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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 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) Multiplications of self-copying molecules.
(d) Simple enlargements of self-copying molecules.

2. Why does the author use the word "apparently" to describe selfish or unselfish behavior?
(a) Because he doesn't really believe in the terms selfish and unselfish.
(b) Because behavior may only seem selfish or unselfish.
(c) Because he is only concerned about appearances of selfishness.
(d) Because he doesn't believe the examples he is citing are necessarily true.

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

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

5. What did scientists do to test the genes that controlled bee behavior?
(a) Breed bees with duplicates of one of the genes.
(b) Breed bees without either gene.
(c) Breed bees with duplicates of both genes.
(d) Breed bees with one of the genes only.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the smallest unit that is reproduced and carried on through natural selection?

2. What does the Watt Governor machine regulate?

3. How does the author say that human beings think of their own species?

4. In Dawkins' description, how does a bully behave?

5. What would molecules that broke down other self-copying molecules and used their parts eventually become?

Short Essay Questions

1. What examples does Dawkins give of humanity's valuation of its own species?

2. Describe "crossing over."

3. What are the main actions living organisms do, as gene machines?

4. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what is the role of page numbers?

5. How do genes directly and indirectly control behavior?

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

7. What two ways does Dawkins picture that the first self-copying molecule might copy itself?

8. How does Dawkins view many-celled life forms?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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