Notice family resemblance
Notice family resemblance using supplied evidence and a solved model.
About 12 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- For younger learners, an adult may read each direction aloud; pointing, drawing and spoken explanations count as responses.
- Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
- Reference card A: share the named visible feature. Reference card B: differ in the named visible feature.
- Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Two cats both have striped fur.
- Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: One cat striped, another spotted.
- Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Card labels a kitten.
- Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Card labels a mature cat.
- Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Two plants both have broad leaves.
- Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: One plant tall, another short.
Learn the idea
Young organisms often resemble their parents but are not exact copies. Use the supplied animal pictures. A shared trait is evidence of similarity, not proof that unrelated-looking organisms cannot be related.
Similar means share the named visible feature. Different means differ in the named visible feature. Young means earlier life stage in this card. Adult means mature stage in this card.
For similar, look for the clue “share the named visible feature.” For different, look for “differ in the named visible feature.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.
- Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
- Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
- Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
- Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.
See the method in action
Worked reference-card problem: a card states “share the named visible feature”; a second states “differ in the named visible feature.” The first fits similar and the second fits different. The reason is the described function or change, not the order of the cards or a favorite name. If their descriptions exchange places, their category labels exchange too. Keep the supplied descriptions attached to the correct case.
Check your reasoning
Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.
Helpful tips
- Use the feature “share the named visible feature” to justify similar; do not sort by the name alone.
- Distinguish different (differ in the named visible feature) from a different process occurring in the same situation.
See the answer and explanation
similar
The answer is similar. In the notes, it means “share the named visible feature.” Young organisms often resemble their parents but are not exact copies. Use the supplied animal pictures. A shared trait is evidence of similarity, not proof that unrelated-looking organisms cannot be related.
Take it further
Create one new case showing similar and one showing different. Expected: the first explicitly shows “share the named visible feature”; the second explicitly shows “differ in the named visible feature.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.
More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.