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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 7.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Dawkins suggest fooling certain genes into thinking the body is younger might do?
(a) Increase reproduction.
(b) Increase lifespan.
(c) Decrease genetic variation.
(d) Decrease mutation.

2. To what does Dawkins attribute changes to female mice as the population rises?
(a) Group selection.
(b) Random variation within groups.
(c) Natural selection of individuals.
(d) Random variation in individuals.

3. Do one-celled animals seem to have purpose and intention, according to the author?
(a) Yes, they must have some sort of mindful intention.
(b) No, except under unusual circumstances.
(c) No, they seem to behave without purpose.
(d) Yes, but they only appear to be purposeful.

4. According to Dawkins, how might a gene that normally does something selfish end in doing something unselfish?
(a) The selfish behavior gene cannot end in doing something unselfish.
(b) The selfish behavior, combined with other genes' behaviors, might create an unselfish-seeming behavior.
(c) The gene might change its role because of negative response to the selfish behavior.
(d) The selfish behavior might be modified by external influences.

5. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, who sends instructions through time?
(a) Future humans.
(b) Aliens.
(c) Robots.
(d) Intelligent animals.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would molecules that grouped and built protective walls around themselves become?

2. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?

3. In the set of bees Dawkins mentions that deal with this disease, what does a second gene the bees have do?

4. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?

5. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?

(see the answer key)

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