Food chains
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Name where my food comes from: plants or animals
- Say that a plant makes its own food, so it is a producer
- Say that animals eat plants or other animals
- Say which animal is the predator and which is the prey
- Read a food chain and draw one with arrows
- Never taste or touch a wild plant or animal
You should already know
- Habitats (Year 2, Chapter 3)
- Living, dead and never alive (Year 2, Chapter 2)
- Parts of a plant and animal groups (Year 1 Science)
Where this leads
- Seeds and bulbs (Year 2, Chapter 5)
- What plants need (Year 2, Chapter 6)
- Staying healthy and what humans eat (Year 2, Chapter 8)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science, Year 2. Content: Identify and name different sources of food, Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, Use a simple food chain to show producers, predators and prey, Identify and name plants and animals in a food chain.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about which living thing is a plant and which is an animal.
- Check daisy. A daisy is a plant. It grows from the ground.daisy
- Check ladybird. A ladybird is an animal, a small beetle with spots.ladybird
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. A daisy is a plant. ✓
Watch out. A plant does not move about. An animal can move.
Method. Think about a leaf that was on a tree.
- Think about the leaf. It was once part of a living tree, so it was alive.was alive
- Think about now. It has fallen off and is no longer alive, so it is dead.now: dead
- Write the answer. dead
Check. A fallen leaf is dead. ✓
Watch out. Dead means it was alive once but is not alive now.
Method. Think about which part of a plant is under the ground.
- Check roots. Roots are under the soil. They take in water for the plant.roots
- Check flowers. Flowers grow above the ground, so they do not take in water from the soil.flowers
- Write the answer. roots
Check. Roots take in water from the soil. ✓
Watch out. The roots hold the plant in the ground.
Method. Think about which animal has fur or hair.
- Check hedgehog. A hedgehog is a mammal. It has spines, and it feeds its babies on milk.hedgehog
- Check frog. A frog is an amphibian. It has smooth, damp skin, not fur.frog
- Write the answer. hedgehog
Check. A hedgehog is a mammal. ✓
Watch out. Mammals have fur or hair, and feed their babies on milk.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.snails 3, worms 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 2 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 5. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Where our food comes from
Every living thing needs food. Food gives living things the energy to move and grow.
Most food comes from plants or from animals. These are the sources of food.
Apples and carrots come from plants. Bread is made from wheat, and wheat is a plant.
Eggs and milk come from animals. A hen gives eggs, and a cow gives milk. Fish come from the sea or rivers.
Key ideas
- Food gives living things energy.
- Most food comes from plants or animals.
- Apples and carrots come from plants.
- Eggs, milk and fish come from animals.
Method. Think about where an apple grows.
- Check plant. An apple grows on an apple tree, which is a plant.plant
- Check animal. An apple is a fruit. It is not an animal.animal
- Write the answer. plant
Check. An apple comes from a plant. ✓
Watch out. Fruit and vegetables come from plants.
Method. Think about which one gives milk.
- Check cow. A cow is an animal, and it gives us milk.cow
- Check carrot. A carrot grows in the ground. It does not give milk.carrot
- Write the answer. cow
Check. Milk comes from a cow. ✓
Watch out. Milk comes from an animal, not a plant.
Method. Look at each food and think where it comes from.
- Look at the egg. An egg comes from a hen, which is an animal.egg: animal
- Look at the apple. An apple comes from a plant, so it is not an animal food.apple: plant
- Choose one word. Milk and fish also come from animals.egg
- Write the answer. egg
Check. Also accept: milk, fish. ✓
Watch out. Name one food, from the list of animal foods.
Watch out
Watch out: some foods come from plants, and some come from animals. Bread comes from wheat, which is a plant.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look in the fridge or the cupboard. Find one food from a plant and one food from an animal. Do not taste anything new. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Did this food grow on a plant, or did it come from an animal?” Let your child point to each food and say where it comes from.
Exercise 4A Where food comes from
Method. Think about where a carrot grows.
- Look at the carrot. A carrot grows under the ground as a root vegetable.grows in the ground
- Choose the word. A carrot is a vegetable from a plant, not an animal.plant
- Write the answer. plant
Check. A carrot comes from a plant. ✓
Watch out. A carrot is a root, and roots belong to plants.
