What is an aid used to identify organisms that consists of the answers to a series of questions?

• A. Taxonomic key
• B. Dichotomous key
• C. Identification flowchart
• D. Field guide

Answer: (B)

A dichotomous key is the tool used to identify organisms by answering a sequence of paired questions. Each step offers two contrasting statements about observable traits, you pick the one that matches the organism, and that choice leads you to the next pair of statements. This stepwise answering pattern narrows possibilities until you reach a single identification, making the process precise and systematic. While a taxonomic key is the broader category of such tools, the dichotomous key is the classic two-choice format that fits the description best. A field guide provides information and images for identification but isn’t structured as a sequential Q&A, and an identification flowchart may resemble the process but isn’t defined by the strict two-choice format that characterizes a dichotomous key.