Introduction
Comparison questions test more than memorising stages—they test whether students can spot what is true for both animals. This life cycles comparison question is a common Primary 3 MCQ trap, but it becomes easy when we check each option carefully.
The Question / Scenario Explanation
Source: P3 Question 4
Which statement about the life cycles of both the butterfly and chicken is correct?
(1) Both their young do not have wings.
(2) Both have four stages in their life cycle.
(3) Both their young do not look like the adult.
(4) Both spend all the stages of their life cycles on land.
Step-by-Step Solution / Explanation
Step 1: Recall the life cycles (quickly)
Butterfly life cycle: egg → larva (caterpillar) → pupa → adult
Chicken life cycle: egg → chick → adult
Step 2: Check each option (elimination method)
Option (1): Both their young do not have wings
- Butterfly young (caterpillar) has no wings ✅
- Chicken young (chick) already has wings (small wings) ❌
So (1) is false.
Option (2): Both have four stages in their life cycle
- Butterfly has four stages ✅
- Chicken has three main stages (egg → chick → adult) ❌
So (2) is false.
Option (3): Both their young do not look like the adult
- Caterpillar does not look like adult butterfly ✅
- Chick looks like a smaller chicken (same basic body shape) ❌
So (3) is false.
Option (4): Both spend all stages of their life cycles on land
- Butterfly: egg laid on plants, caterpillar on plants, pupa on land/plant, adult lives on land/air ✅
- Chicken: egg, chick, adult all live on land ✅
So (4) is true for both.
✅ Final Answer: Option (4)
Key Concepts Students Must Know
- A life cycles comparison question asks: “Which statement is true for BOTH?”
- Butterfly has 4 stages (complete metamorphosis).
- Chicken has a simpler life cycle: egg → chick → adult.
- “Spend all stages on land” means no stage lives in water.
Exam Tips / Common Mistakes
Exam Tips
- Use elimination: test each statement for both animals.
- If the statement fails for one animal, it is automatically wrong.
- For chicken: remember a chick is basically a “mini chicken”.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking a chick has “no wings” because it cannot fly yet.
- Saying both have 4 stages (mixing chicken life cycle with insect life cycle).
- Assuming “young do not look like adult” applies to all animals (it does not).
Parent Insight
These life cycles comparison MCQs build logical thinking. Encourage your child to stop guessing and instead ask: “Is it true for butterfly AND chicken?” That one habit improves accuracy immediately.
Conclusion
In this life cycles comparison question, options (1), (2), and (3) are false because they do not apply to both animals. Only option (4) is correct: both butterfly and chicken spend all stages of their life cycles on land.
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