Method. Think about which one lays eggs.
- Check hen. A hen is an animal that lays eggs.hen
- Check oak tree. An oak tree is a plant. It does not lay eggs.oak tree
- Write the answer. hen
Check. Eggs come from a hen. ✓
Watch out. Hens are birds, and birds lay eggs.
Method. Think about what a fish is.
- Look at the fish. A fish is a living thing that swims, so it is an animal.swims: animal
- Choose the word. Fish come from animals, so the answer is animal.animal
- Write the answer. animal
Check. Fish come from animals. ✓
Watch out. A fish is an animal, not a plant.
Method. Think about foods that grow on plants.
- Look at the apple. An apple grows on an apple tree, which is a plant.apple tree
- Choose one word. Any food that grows on a plant is correct.apple
- Write the answer. apple
Check. Also accept: carrot, bread, grapes. ✓
Watch out. A food from a plant grows on a plant.
Method. Check each food, then count the foods from plants.
- Check the egg. An egg comes from a hen, so it is not from a plant.egg: animal
- Check the apple. An apple comes from an apple tree, so it is from a plant.apple: plant
- Check the carrot. A carrot grows in the ground, so it is from a plant.carrot: plant
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Two of the three foods come from plants. ✓
Watch out. Count only the foods from plants.
Method. Think about what wheat is.
- Think about wheat. Wheat is a grain that grows in fields, on a plant.grows on a plant
- Choose the word. So wheat is a plant, and bread comes from a plant.plant
- Write the answer. plant
Check. Wheat is a plant. ✓
Watch out. Bread is made from flour, and flour is ground from wheat.
Method. Think about which food comes from a cow.
- Check milk. A cow gives us milk, so milk comes from an animal.milk
- Check bread. Bread is made from wheat, so it does not come from a cow.bread
- Write the answer. milk
Check. Milk comes from a cow. ✓
Watch out. A cow is an animal that gives milk.
Method. Think about where eggs come from.
- Look at the egg. Hens lay eggs, and hens are animals.hen = animal
- Check the answer. So eggs come from animals, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Eggs come from animals. ✓
Watch out. Birds, hens and many animals lay eggs.
Method. Think about which food grows on an apple tree.
- Check apple. Apples grow on an apple tree.apple
- Check fish. Fish live in water. They do not grow on trees.fish
- Write the answer. apple
Check. An apple comes from an apple tree. ✓
Watch out. Fruit grows on plants.
Method. Think about foods that come from animals.
- Look at the hen. A hen is an animal that gives us eggs.hen: eggs
- Choose one word. Any food from an animal is correct.egg
- Write the answer. egg
Check. Also accept: milk, fish. ✓
Watch out. Eggs, milk and fish come from animals.
Method. Read Ben’s idea and check it.
- Read Ben’s idea. Ben thinks every food comes from a plant.Ben: all plants
- Check the cow. Milk comes from a cow, which is an animal.milk: animal
- Write the answer. no
Check. Not all food comes from plants. ✓
Watch out. Think about foods that come from animals.
| Source | Foods |
|---|---|
| plant | 4 |
| animal | 2 |
Method. Compare the numbers. The biggest number is the most.
- Write down each number. Put each number next to its name.plant 4, animal 2
- Find the biggest number. 4 is the biggest number.biggest: 4
- Write the answer. plant has 4.plant
Check. Every other number is smaller than 4. ✓
Watch out. Check every number, not only the first two.
Method. Think about what bread is made from.
- Think about bread. Bread is made from flour, and flour is ground from wheat.flour from wheat
- Check wheat. Wheat is a plant that grows in fields.wheat: plant
- Write the answer. it is made from wheat
Check. Also accept: wheat is a plant. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason from what bread is made of.
Plants make their own food
A plant makes its own food. It uses sunlight to do this.
Leaves help a plant make its food. Leaves catch the sunlight.
A plant that makes its own food is called a producer.
Plants are the start of most food chains. Animals eat plants, so plants come first.
Key ideas
- A plant makes its own food.
- Plants use sunlight to make food.
- Leaves help a plant make food.
- A plant is called a producer.
Method. Think about how a daisy gets its food.
