Audubon Adventures

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Assessment

Use these questions to assess students’ learning with Audubon Adventures "Plants Are for the Birds!" The questions are based on the content of the "Plants Are for the Birds!" downloadable student magazine, which students should have available for reference as they choose answers. The answer key includes correct answers, discussion of how to use students’ answers diagnostically, and suggestions for further exploration of the topic.

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Show What You Know About Plants and Birds!

Choose the letter that best answers each question.

  1. Which of these are reasons plants are important for birds. (You can choose more than one answer.)
    1. Plants produce nectar, leaves, fruits, and seeds that birds eat.
    2. Plants attract insects and other creatures that birds eat.
    3. Birds rest, roost, and hide from predators in trees and bushes.
    4. Many birds build their nests in trees or bushes.
  2. Which of these is a reason native oak trees are better for birds than gingko trees, which are not native to the U.S.?
    1. Gingko trees are not as pretty as native oak trees.
    2. More different kinds of caterpillars can be found on gingko trees than on native oak trees.
    3. More different kinds of butterflies and moths lay their eggs on native oak trees than on gingko trees.
    4. Gingko trees do not grow as tall as native oak trees.
  3. Which statement is true?
    1. If a plant attracts a lot of insects, it is definitely a weed.
    2. People often call a plant a “weed” just because they don’t like the way it looks or where it’s growing.
    3. If a plant has lots of thorns and no flowers, it is definitely a weed.
    4. The best plants gardeners can choose to help birds are “pest-free.”
  4. Which statement is a reason nonnative plants can cause trouble in a habitat.
    1. They don’t grow or spread very fast.
    2. Native creatures can’t or won’t eat them.
    3. They do not produce pretty flowers.
    4. They attract too many insects.
  5. Which statement is false?
    1. If a bird or other animal doesn’t eat plants, then it doesn’t need plants to survive.
    2. Directly or indirectly, plants feed all the animals on Earth.
    3. Native plants provide food that native birds need.
    4. For birds, “plant food” includes nectar and seeds as well as insects, lizards, and other creatures.
  6. In your own words and using complete sentences, tell what you and others can do to help create healthy habitats for birds and other native creatures

Photo: Sean Graesser.