Elementary School Science Quiz: Trace Energy From Plants To Animals
20 questions · exam conditions
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Trace Energy From Plants To AnimalsQuestion 1 of 20

The model shows Sun → Tree → Squirrel. How does energy transfer to squirrel?

by eating acorns with stored sun energy
by absorbing sunlight like the tree
by breathing air to get energy
by drinking water from the tree
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Elementary School Science Quiz

Elementary School Science Quiz: Trace Energy From Plants To Animals

Practice Trace Energy From Plants To Animals in Elementary School Science with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Trace Energy From Plants To Animals, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Elementary School Science.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

The model shows Sun → Tree → Squirrel. How does energy transfer to squirrel?

  1. by eating acorns with stored sun energy (correct answer)
  2. by absorbing sunlight like the tree
  3. by breathing air to get energy
  4. by drinking water from the tree
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, animals must get energy by eating food. When an animal eats a plant, the energy stored in the plant's food (the sugars and starches the plant made using sunlight) transfers to the animal's body. For example, when a squirrel eats acorns, the energy stored in the acorns moves into the squirrel's body, where it can be used for climbing, staying warm, and growing. The squirrel doesn't get energy from sunlight directly, from the air it breathes, or from the water it drinks—the energy comes from the plant food it eats. This is why the arrow in food chain diagrams points from the plant to the animal: energy flows from plant to animal through eating. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes that the animal gets energy by eating the plant (or consuming plant food). This demonstrates understanding that eating is the mechanism by which energy transfers from plants to animals, and that the energy stored in plant tissues moves into the animal's body when the plant is consumed. Choice B fails because it claims the animal gets energy directly from the sun, when animals cannot photosynthesize and must eat plants to get the sun's energy. The only way for animals to get the energy originally captured by plants from the sun is to eat the plants. To help students understand energy transfer from plants to animals: Create simple food chain diagrams with arrows. Emphasize: 'The arrow means energy flows this way.' Practice: Sun → Tree → Squirrel. 'Where does the squirrel get energy? [By eating acorns] Can the squirrel get energy directly from the sun? [No, only plants can] What happens when the squirrel eats acorns? [Energy in the acorns transfers to the squirrel].' Use the phrase 'energy transfers through eating' repeatedly. Compare: Plants make their own food using sunlight (producers). Animals must eat plants or other animals to get energy (consumers). Draw a clear distinction: sunlight → plants only. Animals must eat. Show multiple examples: Cow eats grass, caterpillar eats leaves, deer eats plants, person eats vegetables—in all cases, energy transfers from plant to animal through eating. Watch for: Students who think animals can absorb sunlight directly, or who confuse things necessary for life (water, air, shelter) with energy sources. Reinforce: Water and air are needed but don't provide energy. Only food provides energy. For animals, food comes from eating plants or other animals.

Question 2

According to Sun → Grass → Deer, how does energy flow from plants to animals?

  1. by the deer breathing air for energy
  2. by the deer eating grass for energy (correct answer)
  3. by the deer absorbing sunlight directly
  4. by the deer drinking water for energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Energy flows from plants to animals through the process of eating—this is the only way animals can access the energy that plants captured from the sun. When a deer eats grass, the energy stored in the grass (from photosynthesis) transfers to the deer's body. The deer cannot get energy directly from sunlight, air, or water—it must eat plants. Choice B is correct because it accurately describes that energy flows by the deer eating grass for energy, demonstrating understanding of eating as the transfer mechanism. Choices A, C, and D fail because breathing air, absorbing sunlight directly, and drinking water don't transfer energy from plants to animals—only eating does. Teaching strategy: Emphasize the word 'flow' in energy flow. Draw arrows from grass to deer and explain 'Energy flows this direction when the deer eats.' Compare what plants can do (absorb sunlight) with what animals must do (eat plants). Use the phrase 'energy transfers through eating' repeatedly to reinforce this key concept.

