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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 can some amount of variation be attributed to?
(a) Location of species.
(b) External conditions.
(c) Genetics.
(d) Size of species.

2. Concerning the difficulty of defining species, sub-species, and variations, what does Darwin suggest about differences?
(a) They are arbitrary.
(b) There are no differences.
(c) Will depend on the species.
(d) Will depend on the climate.

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

4. In Chapter 1: Variation Under Domestication, what animal does Darwin give as an example for being perfectly adapted for catching its food?
(a) Woodpecker.
(b) Bull.
(c) Beaver.
(d) Tiger.

5. How might one explain the correlation of growth?
(a) Natural selection changes the whole, not just a part.
(b) A natural mistake.
(c) Natural selection's way to economize.
(d) Complication in selection.

Short Answer Questions

1. When is the only time a rational conclusion can be reached on a theory?

2. What type of work is presented in The Origin of Species?

3. With respect to breeders, what leads to the development of different varieties of species when breeding?

4. What does natural selection say must be true for change to be preserved?

5. On what ship did Darwin ride while writing The Origin of Species?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are four objections raised to the theory of natural selection?

2. What is the importance of indefinite variations?

3. How do Naturalists define a species and a variety?

4. Why does Darwin suggest his methods of study are inadequate?

5. Why is natural selection much broader than domestic selection by humans?

6. Why would natural selection be considered counter-intuitive?

7. How can the geology of mountains and valleys be related to natural selection?

8. How does the growth of a population work?

9. Why is the eye used as an example of an organ too complex to be explained by natural selection?

10. What factors contribute to the slowdown in reproduction in a species?

(see the answer keys)

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