- Look at the daisy. A daisy is a plant, and it uses sunlight to make food.sunlight: food
- Check the answer. A plant makes its own food, so the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Plants make their own food. ✓
Watch out. Animals cannot make their own food, but plants can.
Method. Think about which part catches sunlight.
- Check leaves. Leaves catch sunlight and make food for the plant.leaves
- Check roots. Roots hold the plant in the soil and take in water.roots
- Write the answer. leaves
Check. The leaves help a plant make food. ✓
Watch out. Leaves catch the sunlight.
Method. Think about the word for a plant that makes food.
- Check producer. A plant that makes its own food is a producer.producer
- Check prey. Prey is an animal that is eaten, so a plant is not prey.prey
- Write the answer. producer
Check. A plant that makes its own food is a producer. ✓
Watch out. Prey is always an animal.
Watch out
Watch out: a plant makes food with sunlight, not with soil. Animals cannot make their own food.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at a leaf on a plant in the garden or park. Draw the leaf. Do not taste or touch any plant you do not know. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Where does this plant get its food?” Let your child say that the leaves catch the sunlight.
Exercise 4B Plants that make their own food
Method. Think about what a tree is.
- Look at the tree. An apple tree is a plant, and it makes food with sunlight.plant: sunlight
- Check the answer. So the apple tree can make its own food.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. An apple tree makes its own food. ✓
Watch out. Trees are plants, so they make their own food.
Method. Think about which one is a plant.
- Check daisy. A daisy is a plant, so it makes food with sunlight.daisy
- Check ladybird. A ladybird is an animal, so it cannot make its own food.ladybird
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. A daisy needs sunlight to make food. ✓
Watch out. Only plants make their own food.
Method. Think about which part is green and above the ground.
- Check leaf. A leaf is green and catches sunlight.leaf
- Check root. A root is under the ground and does not catch sunlight.root
- Write the answer. leaf
Check. The leaf catches the sunlight. ✓
Watch out. Leaves are the plant part that catches sunlight.
Method. Think about what a producer is.
- Think about the word. A producer is a plant that makes its own food.plant only
- Look at the snail. A snail is an animal, so it is not a producer.animal: no
- Write the answer. no
Check. A snail is not a producer. ✓
Watch out. Only plants are producers.
Method. Think about how animals get food.
- Think about a rabbit. A rabbit must eat plants, because it cannot make its own food.must eat
- Check the statement. Animals cannot make their own food, so the statement is false.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. Animals cannot make their own food. ✓
Watch out. Plants make food, and animals eat food.
Method. Check each one, then count the producers.
- Check the daisy. A daisy is a plant, so it is a producer.daisy: producer
- Check the snail. A snail is an animal, so it is not a producer.snail: not
- Check the grass. Grass is a plant, so it is a producer.grass: producer
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Two of the three are producers. ✓
Watch out. Count only the plants.
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5 6
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.daisy 1 5, daisy 2 5
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.5 + 5 = 10
- Write the answer. 10
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 10. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about where the energy for making food comes from.
- Check sun. Plants use light from the Sun to make food.sun
- Check soil. Plants take in water from the soil, but the soil does not give the energy.soil
- Write the answer. sun
Check. Plants use light from the Sun. ✓
Watch out. Never look straight at the Sun.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks a leaf makes food in the dark.Ali: at night
- Check the idea. Leaves need sunlight, which shines in the day, so Ali is not right.needs sunlight
- Write the answer. no
Check. Leaves make food when there is sunlight. ✓
Watch out. Think about when the sunlight shines.
Method. Make a prediction from what a daisy needs.
- Think about what a daisy needs. A daisy needs sunlight to make its food.needs sunlight
- Compare the two daisies. The daisy in the dark cannot make much food.dark: little food
- Write the answer. in sunlight
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can test. ✓
Watch out. We can test the prediction by measuring the daisies after some weeks.
Method. Think about what leaves do for a plant.
- Think about the leaves. Leaves catch sunlight, so the plant can make its food.catch sunlight
- Give the reason. So the leaves help the plant to make food.to make food
- Write the answer. to make food
Check. Also accept: to catch sunlight. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about the food the plant makes.
Animals eat plants and animals
Animals cannot make their own food. They must eat plants or other animals.
