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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What species of ant carries large quantities of freshly cut vegetation into underground nests as deep as six meters?
(a) Pachycondyla.
(b) Solenopsis Invicta.
(c) Cretomyrma.
(d) Acromyrmex.

2. What month of the year is considered the "nuptial flight" month for ant species?
(a) April.
(b) October.
(c) January.
(d) July.

3. Which of the following ants are considered most altruistic?
(a) Larvae.
(b) Male drone workers.
(c) Queens.
(d) Nonreproductive.

4. How long can Queen Formica ants live underwater if submerged?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) Two hours.
(c) Two days.
(d) Two minutes.

5. What is considered the final stage of a mature ant colony?
(a) The Founding Stage.
(b) The Reproductive Stage.
(c) The Virgin Stage.
(d) The Ergonomic Stage.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the scientific name for the first generation of workers?

2. How do ants communicate?

3. Which of the following are used by worker ants to stimulate new larvae growth?

4. How many levels of genealogical relationships do sweat bees have with one another?

5. Which of the following is NOT a ways Wilson describes foreign ants being treated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a "super colonial" ant colony?

2. How do various ant species, as discussed in this novel, protect their nests from spiders?

3. How is altruistic behavior in ant colonies defined?

4. Why are caste systems often used within ant colonies?

5. Why are male ants typically neglected in taxonomic studies?

6. What are barrack nests?

7. How did the study of swallows affect the way scientists viewed spatial distribution?

8. Why does Wilson think vertebrate animals are heavily favored in science books?

9. What are "Tramp Species" of ants?

10. What happens during the reproductive stage of an ant colony?

(see the answer keys)

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