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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would happen to an early molecule that made many more copies of itself than other molecules made of themselves?
(a) There would be a greater chance of copies of it surviving.
(b) There would be fewer copies that were similar to the original.
(c) There would be too many copies identical to the original, and they would mutually destruct.
(d) There would be a lower chance of copies of it surviving.

2. What happens in inversion?
(a) A gene is inserted backwards on a strand of DNA.
(b) Chromosomes are inserted backwards in a cell nucleus.
(c) DNA is inserted backwards in a chromosome.
(d) A nucleotide is inserted backwards in DNA.

3. What process does the existence of Dawkins' imagined early molecules closely resemble?
(a) Evolution.
(b) Crystalization.
(c) Diffusion.
(d) Hybridization.

4. How does Dawkins argue for communication being selfish?
(a) By pointing out that the ends of communiation benefit both parties.
(b) By pointing out lying and misleading communications.
(c) By pointing out that communication always has a main communcator.
(d) By pointing out that communication is only understaken for specific, selfish ends.

5. According to Dawkins, are mistakes in fidelity good or bad?
(a) They are always bad.
(b) They are always good.
(c) They are usually good, but sometimes bad.
(d) They are neither good nor bad.

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

7. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?
(a) Stone brood.
(b) Sac brood.
(c) Foul brood.
(d) Chalk brood.

8. What does Dawkins compare point mutation to?
(a) A misprint on a book.
(b) A stray mark on a photocopy.
(c) A card getting shuffled into the wrong deck.
(d) A misspoken word.

9. What is the smallest unit that is reproduced and carried on through natural selection?
(a) A DNA strand.
(b) A chromosome.
(c) A cell.
(d) A gene.

10. How common does Dawkins say doubt about evolution is?
(a) He says it's in everyone.
(b) He says it's common.
(c) He says it's nonexistent.
(d) He says it's rare.

11. What apparently unselfish act of a bee does the author describe?
(a) Evacuating immature bees from an endangered hive.
(b) Losing its life to sting an intruder.
(c) Fighting off predators who are near the queen.
(d) Bringing back pollen to help feed the whole colony.

12. In early reproducing molecules, what is the measure of "success"?
(a) That there are more molecules around that are like the molecule.
(b) That there are fewer ways for the molecule to be destroyed.
(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.

13. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A gene behavior that allows cooperation between multiple gene machines.
(b) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(c) A gene behavior that helps one group of genes survive by influencing the behavior of another.
(d) A mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.

14. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?
(a) Two bookshelves are combined into one.
(b) Two books are combined into one two-volume work.
(c) Books from different shelves are mixed together on a new shelf.
(d) Pages are torn out of different books and put together.

15. What apparently selfish act of the penguin does the author describe?
(a) Hiding behind other penguins when a predator is spotted.
(b) Stealing food from a baby penguin's mouth.
(c) Shoving each other to see who will fall off a cliff.
(d) Stealing other penguins' eggs.

Short Answer Questions

1. When a cell divides to make a new cell with identical DNA, what is the process called?

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

3. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?

4. What did scientists do to test the genes that controlled bee behavior?

5. Which cells in an organism contain the creature's DNA?

(see the answer keys)

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