Classification keys
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Explain that a classification key asks yes or no questions to name a living thing
- Follow an animal key step by step, and say which step gives a name
- Use a key for leaves to name four trees from their leaves
- Use a key for minibeasts to name animals found in a garden
- Write a simple yes or no question that separates two living things
- Explain why the features in a key must be checked in a set order
You should already know
- Grouping living things by their shared features (Year 4 Science, Chapter 2)
- Living things and their habitats, and naming plants and animals (Year 2 Science, Chapter 3)
Where this leads
- Habitats, changes in the environment and food chains (Year 4 Science, Chapter 4)
- Identifying living things in more detail (Year 5 Science)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 science, Year 4. Content: LH2 (summary): use and apply classification keys to sort, identify and name living things in nearby and wider surroundings.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about the group with 8 legs.
- Read the features. Spiders have 8 legs and 2 body parts.spiders
- Write the answer. spiders
Check. An insect has 6 legs and 3 body parts. ✓
Method. Think about the features of birds.
- Read the features. Birds have feathers and a beak.feathers and a beak
- Write the answer. birds
Check. Birds lay eggs with hard shells. ✓
Method. Think about the prefix: inver means not.
- Read the definition. Animals without a backbone are called invertebrates.invertebrates
- Write the answer. invertebrates
Check. Vertebrates have a backbone. ✓
Method. Think about the part that holds the plant up.
- Read the chapter about plant parts. The stem holds the plant up and carries water.stem
- Write the answer. stem
Check. The roots take in water from the soil. ✓
Method. Think about the group a frog belongs to.
- Read the features. A frog has moist skin, and it is an amphibian.amphibian
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Frogs and toads are amphibians. ✓
What a classification key is
A classification key is a set of questions that helps you to identify (name) a living thing. Each question asks about one feature that you can see, count or check. Each question has two answers: yes or no.
You start at the first question and follow the answer. Each answer sends you to the next question, or to a name. The key always ends with a name.
Key ideas
- A classification key asks yes or no questions about features.
- Each question has two answers: yes or no.
- You start at the first question and follow the answers, step by step.
- The key ends with the name of the living thing.
Method. Check the question for two answers.
- Read the question. The question asks whether the animal has feathers.feathers
- Check the answers. The answer can only be yes or no, so it is a yes or no question.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Every question in a key has two answers, yes or no. ✓
Method. Look for the question with a yes or no answer that you can check.
- Look at a). Pretty is an opinion, so it is not a good key question.opinion
- Look at b). You can count the legs, and the answer is yes or no.count the legs
- Write the answer. b
Check. Only checkable features make good key questions. ✓
Method. Think about what a key is for.
- Think about the purpose. A key helps you to name a living thing, so you have identified it.name
- Choose the word. Naming a living thing is called identifying it.identified
- Write the answer. identified
Check. The key led you to the name, so the living thing is identified. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a key only works if you answer each question carefully, using a feature you can see. A question about how a creature makes you feel is not a good key question.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Look at a leaf from a tree in the garden, with a grown-up. Think of one yes or no question about it, such as: Is the leaf smooth on the edge? Answer it yes or no. Do not pick leaves from trees that you do not know.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Can you answer that with yes or no? Can you see it, or check it?” Let your child say the word identify, and what it means.
Exercise 3A What a classification key is
Method. Read the start of section 3.1.
- Read the key idea. Each question has two answers: yes or no.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes and no
Check. Yes and no are the only two answers. ✓
Method. Read the definition in section 3.1.
- Read the definition. A key helps you to identify a living thing, by naming it.identify
- Write the answer. identify
Check. Identify means to say what something is. ✓
Method. Think about yes and no.
- Count the answers. The two answers are yes and no.yes and no
- Write the number. So each step has two answers.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Each question splits the living things into two groups. ✓
Method. Read the key idea in section 3.1.
- Read the key idea. The key always ends with the name of the living thing.name
- Write the answer. name
Check. The end of the key gives the name. ✓
Method. Check the answers to the question.
- Check the answers. The answer to this question is yes or no.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A feature you can check makes a good key question. ✓
Method. Check whether there are two answers.
- Check the answers. The answer is a colour, such as green or brown, not yes or no.colour
- Write the answer. no
Check. A key question needs a yes or no answer. ✓
Method. Look for the question you can check.
