MOST like its parents
when it hatched?
16. Which animal below looked MOST like its parents
when it hatched?
17. Which of the these is MOST likely a
behavior of tame animals that is different from
wild animals?
A
B
C
D
Moving to a warmer climate in winter
Eating out of the hands of humans
Hunting for their own food
Staying away from people
17. Which of the these is MOST likely a
behavior of tame animals that is different from
wild animals?
A
B
C
D
Moving to a warmer climate in winter
Eating out of the hands of humans
Hunting for their own food
Staying away from people
18. Which characteristic can a puppy inherit
from its parents?
A
B
C
D
Muddy paws
Spotted fur
Broken foot
Scar on face
18. Which characteristic can a puppy inherit
from its parents?
A
B
C
D
Muddy paws
Spotted fur
Broken foot
Scar on face
19. The spider’s ability to spin silk is—
A
B
C
D
an acquired trait
an inherited trait
a life cycle stage
a learned behavior
19. The spider’s ability to spin silk is—
A
B
C
D
an acquired trait
an inherited trait
a life cycle stage
a learned behavior
20. Which example is a physical feature that is
passed on to offspring?
A
B
C
D
Talking
Walking
Sharp beak
Loose tooth
20. Which example is a physical feature that is
passed on to offspring?
A
B
C
D
Talking
Walking
Sharp beak
Loose tooth
21. Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the
beach and then return to the sea. Tiny turtles
hatch from the eggs and find their way to the
ocean waters. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
a learned behavior
an instinct
camouflage
mimicry
21. Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the
beach and then return to the sea. Tiny turtles
hatch from the eggs and find their way to the
ocean waters. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
a learned behavior
an instinct
camouflage
mimicry
22. Smelts are fish that lay their eggs in the sand on
beaches. When the eggs hatch, the babies know to go
to the water. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
instinct
hibernation
camouflage
learned behavior
22. Smelts are fish that lay their eggs in the sand on
beaches. When the eggs hatch, the babies know to go
to the water. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
instinct
hibernation
camouflage
learned behavior
23. Which of the following characteristics is LEAST
likely to be passed from a mother to her daughter?
A
B
C
D
Hair color
Eye color
Skin color
Favorite color
23. Which of the following characteristics is LEAST
likely to be passed from a mother to her daughter?
A
B
C
D
Hair color
Eye color
Skin color
Favorite color
24. Which of the following behaviors was probably
inherited?
A
B
C
D
A child riding a bike to school
A young bear going to campsites to find food
A baby horse taking its first breath
A young chimpanzee making a tool to catch termites
24. Which of the following behaviors was probably
inherited?
A
B
C
D
A child riding a bike to school
A young bear going to campsites to find food
A baby horse taking its first breath
A young chimpanzee making a tool to catch termites
25. Some birds fly south in the fall and return north in
the spring. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
migration
hibernation
camouflage
growth
25. Some birds fly south in the fall and return north in
the spring. This is an example of—
A
B
C
D
migration
hibernation
camouflage
growth
26. Which statement below is an example of an
inherited trait in a living thing?
A
B
C
D
A child learns how to read a book.
A cat has a kitten with a broken leg.
A white dog has a puppy with white fur.
A woman has a scar from falling down.
26. Which statement below is an example of an
inherited trait in a living thing?
A
B
C
D
A child learns how to read a book.
A cat has a kitten with a broken leg.
A white dog has a puppy with white fur.
A woman has a scar from falling down.
27. One class of students is collecting seeds from a sunflower. They notice
that most of the leaves on the sunflower plant have patterns of holes made
by chewing insects, as shown in the picture below.
Next school year, the students are going to plant the sunflower seeds they
collected. How many of the sunflower plants that grow would be expected
to inherit the chewed leaf pattern?
A
B
C
D
All of the plants
Most of the plants
Half of the plants
None of the plants
27. One class of students is collecting seeds from a sunflower. They notice
that most of the leaves on the sunflower plant have patterns of holes made
by chewing insects, as shown in the picture below.
