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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Can a gene change it's strategy for survival?
(a) Yes, genes modify their strategy by chaning the proteins they form.
(b) No, genes only predict a likely strategy and are stuck with it.
(c) No, genes can only create the protein they are formed to generate.
(d) Yes, genes modify themselves to try new strategies.

3. According to the relatedness calculations in the book, is a child more closely related to a sibling or an uncle?
(a) The child is equally related to both.
(b) It's impossible to compare.
(c) An uncle.
(d) A sibling.

4. According to Dawkins' description, what do insect colonies usually consist of?
(a) Small, interrelated groups of offspring descended from many mothers.
(b) A large number of offspring descended from the same mother.
(c) A large number of offspring descended from a small group of mothers.
(d) A communal group of offspring descended from many mothers.

5. According to Dawkins, what is a benefit of memes?
(a) Memes can create understanding.
(b) Memes can outlast genes, so a person's ideas carry on.
(c) Memes can create beauty.
(d) Memes can change the world for the better.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Dawkins' discussion, what is the detriment of raising offspring, if there is something wrong with it?

2. What ant behavior does Dawkins give as an example of seemingly altruistic behavior?

3. What does Trivers look at breeding as?

4. How does Dawkins argue for communication being selfish?

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

(see the answer key)

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