- Look at a). Pretty is an opinion, so the answer changes from person to person.opinion
- Look at b). You can count the legs, so the answer is yes or no.count
- Write the answer. b
Check. Count the legs to check the answer. ✓
Method. Think about what a key can name.
- Think about the keys. Keys can be used for plants, such as leaves, as well as for animals.plants
- Decide. So Ali is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Section 3.3 uses a key for leaves. ✓
Method. Read the key idea in section 3.1.
- Think about plants. A key can name living things, which includes plants.living things
- Write the answer. true
Check. Plants are living things, so keys can name them. ✓
Method. Think about what you can see on a living thing.
- Think about the features. Legs, wings, leaves and fur can all be seen.can be seen
- Write one. Any one of these is a feature for a key question.one feature
- Write the answer. Accept any feature that can be seen or counted, such as legs, wings, leaves or fur.
Check. A feature you can check makes a good key question. ✓
Method. Think about a key as a set of steps.
- Think about the answers. A wrong answer at one step leads to the wrong name.wrong answer
- Write the next step. Checking the features again is the sensible next step.check again
- Write the answer. Accept any sensible answer, such as: check each question again, or check the features on the living thing.
Check. Checking again helps us find a mistake. ✓
Method. Put the ideas together.
- Describe the questions. The questions are yes or no questions about features.yes or no
- Describe the end. The key leads to the name of the living thing.the name
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says a classification key is a set of yes or no questions that leads to the name of a living thing.
Check. A key is a path of questions, ending in a name. ✓
Using a key for animals
This is the animal key. Start at step 1. Answer each question yes or no, then follow the arrow: go to step a number, or read the name.
| Step | Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Does it have a backbone? | go to step 2 | go to step 6 |
| 2 | Does it have feathers? | bird | go to step 3 |
| 3 | Does it live in water and have fins? | fish | go to step 4 |
| 4 | Does it have fur or hair? | mammal | go to step 5 |
| 5 | Does it have dry, scaly skin? | reptile | amphibian |
| 6 | Does it have 8 legs? | spider | go to step 7 |
| 7 | Does it have 6 legs? | insect | go to step 8 |
| 8 | Does it have a shell? | snail | worm |
Key ideas
- Start at step 1, and answer every question in order.
- If the answer is yes, follow the yes column. If the answer is no, follow the no column.
- A key ends when you reach a name in the table.
- Do not skip a step, even if you think you know the name.
Method. Start at step 1 and follow the answer.
- Read step 1. Step 1 asks: Does it have a backbone? The robin answers yes.yes
- Find the next step. The yes column for step 1 says go to step 2.go to step 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Step 2 asks about feathers, and the robin has them. ✓
Method. Follow step 2.
- Read step 2. Step 2 asks: Does it have feathers? The robin answers yes.yes
- Read the name. The yes column for step 2 gives the name bird.bird
- Write the answer. bird
Check. Feathers and a beak make a bird. ✓
Method. Follow the steps one at a time.
- Step 1: backbone. Yes, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2: feathers. No, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3: fins and water. Yes, so the key gives the name fish.fish
- Write the answer. fish
Check. The goldfish is named after three steps. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: follow the answer for each question. A yes answer and a no answer lead to different steps, so do not use the same column twice.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Look at the pictures of animals in a book with a grown-up. Use the animal key on one picture at a time. Say each step aloud, and write the name the key gives.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which question are you on? Did you answer yes or no? Where does the arrow go?” Let your child read each step, and say which number to go to next.
Exercise 3B Using a key for animals
Method. Read the table in section 3.2.
- Read step 1. The answer is yes, so the table says go to step 2.go to step 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Step 2 is about feathers. ✓
Method. Follow step 2.
- Read step 2. The answer is yes, so the name is given.yes
- Read the name. The name in the yes column of step 2 is bird.bird
- Write the answer. bird
Check. A robin is a bird. ✓
Method. Find the step that gives the name fish.
- Look at the table. The name fish is in the yes column of step 3.step 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. A goldfish has fins and lives in water. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a frog.
- Step 1. A frog has a backbone, so go to step 2.step 2
- Steps 2 to 5. A frog has no feathers, no fins, no fur, and no dry scaly skin.no
- Read the name. The no column of step 5 gives amphibian.amphibian
- Write the answer. amphibian
Check. A frog has moist skin. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a lizard.
