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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. Where did Darwin's ship travel?

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

3. In Chapter 4: Natural Selection, what does Darwin suggest about most variations?

4. What tends to occur in large groups of genera?

5. What is one function that cave dwelling animals lost through natural selection?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Regarding Darwin's example of the pigeon in Chapter 1, why is the pigeon easily determined to be descended from a single species?

3. What is the ultimate result of the constant struggle to live?

4. Is there a cycle to the struggle for existence? Explain.

5. Why is it sometimes impossible to tell if climate is the cause for variations in the same species located in different geographical locations?

6. Why would, on some islands, nature select for beetles that do not fly?

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

8. How does natural selection explain why organisms pair with other organisms?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Darwin's theory of natural selection suggests that species adapt over time. Why do they adapt, and what is the purpose of these adaptations? What does this theory suggest that the adapting species are striving toward? What does this theory suggest about species that do not adapt?

Essay Topic 2

Darwin discusses the struggle for existence in terms of pray and predators. How does this theory play into species with no predators? Are there truly any species with no predators? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Darwin discusses the difference between natural and artificial, or domestic breeding. How does Darwin feel about both types of breeding in terms of natural selection? Do you think he would prefer one type of breeding over the other? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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