1. What apparently selfish act of the penguin does the author describe?
(a) Shoving each other to see who will fall off a cliff.
(b) Hiding behind other penguins when a predator is spotted.
(c) Stealing food from a baby penguin's mouth.
(d) Stealing other penguins' eggs.

2. Does the author believe that genetically inherited traits cannot be changed?
(a) No, he believes that genetically inherited traits are only vague predispositions that are easily and commonly changed.
(b) Yes, he believes genetically inherited traits cover all behavior and are unchangeable.
(c) No, he does not believe genetically inherited traits are impossible to change.
(d) Yes, he believes that genetically inherited traits are unchangeable, but they don't govern all behavior.

3. What does Dawkins describe life forms as?
(a) Multiplications of self-copying molecules.
(b) Projections of self-copying molecules into a new dimension.
(c) Simple enlargements of self-copying molecules.
(d) Machines to protect competing self-copying molecules.

4. If two genes normally cooperate, what happens when one gene is missing?
(a) The other gene still causes the same total result.
(b) The other gene still causes the same total result but intermittently.
(c) The other gene still has an effect, but the total result is not the same.
(d) The other gene no longer has any effect.

5. What does Dawkins say points to the idea that all living things come from the same types of early molecules?
(a) All life forms have similar pH balances.
(b) All life forms have basic cell structures.
(c) All life forms are based on carbon.
(d) All life forms are made from DNA molecules.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?

2. What does the Watt Governor machine appear to do?

3. What does the author compare nerves to?

4. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, is the machine created by the instructions beneficial or dangerous?

5. Do one-celled animals seem to have purpose and intention, according to the author?

(see the answer key)

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