Question 3

In Sun → Algae → Tadpole, the arrow from algae to tadpole shows energy transfers by what?

  1. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
  2. by drinking water for energy
  3. by eating algae with stored energy (correct answer)
  4. by breathing air to make energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Tadpoles are animals that cannot make their own food from sunlight—they must eat to get energy. When a tadpole eats algae (which are simple plants), the energy stored in the algae transfers to the tadpole's body for swimming, growing, and developing into a frog. Choice C is correct because it accurately describes that energy transfers by the tadpole eating algae with stored energy. The arrow in the model specifically shows this eating relationship and energy flow. Choices A, B, and D fail because tadpoles cannot absorb sunlight directly (only plants can), and water and air don't provide energy—they're needed for life but energy comes only from food. Teaching strategy: Draw Sun → Algae → Tadpole with clear arrows. Explain 'Algae are like tiny plants that make food from sunlight. Tadpoles eat the algae to get that stored energy.' Use aquatic examples to show the same pattern works in water: plants make food, animals eat plants. Emphasize that whether on land or in water, animals must eat to get energy.

Question 4

Food chain: Sun → Algae → Tadpole. Where did the tadpole's energy start?​

  1. by coming directly from the sun
  2. by starting in algae from sunlight (correct answer)
  3. by starting in water the tadpole drank
  4. by starting in air the tadpole breathed
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The food chain shows Sun → Algae → Tadpole, and students must trace where the tadpole's energy originally came from. Algae, like all plants, capture sunlight through photosynthesis and store it as chemical energy. When the tadpole eats algae, it gets this stored solar energy. Choice B is correct because it accurately identifies that the tadpole's energy started in algae from sunlight, showing understanding of the complete energy pathway. Choice A fails because the tadpole cannot get energy directly from the sun—it must eat the algae that captured the sunlight. Choices C and D fail because water and air don't provide energy. Teaching strategy: Use tracing exercises with food chains. Ask: 'Where did the energy start? [Sun] Who captured it? [Algae] How did the tadpole get it? [By eating algae]' Emphasize that all energy in food chains ultimately comes from the sun, but animals can only access it by eating plants.

Question 5

The model shows: Sun → Grass. How does a cow get that sun energy?

  1. by absorbing sunlight like grass does
  2. by eating grass that stored sunlight (correct answer)
  3. by drinking water for energy
  4. by breathing air to gain energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The model shows Sun → Grass, and students must determine how a cow accesses the sun's energy stored in grass. Cows cannot photosynthesize or capture sunlight directly—only plants like grass can do this. The cow obtains the sun's energy by eating the grass that has already captured and stored solar energy through photosynthesis. Choice B is correct because it accurately states the cow gets sun energy by eating grass that stored sunlight, showing complete understanding of the energy pathway. Choice A fails because cows cannot absorb sunlight like plants, and choices C and D fail because water and air don't provide energy. Teaching strategy: Use the question 'How does the cow get the sun's energy?' to trace energy flow. Guide students: 'The sun gives energy to grass, grass stores it, cow eats grass to get that stored energy.' Emphasize that all animal energy ultimately comes from the sun, but animals must eat plants (or other animals) to access it.

Question 6

The energy in a grasshopper's body came from what in this food chain?

  1. from the air it breathes each day
  2. from eating grass that stored sunlight (correct answer)
  3. from sunlight shining on its body
  4. from drinking water on plant leaves
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The energy in a grasshopper's body can be traced back through the food chain to its original source. Grasshoppers eat grass, and grass makes its own food using energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. When the grasshopper eats grass, the stored sunlight energy in the grass transfers to the grasshopper's body. Choice B is correct because it accurately traces the energy path: sunlight was stored by grass, then the grasshopper got that energy by eating the grass. Choices A, C, and D fail because air provides oxygen but not energy, grasshoppers cannot absorb sunlight directly (only plants can photosynthesize), and water on leaves provides moisture but not energy. To help students trace energy: Create a complete chain Sun → Grass → Grasshopper and ask 'Where did the grasshopper's energy start? [The sun] How did it get to the grasshopper? [Sun to grass, then grass to grasshopper through eating].' Emphasize that all animal energy originally comes from the sun but must pass through plants first. Practice tracing energy backwards: 'Energy in grasshopper came from grass, energy in grass came from sun.'

