Science & STEM

Science questions for 3rd graders: take the quick quiz

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This quiz helps third graders review core science topics like habitats, weather, the solar system, plants, and simple energy. Answer quick questions, get instant feedback, and spot what to revise before a class test. For more practice, try the 1st grade science quiz, move up to a 5th grade science quiz, or stretch with a 6th grade science quiz.

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1Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil?
2The Sun is a star.
3Birds have feathers.
4Which tool measures temperature?
5What do plants need to make their own food?
6The Earth takes about 24 hours to spin once on its axis.
7Which animal is an amphibian?
8What do we call water that turns into gas and rises into the air?
9A mammal usually has hair or fur and feeds milk to its young.
10Which phase of the water cycle happens when water droplets form on the outside of a cold glass?
11All insects have six legs.
12Which simple machine helps lift heavy things with a bar and a fulcrum?
13Shadows are longer when the Sun is low in the sky.
14Which of these is an example of a nonrenewable energy source?
15Lightning is a form of electricity in the atmosphere.
16A thermometer can be measured in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit.
17A circuit needs a power source, wires, and something to use the electricity to work.
18Which is an example of a learned behavior, not an inherited trait?
19Climate describes the average weather in a place over many years.
20Stars are much closer to Earth than our Sun.
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Forces -

    Distinguish between pushes and pulls in everyday situations by exploring engaging questions about how forces work.

  2. Classify States of Matter -

    Sort substances into solids, liquids, and gases through simple experiments and clear examples in our quiz.

  3. Describe Animal Habitats -

    Explain how animals adapt to different environments, such as forests, deserts, and oceans, using fun nature trivia scenarios.

  4. Differentiate Living and Nonliving Things -

    Recognize the characteristics that separate living organisms from nonliving objects in various science and nature trivia questions.

  5. Predict Matter Changes -

    Anticipate how heating or cooling can transform materials and apply this knowledge to simple science trivia challenges.

  6. Apply Scientific Vocabulary -

    Use key terms like force, energy, habitat, and matter confidently when tackling science questions for third graders.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. States of Matter -

    Every object you see is a solid, liquid, or gas based on how its particles move and pack together; for example, ice is a solid, water is a liquid, and steam is a gas. A handy mnemonic - "Silly Lions Growl" - helps remember the order: Solid, Liquid, Gas. These basics often appear in science questions for third graders as they learn to describe and compare materials.

  2. Force and Motion -

    Forces make things start, stop, speed up, or slow down; a push, a pull, or gravity acting on an object are key examples. Try the "Push-Pull-Drop" trick: push a toy car, pull a kite, then drop a ball to see gravity in action. Many 3rd grade science questions use simple scenarios to test your understanding of how forces work.

  3. Animal Classification -

    Animals are grouped into five major classes - mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians - based on traits like body covering and birth method. Remember "Bramf" (Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Mammals, Fish) as a memory phrase for fun science and nature trivia. Simple science trivia often asks you to match an animal to its correct group.

  4. Habitats and Adaptations -

    Every species thrives in a home called its habitat - forests, deserts, oceans - and shows special features called adaptations to survive there. For instance, camels store fat in their humps for desert water needs, while fish have gills to breathe underwater. Science test for 3rd graders frequently includes questions on how habitats shape animal traits.

  5. Food Chains and Energy Flow -

    Food chains show how energy moves from the Sun to plants (producers) and then to animals (consumers), for example: Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Fox. Use arrows (→) to map each step and spot who eats whom in science and nature trivia challenges. Understanding food chains is a common topic in 3rd grade science questions to explain ecosystem balance.

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Reviewed by
Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 24, 2026