A rabbit eats grass. A cow eats grass too.
A fox eats other animals. It hunts small animals, such as rabbits.
A hedgehog eats snails and worms. A snail eats leaves.
Key ideas
- Animals cannot make their own food.
- Some animals eat plants.
- Some animals eat other animals.
- A fox eats rabbits. A rabbit eats grass.
Method. Think about what a cow eats.
- Check plants. A cow eats grass, which is a plant.plants
- Check animals. A cow is an animal, but it does not eat other animals.animals
- Write the answer. plants
Check. A cow eats plants. ✓
Watch out. A cow eats grass all day.
Method. Think about what a fox hunts.
- Check rabbits. A fox hunts and eats other animals, such as rabbits.rabbits
- Check grass. Grass is a plant. A fox mainly eats animals, not grass.grass
- Write the answer. rabbits
Check. A fox eats rabbits. ✓
Watch out. A fox is an animal that eats other animals.
Method. Think about how plants make food.
- Think about plants. Plants use sunlight to make their own food.sunlight
- Think about animals. Animals cannot make food, so they must eat.must eat
- Write the answer. no
Check. Animals cannot make their own food. ✓
Watch out. Animals must eat plants or other animals.
Watch out
Watch out: a fox is an animal, but it eats other animals. Being an animal does not mean eating plants.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, watch the birds in a garden or park for two minutes, from a safe distance. Do not feed them. Draw one bird and say what it might eat. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What does this animal eat? Is it a plant or an animal?” Never feed a wild animal, even if it looks hungry.
Exercise 4C What animals eat
Method. Think about what a rabbit eats.
- Check plants. A rabbit eats grass and other plants.plants
- Check animals. A rabbit does not eat other animals.animals
- Write the answer. plants
Check. A rabbit eats plants. ✓
Watch out. A rabbit eats grass, leaves and clover.
Method. Think about what a fox hunts.
- Check plants. A fox mainly eats animals, not plants.plants
- Check animals. A fox hunts and eats other animals.animals
- Write the answer. animals
Check. A fox eats animals. ✓
Watch out. A fox is a meat eater.
Method. Think about what a snail eats.
- Look at the snail. A garden snail eats the leaves of plants.leaves
- Check the answer. So a snail eats plants, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A snail eats plants. ✓
Watch out. A snail has a shell, and it eats leaves.
Method. Think about how a cow gets its food.
- Look at the cow. A cow is an animal, so it cannot make food with sunlight.animal
- Check the answer. A cow must eat grass, so the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. A cow cannot make its own food. ✓
Watch out. Animals must eat to get food.
Method. Think about what a hedgehog hunts.
- Check snails. A hedgehog eats snails and worms.snails
- Check sand. Sand is not food for a hedgehog.sand
- Write the answer. snails
Check. A hedgehog eats snails. ✓
Watch out. Hedgehogs eat snails, worms and beetles.
Method. Think about which animal eats seeds from plants.
- Check fox. A fox eats other animals, not seeds.fox
- Check hen. A hen eats seeds from plants, as well as some insects.hen
- Write the answer. hen
Check. A hen eats plants, such as seeds. ✓
Watch out. Some animals eat plants and some eat animals.
Method. Count the rabbits once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.on a leaf 4, came later 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.4 + 2 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 6. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Start with the rabbits, then take away the ones that leave.
- Start with the rabbits. Ben sees 5 rabbits in the field.5 rabbits
- Take away the rabbits that leave. 2 rabbits hop off to the wood.5 − 2 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. 3 rabbits are left in the field. ✓
Watch out. Take away the rabbits that leave, not the ones that stay.
Method. Make a prediction from what each animal eats.
- Think about the snail. A snail eats the leaves of plants.snail: leaves
- Think about the fox. A fox eats other animals, not leaves.fox: animals
- Write the answer. snail
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Check the prediction by looking at what each animal eats.
Method. Read Tom’s idea and check it.
- Read Tom’s idea. Tom thinks a fox eats grass.Tom: grass
- Check the fox. A fox mainly eats other animals, such as rabbits.fox: animals
- Write the answer. no
Check. A fox does not mainly eat grass. ✓
Watch out. Think about what a fox hunts.
Method. Think about what a rabbit can and cannot do.
