Classification Keys · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.
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Classification Keys

Science · Ecosystems & Habitats · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Zara wants to identify a garden plant. Which key matches that task?

    • A key for local woodland birds
    • A key for insects found in local ponds
    • A key for local garden plants

  2. A key asks, 'Does it have legs?' The slug being checked has no legs. Which path matches?

    • Follow the path labelled no
    • Follow the yes path
    • Choose either labelled path

  3. On a woodland walk, a key for the plants there asks: Prickly leaves? Yes: holly. No: hazel. You observe prickly leaves on a listed plant. Which name does the key give?

    • Hazel
    • Holly
    • Willow

  4. A question in a yes/no key offers two labelled answer paths.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. A key asks, 'Does it have a shell?' The snail you are checking has a shell. Which path matches?

    • The path labelled yes
    • The path labelled no
    • Any path you decide on

  6. Six creature cards include some with wings and some without wings. Which question gives a clear yes/no split?

    • Does the creature have wings?
    • Is it pleasant to watch?
    • What is the creature's name?

  7. Two shelled creature cards remain together in a key. One shell is striped and the other is plain. Which question separates them?

    • Does it have a shell covering?
    • Does its shell have stripes?
    • Does the shell look pleasant?

  8. Ten creature cards answer a key question. Six answer yes and all the others answer no. How many answer no?

    Answer: ______________

  9. Ravi asks, 'Is its body big?' His key gives no size limit. Why might users answer differently?

    • Users may choose different size limits
    • Users must count every leg they can see
    • Users cannot measure length in any key

  10. Leo needs different names for two beetle cards. One shows spots and the other has no spots. Both reach one endpoint. What should he add?

    • Ask whether each beetle has spots
    • Ask whether it is alive
    • Ask which of the beetles he likes
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Classification Keys W1-mt_brgde1Vx0P-s1

  1. A key for local garden plants · The garden plant key covers the kind of living thing and place Zara is studying.
  2. Follow the path labelled no · No legs means the answer is no.
  3. Holly · Prickly leaves give yes. This key's yes branch ends at holly.
  4. True · Its two answer paths are yes and no.
  5. The path labelled yes · The observed shell makes the answer yes.
  6. Does the creature have wings? · The stated wing difference separates these cards. Their group sizes are not given.
  7. Does its shell have stripes? · Only the stripe question separates the stated features of these two cards.
  8. 4 · 10 - 6 = 4, so four cards answer no.
  9. Users may choose different size limits · Big has no shared limit here. A stated measurement would make the question clearer.
  10. Ask whether each beetle has spots · The stated spot difference can separate these cards.
Worksheet · LightMySky