- Steps 1 to 4. A lizard has a backbone, no feathers, no fins and no fur.no fur
- Step 5. A lizard has dry scaly skin, so the yes column gives reptile.reptile
- Write the answer. reptile
Check. Lizards and snakes are reptiles. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a dog.
- Step 1. A dog has a backbone, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 4. A dog has fur, so the yes column gives mammal.mammal
- Write the answer. mammal
Check. Dogs feed their young on milk, so they are mammals. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a spider.
- Step 1. A spider has no backbone, so go to step 6.step 6
- Step 6. A spider has 8 legs, so the yes column gives spider.spider
- Write the answer. spider
Check. Count the legs to check: a spider has 8. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a ladybird.
- Step 1. A ladybird has no backbone, so go to step 6.step 6
- Step 6. A ladybird does not have 8 legs, so go to step 7.step 7
- Step 7. A ladybird has 6 legs, so the yes column gives insect.insect
- Write the answer. insect
Check. A ladybird is an insect with 6 legs. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a snail.
- Steps 1 to 7. A snail has no backbone, no 8 legs and no 6 legs, so go to step 8.step 8
- Step 8. A snail has a shell, so the yes column gives snail.snail
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The shell is the feature that names the snail. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a worm.
- Steps 1 to 7. A worm has no backbone, no legs, and so the key goes to step 8.step 8
- Step 8. A worm has no shell, so the no column gives worm.worm
- Write the answer. worm
Check. A worm has a long soft body and no legs. ✓
Method. Follow the key for a worm, then compare with Ruby’s prediction.
- Follow the key. A worm has no shell, so the key gives worm at step 8.worm
- Compare. The key gives worm, not snail, so Ruby’s prediction is wrong.not snail
- Write the answer. worm
Check. Testing a prediction with a key shows whether the prediction was right. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a bat.
- Step 2. A bat does not have feathers, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 4. A bat has fur, so the yes column gives mammal.mammal
- Write the answer. mammal
Check. Flying does not make a bat a bird. ✓
Method. Follow the key for a penguin.
- Step 1. A penguin has a backbone, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. A penguin has feathers, so the key gives bird.bird
- Write the answer. yes. Accept any sentence that says a penguin has feathers, so the key gives the name bird.
Check. The key follows the features of the penguin. ✓
Using a key for leaves
Leaves have different shapes and edges. A leaf key uses these features to name the tree. Look at the picture of four leaves, and then use the key.
This is the leaf key. Start at step 1.
| Step | Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Are the edges spiny, and are the leaves green all year? | holly | go to step 2 |
| 2 | Does the leaf have five pointed lobes, like a hand? | sycamore | go to step 3 |
| 3 | Does the leaf have rounded lobes? | oak | birch |
Key ideas
- Leaves can be named by their shape and the edges.
- Holly leaves have spiny edges, and stay green all year.
- Sycamore leaves have five pointed lobes, a bit like a hand.
- Oak leaves have rounded lobes. Birch leaves are oval with a pointed tip and no lobes.
Method. Start at step 1.
- Read step 1. The leaf has spiny edges and stays green all year, so the answer is yes.yes
- Read the name. The yes column of step 1 gives holly.holly
- Write the answer. holly
Check. Holly leaves are spiny, and the tree is evergreen. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Step 1. The edges are not spiny, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. The leaf has five pointed lobes, so the yes column gives sycamore.sycamore
- Write the answer. sycamore
Check. The five pointed lobes are the feature of sycamore. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Step 1. No spiny edges, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. No pointed lobes, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. The leaf has no rounded lobes, so the no column gives birch.birch
- Write the answer. birch
Check. Birch is the leaf with no lobes. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: look at the edge of the leaf carefully. A lobe is a rounded or pointed part that sticks out from the middle of the leaf, not a small tooth on the edge.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Collect two different leaves from a tree in a garden or park, with a grown-up. Use the leaf key on each one. Write the name, or write that the key does not name it. Do not eat or taste any leaf.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What is the edge like? Does it have lobes? Where does the arrow go next?” Let your child follow each step with a finger on the key.
Exercise 3C Using a key for leaves
Method. Read step 1 of the leaf key.
- Read step 1. The answer is yes, and the yes column gives a name.yes
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Only step 1 is needed to name holly. ✓
Method. Read step 1 of the leaf key.
- Read step 1. The answer is no, so the no column says go to step 2.go to step 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Step 2 asks about five pointed lobes. ✓
Method. Follow steps 1 and 2.