- Think about the rabbit. A rabbit is an animal, so it cannot make food with sunlight.animal
- Give the reason. So it must eat plants to get its food.must eat plants
- Write the answer. it cannot make its own food
Check. Also accept: it needs food to live. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about what the rabbit can and cannot do.
Predators and prey
A predator is an animal that hunts other animals and eats them.
The animal that a predator hunts and eats is its prey.
A fox is a predator. A rabbit is its prey.
A hedgehog is a predator. A snail is its prey.
Prey is always an animal. Plants are not prey.
Key ideas
- A predator hunts and eats other animals.
- Prey is the animal that gets eaten.
- A fox is a predator. A rabbit is its prey.
- Prey is always an animal.
Method. Look at the arrows and find the animal that hunts.
- Look at the arrows. Each arrow points from the food to the animal that eats it.fox is last
- Find the hunter. The fox hunts and eats the rabbit, so the fox is the predator.fox hunts rabbit
- Write the answer. fox
Check. The fox is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator is the animal at the end of the arrow.
Method. Find the animal that is hunted and eaten.
- Look at the fox. The fox eats the rabbit.fox eats rabbit
- Find the one that is eaten. The rabbit is eaten, so the rabbit is the prey.rabbit is eaten
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The rabbit is the prey. ✓
Watch out. Prey is the animal that is eaten.
Method. Think about whether the snail hunts or is hunted.
- Check predator. A predator hunts and eats other animals. The snail is not the one that hunts.predator
- Check prey. The hedgehog eats the snail, so the snail is prey.prey
- Write the answer. prey
Check. The snail is the prey. ✓
Watch out. The snail is eaten by the hedgehog.
Watch out
Watch out: prey is the animal that is eaten, not the one that eats. The predator is the one that hunts.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at a book or a poster about garden animals. Find one predator and its prey. Do not go near any wild animal. Wash your hands afterwards if you touched soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which animal hunts? Which animal is hunted?” Use the words predator and prey, and let your child point to each one.
Exercise 4D Predators and prey
Method. Think about whether a fox hunts or is hunted.
- Check predator. A fox hunts and eats rabbits, so it is a predator.predator
- Check prey. A fox is not eaten by rabbits, so it is not prey here.prey
- Write the answer. predator
Check. A fox is a predator. ✓
Watch out. Predators hunt other animals.
Method. Think about whether the rabbit is eaten.
- Check predator. The rabbit does not hunt the fox.predator
- Check prey. The fox eats the rabbit, so the rabbit is prey.prey
- Write the answer. prey
Check. The rabbit is prey. ✓
Watch out. The prey is the animal that is eaten.
Method. Think about which one is eaten.
- Check predator. The snail does not hunt. The hedgehog hunts it.predator
- Check prey. The hedgehog eats the snail, so the snail is prey.prey
- Write the answer. prey
Check. The snail is the prey. ✓
Watch out. Prey is eaten by the predator.
Method. Think about which word means eaten.
- Check predator. A predator is the animal that hunts.predator
- Check prey. Prey is the animal that is hunted and eaten.prey
- Write the answer. prey
Check. Prey is the animal that is eaten. ✓
Watch out. Predator and prey are two different words.
Method. Think about what a predator does.
- Think about the word. A predator is an animal that hunts other animals.hunts
- Check the statement. So the statement is true.true
- Write the answer. true
Check. A predator hunts other animals. ✓
Watch out. A predator is always the one that hunts.
Method. Think about what prey is.
- Think about the word. Prey is the animal that is eaten, not the one that eats.eaten
- Check the statement. So the statement is false.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. Prey is the animal that is eaten. ✓
Watch out. The one that eats is the predator.
Method. Find the animal that hunts and eats the others.
- Look at the end of the chain. The last animal eats the one before it.last = eater
- Find the hunter. The hedgehog eats the snail, so the hedgehog is the predator.hedgehog eats snail
- Write the answer. hedgehog
Check. The hedgehog is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator is at the end of the chain.
Method. Find the animal that is eaten.
- Look at the middle. The middle animal is eaten by the hedgehog.middle is eaten
- Find the prey. The snail is the prey.snail
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The snail is the prey. ✓
Watch out. The prey is in the middle of this chain.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.rabbits 3
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 3. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Count the animals, not the plant.
