1. How does the author say that human beings think of their own species?
(a) As more imporant than other species.
(b) As a goal that evolution has achieved.
(c) As exempt from the laws of natural selection.
(d) As able to rise above animal drives.

2. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?
(a) Stone brood.
(b) Foul brood.
(c) Sac brood.
(d) Chalk brood.

3. What does the author suggest might be better wording than "survival of the fittest"?
(a) Survival of the best.
(b) Survival of the most reliable.
(c) Survival of the stable.
(d) Survival of the most adaptable.

4. What apparently selfish act of the praying mantis does the author describe?
(a) A female eating her mate.
(b) Leading another mantis into a spider's web.
(c) Injuring another mantis that enters a claimed territory.
(d) Fighting over an aphid colony.

5. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(b) A mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.
(c) A gene behavior that allows cooperation between multiple gene machines.
(d) A gene behavior that helps one group of genes survive by influencing the behavior of another.

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. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?

3. What apparently selfish act of gulls does the author describe?

4. What two opposites does Dawkins say he is examining the biology of?

5. What shape does the author say water molecules in space make?

(see the answer key)

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