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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. What is "one of the greatest remaining mysteries in biology," according to Weiner?

2. What do Crossbills eat?

3. Who has catalogued Darwin's spelling mistakes?

4. Where is Anvers Island?

5. Whom did Darwin commission to breed unusual combinations of pigeons?

Short Essay Questions

1. Choose one example from the text regarding how humans affect other species, and explain it.

2. What effect do the finches have on cactus flowers?

3. What is the significance of the finch's songs? Explain in detail.

4. Answer Weiner's question, "Why are there so many kinds of animals?"

5. Describe the two shorelines that Weiner discusses in Chapter 11.

6. Describe the act of "speciation" in the haw flies.

7. Summarize Gayle Davies' experience with the finches.

8. Describe what Martin Taylor does with the moth samples he receives.

9. What is the significance of Darwin's spelling errors for modern science?

10. Why do plants hybridize rather readily?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast two episodes of anthropomorphism in the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the experiment with the Crossbill finches has affected the study of evolution.

Essay Topic 3

Answer the question, "Why are there so many kinds of animals?" Cite specific details and concepts that are found in the text.

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