- Look at the first link. Grass is a plant, so it is not counted as an animal.grass: not an animal
- Count the animals. The rabbit and the fox are both animals.rabbit, fox
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Two animals: the rabbit and the fox. ✓
Watch out. Count only the animals.
Method. Make a prediction from what a hedgehog eats.
- Think about the hedgehog. A hedgehog hunts and eats snails.hedgehog: snails
- Check the daisy. A daisy is a plant, not an animal that a hedgehog hunts.daisy: plant
- Write the answer. snail
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess based on what we know. ✓
Watch out. Check the prediction by looking at what hedgehogs eat.
Method. Read Tom’s idea and check it.
- Read Tom’s idea. Tom thinks the rabbit hunts the fox.Tom: rabbit hunts
- Check the chain. The fox hunts the rabbit, so the fox is the predator.fox = predator
- Write the answer. no
Check. The fox is the predator, not the rabbit. ✓
Watch out. The predator hunts and eats the prey.
Method. Think about what a fox does.
- Think about the fox. A fox hunts and eats other animals, such as rabbits.hunts animals
- Give the reason. A predator eats other animals, so the fox is a predator.eats animals
- Write the answer. it eats animals
Check. Also accept: it hunts rabbits. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about what the fox eats.
Making a food chain
A food chain shows what eats what. It starts with a plant.
Read a food chain from left to right. Each arrow points from the food to the animal that eats it.
In daisy → snail → hedgehog, the daisy is the producer. The snail is the prey. The hedgehog is the predator.
Key ideas
- A food chain shows what eats what.
- Arrows point from the food to the animal that eats it.
- The producer is the plant at the start.
- Prey is in the middle. The predator is at the end.
Method. Look at the first link of the chain.
- Look at the first link. The producer is the plant at the start of the chain.first link = plant
- Check the daisy. A daisy is a plant that makes its own food.daisy: producer
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. The daisy is the producer. ✓
Watch out. The producer is always the plant at the start.
Method. Look at the last link of the chain.
- Look at the last link. The predator is at the end, because it eats the prey.end = predator
- Check the hedgehog. A hedgehog hunts and eats snails.hedgehog eats snail
- Write the answer. hedgehog
Check. The hedgehog is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator is the animal at the end of the arrow.
Method. Find the animal that is eaten.
- Look at the fox. The fox eats the rabbit.fox eats rabbit
- Find the one that is eaten. The rabbit is eaten, so it is the prey.rabbit is eaten
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The rabbit is the prey. ✓
Watch out. The prey is in the middle of the chain.
Watch out
Watch out: arrows point to the animal that eats, not to the food. Read the arrows, not only the names.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at a daisy, a snail and a bird in the garden or park, from a safe distance. Draw a food chain with arrows. Do not touch any wild animal. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Where does the arrow go? Which animal eats which?” Let your child draw the arrows from the food to the eater.
Exercise 4E Reading and making food chains
Method. Look at the first link.
- Look at the first link. The producer is the plant at the start of the chain.first = plant
- Find the plant. Grass is a plant, so it is the producer.grass
- Write the answer. grass
Check. Grass is the producer. ✓
Watch out. The producer is always at the start.
Method. Look at the last link.
- Look at the last link. The fox is at the end, and it eats the rabbit.fox at end
- Find the hunter. The fox is the predator.fox
- Write the answer. fox
Check. The fox is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator is at the end of the chain.
Method. Find the animal that is eaten.
- Look at the middle. The rabbit is in the middle, and the fox eats it.rabbit in middle
- Find the prey. The rabbit is the prey.rabbit
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The rabbit is the prey. ✓
Watch out. The prey is in the middle of the chain.
Method. Think about the word for a plant in a food chain.
- Think about the plant. A plant that makes its own food is a producer.plant = producer
- Check the word. The producer is at the start of the chain.start
- Write the answer. producer
Check. The word is producer. ✓
Watch out. Predator and prey are not plants.
Method. Look at the arrow in the picture.
- Look at the arrow. The arrow points from the food, the snail, to the hedgehog that eats it.food to eater
- Check the statement. So the arrow does not point from the eater to the food. The answer is false.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. Arrows point from the food to the eater. ✓
Watch out. Read the arrow as: the food goes to the eater.