Question 7

The model Sun → Grass shows plants store energy; how does a rabbit get it?

  1. by drinking water for energy
  2. by eating the grass to get energy (correct answer)
  3. by absorbing sunlight like the grass
  4. by breathing air to make energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The model shows that grass stores energy from the sun through photosynthesis, but rabbits cannot photosynthesize—they don't have chlorophyll. The only way a rabbit can access the energy stored in grass is by eating it. When the rabbit eats grass, the stored energy transfers from the grass to the rabbit's body. Choice B is correct because it accurately describes that the rabbit gets energy by eating the grass, demonstrating understanding that consumption is how energy transfers from plants to animals. Choices A, C, and D fail because drinking water, absorbing sunlight like grass, and breathing air don't provide energy—rabbits cannot photosynthesize like plants and must eat to get energy. Teaching strategy: Start with what students know—'Can rabbits make food from sunlight?' [No] 'Can grass make food from sunlight?' [Yes]. Then connect: 'So how does the rabbit get the sun's energy that's in the grass?' [By eating it]. Use simple language: 'Plants make food, animals eat food.'

Question 8

In this food chain, where does the rabbit get the energy it needs?

  1. by drinking water from a pond
  2. by eating grass with stored energy (correct answer)
  3. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
  4. by breathing air to make energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, animals must get energy by eating food. When a rabbit eats grass, the energy stored in the grass (the sugars and starches the grass made using sunlight) transfers to the rabbit's body, where it can be used for hopping, staying warm, and growing. Choice B is correct because it accurately describes that the rabbit gets energy by eating grass with stored energy. This demonstrates understanding that eating is the mechanism by which energy transfers from plants to animals. Choices A, C, and D fail because water doesn't provide energy (just hydration), animals cannot absorb sunlight like plants do, and breathing provides oxygen but not energy—only food provides energy to animals. To help students understand energy transfer: Create simple food chain diagrams with arrows showing Sun → Grass → Rabbit. Emphasize: 'The arrow means energy flows this way through eating.' Practice asking: 'Where does the rabbit get energy? [By eating grass] Can the rabbit get energy directly from the sun? [No, only plants can].' Use the phrase 'energy transfers through eating' repeatedly and reinforce that water and air are needed for life but don't provide energy.

Question 9

In Sun → Tree → Squirrel, where did the energy in the squirrel's body originally come from?

  1. by breathing air to make energy
  2. by drinking water for energy
  3. by eating tree seeds with stored energy (correct answer)
  4. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The energy in the squirrel's body originally came from the sun, but the squirrel cannot get it directly—it must eat parts of the tree. When a squirrel eats tree seeds (like acorns or nuts), the energy stored in those seeds transfers to the squirrel's body. The tree captured sunlight energy and stored it in its seeds, and the squirrel gets that energy by eating the seeds. Choice C is correct because it accurately describes that the squirrel gets energy by eating tree seeds with stored energy, tracing the energy path from sun to tree to squirrel. Choices A, B, and D fail because breathing air, drinking water, and absorbing sunlight don't provide energy to animals—only eating food transfers the sun's energy from plants to animals. Teaching strategy: Trace energy backwards—'Where did the squirrel get energy?' [From seeds] 'Where did seeds get energy?' [From the tree] 'Where did the tree get energy?' [From the sun]. Use this pattern to show energy always starts with the sun but animals must eat to get it.

Question 10

According to Sun → Lettuce → Human, the energy humans use comes from what action?

