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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?
(a) Why do people exist?
(b) Why do genes exist?
(c) Why does DNA exist?
(d) Why do molecules exist?

2. What example of the type of valued human behavior that perhaps influences people to believe in group selection does Dawkins give?
(a) Giving to a charitable organization to prevent world hunger.
(b) Volunteering for community service.
(c) Asking people to go to war to protect their country.
(d) Getting a job to beneift one's family.

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

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

5. What two opposites does Dawkins say he is examining the biology of?
(a) Self-centeredness and other-centeredness.
(b) Selfishness and altruism.
(c) Rationality and emotionalism.
(d) Individuality and community.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would give longevity to early self-duplicating molecules, according to Dawkins?

2. What apparently unselfish behavior of small birds does the author describe?

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

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

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

(see the answer key)

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