Are You Smarter Than My Third Graders?

Mimicry is the term used to describe when an animal copies or mimics the behavior or appearance of another animal. In this case, the non-lethal king snake is able to survive by imitating the poisonous coral snake, which deters potential predators. Mimicry is an evolutionary adaptation that allows certain species to benefit from the resemblance to another species, either for protection or to gain an advantage in hunting or foraging.

Metamorphosis is the correct answer because it refers to the process in which animals, such as butterflies and frogs, undergo a complete transformation in their body structure and appearance during different stages of their life cycles. This process involves distinct physical changes, such as the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly or a tadpole into a frog, showcasing the remarkable ability of these animals to adapt and grow into their adult forms.

Camouflage is the correct answer because it refers to the animal adaptation that allows it to blend into its surroundings. This adaptation helps animals to hide from predators or to ambush prey by blending in with their environment, making it difficult for other animals to detect them. The example of the snowshoe hare changing the color of its fur to match the seasons further supports the concept of camouflage.

The moon appears to change shape in the sky because the amount of sunlight reflected by the moon changes. As the moon orbits around the Earth, the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and moon cause different portions of the moon to be illuminated. This changing illumination creates the different phases of the moon that we observe from Earth.

Deserts cover approximately 1/5 of the earth's surface, making it the correct answer. Deserts are characterized by extremely low precipitation and are often found in areas where there is little vegetation. These regions have extreme temperature ranges, with scorching hot days and freezing cold nights. The lack of water and harsh conditions make it difficult for most plants and animals to survive in deserts.

Condensation is the correct answer because it is the stage in the water cycle where water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds. This occurs when warm air rises and cools, causing the water vapor to condense around tiny particles in the air, such as dust or smoke. As the water vapor condenses, it forms visible water droplets or ice crystals, which make up clouds. Therefore, condensation is the stage where water turns into a cloud in the water cycle.

A physical change refers to a change in the physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition. Cutting up paper is a physical change because it involves the physical alteration of the paper's shape and size, but the paper itself remains the same substance. Baking a cake involves a chemical change as the ingredients undergo a reaction to form a new substance, and rust on a car is also a chemical change as iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of moisture to form a new compound.

There are two layers of soil because the question asks for the number of layers, and the given answer is 2.