Invertebrates, Vertebrates and Animal Classification

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Animals without a backbone are called:

   • A.vertebrates
   • B.chordates
   • C.invertebrates✓ Correct Answer
   • D.mammals

   Explanation: Insects, worms and molluscs are invertebrates.

2. Q2.The largest mammal is the:

   • A.elephant
   • B.hippopotamus
   • C.blue whale✓ Correct Answer
   • D.giraffe

   Explanation: It is also the largest animal known to have lived.

3. Q3.Fishes breathe mainly through:

   • A.lungs
   • B.skin only
   • C.trachea
   • D.gills✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Gills extract dissolved oxygen from water.

4. Q4.Birds are characterised by the presence of:

   • A.scales
   • B.hair
   • C.fins
   • D.feathers✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Birds are warm-blooded and lay eggs.

5. Q5.A whale is a:

   • A.mammal✓ Correct Answer
   • B.fish
   • C.reptile
   • D.amphibian

   Explanation: It breathes air through lungs and feeds milk to its young.

6. Q6.Which of the following is a reptile?

   • A.crocodile✓ Correct Answer
   • B.frog
   • C.whale
   • D.bat

   Explanation: Reptiles have dry scaly skin.

7. Q7.The largest phylum of the animal kingdom is:

   • A.Arthropoda✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mollusca
   • C.Chordata
   • D.Annelida

   Explanation: Insects alone make up the majority of known species.

8. Q8.Insects have how many legs?

   • A.six✓ Correct Answer
   • B.four
   • C.eight
   • D.ten

   Explanation: Their body has head, thorax and abdomen.

9. Q9.Spiders belong to the class:

   • A.Insecta
   • B.Crustacea
   • C.Arachnida✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Mammalia

   Explanation: They have eight legs.

10. Q10.Frogs belong to the class:

    • A.Reptilia
    • B.Amphibia✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pisces
    • D.Aves

    Explanation: They live both in water and on land.

11. Q11.The only mammal capable of true flight is the:

    • A.flying squirrel
    • B.flying fish
    • C.bat✓ Correct Answer
    • D.ostrich

    Explanation: Flying squirrels only glide.

12. Q12.Which mammal lays eggs?

    • A.kangaroo
    • B.dolphin
    • C.bat
    • D.duck-billed platypus✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It is a monotreme found in Australia.

13. Q13.Hydra belongs to the phylum:

    • A.Porifera
    • B.Annelida
    • C.Mollusca
    • D.Cnidaria (Coelenterata)✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It has stinging cells called cnidoblasts.

14. Q14.Earthworm belongs to the phylum:

    • A.Annelida✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Arthropoda
    • C.Mollusca
    • D.Platyhelminthes

    Explanation: Its body is divided into many ring-like segments.

15. Q15.Starfish belongs to the phylum:

    • A.Mollusca
    • B.Arthropoda
    • C.Pisces
    • D.Echinodermata✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Echinoderms have spiny skin and radial symmetry.

16. Q16.Snails and octopus belong to the phylum:

    • A.Annelida
    • B.Echinodermata
    • C.Mollusca✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Porifera

    Explanation: Molluscs have a soft body, often with a shell.

17. Q17.Sponges belong to the phylum:

    • A.Cnidaria
    • B.Porifera✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Echinodermata
    • D.Annelida

    Explanation: Porifera means pore-bearing.

18. Q18.A notochord is a characteristic feature of:

    • A.arthropods
    • B.chordates✓ Correct Answer
    • C.molluscs
    • D.annelids

    Explanation: In vertebrates it is replaced by the backbone.

19. Q19.Which of the following is a cold-blooded (poikilothermic) animal?

    • A.sparrow
    • B.lizard✓ Correct Answer
    • C.dog
    • D.whale

    Explanation: Its body temperature varies with the surroundings.

20. Q20.The fastest land animal is the:

    • A.lion
    • B.cheetah✓ Correct Answer
    • C.horse
    • D.leopard

    Explanation: It can reach about 100 km/h in short bursts.