Next school year, the students are going to plant the sunflower seeds they
collected. How many of the sunflower plants that grow would be expected
to inherit the chewed leaf pattern?
A
B
C
D
All of the plants
Most of the plants
Half of the plants
None of the plants
28. Baby chicks peck their way out of their
shells when they hatch. This activity is an
example of which of the following types of
behavior?
A
B
C
D
Instinctive
Planned
Social
Learned
28. Baby chicks peck their way out of their
shells when they hatch. This activity is an
example of which of the following types of
behavior?
A
B
C
D
Instinctive
Planned
Social
Learned
29. A trait is—
A
B
C
D
the ability to thrive and survive
a characteristic of an organism
a reward for doing good work
an activity that is easy to learn
29. A trait is—
A
B
C
D
the ability to thrive and survive
a characteristic of an organism
a reward for doing good work
an activity that is easy to learn
30. Which of the following is a
learned behavior for the child
pictured to the right?
A shivering when his body is cold
B zipping up his winter coat to
keep warm
C having hair on his body to keep
warm
D closing his eyes when the wind
blows
30. Which of the following is a
learned behavior for the child
pictured to the right?
A shivering when his body is cold
B zipping up his winter coat to
keep warm
C having hair on his body to keep
warm
D closing his eyes when the wind
blows
31. Which of the following is a learned
behavior?
A
B
C
D
A snake slithering on the ground.
A bee pollinating flowers
A duck swimming in a pond
A dog fetching a newspaper
31. Which of the following is a learned
behavior?
A
B
C
D
A snake slithering on the ground.
A bee pollinating flowers
A duck swimming in a pond
A dog fetching a newspaper
32. Which of the following organisms can learn
a behavior?
A
B
C
D
Apple tree
Dandelion
Rabbit
Rose bush
32. Which of the following organisms can learn
a behavior?
A
B
C
D
Apple tree
Dandelion
Rabbit
Rose bush
33. A dog owner feeds his new dog in its
sleeping crate. Soon, the dog runs to the crate
when he is hungry. This behavior is an example
of—
A
B
C
D
inherited behavior
learned behavior
instinct
migration pattern
33. A dog owner feeds his new dog in its
sleeping crate. Soon, the dog runs to the crate
when he is hungry. This behavior is an example
of—
A
B
C
D
inherited behavior
learned behavior
instinct
migration pattern
M.S. ?’s
35. Some traits and behaviors are learned and
some are inherited. Which of the following
traits are inherited?
A
B
C
D
speaking Spanish
bird saying hello
cat using a litter box
spines on a cactus
M.S. ?’s
35. Some traits and behaviors are learned and
some are inherited. Which of the following
traits are inherited?
A
B
C
D
speaking Spanish
bird saying hello
cat using a litter box
spines on a cactus
36. What is the difference between a learned behavior and an inherited
trait?
A Learned behaviors are taught, and inherited traits are passed down from
parent to child.
B Learned behaviors take years to acquire, and inherited traits take only a
short period of time to accomplish.
C Learned behaviors are difficult to accomplish, and inherited traits are
easy to accomplish.
D Learned behaviors are passed down from parent to child, and inherited
traits are taught to children by parents.
36. What is the difference between a learned behavior and an inherited
trait?
A Learned behaviors are taught, and inherited traits are passed down from
parent to child.
B Learned behaviors take years to acquire, and inherited traits take only a
short period of time to accomplish.
C Learned behaviors are difficult to accomplish, and inherited traits are
easy to accomplish.
D Learned behaviors are passed down from parent to child, and inherited
traits are taught to children by parents.
37. When danger approaches, a black bear mother
will send a warning call to her cubs. The cubs will
then climb a tree. This response is—
A
B
C
D
an environmental trait
an inherited trait
a learned behavior
a personality test
37. When danger approaches, a black bear mother
will send a warning call to her cubs. The cubs will
then climb a tree. This response is—
A
B
C
D
an environmental trait
an inherited trait
a learned behavior
a personality test
38. Students take a trip to the zoo to observe animals
in their natural habitats. At the zoo, they research
different species to determine the differences in their
inherited traits and learned behaviors. Data was
collected on 11 species and recorded on a table the
students constructed. After collecting the data, what
is the next step students should test?
