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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Compared to Homo sapiens, Neanderthals were:

2. In Chapter 30, the author notes that, in the past, some larger species became extinct because:

3. How did humans become dispersed across the planet?

4. The human body is composed of how many cells?

5. According to Bryson, what percentage of all animal and plant life is yet to be discovered?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is cytoplasm?

2. Describe the Indonesian volcanic eruption of 1815.

3. What is a hominid? Describe some of the hominids that existed in the past.

4. What are bipeds? What are some of the unique challenges they face because of their structure?

5. Why haven't scientists discovered every species of plant and animal life yet?

6. What type of scientific work did the monk and scientist Gregor Mendel do?

7. Describe the layer of atmosphere called the troposphere.

8. Why does Bryson say that fossils represent only a tiny fraction of life on Earth?

9. How long do human cells live?

10. How are traits determined genetically?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Charles Darwin came up with the concept of evolution and natural selection, he was met by much opposition. Describe the controversy surrounding Darwin's theories. Why did people oppose his observations? How did he feel about this? Scientifically, what made his theories seem improbable?

Essay Topic 2

What is continental drift? How did this concept emerge within the scientific community? How long did it take for this idea to gain acceptance? What evidence pointed to the reality of continental drift?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why scientists were reluctant to believe evidence of our planet's actual age. How did belief systems get in the way of scientific evidence?

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