Method. Put the chain in order, from the producer to the predator.
- Start with the producer. Grass is the plant at the start.grass
- Add the prey. The rabbit eats grass, so it comes next.grass, rabbit
- Add the predator. The fox eats the rabbit, so it comes last.grass, rabbit, fox
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The rabbit comes second in the chain. ✓
Watch out. The order is grass, rabbit, fox.
Method. Count the animals, not the plant.
- Look at the first link. The daisy is a plant, so it is not an animal.daisy: plant
- Count the animals. The snail and the hedgehog are both animals.snail, hedgehog
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Two animals: the snail and the hedgehog. ✓
Watch out. Count only the animals.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.under a leaf 2, on a wall 4
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.2 + 4 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 6. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about which way the food moves.
- Check a. Grass is eaten by the rabbit, and the rabbit is eaten by the fox. The order is right.a
- Check b. In chain b, the fox comes first. But the fox is the animal that eats, not the food.b
- Write the answer. a
Check. Only chain a is correct. ✓
Watch out. The producer always comes first.
Method. Read Tom’s drawing and check the arrow.
- Read the arrow. Tom drew the arrow from the fox to the rabbit.fox to rabbit
- Check the direction. The arrow must point from the rabbit, the food, to the fox that eats it.rabbit to fox
- Write the answer. no
Check. The arrow should point from the rabbit to the fox. ✓
Watch out. Arrows point from the food to the eater.
Method. Look at the link after the daisy.
- Look at the daisy. The arrow points from the daisy to the animal that eats it.daisy to snail
- Find the animal. The snail eats the daisy.snail
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The snail eats the daisy. ✓
Watch out. The animal after the producer eats the producer.
Method. Make a prediction from what snails eat.
- Think about what snails eat. Snails eat plants such as daisies.snails eat daisies
- Think about less food. With less food, fewer snails can live there.less food: fewer
- Write the answer. fewer
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Check the prediction by counting snails in a garden over time.
Method. Think about the food chain.
- Think about the hedgehog. A hedgehog eats snails.hedgehog: snails
- Think about the snail. Snails eat daisies, so the hedgehog depends on the daisy too.snail: daisy
- Write the answer. snails eat daisies
Check. Also accept: it eats snails that eat daisies. ✓
Watch out. Think about which living thing eats which.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Food sources | Food comes from plants (apples, carrots, bread) or from animals (eggs, milk, fish). |
| Producer | A plant makes its own food using sunlight. It is the start of a food chain. |
| Animal diet | Animals cannot make their own food. They eat plants or other animals. |
| Predator and prey | A predator hunts and eats other animals. Its prey is the animal that is eaten. |
| Food chain | Shows what eats what, with arrows from the food to the eater: producer, prey, predator. |
Can you…?
- I can name where my food comes from: plants or animals
- I can say that a plant makes its own food, so it is a producer
- I can say that animals eat plants or other animals
- I can say which animal is the predator and which is the prey
- I can read a food chain and draw one with arrows
- I never taste or touch a wild plant or animal
Key terms
- food source
- where food comes from: a plant or an animal
- producer
- a plant, which makes its own food and starts a food chain
- predator
- an animal that hunts and eats other animals
- prey
- an animal that is hunted and eaten by a predator
- food chain
- a drawing that shows what eats what, with arrows
- arrow
- shows the way the food goes, from the food to the animal that eats it
- energy
- the strength that living things need to move and grow
- sunlight
- light from the Sun, which plants use to make food
Exercise 4Z Check-up
Method. Think about which one makes its own food.
- Check daisy. A daisy is a plant, so it makes its own food.daisy
- Check snail. A snail is an animal, so it cannot make its own food.snail
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. The daisy is a producer. ✓
Watch out. Plants are producers.
Method. Find the animal that is eaten.
- Look at the chain. The hedgehog eats the animal in the middle.middle eaten
- Find the prey. The snail is the prey.snail
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The snail is the prey. ✓
Watch out. The prey is eaten by the predator.
Method. Think about what a fox hunts.
