Exploring Basic Science Terms for 2nd Graders

1. What is an animal with bones that lives part of its life on land and part of its life in water called?

Bird

Amphibian

Reptile

Mammal

Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that typically begin their lives in water as larvae and then undergo metamorphosis to live on land as adults.

Explanation

Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that typically begin their lives in water as larvae and then undergo metamorphosis to live on land as adults.

2. What is the word that means to pull toward something?

Push

Distract

Repel

Attract

When something is pulled towards something else, it is being attracted. The other words do not have the same meaning as 'attract'.

Explanation

When something is pulled towards something else, it is being attracted. The other words do not have the same meaning as 'attract'.

3. What is the term for an imaginary line around which a planet rotates?

Orbit

Pole

Equator

Axis

The axis is the line passing through a planet's center and around which it rotates.

Explanation

The axis is the line passing through a planet's center and around which it rotates.

4. What is an animal with a backbone that has feathers, two legs, and wings called?

Fish

Mammal

Reptile

Bird

Birds are the only animals among the options that have feathers and wings. Fish have fins, mammals have fur or hair, and reptiles have scales.

Explanation

Birds are the only animals among the options that have feathers and wings. Fish have fins, mammals have fur or hair, and reptiles have scales.

5. What is a living thing that cannot make food but eats food called?

Producer

Decomposer

Consumer

Autotroph

Consumers are organisms that rely on consuming other organisms for nutrients and energy. They are unable to produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis. Producers, decomposers, and autotrophs are not examples of living things that cannot make food but eat food.

Explanation

Consumers are organisms that rely on consuming other organisms for nutrients and energy. They are unable to produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis. Producers, decomposers, and autotrophs are not examples of living things that cannot make food but eat food.