  1. by eating lettuce with stored energy (correct answer)
  2. by breathing air to make energy
  3. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
  4. by drinking water for energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Humans, like all animals, cannot photosynthesize—we don't have chlorophyll and cannot make food from sunlight. When humans eat lettuce, the energy stored in the lettuce (from photosynthesis) transfers to our bodies for walking, thinking, growing, and all life activities. The sun's energy is captured by lettuce through photosynthesis, and humans access that energy by eating the lettuce. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes that humans get energy by eating lettuce with stored energy, showing understanding of energy transfer through consumption. Choices B, C, and D fail because breathing air, absorbing sunlight, and drinking water are necessary for life but don't provide energy—only food provides the energy our bodies need. To help students: Make it personal—'Can you make food from sunlight like a plant?' [No] 'How do you get energy?' [By eating food]. Show various vegetables and explain each one stored energy from the sun that transfers to us when we eat them.

Question 11

How does energy flow from grass to a rabbit in this food chain?

  1. by breathing air to get energy
  2. by drinking water to get energy
  3. by eating grass with stored energy (correct answer)
  4. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, when a rabbit eats grass, the energy stored in the grass (from photosynthesis) transfers to the rabbit's body. Choice C is correct because it accurately describes that the rabbit gets energy by eating grass with stored energy, demonstrating understanding of energy transfer through consumption. Choices A, B, and D fail because breathing air and drinking water are necessary for life but don't provide energy, and animals cannot absorb sunlight directly like plants do. To help students: Use food chain diagrams with arrows showing energy flow. Practice: Sun → Grass → Rabbit, asking 'How does the rabbit get the sun's energy?' Emphasize that only eating transfers energy from plants to animals.

Question 12

According to the food chain Sun → Leaves → Caterpillar, the caterpillar gets energy by?

  1. by eating leaves that stored sun energy (correct answer)
  2. by making food from sunlight itself
  3. by drinking water on the leaves
  4. by breathing air to get energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, animals must get energy by eating food, and when a caterpillar eats leaves, the energy stored in the leaves from the sun transfers to the caterpillar's body for growth and movement. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes that the caterpillar gets energy by eating leaves that stored sun energy, showing that eating is the mechanism by which energy transfers from plants to animals. Choice B fails because it suggests the animal makes its own food from sunlight itself, when only plants can do this through photosynthesis. To help students understand energy transfer from plants to animals: Create simple food chain diagrams with arrows, emphasizing 'The arrow means energy flows this way.' Practice: Sun → Leaves → Caterpillar; ask 'What happens when the caterpillar eats leaves? Energy transfers to the caterpillar.' Reinforce that water and air are needed but don't provide energy, only food does, and use examples like rabbits eating grass or squirrels eating nuts to illustrate energy flow through eating.

Question 13

The arrow from grass to grasshopper shows energy transfer happens by doing what?​

  1. by absorbing sunlight like grass does
  2. by eating grass with stored energy (correct answer)
  3. by breathing air to gain energy
  4. by drinking water to gain energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The arrow in a food chain diagram specifically represents the direction of energy flow, which happens through eating. Grasshoppers cannot photosynthesize like grass does—they must eat the grass to obtain the energy that the grass captured from sunlight. Choice B is correct because it accurately states that energy transfer happens by the grasshopper eating grass with stored energy. Choice A fails because grasshoppers cannot absorb sunlight directly, and choices C and D fail because air and water are necessary for life but don't provide energy. Teaching strategy: Focus on arrow meaning in food chains. State clearly: 'Arrows show energy moving when one organism eats another.' Practice reading arrows: 'The arrow points from grass to grasshopper. This means the grasshopper eats the grass to get energy.' Use multiple examples to reinforce that all arrows in food chains represent eating and energy transfer.

Question 14

The model shows Sun → Grass → Cow; where did the cow's energy originally come from?

