Science Year 8 - Unit 1 - Lesson 25

Endangered Species and Australian Biodiversity

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

Australia is home to animals found nowhere else on Earth, yet many are disappearing. This lesson explains why our wildlife is at risk, what extinction really means, and how conservation can turn things around.

Australia has a high rate of extinction and many unique species
Isolation and unique evolution made Australian species vulnerable

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

Australia has a high rate of extinction and many unique species
The difference between extinct, endangered and threatened
Key threats include habitat loss, introduced species and climate change

3. Key Terms

EndangeredAt serious risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

ExtinctNo longer exists anywhere on Earth.

BiodiversityThe variety of all living things in an area, including plants, animals and microorganisms.

Habitat lossDestruction or reduction of the place where a species lives, feeds and breeds.

ConservationProtection and careful management of species and their habitats.

Threatened speciesA species that is vulnerable, endangered or critically at risk of dying out.

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Australia has a high rate of extinction and many unique species". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Core

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "The difference between extinct, endangered and threatened". Show your reasoning clearly.

Core

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Endangered Species and Australian Biodiversity: "Key threats include habitat loss, introduced species and climate change".

Reasoning

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

A student says, "I understand Endangered Species and Australian Biodiversity because I memorised the definition."

Explain why memorising a definition is not enough. Use an example from the lesson to show deeper understanding.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Endangered Species and Australian Biodiversity?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Endangered Species and Australian Biodiversity?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: Australia has a high rate of extinction and many unique species

Success criterion 2

Prove that you can: The difference between extinct, endangered and threatened

Success criterion 3