NumicornNumicornLearn, solve, progress

Grade 3 Science · Traits and Inherited Characteristics

Grade 3 Traits and Inherited Characteristics Practice Test

Explore Grade 3 Science with five 10-question practice tests on inherited traits, variation, parent-offspring similarities, learned behaviors, and environmental effects.

Traits and Inherited Characteristics Practice Tests

These Grade 3 Science practice tests help students understand how living things can share characteristics with their parents. Students also explore variation, learned behaviors, and environmental effects on growth.

Skills covered

  • Identifying inherited physical traits
  • Recognizing similarities between parents and offspring
  • Explaining variation within a group
  • Distinguishing learned behaviors from inherited traits
  • Recognizing characteristics acquired through injury or experience
  • Explaining how light, water, habitat, and exercise can affect living things

How to use these practice tests

Ask whether the characteristic is a physical feature that may come from parents, a behavior learned through practice, or a change caused by the environment. Compare several members of a group when looking for variation or inheritance.

For more Grade 3 Science practice, return to the Grade 3 Science category.

Select a test

5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

2. Test

Grade 3 Traits and Inherited Characteristics Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 3 Science practice test on inherited traits, variation, parent-offspring similarities, learned behaviors, and environmental effects.

Read each science observation carefully. Decide whether it describes an inherited characteristic, variation, learned behavior, or environmental effect.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation shows an inherited characteristic in kittens?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Several kittens have the same fur pattern as their parent..

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: A fur pattern shared with a parent is evidence of an inherited characteristic.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is Several kittens have the same fur pattern as their parent..

A fur pattern shared with a parent is evidence of an inherited characteristic.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which trait might a kitten inherit from its parents?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The color of its fur.

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Fur color is a physical characteristic that can be passed from parents.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is The color of its fur.

Fur color is a physical characteristic that can be passed from parents.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which behavior is learned by a dog?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Fetching a ball after practice.

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Fetching is a behavior that a dog can learn through training and practice.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is Fetching a ball after practice.

Fetching is a behavior that a dog can learn through training and practice.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which example shows variation in a group of birds?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The birds have beaks of different lengths..

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Different beak lengths show differences among birds of the same kind.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is The birds have beaks of different lengths..

Different beak lengths show differences among birds of the same kind.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation gives evidence that a trait can be inherited?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Two young rabbits have the same fur color as their parent..

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: The shared fur color is a similarity between parent and offspring.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is Two young rabbits have the same fur color as their parent..

The shared fur color is a similarity between parent and offspring.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why do scientists compare several parents and offspring?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is To find patterns in characteristics that may be inherited.

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Looking at many examples helps scientists notice patterns instead of relying on one observation.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is To find patterns in characteristics that may be inherited.

Looking at many examples helps scientists notice patterns instead of relying on one observation.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which feature is caused by an injury rather than inherited?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A bent feather after a bird hits a window.

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: A bent feather from an accident is acquired during life, not inherited.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is A bent feather after a bird hits a window.

A bent feather from an accident is acquired during life, not inherited.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which characteristic might a fish inherit?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The pattern of color on its scales.

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Scale color pattern is a physical trait that can be inherited.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is The pattern of color on its scales.

Scale color pattern is a physical trait that can be inherited.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a habitat affect an animal without changing its inherited traits?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It can provide food, shelter, or conditions for the animal to live..

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: A habitat affects living conditions while inherited traits come from parents.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is It can provide food, shelter, or conditions for the animal to live..

A habitat affects living conditions while inherited traits come from parents.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement best summarizes inherited traits?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Offspring receive some characteristics from their parents..

  1. Read the observation: Identify the characteristic, behavior, or condition described.
  2. Classify the trait: Inherited traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring.
  3. Check the choice: The correct choice is Offspring receive some characteristics from their parents..

Inherited traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring.

Previous testNext test

Frequently asked questions about Grade 3 Traits and Inherited Characteristics

What is an inherited trait?

An inherited trait is a characteristic that an offspring receives from its parents.

What is variation?

Variation means that members of the same kind can have different characteristics.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 3 Traits and Inherited Characteristics questions in total.