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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. How is the American cuckoo different from the European cuckoo?

2. Which of the following refers to ways by which an organism could spread to a new area that would NOT typically occur naturally?

3. How do some scientists try to explain the purpose of rudimentary organs?

4. Why might a hybrid species NOT survive birth?

5. What does Darwin state is a main difference between first generation mongrels and first generation hybrids?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Darwin explain how the same genus of species are found in different geographical regions?

2. What is the key explanation for species living in different regions?

3. How does natural selection explain the lack of links between generations?

4. Why do scientists have difficulty determining the effects of two distinct species breeding?

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

6. Why is adaptation necessary?

7. Why can't climate account for differences in organisms from one region to the next?

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

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

10. What is one cause of a landmass changing the geological record?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The definition for species has changed throughout time. Define species as scientists defined it in Darwin's time, and define the word species as it is now defined. What is the distinction between these two definitions? Which definition best represents what a species is in your opinion? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Accidental means of dispersal is one type of migration. Do you think this is an affective means of migration? When this occurs, do you think a species will need to adapt, or could they remain the same? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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