- Step 1. No spiny edges, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. Five pointed lobes, so the yes column gives sycamore.sycamore
- Write the answer. sycamore
Check. Sycamore leaves have five pointed lobes. ✓
Method. Follow steps 1, 2 and 3.
- Step 1. No spiny edges, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. No pointed lobes, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. Rounded lobes, so the yes column gives oak.oak
- Write the answer. oak
Check. Oak leaves have rounded lobes. ✓
Method. Follow steps 1, 2 and 3.
- Steps 1 and 2. No spiny edges, and no pointed lobes.no lobes
- Step 3. No rounded lobes, so the no column gives birch.birch
- Write the answer. birch
Check. Birch leaves are oval, with no lobes. ✓
Method. Look at the picture of four leaves.
- Look at the edges. The holly leaf has spiny edges.spiny edges
- Read the label. The label under that leaf says Holly.Holly
- Write the answer. Holly
Check. Holly is the leaf named first in the picture. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Steps 1 and 2. No spiny edges, and no pointed lobes.no lobes
- Step 3. No rounded lobes, so birch.birch
- Write the answer. birch
Check. Birch has a pointed tip and no lobes. ✓
Method. Check the sycamore leaf in the picture.
- Check the picture. The sycamore has five pointed lobes, not spiny edges.five pointed lobes
- Decide. So the friend is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Holly has spiny edges, and sycamore does not. ✓
Method. Think about the difference between the two leaves.
- Think about the difference. The oak has rounded lobes and the birch does not.rounded lobes
- Write the question. A question about rounded lobes separates them.rounded lobes
- Write the answer. Accept any question that separates them, such as: Does the leaf have rounded lobes?
Check. The key already asks this question at step 3. ✓
Method. Think about a yes or no question about lobes.
- Think about the question. The question must have a yes answer for oak and a no answer for birch.yes for oak
- Write the question. A question about rounded lobes does this.rounded lobes
- Write the answer. Accept any yes or no question that separates oak from birch, such as: Are there rounded lobes?
Check. Each question must split the group into two. ✓
Method. Think about the first question.
- Think about holly. Holly is the only leaf in this key with spiny edges.only one
- Write the reason. Checking the first feature finds holly straight away.straight away
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says holly is the only leaf with spiny edges in this key, so checking it first finds it quickly.
Check. A key checks one feature at a time, in order. ✓
Making a key
To make a key, write one question at a time. Each question must have a yes or no answer, and it must split the living things into two groups. Then ask a new question about one of the groups, until each group has one name.
Put the questions in a sensible order. Start with a question that splits the living things into the biggest clear groups, such as: Does it have a backbone?
Key ideas
- Each key question has a yes or no answer.
- Each question splits the living things into two groups.
- Choose a feature that you can see or check.
- Put the questions in a set order, and check each one.
Method. Think about which question splits the animals into the biggest clear groups.
- Think about the backbone. The backbone question splits vertebrates from invertebrates, which is a large clear split.large clear split
- Choose the first question. So the backbone question should come first.Does it have a backbone?
- Write the answer. Does it have a backbone?
Check. A shell is only found on some invertebrates, so it is a later question. ✓
Method. Think about a yes or no question.
- Think about the answers. Each answer sends the living things into one of two groups.two groups
- Write the number. So one yes or no question makes two groups.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Yes and no make two groups. ✓
Method. Look for the question that splits the two animals.
- Look at a). Pretty is an opinion, and both animals may be pretty.opinion
- Look at b). A robin has feathers, and a goldfish does not, so it splits them.splits them
- Write the answer. b
Check. Feathers are a clear feature that splits the two animals. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a key question must have a clear answer. “Is it big?” is a poor question, because two people may disagree about what big means.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Choose four objects from the house or garden that are living things, with a grown-up, such as a plant and a bird picture. Write one yes or no question that separates two of them. Ask a friend to answer it.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Does your question have a yes or no answer? Does it split the group into two?” Let your child change a poor question into a clear one.
Exercise 3D Making a key
Method. Check the answers.
- Check the answers. The answer to “Is it a plant?” is yes or no.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A key question must have a yes or no answer. ✓
Method. Look for the question with a clear answer.
- Look at a). Pretty is an opinion.opinion
- Look at b). The robin has feathers and the goldfish does not.feathers
- Write the answer. b
Check. Feathers split the two animals clearly. ✓
Method. Think about the two answers.
