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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What almost always happens when copies of things are made, according to Dawkins?
(a) Mistakes in the copies.
(b) An overabundance of copies.
(c) Confusion between copies and originals.
(d) Conflict between the copies.

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

3. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?
(a) The proto-RNA.
(b) The duplicator.
(c) The replicator.
(d) The chicken-and-egg molecule.

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

5. In the set of bees Dawkins mentions that deal with this disease, what does a second gene the bees have do?
(a) Cause the bees to eat sick baby bees.
(b) Cause the bees to throw sick baby bees out of the hive.
(c) Cause the bees to leave the hive where sick baby bees are.
(d) Cause the bees to crush sick baby bees.

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

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

8. What do the letters A, T, C, and G stand for?
(a) Different types of genes.
(b) Different types of nucleotides.
(c) Different types of DNA.
(d) Different types of RNA.

9. In Dawkins' description, how does a bully behave?
(a) A bully acts aggressively but only follows through with weak opponents.
(b) A bully acts aggressively but then always backs down.
(c) A bully acts aggressively and always fights.
(d) A bully acts aggressively but never confronts an opponent.

10. What does Dawkins say points to the idea that all living things come from the same types of early molecules?
(a) All life forms are made from DNA molecules.
(b) All life forms are based on carbon.
(c) All life forms have similar pH balances.
(d) All life forms have basic cell structures.

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

12. In Dawkins' description, how does a retaliator behave?
(a) A retaliator waits to see what will happen and then reacts through a code of rules.
(b) A retaliator appears to be a hawk but acts like a dove.
(c) A retaliator appears to be a dove but acts like a hawk.
(d) A retaliator mimics the behavior of the creature it encounters.

13. How many nucleotide chains are in DNA?
(a) Two.
(b) Five.
(c) Four.
(d) Three.

14. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how many books are on the bookshelf?
(a) Thirty-two.
(b) Fifty-four.
(c) Forty-six.
(d) Twenty-three.

15. What would molecules that started to manufacture energy using the sun eventually become?
(a) Plants.
(b) Single-celled organisms.
(c) Animals.
(d) Inorganic materials.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Dawkins' discussion, what does he consider alleles to be, relative to genes?

2. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?

3. What does Dawkins postulate would preserve a gene forever?

4. How does the author define intelligent life?

5. What would give longevity to early self-duplicating molecules, according to Dawkins?

(see the answer keys)

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