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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 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 basic cell structures.
(d) All life forms have similar pH balances.

2. What does Dawkins postulate maintains sexual reproduction as a feature?
(a) The desireability of genetic mutations.
(b) The need for genetic variation.
(c) The impossibility of asexual reproduction.
(d) The sexual reproduction gene trying to copy itself.

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

4. 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.

5. What mixture tends to arrive in ESS simulations of multiple types of behavior?
(a) A mix of retaliators, bullies, and hawks.
(b) A mix of proper-retaliators, hawks, and doves.
(c) A mix of retaliators, doves, and prober-retaliators.
(d) A mix of hawks, doves, and bullies.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Dawkins say individuals within a species interact more with each other than with other species?

2. What does the author compare nerves to?

3. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?

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

5. Does the author believe that genetically inherited traits cannot be changed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dawkins say that the book will tell about the argument of nature versus nurture?

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

3. Describe "crossing over."

4. Describe the comparison that Dawkins makes regarding a gangster.

5. How does Dawkins say that DNA differs from blueprints for making a building?

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

7. Explain what a prober-retaliator is.

8. How do genes directly and indirectly control behavior?

9. What does Dawkins say about how genes "teach" a behavior to a bee?

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

(see the answer keys)

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