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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is one individual that Darwin mentions as helping him in every way prior to the publication of The Origin of Species?
(a) Dr. Hooker.
(b) Edward Forbes.
(c) Rev. W. Horbert.
(d) Dr. Lovette.

2. What typically happens to a species that begins to vary and forms two distinct species?
(a) They will require more resources.
(b) One of the species will become extinct.
(c) They will inhabit more area.
(d) They will be classified as sub-species.

3. What do scientists attribute to organs that cannot be explained by natural selection?
(a) Disuse.
(b) Use.
(c) Inheritance.
(d) Overuse.

4. What is unique about variation in polymorphic species?
(a) Not dependent on external factors.
(b) Dependent on external factors.
(c) All invertibrates.
(d) Not dependent on internal factors.

5. What bodily system do some scientists believe is responsible for producing individual differences?
(a) Skin.
(b) Reproductive.
(c) Nervous.
(d) Brain.

6. When is the only time a rational conclusion can be reached on a theory?
(a) When both sides have been considered.
(b) When one side comes up with more proof.
(c) You can never draw a conclusion in science.
(d) After a committee discussion and agreement.

7. Why are some useless organs sill found in animals?
(a) All organs have a purpose.
(b) They have not been bred out.
(c) Selection takes time.
(d) They were used by ancestors.

8. What can be said about the range of species that are closely related?
(a) They are unrestricted.
(b) They are typically very small.
(c) They are typically large.
(d) They are restricted.

9. As an example of a variation, what does Darwin indicate in Chapter 1 that is a change due to improved diet?
(a) Higher intelligence.
(b) Lower intelligence.
(c) Decreased size.
(d) Increased size.

10. What other actions do birds use their wings for?
(a) Cleaning.
(b) Running.
(c) Swimming.
(d) Mating.

11. What is required for a species to continue to grow?
(a) Strong males.
(b) Food supply.
(c) Other species.
(d) Land.

12. What type of populations may be more likely to become extinct?
(a) Large populations.
(b) Medium populations.
(c) Diverse populations.
(d) Small populations.

13. What is one geographical change that affects islands and continents?
(a) Rainfall changes.
(b) Sea level changes.
(c) Animal variations.
(d) Climate changes.

14. Where did Darwin's ship travel?
(a) South America.
(b) Asia.
(c) North America.
(d) England.

15. What animal does Darwin use as an example of an intermediate form of a full-land and full-flying animal?
(a) Spider monkey.
(b) Bat.
(c) Flying squirrel.
(d) Penguin.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is likely to NOT affect variations that are consistent among individuals?

2. In what type of species are variations of the eye found?

3. Which term refers to a type of variation that is NOT inherited and only affects individuals?

4. What happens when species are inter-bred?

5. What do most organisms have a very good ability to do?

(see the answer keys)

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