We can decide whether something is alive (or living) by using the following characteristics of livings things :
(i) Living things can move by themselves.
(ii) Living things need food, air and water.
(iii) Living things can grow
(iv) Living things can respond to changes around them. They are sensitive.
(v) Living things respire (release energy from food).
(vi) Living things excrete (get rid of waste materials from their body).
(vii) Living things can reproduce. They can have young ones.