A Small Difference That Helps is a free printable Grade 3 science worksheet on how variation among individuals can give an advantage, aligned to Common Core standard 3-LS4-2. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 19 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
A Small Difference That Helps
3-LS4-2
NameDate
Draw a line from each variation to the advantage.
1.Draw a line from each one to its match.
A flower with a brighter colour
A moth whose wings match the bark
A beetle with a harder shell
A tree that flowers a week earlier
A.Attracts more bees, so more seed is set
B.Is spotted less often by birds
C.Sets seed before the summer drought
D.Survives being trodden on or pecked
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
A rabbit with slightly longer legs
A fish that grows faster than its shoal
A plant with a deeper root
A bird with a stronger beak
A.Escapes a fox more often
B.Is too big for smaller predators sooner
C.Reaches water in a dry summer
D.Cracks seeds others cannot open
LessonPrint · 3-LS4-2 · Set 19 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — A Small Difference That Helps
Set 19. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. A flower with a brighter colour — A (Attracts more bees, so more seed is set) 2. A moth whose wings match the bark — B (Is spotted less often by birds) 3. A beetle with a harder shell — D (Survives being trodden on or pecked) 4. A tree that flowers a week earlier — C (Sets seed before the summer drought)
2.1. A rabbit with slightly longer legs — A (Escapes a fox more often) 2. A fish that grows faster than its shoal — B (Is too big for smaller predators sooner) 3. A plant with a deeper root — C (Reaches water in a dry summer) 4. A bird with a stronger beak — D (Cracks seeds others cannot open)
More practice for 3-LS4-2
Explain how differences between individuals help them survive and reproduce.