- Think about the answers. The yes answers form one group, and the no answers form the other.two groups
- Write the number. So the question makes two groups.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Yes and no give two groups. ✓
Method. Think about the biggest split.
- Think about the split. The backbone question divides vertebrates from invertebrates.divides
- Write the question. So it is a sensible first question.first question
- Write the answer. Does it have a backbone?
Check. The key in section 3.2 starts with this question. ✓
Method. Think about a feature that one animal has and the other does not.
- Think about the features. A dog has fur, and a frog does not.fur
- Write the question. Does it have fur or hair? separates them.fur or hair
- Write the answer. Accept any yes or no question that separates a frog from a dog, such as: Does it have fur or hair?
Check. Test your question on both animals to check it. ✓
Method. Think about a feature each one has.
- Think about the features. A robin has feathers, and a goldfish has fins.feathers and fins
- Write the question. Either feature makes a clear yes or no question.yes or no
- Write the answer. Accept any yes or no question that separates them, such as: Does it have feathers? or Does it have fins?
Check. Each question gives a different answer for the two animals. ✓
Method. Read the key idea in section 3.4.
- Read the key idea. Each key question has a yes or no answer.yes or no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Yes and no are the two answers. ✓
Method. Read the question and the answer.
- Read the answer. The answer is yes, so the key gives the name for animals with 6 legs.yes
- Write the name. Animals with 6 legs are insects, so a ladybird is an insect.insect
- Write the answer. insect
Check. A ladybird has 6 legs and 3 body parts. ✓
Method. Think about the answer.
- Think about big. Big means different things to different people.different things
- Write the reason. So two people could answer the question in different ways.different ways
- Write the answer. Accept any reason that says big is not clear, so two people could answer it differently.
Check. A key question needs an answer that everyone can check. ✓
Method. Think about what you can check.
- Think about what you see. Legs, wings, leaves and fur can be checked by looking.checked by looking
- Write one feature. Any one of these works as a key question.one feature
- Write the answer. Accept any feature that can be checked by looking, such as legs, wings, leaves or fur.
Check. Good key features can be checked. ✓
Method. Think about animals without a backbone.
- Think about the group. Animals without a backbone are invertebrates, such as spiders and snails.invertebrates
- Write the question. A question about legs or a shell can separate these animals.legs or shell
- Write the answer. Accept any question about an animal without a backbone, such as: Does it have 8 legs?
Check. The next question only needs to split the invertebrates. ✓
Method. Think about the steps.
- Think about the answers. Each answer decides which question to ask next.decides
- Write the reason. So if the order changes, the key gives a different name.different name
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says each answer decides which question comes next, so the order must be followed.
Check. Following the order gives the correct name. ✓
Naming minibeasts nearby
Minibeasts are small animals, such as spiders, insects, snails and worms. Many live in gardens and parks. The minibeast key uses the number of legs, and whether there is a shell, to name them. Look at the picture of the key, and then the table.
The same key, written as a table.
| Step | Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Does it have 8 legs? | spider | go to step 2 |
| 2 | Does it have 6 legs? | insect | go to step 3 |
| 3 | Does it have 14 legs? | woodlouse | go to step 4 |
| 4 | Does it have a shell? | snail | worm |
Key ideas
- Count the legs of a minibeast carefully before you answer.
- 8 legs means spider, and 6 legs means insect.
- A woodlouse has 14 legs.
- A snail has a shell. A worm has no legs and no shell.
Method. Start at step 1.
- Read step 1. Does it have 8 legs? The answer is yes.yes
- Read the name. The yes column gives spider.spider
- Write the answer. spider
Check. Spiders have 8 legs. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Step 1. It does not have 8 legs, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. It does not have 6 legs, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. It has 14 legs, so the yes column gives woodlouse at step 3.step 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Woodlice have 14 legs. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a snail.
- Steps 1 to 3. It does not have 8, 6 or 14 legs, so go to step 4.step 4
- Step 4. It has a shell, so the yes column gives snail.snail
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The shell names the snail. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a woodlouse is not an insect, even though it is small and lives under logs. It has 14 legs, so the key names it separately.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Look under a log or a flowerpot in the garden with a grown-up. Count the legs of any minibeast you see, from a safe distance. Use the key to name it, then put it back exactly where you found it. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “How many legs? Is there a shell? Which step is next?” Never let your child pick up a minibeast they do not know, and remind them to be gentle.
