3-LS4-3 | Organism Survival · NYS standard · Grade 5 test questions

Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Clarification statement: Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved. The organisms and their habitat make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.

Grade 5 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 5 science test questions that assess 3-LS4-3 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026 Grade 5 Test	Wolves in Yellowstone National Park	Question 13
Spring 2025 Grade 5 Test	The Albany Pine Bush Ecosystem	Question 24

Vocabulary

Terms from the Elementary Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 5 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

argument
cause and effect relationship
evidence
habitat
needs of organisms
organism
survival
system

From released test questions

caterpillar – Spring 2025
claim – Spring 2026
ecosystem – Spring 2025
flower – Spring 2025
leaf – Spring 2025
map – Spring 2025
population – Spring 2026
reintroduction – Spring 2026
seed pod – Spring 2025
species – Spring 2025

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 5 Science Test question on 3-LS4-3 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify evidence for an argument, from those provided, that some organisms in a particular habitat can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. Spring 2026 Question 13

Level 2: Identify the argument, from those provided, that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Level 3: Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. Spring 2025 Question 24

Level 4: Construct an argument with evidence about the cause and effect relationships between a particular habitat and why some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of 3-LS4-3.

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Page contributors: Conrad Richman

Grades 3–5 science standards | 3. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems