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This page shows questions in the Tundra Animals public release module at MSDE. 5th Grade MISA
"Tundra Animals"

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Expand All Official Practice Test

This is test content.

During a unit on the environment, students researched ecosystems such as rain forests, deserts, and tundras. A group of students researched tundras and the many animals that live in a tundra. The students questioned which characteristics of the animals in the tundra help them to survive.

The students chose four animals that are found in a tundra environment and researched information about each, shown in the table.

Figure. The figure shows a caribou, an arctic wolf, an arctic fox, and a snowy owl in a tundra environment. The landscape shows a body of water, a snow-covered field, and snow-covered mountains. The arctic wolf, arctic fox, and snowy owl are all white colored and blend in with the white of the surrounding snow. End figure description.
Name Observations
Caribou
  • herbivores
  • migrate north in summer
  • migrate south in winter
  • large hooves
  • male and females have antlers
  • coats are white in winter
  • coats are brown in summer
Arctic Wolf
  • carnivores
  • live alone or in packs of six
  • ears are smaller than the gray wolf’s
  • legs are shorter than the gray wolf’s
  • coats are thick and white
Arctic Fox
  • omnivores
  • live in burrows
  • white coat in winter
  • brown or gray coat in summer
Snowy Owl
  • carnivores
  • feathers turn whiter as they get older
  • hunt at night and day
  • excellent hearing and eyesight

This is test content.

While researching tundra animals, the students found that the animals’ environment changes. Higher temperatures have reduced the amount of snow present in the tundra , leading to more springlike and summerlike days. The students investigated how changes to the environment may affect the animals that live in a tundra.

To observe the changes to the environment and how the animals would appear during each season, the students constructed four diagrams, as shown.

Winter diagram. The figure is titled “Winter” and shows a caribou, an arctic wolf, an arctic fox, and a snowy owl in the winter tundra environment. The landscape shows a body of water, a field, and mountains. The field and mountains are mostly covered with snow. The arctic wolf, arctic fox, and snowy owl are mostly white, and the caribou is lightly shaded. End figure description.

Spring diagram. The figure is titled “Spring” and shows a caribou, an arctic wolf, an arctic fox, and a snowy owl in the spring tundra environment. The landscape shows a body of water, a field, and mountains. The mountaintops are covered with snow, and scattered patches of snow are on the field and the lower parts of mountains. The arctic wolf and snowy owl are mostly white, the arctic fox is lightly shaded, and the caribou is darkly shaded. End figure description.

Summer diagram. The figure is titled “Summer” and shows a caribou, an arctic wolf, an arctic fox, and a snowy owl in the summer tundra environment. The landscape shows a body of water, a field, and mountains. The field and mountains have no snow on them, and various grasses and small plants are growing in the field. The arctic wolf and snowy owl are mostly white, the arctic fox is lightly shaded, and the caribou is darkly shaded. End figure description.

Fall diagram. The figure is titled “Fall” and shows a caribou, an arctic wolf, an arctic fox, and a snowy owl in the fall tundra environment. The landscape shows a body of water, a field, and mountains. Scattered patches of snow are on the mountaintops, and a limited number of grasses and small plants are in the field. The arctic wolf and snowy owl are mostly white, the arctic fox is lightly shaded, and the caribou is darkly shaded. End figure description.

This is test content.

The research indicated some tundra animals live in large groups while others live alone or in small groups. The research also indicated that prey animals tend to live in larger groups and predators live in smaller groups.

The students then constructed diagrams of the Arctic Fox, Arctic Wolf, Caribou, and Musk Oxen to observe whether the animals live alone, in small groups or in large groups, shown as follows.

Diagram. The figure shows diagrams of four animals to indicate whether each animal livs alone, in small groups, or in large groups. A diagram of the arctic fox indicates that it lives alone. A diagram of the arctic wolf indicates that it lives in a small group called a pack. A diagram of the caribou indicates that it lives in a large group called a herd. A diagram of the musk ox indicates that it lives in a large group called a herd. The adult oxen in the diagram are standing side-by-side in a large circle with their heads and horns facing outward, and several small oxen are inside the circle. End figure description.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options.

The students stated that even though the organisms have different characteristics that enable them to survive in a tundra environment, all the organisms have basic needs.

Determine the basic needs that organisms require.

Select three.

  1. A.
    feathers
  2. B.
    food
  3. C.
    fur
  4. D.
    shelter
  5. E.
    water

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

The students claimed that the arctic fox has a characteristic to help it survive from winter to summer.

The characteristic that best helps the arctic fox survive is the ability to

  1. A.
    be more visible to prey.
  2. B.
    find more water sources.
  3. C.
    be less visible to predators.
  4. D.
    find fewer burrows for shelter.

This is a test question that allows you to select a spot or region on a graphic.

Based on the evidence, the students questioned if other animals would be able to survive in a tundra environment.

Select the two diagrams of the animals that would most likely be able to survive in a tundra environment.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

The students claimed that animals that live in smaller groups need to develop other characteristics in order to survive in their environment.

The animals that use blending into the environment instead of living in large groups as a way of survival are

  1. A.
    caribou and arctic fox.
  2. B.
    snowy owl and caribou.
  3. C.
    musk ox and arctic wolf.
  4. D.
    arctic fox and arctic wolf.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

The circling behavior of the musk oxen most likely benefits the herd by

  1. A.
    providing more food for the herd.
  2. B.
    finding better shelter for the herd.
  3. C.
    reducing the number of young in the herd.
  4. D.
    protecting the smaller animals in the herd.

This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.

Use evidence from the research to support the claim that being part of a group helps the animals survive.