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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would happen to an early molecule that made many more copies of itself than other molecules made of themselves?
(a) There would be a lower chance of copies of it surviving.
(b) There would be a greater chance of copies of it surviving.
(c) There would be too many copies identical to the original, and they would mutually destruct.
(d) There would be fewer copies that were similar to the original.

2. What apparently selfish act of gulls does the author describe?
(a) Eating others' baby chicks.
(b) "Ditching" the rest of the flock when a predator is spotted.
(c) Fighting for fish.
(d) Stealing another gull's nest.

3. What would molecules that started to manufacture energy using the sun eventually become?
(a) Inorganic materials.
(b) Plants.
(c) Animals.
(d) Single-celled organisms.

4. How common does Dawkins say doubt about evolution is?
(a) He says it's rare.
(b) He says it's common.
(c) He says it's in everyone.
(d) He says it's nonexistent.

5. Does the author believe that all people should act selfishly?
(a) Yes, he believes that selfish behavior is natural and therefore good, despite negative results.
(b) Yes, he believes selfish behavior has positive results.
(c) No, he believes people should try to overcome selfish natural tendancies.
(d) No, and he believes people will not naturally act selfishly.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?

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

4. What would molecules that broke down other self-copying molecules and used their parts eventually become?

5. What molecules does Dawkins say existed in ancient seas and formed amino acids?

(see the answer key)

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