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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 did the brain do when the forelimbs were no longer used to walk?

2. What does the coordination of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones do?

3. For what does the thumb have to be long enough?

4. Who is Robin Dunbar?

5. According to Charles Sherrington, what is a natural progression?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is George, and what does Wilson say about him?

2. What is Wilson's "mission" with this book?

3. What terms does John Napier use that mean essentially the same as "prehensile" and "non-prehensile" and what do the terms mean?

4. What has to happen in order for the thumb to be useful?

5. What are the eight features of the human hand according to Mary Marzke?

6. What are Australopithecines and what is an example of one?

7. What aspects of the human capacity for passionate, creative work does Wilson illustrate?

8. What did Herophilus and Galen discover?

9. How did Duchenne demonstrate the physiology of movement?

10. What does practice after learning do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wilson claims the brain and musculoskeletal systems evolve by changing structure and function over time, the bipedal gait and upper limb changes are characteristic of the hominid line distinct from primates, and the driving force of hominid brain evolution is the brain and society as hominids expand their range beyond the jungle into other habitats.

1. Explain what Wilson means by the brain and musculoskeletal systems changing structure and function. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss, in depth, how the bipedal gait and upper limbs differ between hominids and apes. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss reasons you think expanding the range of habitats made the hominid more intelligent. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Anatomically, ape and human hands have been, until recently, considered functionally equivalent by anthropologists. The prehuman arm, however, was considered functionally and anatomically different metaphorically by analysis to a construction crane and its operator.

1. Explain the metaphor of the prehuman being related to a crane. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Explain what part of the body is the crane operator in the above metaphor and how it relates to the use of the hand. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss the following statement in relation to modern human society. When the forelimbs were relieved of the duty to walk on and support body weight, the brain enabled them to become functional in many other areas and skills. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Hand. Questions that Wilson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Wilson's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Wilson's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Wilson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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