View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How common are genes that cause altruistic behaviors in nature?
(a) They are nonexistent.
(b) They are extremely rare.
(c) They are vast majority of genes.
(d) They are pretty common.

2. What does the author compare nerves to?
(a) Electrical wires.
(b) An abacus.
(c) An engine.
(d) A computer.

3. 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, and he believes people will not naturally act selfishly.
(d) No, he believes people should try to overcome selfish natural tendancies.

4. In Dawkins' description, how does a retaliator behave?
(a) A retaliator appears to be a dove but acts like a hawk.
(b) A retaliator waits to see what will happen and then reacts through a code of rules.
(c) A retaliator mimics the behavior of the creature it encounters.
(d) A retaliator appears to be a hawk but acts like a dove.

5. 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.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. 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?

3. How does the author say that human beings think of their own species?

4. If two genes normally cooperate, what happens when one gene is missing?

5. What kind of animals does the intruder retreat experiment by Niko Tinbergen use?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 371 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample