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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the author suggest might be better wording than "survival of the fittest"?
(a) Survival of the most adaptable.
(b) Survival of the best.
(c) Survival of the most reliable.
(d) Survival of the stable.

2. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?
(a) A computer.
(b) A time travel machine.
(c) A space ship.
(d) An energy generator.

3. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?
(a) As unscientific.
(b) As a reasonable alternative hypothesis.
(c) As fundamental to evolution.
(d) As probable.

4. In Dawkins' discussion, what does he consider alleles to be, relative to genes?
(a) Rivals.
(b) Cooperative partners.
(c) Understudies.
(d) Immaterial extras.

5. What would molecules that grouped and built protective walls around themselves become?
(a) Single-celled organisms.
(b) Animals.
(c) Inorganic materials.
(d) Plants.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the author say that human beings think of their own species?

2. What does Dawkins postulate would preserve a gene forever?

3. What would molecules that started to manufacture energy using the sun eventually become?

4. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?

5. What molecules does Dawkins say existed in ancient seas and formed amino acids?

(see the answer key)

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