- Check plants. A fox mainly eats animals, not plants.plants
- Check animals. A fox hunts and eats other animals.animals
- Write the answer. animals
Check. A fox eats animals. ✓
Watch out. Foxes are predators.
Method. Think about foods that grow on plants.
- Look at the carrot. A carrot grows under the ground, on a plant.plant food
- Choose one word. Any food from a plant is correct.carrot
- Write the answer. carrot
Check. Also accept: apple, bread, grapes. ✓
Watch out. A food from a plant comes from a plant.
Method. Check each one, then count the producers.
- Check the rabbit. A rabbit is an animal, so it is not a producer.rabbit: no
- Check the fox. A fox is an animal, so it is not a producer.fox: no
- Check the grass. Grass is a plant, so it is a producer.grass: yes
- Write the answer. 1
Check. One of the three is a producer. ✓
Watch out. Count only the plants.
Method. Count the eggs once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about which one hunts and eats other animals.
- Check hedgehog. A hedgehog hunts and eats snails, so it is the predator.hedgehog
- Check snail. A snail is eaten by the hedgehog, so it is prey.snail
- Write the answer. hedgehog
Check. The hedgehog is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator eats the prey.
Method. Think about which part is above the ground.
- Check leaf. A leaf catches sunlight to make food.leaf
- Check root. A root is under the ground and takes in water.root
- Write the answer. leaf
Check. The leaf catches sunlight. ✓
Watch out. Leaves help a plant make its food.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.near the daisies 3, under a stone 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 2 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 5. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about how plants make food.
- Think about plants. Plants use sunlight to make their own food.sunlight
- Think about the rabbit. A rabbit is an animal, so it must eat plants to get food.rabbit: eats
- Write the answer. it is an animal
Check. Also accept: it must eat plants. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about what a rabbit is.
Total 14 marks. Allow about 14 minutes.
Exercise 4X End-of-chapter quiz
Method. Think about where an egg comes from.
- Check plant. An egg does not grow on a plant.plant
- Check animal. An egg comes from a hen, which is an animal.animal
- Write the answer. animal
Check. An egg comes from an animal. ✓
Watch out. Eggs come from hens.
Method. Think about a plant you know.
- Think about plants. A plant makes its own food, so it is a producer.plant = producer
- Choose one plant. Any plant is correct, such as a daisy or grass.daisy
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. Also accept: grass, oak, tulip. ✓
Watch out. Every plant makes its own food.
Method. Think about which one hunts other animals.
- Check fox. A fox hunts and eats rabbits, so it is a predator.fox
- Check rabbit. A rabbit is eaten by a fox, so it is prey.rabbit
- Write the answer. fox
Check. The fox is the predator. ✓
Watch out. The predator hunts other animals.
Method. Think about whether the snail is eaten.
- Check predator. The snail does not hunt the hedgehog.predator
- Check prey. The hedgehog eats the snail, so the snail is prey.prey
- Write the answer. prey
Check. The snail is the prey. ✓
Watch out. Prey is the animal that is eaten.
Method. Count the rabbits once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about which way the arrow points.
- Think about the arrow. The arrow points from the food to the animal that eats it.food to eater
- Choose the word. So the arrow points to the eater.eater
- Write the answer. eater
Check. The arrow points to the eater. ✓
Watch out. The food is at the start of the arrow.
Method. Think about a cow and the foods from animals.
- Look at the cow. A cow is an animal that gives us milk.cow: milk
- Choose one word. Eggs and fish also come from animals.milk
- Write the answer. milk
Check. Also accept: egg, fish. ✓
Watch out. Foods from animals include milk, eggs and fish.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.on a daisy 4, on a leaf 3
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.4 + 3 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 7. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Read Ben’s idea and check it.
- Read Ben’s idea. Ben thinks a fox is eaten by other animals.Ben: fox is prey
- Check the fox. A fox hunts and eats other animals, so it is a predator.fox: predator
- Write the answer. no
Check. A fox is a predator, not prey. ✓
Watch out. Predators hunt, and prey is eaten.
Method. Think about what a daisy does.
- Think about the daisy. A daisy is a plant that makes its own food.makes food
- Give the reason. A plant that makes its own food is a producer, so it starts the chain.producer
- Write the answer. it makes its own food
Check. Also accept: it is a producer. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about the plant, not the snail.