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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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 science fiction story Dawkins cites, who sends instructions through time?
(a) Robots.
(b) Aliens.
(c) Future humans.
(d) Intelligent animals.

5. What would molecules that broke down other self-copying molecules and used their parts eventually become?
(a) Inorganic materials.
(b) Animals.
(c) Plants.
(d) Single-celled organisms.

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

7. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?
(a) As unscientific.
(b) As fundamental to evolution.
(c) As a reasonable alternative hypothesis.
(d) As probable.

8. In Dawkins' description, how does a retaliator behave?
(a) A retaliator mimics the behavior of the creature it encounters.
(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 waits to see what will happen and then reacts through a code of rules.

9. In Dawkins' examine of ESS simulations, what two kinds of creatures are there?
(a) Ones that always fight, and ones that always back down.
(b) Ones that always run away, and ones that attack in stealth.
(c) Ones that always cooperate, and ones that always fight.
(d) Ones that always win, and ones that always lose.

10. 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 but never confronts an opponent.
(d) A bully acts aggressively and always fights.

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

12. What would molecules that grouped and built protective walls around themselves become?
(a) Single-celled organisms.
(b) Plants.
(c) Animals.
(d) Inorganic materials.

13. What is the most stable type of behavior in the computer simulations of ESS?
(a) Bully.
(b) Dove.
(c) Retaliator.
(d) Hawk.

14. What does longevity provide to an early molecule, according to Dawkins?
(a) Time to repair itself.
(b) Time to modify its surroundings.
(c) Time to modify itself.
(d) Time to make copies of itself.

15. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?
(a) An energy generator.
(b) A time travel machine.
(c) A space ship.
(d) A computer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of animal brains does Dawkins say are most successful?

2. If two genes normally cooperate, what happens when one gene is missing?

3. What would competition between early self-copying molecules be over?

4. What does Dawkins describe as "intruder retreat" behavior?

5. How would the results differ if the goal were the success of the group?

(see the answer keys)

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