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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does longevity provide to an early molecule, according to Dawkins?
(a) Time to make copies of itself.
(b) Time to modify its surroundings.
(c) Time to repair itself.
(d) Time to modify itself.

2. 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.

3. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, is the machine created by the instructions beneficial or dangerous?
(a) It is neither dangerous nor beneficial.
(b) It is both beneficial and dangerous, at different times.
(c) It is dangerous.
(d) It is beneficial.

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 nonexistent.
(d) He says it's in everyone.

5. What does Dawkins say that Honeyguide chicks do?
(a) Steal food from other chicks in the nest.
(b) Blackmail parents into getting more food by screaming loud enough to attract predators.
(c) Scream less loud to not attract too much attention to themselves as intruders.
(d) Kill other chicks in the nest.

Short Answer Questions

1. What behavior does the author cite about how elephant seals relate to rivals?

2. How does Dawkins postulate that animals judge relatedness?

3. According to the relatedness calculations in the book, is a child more closely related to a sibling or an uncle?

4. In the example that Dawkins gives, what do pigs sometimes do to the runt of the litter?

5. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what represents a gene?

(see the answer key)

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