View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Dawkins postulate would preserve a gene forever?
(a) A gene that caused nothing but remained in the DNA.
(b) A being that passed on all its DNA through sexual reproduction.
(c) A being that used only one gene.
(d) An undying being continuing to reproduce.

2. What example of the type of valued human behavior that perhaps influences people to believe in group selection does Dawkins give?
(a) Giving to a charitable organization to prevent world hunger.
(b) Asking people to go to war to protect their country.
(c) Volunteering for community service.
(d) Getting a job to beneift one's family.

3. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?
(a) Dawkins says it does not matter.
(b) Dawkins says that they are a kind of "life," but not as we know it today.
(c) Dawkins says that they are definitely not "life."
(d) Dawkins says that they are definitely "life."

4. In the set of bees Dawkins mentions that deal with this disease, what does one gene the bees have do?
(a) Cause the bees to withhold honey from sick baby bees.
(b) Cause the bees to sting sick baby bees.
(c) Cause the bees to overfeed sick baby bees.
(d) Cause the bees to open cells where sick baby bees are.

5. What does Dawkins describe life forms as?
(a) Projections of self-copying molecules into a new dimension.
(b) Multiplications of self-copying molecules.
(c) Machines to protect competing self-copying molecules.
(d) Simple enlargements of self-copying molecules.

6. What happens to animals that tend to lose in fights?
(a) They tend to change their fighting strategies.
(b) They tend to fight more aggressively in the future.
(c) They tend to give up sooner in the future.
(d) They tend to challenge less dominant rivals in the future.

7. How does the author say that human beings think of their own species?
(a) As able to rise above animal drives.
(b) As exempt from the laws of natural selection.
(c) As a goal that evolution has achieved.
(d) As more imporant than other species.

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

9. Does the author believe that all people should act selfishly?
(a) No, he believes people should try to overcome selfish natural tendancies.
(b) No, and he believes people will not naturally act selfishly.
(c) Yes, he believes selfish behavior has positive results.
(d) Yes, he believes that selfish behavior is natural and therefore good, despite negative results.

10. In early reproducing molecules, what is the measure of "success"?
(a) That there are fewer ways for the molecule to be destroyed.
(b) That there are more molecules around that are like the molecule.
(c) That there are more copies of the molecule, whether they are accurate or not.
(d) That there are more chemical reactions that can use the molecule.

11. How does Dawkins characterize the natural world in his discussion of selfishness?
(a) As well-balanced and selective.
(b) As dangerous and competitive.
(c) As biased toward selecting particular behaviors.
(d) As alternately friendly and unfriendly.

12. What would competition between early self-copying molecules be over?
(a) Water.
(b) Gaseous molecules.
(c) Building-block molecules.
(d) Space.

13. Why does Dawkins say kind or cooperative behavior arises?
(a) Because other kind or cooperative behavior promotes it.
(b) Because other factors besides natural selection are in play.
(c) Because it allows a gene to achieve a selfish goal.
(d) Because it promotes the good of the whole species.

14. What apparently unselfish behavior of small birds does the author describe?
(a) Drawing the attention of a hawk to itself and away from the flock.
(b) Bringing excess food to others in the flock.
(c) Protecting another bird's eggs.
(d) Staying awake to warn the flock of approaching predators.

15. What does Dawkins say readers can think of DNA as?
(a) A set of plans.
(b) A set of general guidelines.
(c) A computer controling the body.
(d) A dictatorial ruler.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does the author believe that genetically inherited traits cannot be changed?

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

3. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?

4. What molecules does Dawkins say existed in ancient seas and formed amino acids?

5. What apparently selfish act of the penguin does the author describe?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 811 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample