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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the author define intelligent life?
(a) As life that asks where it came from.
(b) As life that tries to define itself.
(c) As life that creates lasting communications.
(d) As life that distinguishes itself from other life.

2. Does Dawkins believe that life could exist on other planets?
(a) No, because the chemical combinations for life are so rare.
(b) Yes, life could exist with similar or different chemical basis.
(c) No, because the same chemical conditions could not exist elsewhere.
(d) Yes, but only with the same chemical basis.

3. What does Dawkins say that evolution is about?
(a) The good of an individual gene.
(b) The good of a species.
(c) The good of a particular DNA combination.
(d) The good of an individual person.

4. What does Wynne-Edwards say happens when other animals communicate to the species that there is overpopulation?
(a) The animals have fewer young.
(b) The animals store extra food.
(c) The animals attack others' young.
(d) The animals claim larger territories.

5. What hazard does the author identify in killing a rival?
(a) A stronger rival might take the rival's place.
(b) The attacker might be ostracized for killing the rival.
(c) The rival will no longer be able to cooperate to protect against enemies.
(d) Others might try to revenge the rival.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins say readers can think of DNA as?

2. What would not have existed in early oceans, that would have allowed amino acids and proteins to exist for long periods of time, to slowly develop into more complex forms?

3. How common are genes that cause altruistic behaviors in nature?

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

5. What does Dawkins describe some female birds demanding from males?

(see the answer key)

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