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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 11.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Dawkins' example, why might a child try to get extra food, to the detriment of brothers and sisters?
(a) The child has no concern for its siblings' survival.
(b) The child is more related to itself than its siblings.
(c) The child is hungrier than its siblings.
(d) The child has special needs that it must communicate to its parents.

2. How does the author suggest that bird calls might help a bird that is trying to hide by freezing to camouflage itself?
(a) The call might allow the bird to focus and remain quiet for a longer period of time.
(b) The call might cause the rest of the flock to fly and distract predators.
(c) The call might be hard to pinpoint and therefore distract predators.
(d) The call might cause the rest of the flock to freeze and not attract attention.

3. What molecules does Dawkins say existed in ancient seas and formed amino acids?
(a) Water, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur.
(b) Methane, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
(c) Water, carbon dioxide, methane, and amonia.
(d) Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur, and amonia.

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

5. Which of the following is not a meme?
(a) An ancient tree.
(b) A painting.
(c) A philosophical idea.
(d) A scientific theory.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins describe as "intruder retreat" behavior?

2. What does Dawkins point out about different species' attitude toward offspring?

3. In the ant colonies studied by Trivers and Hare, what do the ants do with eggs stolen from other colonies?

4. How does the author define intelligent life?

5. What does Dawkins say that evolution is about?

(see the answer key)

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