Exercise 3E Naming minibeasts nearby
Method. Start at step 1.
- Read step 1. The answer is yes, so the key gives spider.spider
- Write the answer. spider
Check. Spiders have 8 legs. ✓
Method. Follow steps 1 and 2.
- Step 1. It does not have 8 legs, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. It has 6 legs, so the key gives insect.insect
- Write the answer. insect
Check. Insects have 6 legs and 3 body parts. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Steps 1 and 2. It has neither 8 nor 6 legs, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. It has 14 legs, so step 3 gives woodlouse.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Check the legs on the woodlouse. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a snail.
- Steps 1 to 3. No 8 legs, no 6 legs, and no 14 legs, so go to step 4.step 4
- Step 4. The shell is at step 4.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Step 4 checks for a shell. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a worm.
- Step 4. It has no shell, so the no column gives worm.worm
- Write the answer. worm
Check. Worms have a long soft body. ✓
Method. Follow the steps.
- Steps 1 and 2. It has neither 8 nor 6 legs.neither
- Step 3. It has 14 legs, so the key gives woodlouse.woodlouse
- Write the answer. woodlouse
Check. A woodlouse is not an insect. ✓
Method. Read step 1.
- Read step 1. The first question, about 8 legs, gives the name spider.first question
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Only one question is needed for a spider. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a snail.
- Step 1. No 8 legs, so go to step 2.step 2
- Steps 2 and 3. No 6 legs and no 14 legs, so go to step 4.step 4
- Step 4. It has a shell.shell
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Four questions are asked before the snail is named. ✓
Method. Think about how to test a key safely.
- Think about the animals. You must look at them gently, and not hurt or move them far.gently
- Write the safe step. Count the legs, then put the minibeast back where you found it.put it back
- Write the answer. Accept any safe plan, such as: look at each one at a safe distance, count its legs, and put it back.
Check. Testing a key safely protects the animals. ✓
Method. Follow the key for a woodlouse.
- Step 1 and 2. It has 14 legs, which is not 8 or 6.14 legs
- Step 3. The key names it woodlouse, not insect.woodlouse
- Decide. So the friend is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Insects have 6 legs, so the woodlouse is not one. ✓
Method. Follow steps 1 and 2.
- Step 1. It does not have 8 legs, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. It has 6 legs, so the key gives insect.insect
- Write the answer. insect
Check. Wings are not needed to name it, but the legs are. ✓
Method. Think about how to keep animals and yourself safe.
- Think about the animals. Minibeasts are small, and they can be easily hurt.easily hurt
- Write the rule. Looking only, with a grown-up, and putting them back keeps everyone safe.put them back
- Write the answer. Accept any safe rule, such as: look only with a grown-up, do not pick them up, and put them back where you found them.
Check. A safe rule protects the animal and the person. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| What a key is | A classification key is a set of yes or no questions about features. It leads to the name of a living thing. |
| Animal key | Start at step 1. Answer yes or no, and follow the yes or no column until a name is reached. |
| Leaf key | Look at the edges and the lobes of a leaf. Holly, sycamore, oak and birch can be named by their leaves. |
| Minibeast key | Count the legs, and look for a shell. Spiders have 8 legs, insects have 6, woodlice have 14. |
| Making a key | Write yes or no questions that split living things into two groups, in a sensible order. |
Can you…?
- I can explain that a classification key asks yes or no questions
- I can follow an animal key step by step to name an animal
- I can use a leaf key to name a tree from its leaves
- I can use a key for minibeasts found nearby, and say which step gives the name
- I can write a yes or no question that separates two living things
Key terms
- classification key
- a set of yes or no questions about features that leads to the name of a living thing
- identify
- to say what a living thing is, by naming it
- feature
- something about a living thing that can be seen, counted or checked
- step
- one question in a key, and the answer that you follow next
- lobe
- a rounded or pointed part of a leaf that sticks out from its middle
- minibeast
- a small animal, such as a spider, insect, snail or worm, that lives in a garden or park
- evergreen
- a plant that keeps its leaves all year, such as holly
- woodlouse
- a small animal with 14 legs that lives under logs and stones; it is not an insect
Exercise 3Z Check-up
Method. Read the animal key table.
