Worksheet
3.1b Observing variation
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
1. Look at the different pictures provided by your teacher.
For each picture, observe the variation in one characteristic.
Record your observations in the table below.
An example has been done for you, using this picture.
Picture Observation
Example The picture shows two male lions.
Characteristic: mane (fur around the neck)
Variation: one has a bigger mane.
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
A The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
B The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
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C The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
D The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
E The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
F The picture shows
Characteristic:
Variation:
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
Stage 7
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Worksheet
3.1c Classifying organisms
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
1. Read the descriptions of the kingdoms in the table below.
Complete the table by naming each kingdom described.
Choose from:
animals plants fungi prokaryotes
One has been done for you.
Kingdom Description
Fungi Feed on dead material. Make spores to reproduce.
Make their own food using energy from light.
Large organisms made of many cells that eat other
organisms.
Microorganisms with no nucleus in their cells.
2. Your teacher has provided you with some different pictures.
Look at each picture and decide which kingdom the organism belongs to.
Write down a reason for your choice.
Picture Kingdom Reason
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Worksheet
3.1d(1) Vertebrates and invertebrates
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
1. Read the descriptions of the five groups of vertebrates.
a. Complete the table by naming each group described.
Group Description
have slimy scales, lay jelly-coated eggs in water
have thin, moist skin, lay jelly-coated eggs in water
have dry scales, lay leathery eggs
have feathers, lay hard-shelled eggs.
have hair, give birth to live offspring, produce milk
b. Your teacher has provided you with some different pictures.
Look at each picture and decide which group of vertebrates it belongs to.
Write down a reason for your choice.
Record your observations in the table below.
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
Picture Group Reason
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2. a. Explain the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.
b. Arthropods are just one group of invertebrates.
Complete these sentences about arthropods.
Choose words from the list.
external insects internal joints sections spiders
There are many groups of arthropods, including arachnids and ...........................
All arthropods have an ...........................................skeleton.
Their bodies are split into ....................................... and their legs have .................................
c. Look at the picture of a snail.
Write down one reason why it is not an arthropod.
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Stage 7
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Worksheet
3.1d(2) Grouping animals
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
Write the name of the group that each animal belongs to. Choose from this list: amphibians,
arachnids, birds, fish, insects, mammals, reptiles.
One has been done for you.
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Stage 7
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Worksheet
3.1f Species
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
Research one species, using the Student’s Book and the internet.
Start by answering the questions below, but also make a note of any other interesting facts
you discover.
When you have completed your research, present the information in the form of a poster or
presentation.
Present your information clearly and use images if you can.
1. Describe what is meant by the term species.
2. a. Which species are you going to
research?
b. Describe some of the characteristics of the species (such as fur, colour, size).
3. Find out the following about your species.
a. Which type of habitat can it be found in?
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
b. What food does it eat?
c. Does it have any predators?
d. Is the species endangered or are there lots of them living in the wild?
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Worksheet
3.2b Similarities and differences
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
Look at the images below.
Goat Horse Lion
Elephant Giraffe Komodo dragon
1. Fill out the table below to give the similarities and differences between these animals.
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
Similarities Differences
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2. Write five questions, with yes/no answers, which you could ask to help you to classify
these animals into groups. For example, you could ask ‘Does it have hooves?’. Hooves are
the hard feet of animals such as horses. Hooves are not made up of separate toes unlike
human feet or lion paws. When you answer this question you would put giraffe, horse and
goat in one group (have hooves) and lion, elephant and Komodo dragon in the other (no
hooves).
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Worksheet
3.2c Classifying leaves
Name: ......................................................................................................
Class: ......................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................
1. Look carefully at the pictures of the leaves below. Write a brief description of each leaf in
the boxes below. An example is given for the maple leaf.
maple leaf oak leaf small branch of a fir tree
Leaf has pointed edges.
mango leaf holly leaf
Cambridge Lower Secondary Biology
2. Using your observations, design a dichotomous key that could be used to identify the
leaves above. Remember to start with a general question such as ‘Does the leaf have
smooth edges?’
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3. For the next part of the investigation you will need to use leaves that you (or your teacher)
have collected.
Use the table below to draw a sketch of each species of leaf and record your observations.
Make sure you look at a few different leaves from each different plant.
Once you have made your observations, use secondary sources to help you identify the
species of each different type of leaf.
Sketch of leaf Observation notes Name/species of plant
Leaf type 1
Leaf type 2
Leaf type 3
Leaf type 4
Leaf type 5
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4. Use your observations to help you create a dichotomous key that others could use to help
them identify these different species of plant.
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