A
B
C
D
form a hypothesis
gather materials
put away all the tools used
discuss results and form conclusions
38. Students take a trip to the zoo to observe animals
in their natural habitats. At the zoo, they research
different species to determine the differences in their
inherited traits and learned behaviors. Data was
collected on 11 species and recorded on a table the
students constructed. After collecting the data, what
is the next step students should test?
A
B
C
D
form a hypothesis
gather materials
put away all the tools used
discuss results and form conclusions
39. Aquarena Spring in San Marcos, TX, had a diving pig for
over 20 years named Ralph the Diving Pig. The pig was
taught to swim and dive as a park attraction. Which
statement correctly describes Ralph?
A The pig knew how to dive as instinct, which is an inherited
trait.
B The diving pig had an inherited trait for being a good
swimmer.
C The diving pig had an inherited talent for being easy to
train.
D The pig learned to dive over time, which is an acquired
trait
39. Aquarena Spring in San Marcos, TX, had a diving pig for
over 20 years named Ralph the Diving Pig. The pig was
taught to swim and dive as a park attraction. Which
statement correctly describes Ralph?
A The pig knew how to dive as instinct, which is an inherited
trait.
B The diving pig had an inherited trait for being a good
swimmer.
C The diving pig had an inherited talent for being easy to
train.
D The pig learned to dive over time, which is an acquired
trait
Inherited
Acquired
Person’s hairline
Musical ability
Tree height
Scars
Flower color
Mouse learning a maze
Earlobe shape
???
40. Which trait completes the chart?
A
B
C
D
color blindness
leaf shape
scientific knowledge
animal warning sound
Inherited
Acquired
Person’s hairline
Musical ability
Tree height
Scars
Flower color
Mouse learning a maze
Earlobe shape
???
40. Which trait completes the chart?
A
B
C
D
color blindness
leaf shape
scientific knowledge
animal warning sound
41. The shape of a bird’s beak is a body
structure that the bird has at birth. This
body structure is a/an—
A. learned trait
B. special trait
C. inherited trait
D. developed trait
41. The shape of a bird’s beak is a body
structure that the bird has at birth. This
body structure is a/an—
A. learned trait
B. special trait
C. inherited trait
D. developed trait
42. Students pull strands of their hair to view under
the microscope. They know that hair color is an
inherited trait. One of the students has red hair.
Neither parent has red hair. From where did the
student inherit the red hair?
A. the student’s ancestors
B. the student’s father
C. the students’ mother
D. the student’s siblings
42. Students pull strands of their hair to view under
the microscope. They know that hair color is an
inherited trait. One of the students has red hair.
Neither parent has red hair. From where did the
student inherit the red hair?
A. the student’s ancestors
B. the student’s father
C. the students’ mother
D. the student’s siblings
43. The class has a pet gerbil that runs inside a large, plastic
ball that moves around the room. When the gerbil bumps
into furniture, he stops and runs another direction inside the
ball the keep going. Students construct four obstacle courses
and watch the gerbil successfully navigate the course each
time. Students conclude this is—
A. an inherited trait
B. a learned behavior
C. a physical trait
D. an adaptation
43. The class has a pet gerbil that runs inside a large, plastic
ball that moves around the room. When the gerbil bumps
into furniture, he stops and runs another direction inside the
ball the keep going. Students construct four obstacle courses
and watch the gerbil successfully navigate the course each
time. Students conclude this is—
A. an inherited trait
B. a learned behavior
C. a physical trait
D. an adaptation
44. At the zoo, students were allowed to touch a
bearded dragon. What should the students do after
this experiment?
A. put on rubber gloves
B. shake the zookeeper’s hand
C. wash hands
D. get a drink of water
44. At the zoo, students were allowed to touch a
bearded dragon. What should the students do after
this experiment?
A. put on rubber gloves
B. shake the zookeeper’s hand
C. wash hands
D. get a drink of water