Question

learn the skill
when you categorize, you choose the criteria for placing organisms, objects, processes, or other terms in groups. such groups are based on shared characteristics or relationships. when you classify, you put things into groups that already exist.
presentation of scientific material often involves categorization and classification because many things in science are organized in groups. in life science, for example, cells are categorized and classified according to their functions. living things in an ecosystem are categorized and classified by roles they play in the ecosystem. ecosystems are categorized and classified based on their physical traits.
practice the skill
by practicing the skill of categorizing and classifying, you will improve your study and test - taking skills, especially as they relate to the ged® science test. study the information and diagram below. then answer the question that follows.
predator - prey relationships
the passage and diagram give information about one type of relationship between organisms—the predator - prey relationship. relationships can be organized in categories. predator - prey is a category.
all organisms have relationships with other organisms. relationships between organisms of two different species are known as symbiotic relationships. one such relationship is that of predator and prey. this relationship is called a predator - prey relationship, or predation. a predator is an organism that kills and eats another organism. its prey is the organism it eats. the arrow in the diagram shows that the rabbit is eaten by the cougar. the rabbit is prey, and the cougar is a predator. predators and prey live together in the same environment, and their numbers affect each other.
once categories have been created, you can classify something specific, such as a specific relationship, into the appropriate category. the question asks you to classify.
test - taking tips
organisms, objects, and processes often can be categorized and classified in more than one way.
look for the best fit when categorizing and classifying on a test.

1. based on the information, which relationship between organisms most likely can be classified as a predator - prey relationship?

a. bear - fish
b. goat - pig
c. bee - flower
d. barnacle - whale

Explanation:

To determine the predator - prey relationship, we use the definition: a predator kills and eats the prey.

• Option A: Bears eat fish, so a bear (predator) kills and eats a fish (prey), fitting the predator - prey relationship.
• Option B: Goats and pigs are both herbivores and usually do not have a predator - prey relationship (they don't kill and eat each other).
• Option C: Bees and flowers have a mutualistic relationship (bees get nectar, flowers get pollinated), not predator - prey.
• Option D: Barnacles on whales have a commensal relationship (barnacles benefit, whales are not harmed or eaten), not predator - prey.

Answer:

A. bear - fish