- Read the table. Step 2 asks about feathers, and the yes column gives bird.step 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. The yes answer at step 2 gives bird. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a goldfish.
- Steps 1 to 3. Yes to backbone, no to feathers, and yes to fins and water.fins and water
- Step 3. The yes column gives fish.fish
- Write the answer. fish
Check. A goldfish lives in water. ✓
Method. Read step 1 of the leaf key.
- Read step 1. The yes column gives holly.holly
- Write the answer. holly
Check. Holly leaves have spiny edges. ✓
Method. Read the minibeast key.
- Read step 1. Step 1 asks about 8 legs, and gives spider for yes.step 1
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Spiders have 8 legs. ✓
Method. Check the answers.
- Check the answers. You can answer yes or no to this question.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Counting the legs gives a clear answer. ✓
Method. Follow the steps for a woodlouse.
- Steps 1 and 2. It does not have 8 or 6 legs.neither
- Step 3. It has 14 legs, so the key names it woodlouse at step 3.step 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Three steps are used to name a woodlouse. ✓
Method. Think about what you can see.
- Think about the features. Legs, wings, leaves and fur can be seen.can be seen
- Write the answer. Accept any feature that can be seen or counted, such as legs, wings, leaves or fur.
Check. A key uses features you can check. ✓
Method. Follow the steps in order.
- Step 1. Yes, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. No, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. Yes, so the key gives fish.fish
- Write the answer. fish
Check. Three answers lead to the name fish. ✓
Method. Follow the key for a woodlouse.
- Follow the key. A woodlouse has 14 legs, so the key names it woodlouse.14 legs
- Decide. Insects have 6 legs, so a woodlouse is not an insect.not an insect
- Write the answer. No. Accept any sentence that says the key names a woodlouse, not an insect, because it has 14 legs.
Check. The number of legs separates the two groups. ✓
Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.
Exercise 3X Practice test questions
Method. Follow the key from step 1.
- Step 1. It does not have 8 legs, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. It has 6 legs, so the name is insect.insect
- Write the answer. insect
Check. Insects have 6 legs. ✓
Method. Read the key idea.
- Read the key idea. Each question has two answers: yes or no.yes or no
- Write the answer. yes and no
Check. Yes and no are the two answers. ✓
Method. Follow the key from step 1.
- Step 1. The edges are not spiny, so go to step 2.step 2
- Step 2. Five pointed lobes, so the name is sycamore.sycamore
- Write the answer. sycamore
Check. Sycamore leaves have five pointed lobes. ✓
Method. Think about the leaves of each tree.
- Read the features. Holly has spiny edges, and its leaves stay green all year.spiny edges
- Name the tree. So the tree is holly.holly
- Write the answer. holly
Check. The leaf key names holly at step 1. ✓
Method. Think about a feature that one animal has and the other does not.
- Think about the features. A dog has fur, and a frog does not.fur
- Write the question. Does it have fur or hair? gives yes for a dog and no for a frog.fur or hair
- Write the answer. Accept any yes or no question that separates them, such as: Does it have fur or hair?
Check. The answers for the two animals are different. ✓
Method. Think about which question splits the animals into the biggest groups.
- Think about the split. The backbone question divides vertebrates from invertebrates.divides
- Write the question. So the backbone question should come first.Does it have a backbone?
- Write the answer. Does it have a backbone?
Check. Feathers only split the animals with a backbone. ✓
Method. Think about the steps.
- Think about the answers. Each answer decides which question comes next.decides
- Write the reason. If the order changes, the key can give a different name.different name
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says each answer decides the next question, so the order must be followed.
Check. The order of the steps gives the correct name. ✓
Method. Follow the key to step 3.
- Steps 1 and 2. No spiny edges, and no pointed lobes, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. No rounded lobes, so the name is birch.birch
- Write the answer. birch
Check. Birch leaves have no lobes. ✓
Method. Follow the key to step 3.
- Steps 1 and 2. It has neither 8 nor 6 legs, so go to step 3.step 3
- Step 3. It has 14 legs, so the name is woodlouse.woodlouse
- Write the answer. woodlouse
Check. A woodlouse has 14 legs. ✓
Method. Read step 1 of the key.
- Read step 1. The first question about 8 legs gives the name spider.spider
- Count the questions. Only one question is asked before the name.1
- Write the answer. spider; 1
Check. The first question is enough to name a spider. ✓