P3 Science Revision Notes P3 Science Characteristics of Living and Non-Living Things

P3 Science - Classifications Topic
Characteristics of Living and Non-Living Things

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P3 Science
Characteristics of Living and Non-
Living Things
This science revision note aims to help your child
- apply the characteristics of living and non-living things
- explain your answer using the proper characteristics
The diagram below shows some objects.
(a) In the table below, categorise the objects into living or non-living
things.
(b) Ariola was sitting in her father’s car while her father was driving.
She thought about what she learnt about living and non-living things,
and concluded that the car is a living thing because it can move. Do
you agree with Ariola? Explain your answer.
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Let’s answer Part (A)

Categorise the objects into living or non-living things.
STEP 1
Identify the characteristics of living things and non-living things.
Living things:
● Need air, food and water to survive
● Can move by themselves
● Can respond to changes
● Can grow
● Can reproduce
● Can die
Non-living things are the opposite:

● Do not require air, food and water
● Cannot move by themselves
● Cannot respond to changes
● Cannot grow by themselves
● Cannot reproduce
● Cannot die
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STEP 2
Go through each of the objects and determine whether they have the
characteristics of living things or non-living things.
1) Butterfly
● Need air, food and water to survive? Yes.
● Can move by itself? Yes, they can fly.
● Can respond to changes? Yes.
● Can grow? Yes.
● Can reproduce? Yes, butterflies can reproduce through
laying eggs.
● Can die? Yes.
Hence, a butterfly is a living thing.
2) Water
● Need air, food and water to survive? No.
● Can move by itself? No (Water can move but not by itself.
It can only move if someone or something moves it).
● Can respond to changes? No.
● Can grow? No.
● Can reproduce? No.
● Can die? No.
Hence, water is a non-living thing.
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3) Apple
● Can move by itself? No.
● Can grow? No, an apple cannot grow once it is plucked
from the tree.
● Can die? No.
Hence, an apple is a non-living thing.
4) Plant
● Need air, food and water to survive? Yes. A plant gets air
through its leaves, makes its own food through its leaves, and
gets water from the soil through its roots.
● Can move by itself? Yes. Although you usually do not see it,
plants can move.
● Can respond to changes? Yes. An example is how plants
respond to light – plants grow towards sunlight.
● Can grow? Yes.
● Can reproduce? Yes, plants can reproduce through seeds
or spores.
● Can die? Yes.
Hence, a plant is a living thing.
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5) Fried Chicken
● Can move by itself? No.
● Can grow? No.
● Can die? No.
Hence, fried chicken is a non-living thing.
FINALLY, put your answer together
Question: In the table below, categorise the objects into living or non-
living things.
Answer:
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Let’s answer PART (B)
Ariola was sitting in her father’s car while her father was driving. She
thought about what she learnt about living and non-living things and
concluded that the car is a living thing because it can move. Do you
agree with Ariola? Explain your answer.
STEP 1
Determine if Ariola’s reasoning is correct.
Ariola said that the car is a living thing because it can move.
Let’s recap the characteristics of living things – living things can

move by themselves. Can the car move by itself? No, it can’t! The car
is only moving because Ariola’s father is driving it.
Hence, Ariola’s reasoning is wrong, and we can conclude that we do

not agree with her.
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STEP 2
What other reasons is Ariola’s statement wrong? Consider what the

other characteristics of living things are.
Living things:
● Need air, food and water to survive
● Can respond to changes
● Can grow
● Can reproduce
● Can die
Let’s check if a car fits any of these criteria:

● Can grow? No.
● Can die? No.
Hence, we can confirm that Ariola’s conclusion that the car is a living
thing is incorrect. Instead, it is a non-living thing.
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FINALLY, put your answer together
Question: Do you agree with Ariola? Explain your answer.

Answer: I disagree with Ariola. The car cannot move by itself. The car
is only moving because Ariola’s father is driving it.
Also, the car does not need air, food and water OR cannot respond
to changes OR cannot grow OR cannot reproduce. (choose any one
of the characteristics)
Hence, it is a non-living thing.
Learning point
Always consider all the characteristics to determine if it is a living or
non-living thing.
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P3 Science - Classifications Topic

Characteristics of Living and Non-Living Things

- apply the characteristics of living and non-living things

- explain your answer using the proper characteristics

The diagram below shows some objects.

Let’s answer Part (A)

Identify the characteristics of living things and non-living things.

Non-living things are the opposite:

Hence, a butterfly is a living thing.

Hence, water is a non-living thing.

Hence, an apple is a non-living thing.

Hence, a plant is a living thing.

Hence, fried chicken is a non-living thing.

FINALLY, put your answer together

Let’s answer PART (B)

Determine if Ariola’s reasoning is correct.

Let’s recap the characteristics of living things – living things can

Hence, Ariola’s reasoning is wrong, and we can conclude that we do

What other reasons is Ariola’s statement wrong? Consider what the

Let’s check if a car fits any of these criteria:

FINALLY, put your answer together

Question: Do you agree with Ariola? Explain your answer.

My live Zoom lessons are conducted at the Grade Solution Learning

Every year, we have over 500 science students in the pre-recorded

When students don’t give me too much stress, my passion is to share

Talk to you soon!

Interested in our pre-recorded online courses at Science Shifu?

You can see the available courses here >>>

The online courses from ScienceShifu consist of many pre-recorded lesson

This is a one-to-one coaching to your child. There is no background noise

Join the All-In-One ‘Eureka!’ Program

At Grade Solution Learning Centre, we are a team of dedicated

The teaching materials are almost the same. I am personally teaching

You Might Be Interested In These

ScienceShifu Channel on Telegram:

Click below to join the Telegram Channel:

Follow the ScienceShifu Instagram Channel to learn more science concepts

Benefits of joining Instagram:

Click on the link below to join the ScienceShifu Instagram Channel:

Primary 3 Science Premium Course

A Premium Subscription Course

Master the scientific keywords and answering techniques at home!

Based on the latest MOE syllabus.

New lessons are uploaded regularly.

(Click the link below to go to the Course)

(Click the link below to go to the Course)

Primary 4 Science Premium Course

A Premium Subscription Course

Master the science concepts and answering techniques at home!

Based on the latest MOE syllabus.

New lessons are uploaded regularly.

(Click the link below to go to the Course)

Primary 5 Science Premium Course

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Master the science concepts and answering techniques at home!

New lessons are uploaded regularly.

(Click the link below to go to the Course)

PSLE Science Premium Course