MS-LS4-2

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MS-LS4-3 →

Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures as evidence of common ancestry.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS4-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test	Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes	Question 45
	Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes	Question 46
Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test	Behavior and Evolution of Guppies	Question 48
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test	Evolutionary Relationships	Question 25

Vocabulary

Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

• anatomical difference
• anatomical similarity
• anatomical structure
• anatomy
• common ancestor
• common ancestry
• evidence
• evolution
• evolutionary descent
• evolutionary history
• evolutionary relationship
• explanation
• fossil
• fossil organism
• gross appearance
• inference
• line of descent
• modern organism
• qualitative data
• quantitative data
• scientific idea

From released test questions

• ancestor – Spring 2026
• beak – Spring 2024
• body structure – Spring 2025
• bone structure – Spring 2026
• claim – Spring 2026
• dinosaur – Spring 2024
• diversity – Spring 2026
• egg – Spring 2024
• embryo – Spring 2024
• embryological development – Spring 2025
• extinction – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
• eye socket – Spring 2024
• fossil evidence – Spring 2025
• fossilized skeleton – Spring 2026
• genetic variation – Spring 2026
• habitat – Spring 2025
• mammal – Spring 2026
• natural habitat – Spring 2025
• paleontologist – Spring 2024
• skeleton – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
• skull – Spring 2024
• species – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
• spine – Spring 2026
• survival – Spring 2025
• tail – Spring 2024
• variation – Spring 2025
• vertebra – Spring 2024

Implied by this standard

• homologous structures – implied by "anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms" as "evidence of common ancestry"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS4-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify the explanation, from those provided, that supports the evidence for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. Spring 2026 · Q45

Level 2: Identify the evidence that supports an explanation for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. Spring 2026 · Q46 Spring 2025 · Q48 Spring 2024 · Q25

Level 3: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

Level 4: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation, using qualitative and quantitative data, for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS4-2.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-LS4-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for real-world phenomena, examples, or events.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
  • Anatomical similarities and differences between various organisms living today and between them and organisms in the fossil record, enable the reconstruction of evolutionary history and the inference of lines of evolutionary descent.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Patterns
  • Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.
  • Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify organisms.

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Natural Selection and Adaptations