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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 happens to life forms that do NOT adapt?

2. What do commonalities of species found on islands say about species in general?

3. How do some scientists demonstrate the differences between species and variations?

4. What do many organisms of oceanic islands resemble?

5. Why is instinct NOT well-defined?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are fossils classified?

2. Why does Darwin use a fish and a reptile as comparisons?

3. Why do rudimentary organs pose a problem for theorists that species were created independently?

4. What is a possible explanation for why species migrated from one region to the next?

5. How does the age of the earth play into natural selection?

6. How do physical barriers correlate with differences in creatures that inhabit a region?

7. How does natural selection explain the behaviors of Formica rufescens?

8. What undermines the belief that the infertility of species, when crossed, is the result of Divine institution?

9. How does natural selection explain relationships among creatures?

10. Why can't similarities in organ structure of different species be explained as being created individually?

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 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.

Essay Topic 3

Darwin discusses four objections to his theory. Discuss these objections. Do you think Darwin makes valid points to explain away these objections? Can you find flaws in either the objections to Darwin's theory of the theory itself?

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