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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?
(a) The duplicator.
(b) The chicken-and-egg molecule.
(c) The replicator.
(d) The proto-RNA.

2. How does the author define intelligent life?
(a) As life that distinguishes itself from other life.
(b) As life that asks where it came from.
(c) As life that tries to define itself.
(d) As life that creates lasting communications.

3. What almost always happens when copies of things are made, according to Dawkins?
(a) Confusion between copies and originals.
(b) An overabundance of copies.
(c) Mistakes in the copies.
(d) Conflict between the copies.

4. What would molecules that grouped and built protective walls around themselves become?
(a) Single-celled organisms.
(b) Inorganic materials.
(c) Plants.
(d) Animals.

5. What would molecules that broke down other self-copying molecules and used their parts eventually become?
(a) Inorganic materials.
(b) Animals.
(c) Plants.
(d) Single-celled organisms.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins say that evolution is about?

2. What would happen to an early molecule that made many more copies of itself than other molecules made of themselves?

3. Does the author believe that all people should act selfishly?

4. What does Dawkins describe life forms as?

5. How does Dawkins characterize the natural world in his discussion of selfishness?

(see the answer key)

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