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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the most stable result of the specific ESS simulation Dawkins describes?
(a) A 7:5 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(b) A 1:1 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(c) A 3:2 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(d) A 1:4 mixture of two kinds of behavior.

2. What apparently selfish act of gulls does the author describe?
(a) Fighting for fish.
(b) "Ditching" the rest of the flock when a predator is spotted.
(c) Stealing another gull's nest.
(d) Eating others' baby chicks.

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

4. 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.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?

2. What almost always happens when copies of things are made, according to Dawkins?

3. In early reproducing molecules, what is the measure of "success"?

4. What does ESS stand for?

5. What apparently unselfish behavior of small birds does the author describe?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what a prober-retaliator is.

2. In war of attrition scenarios, what is the best bet for individual behavior, according to Dawkins' reports?

3. What does Dawkins say would happen if a selfish member of a species were born into a species of unselfish members?

4. In ESS simulations, what happens when a hawk enters a stable group of doves?

5. Describe the results of the intruder retreat experiment done by Niko Tinbergen.

6. According to Dawkins, what happened to self-copying molecules that were less successful?

7. What results in variety in Dawkins' view of early self-copying molecules?

8. Explain Dawkins' argument for why cannibalism is very rare.

9. Describe "crossing over."

10. What does Dawkins say would be a natural extension of valuing one's own species more than other species?

(see the answer keys)

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