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Passed On, and Not Quite the Same is a free printable Grade 3 science worksheet on evidence that traits are inherited and vary within a group, aligned to Common Core standard 3-LS3-1. It prints 3 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 17 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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One paper per pupil

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Passed On, and Not Quite the Same

3-LS3-1

NameDate

Sort each one into the right group.

1.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?

Sort: All the puppies in the litter have floppy ears, One sunflower's head is wider than the rest, A tree bent by the wind on a cliff

Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings
2.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?

Sort: All the kittens have whiskers, A dog is heavier after a winter of big meals, One puppy is darker than its littermates

Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings
3.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?

Sort: Every oak seedling has oak-shaped leaves, Some kittens are striped and some are plain, The shady sunflowers grew shorter

Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings

LessonPrint · 3-LS3-1 · Set 17 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Passed On, and Not Quite the Same

Set 17. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. A tree bent by the wind on a cliff — Caused by the surroundings 2. All the puppies in the litter have floppy ears — Inherited and shared 3. One sunflower's head is wider than the rest — Inherited but varies
  2. 2.1. A dog is heavier after a winter of big meals — Caused by the surroundings 2. All the kittens have whiskers — Inherited and shared 3. One puppy is darker than its littermates — Inherited but varies
  3. 3.1. Every oak seedling has oak-shaped leaves — Inherited and shared 2. Some kittens are striped and some are plain — Inherited but varies 3. The shady sunflowers grew shorter — Caused by the surroundings

More practice for 3-LS3-1

Use data to show traits are inherited and still vary within a group.

Teaching this next? Passed On, and Not Quite the Same is the 55-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 3-LS3-1 of the Next Generation Science Standards.