  1. from the soil minerals around the grass
  2. from sunlight stored in grass the cow ate (correct answer)
  3. from warm air heating the cow's body
  4. from water the cow drinks each day
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, animals must get energy by eating food, and the cow's energy originally comes from sunlight stored in the grass it ate, which the grass captured through photosynthesis. Choice B is correct because it accurately describes that the cow's energy comes from sunlight stored in grass the cow ate, illustrating that eating transfers energy from plants to animals. Choice D fails because it states energy comes from water the cow drinks each day, when water is necessary for life but doesn't provide energy. To help students understand energy transfer from plants to animals: Create simple food chain diagrams with arrows, emphasizing 'The arrow means energy flows this way.' Practice: Sun → Grass → Cow; ask 'Where did the cow's energy originally come from? From sunlight stored in grass.' Watch for misconceptions like thinking animals get energy from soil or air, and use examples like deer eating plants or chickens eating corn to reinforce that energy transfers through eating.

Question 15

The arrow from grass to grasshopper shows energy transfer happens by doing what?

  1. by absorbing sunlight like grass does
  2. by eating grass with stored energy (correct answer)
  3. by breathing air to gain energy
  4. by drinking water to gain energy
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The arrow in a food chain diagram specifically represents the direction of energy flow, which happens through eating. Grasshoppers cannot photosynthesize like grass does—they must eat the grass to obtain the energy that the grass captured from sunlight. Choice B is correct because it accurately states that energy transfer happens by the grasshopper eating grass with stored energy. Choice A fails because grasshoppers cannot absorb sunlight directly, and choices C and D fail because air and water are necessary for life but don't provide energy. Teaching strategy: Focus on arrow meaning in food chains. State clearly: 'Arrows show energy moving when one organism eats another.' Practice reading arrows: 'The arrow points from grass to grasshopper. This means the grasshopper eats the grass to get energy.' Use multiple examples to reinforce that all arrows in food chains represent eating and energy transfer.

Question 16

Food chain: Sun → Algae → Tadpole. Where did the tadpole's energy start?

  1. by coming directly from the sun
  2. by starting in algae from sunlight (correct answer)
  3. by starting in water the tadpole drank
  4. by starting in air the tadpole breathed
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. The food chain shows Sun → Algae → Tadpole, and students must trace where the tadpole's energy originally came from. Algae, like all plants, capture sunlight through photosynthesis and store it as chemical energy. When the tadpole eats algae, it gets this stored solar energy. Choice B is correct because it accurately identifies that the tadpole's energy started in algae from sunlight, showing understanding of the complete energy pathway. Choice A fails because the tadpole cannot get energy directly from the sun—it must eat the algae that captured the sunlight. Choices C and D fail because water and air don't provide energy. Teaching strategy: Use tracing exercises with food chains. Ask: 'Where did the energy start? [Sun] Who captured it? [Algae] How did the tadpole get it? [By eating algae]' Emphasize that all energy in food chains ultimately comes from the sun, but animals can only access it by eating plants.

Question 17

According to the food chain, the squirrel gets its energy by doing what?

  1. by drinking water from a stream
  2. by eating acorns made by the tree (correct answer)
  3. by making food using sunlight
  4. by absorbing energy through its skin
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Squirrels cannot make their own food using sunlight—they lack chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize like plants do. Instead, squirrels must get energy by eating food. When a squirrel eats acorns (which are seeds made by oak trees), the energy stored in those acorns transfers to the squirrel's body for climbing, staying warm, and growing. Choice B is correct because it accurately describes that the squirrel gets energy by eating acorns made by the tree, demonstrating understanding that eating plant products is how energy transfers from plants to animals. Choices A, C, and D fail because water provides hydration but not energy, animals cannot make food using sunlight (only plants can), and animals cannot absorb energy through their skin. To help students understand: Create food chain diagrams showing Sun → Oak Tree → Acorns → Squirrel. Emphasize: 'The squirrel gets the tree's stored energy by eating acorns.' Practice identifying what different animals eat: 'What plant food gives the squirrel energy? [Acorns, nuts, seeds].' Reinforce that all animal energy comes from eating plants or other animals, never directly from sun, water, or air.

