6 th Grade Benchmark Animals

1. Below is the data Mrs. Jones collected when she surveyed the students in her science class about what type of animals they had as pets. What type of graph would she use to represent the data? A. Bar Graph B. Line Graph C. Circle Graph D. Pictograph

2. The graph below shows growth curves of a tomato plant (A) and a pea plant (B). Which of the following is an observation based on the data? A. Tomato plants are stronger than pea plants B. Pea plants do not grow as tall as tomato plants C. The plants were the same height on day 15 D. Pea plants grow faster than tomato plants

3. For two months, Johnny measured the mass of his puppy every week. Week = independent variable Mass = dependent variable Which graph is constructed appropriately? A. B. C. D.

4. Below is a dichotomous key for identifying fish. Use the key to identify a fish with the following characteristics: - Pointed Fin - Red - Has stripes A. Glassy Sweeper B. Squirrel Fish C. Trumpet Fish D. Clown Fish

5. Below is a picture of an arthropod. Use the dichotomous key below to identify the arthropod. A. praying mantis B. spider C. termite D. ant

6. Use the dichotomous key below to answer the following question. Which of the following are characteristics of jellyfish? A. animal, red blood, hard bodies, shell B. animal, no red blood,soft bodies, no shell C. animal, no red blood, hard bodies, no shell D. animal, red blood, soft bodies, no shell

7. Crustaceans, like lobsters, have jointed legs, segments bodies and have an exoskeleton. To which group of animals do crustaceans belong? A. mollusks B. echinoderms C. arthropods D. segmented worms

8. Which of the following are both vertebrates? A. sponges and worms B. fish and amphibians C. reptiles and arthropods D. echinoderms and mollusks

9. Which of the following is true about all mammals? A. Mammals have hair on their bodies. B. Mammals are cold-blooded. C. Mammals hibernate each winter. D. Mammals eat plants and animals.

10. Use the following picture to answer the question. This bird eats mice by tearing it apart and then consuming it. Which physical structures allow the bird to do this? A. wings and tail B. head and teeth C. feathers and bones D. beak and claws

11. Use the following picture to answer the question. Why do these birds have different shaped beaks? A. To escape different predators B. To obtain different food C. To build different habitats D. To move different ways

12. Consider the picture of a zebra below. The zebra has distinctive fur patterns. What is the purpose of these patterns? A. defending from predator B. attracting a mate C. obtaining food D. finding shelter

13. In cold weather, an alligator may not eat for several weeks but a lion must eat its weight in food every 7-10 days. Why does the lion need to eat on a regular basis while the alligator does not? A. The lion needs more energy to maintain a constant body temperature. B. The alligator needs more energy to maintain a constant body temperature. C. The lion must run long distances, while the alligator can swim. D. The lion must produce milk, while the alligator produces eggs.

14. Mark has a pet snake that is cold-blooded. What will happen if he leaves the snake outside in the snow? A. The snake will shiver to stay warm. B. The snake will move quickly to increase energy. C. The snake's body temperature will drop. D. The snake will eat more to conserve energy.

15. Use the picture to answer the question. What do these animals have in common? A. vertebrate B. warm-blooded C. cold-blooded D. invertebrate

16. Sweat drips down a student's neck while the student hikes up a rocky trail on a field trip. What is the student's body trying to control by sweating? A. Breathing rate B. Body temperature C. Blood pressure D. Hunger pains

17. Use the picture to answer the question. Why would this dog be panting? A. He is too hot so his body is cooling itself. B. He is too cold so his body is warming itself. C. He is tired so he is looking for a place to sleep. D. He is hungry so he is looking for food.

18. TeAja's family went to visit the Saraha desert in California during the summer. She found the weather to be hot and dry. One day, her family got stuck outside during a sandstorm. What type of physical response might she have had? A. Shivering B. Blinking C. Eating D. Sleeping

19. Use the pictures below to answer the question. Monarch butterflies taste bad to animals. Viceroy butterflies do not taste bad. Eastern Coral snakes are venomous, while Scarlet King snakes are not venomous. What response do these animals demonstrate? A. mimicry B. camouflage C. courtship D. imprinting

20. The gray whale lives in the Arctic waters near the North Pole during the summer months and travels south during the autumn months towards Mexico. Why do these whales travel so far each year? A. to find food B. to hide from prey C. to hibernate during winter D. to protect their young

21. A frog lives in a pond in the northern portion of the United States. Why does the frog bury itself in the mud at the bottom of the pond during the winter months? A. to camouflage itself from predators B. to mimic a larger animal C. to migrate to warmer waters D. to hibernate during cold weather

22. Which one of the following internal stimuli causes an animal to do something when its body is low on energy? A. shivering B. thirst C. sleepiness D. hunger

23. When people exercise, their body temperatures rise. What internal stimulus allows people to continue exercising for long periods of time without over-heating? A. People get tired. B. People get thirsty. C. People get hungry. D. People get sleepy.

24. A sixth grader got home late from football practice. He ate dinner and stayed up late to finish his math homework. Why was he having trouble functioning in class the next day? A. Practicing football reduced his muscle size B. Practicing football made him hungry C. Studying late at night deprived his body of sleep D. Studying late at night gave him energy