3rd grade Science practice sheet
Arizona Academic Standards · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
Question 1
Which of these is a natural source of light?
⚡- a TV
- a flashlight
- a lamp
- lightning
lightning
Hint: Natural sources are not made by people.
Question 2
A drum is hit softly, then hard. What changes?
🥁- the speed of sound in air
- the volume
- the color
- the pitch of every sound
the volume
Hint: A harder hit makes a bigger vibration.
Question 3
The school bell rings. Put the steps of your response in order.
- 👂Your ears sense the sound
- 🏃Your muscles move you to line up
- ⚡Nerves carry a message to your brain
- 🧠Your brain decides what to do
Your ears sense the sound → Nerves carry a message to your brain → Your brain decides what to do → Your muscles move you to line up
Hint: Your senses notice first. Nerves carry the message to your brain, your brain decides, then your muscles move.
Question 4
Why do pine trees have needles instead of wide leaves?
- Needles are softer
- Needles make fruit
- Needles lose less water and shed snow
Needles lose less water and shed snow
Hint: Needles help in cold, dry winters.
Question 5
What is the main source of energy for Earth's living things?
- the Sun
- the wind
- the Moon
the Sun
Hint: Plants use sunlight to make food.
Question 6
Where in a plant does most food making happen?
- Flowers
- Roots
- Leaves
- Bark
Leaves
Hint: Green parts.
Question 7
Why do geese fly in a V shape?
- To spell a word
- To scare clouds
- To find snow
- It saves energy for the group
It saves energy for the group
Hint: Groups help travel.
Question 8
Which is a decomposer?
- Deer
- Eagle
- Mushroom
- Fern
Mushroom
Hint: Fungi break things down.
Question 9
Which surface reflected the most light?
Temperature after 10 minutes in the Sun (°C) - white paper
- black paper
- foil
foil
Hint: It stayed the coolest.
Question 10
What causes sound?
🎸- colors
- light
- magnets
- vibrations
vibrations
Hint: When something vibrates (moves back and forth quickly), it makes sound.
Answer key
- 1. lightning (Light)
- 2. the volume (Sound)
- 3. Your ears sense the sound → Nerves carry a message to your brain → Your brain decides what to do → Your muscles move you to line up (Sense & Respond)
- 4. Needles lose less water and shed snow (Adaptations & Habitats)
- 5. the Sun (Energy on the Move)
- 6. Leaves (Energy from the Sun)
- 7. It saves energy for the group (Surviving in a Habitat)
- 8. Mushroom (Matter Moves in Ecosystems)
- 9. foil (Light)
- 10. vibrations (Sound)
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback. See all science units.