Question 18

According to the diagram Sun → Algae → Tadpole, the tadpole gets energy by?

  1. by eating algae that stored sun energy (correct answer)
  2. by taking energy from the water around it
  3. by absorbing sunlight like algae does
  4. by producing energy without eating food
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Animals cannot make their own food using sunlight the way plants do—animals don't have chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, animals must get energy by eating food, and the tadpole gets energy by eating algae that stored sun energy through photosynthesis. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes that the tadpole gets energy by eating algae that stored sun energy, showing eating as the energy transfer method. Choice C fails because it claims the tadpole absorbs sunlight like algae does, when animals cannot photosynthesize. To help students understand energy transfer from plants to animals: Create simple food chain diagrams with arrows, emphasizing 'The arrow means energy flows this way.' Practice: Sun → Algae → Tadpole; ask 'How does the tadpole get energy? By eating algae.' Address misconceptions like energy from water, and use examples like fish eating aquatic plants or caterpillars eating leaves to reinforce that only food provides energy via eating.

Question 19

In the model, what is the source of energy for a goat that eats grass?

  1. by eating grass that stored sunlight (correct answer)
  2. by absorbing sunlight like a plant
  3. by getting energy from the soil
  4. by producing energy inside its body
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. Goats, like all animals, cannot make their own food or directly use sunlight for energy. The source of a goat's energy is the grass it eats, which contains energy that the grass originally captured from sunlight through photosynthesis. When the goat eats grass, all that stored solar energy transfers to the goat's body for climbing, producing milk, and staying warm. Choice A is correct because it accurately identifies that the goat's energy source is eating grass that stored sunlight, showing complete understanding of the energy pathway from sun to plant to animal. Choices B, C, and D fail because goats cannot absorb sunlight directly (lacking chlorophyll), soil provides minerals but not energy, and animals cannot produce energy inside their bodies—they must consume it. To help students identify energy sources: Ask 'What is the goat's food? [Grass] Where did the grass get its energy? [Sunlight] So where does the goat's energy originally come from? [Sunlight, through the grass].' Use the phrase 'energy source' and trace it back through the food chain. Reinforce that for all animals, the energy source is food, and that food's energy came from the sun.

Question 20

In the chain Sun → leaves → caterpillar, how does the caterpillar get energy?

  1. by eating leaves that stored sunlight (correct answer)
  2. by making its own food from sunlight
  3. by breathing air to gain energy
  4. by absorbing sunlight through its skin
Explanation: This question tests the ability to use models to trace energy transfer from plants to animals (NGSS 5-PS3-1). Students must understand that animals get energy by eating plants and that energy transfers through the food chain. In the chain Sun → leaves → caterpillar, energy flows in one direction through eating. The sun's energy is captured by leaves through photosynthesis and stored as food. When the caterpillar eats the leaves, this stored sunlight energy transfers to the caterpillar's body for crawling, growing, and eventually forming a chrysalis. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes that the caterpillar gets energy by eating leaves that stored sunlight, showing understanding of the complete energy pathway. Choices B, C, and D fail because caterpillars cannot make their own food from sunlight (they lack chlorophyll), breathing provides oxygen but not energy, and caterpillars cannot absorb sunlight through their skin—only eating provides energy. To help students understand: Use the specific chain Sun → Leaves → Caterpillar with arrows. Explain: 'Each arrow means energy transfers through eating.' Ask: 'Can the caterpillar skip the leaves and get energy directly from the sun? [No, only plants can use sunlight].' Show how caterpillars must eat many leaves because they're growing rapidly and need lots of energy. Reinforce that animals are consumers who must eat to get energy.