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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 would happen to an early molecule that made many more copies of itself than other molecules made of themselves?
(a) There would be too many copies identical to the original, and they would mutually destruct.
(b) There would be a greater chance of copies of it surviving.
(c) There would be a lower chance of copies of it surviving.
(d) There would be fewer copies that were similar to the original.

2. What does the Watt Governor machine appear to do?
(a) Cry.
(b) Think.
(c) Talk.
(d) Scream.

3. What does Dawkins point out about antelopes' herd behavior?
(a) The herd behavior gives indidivuals a better chance of survival.
(b) The herd behavior sacrifices an individual for the species survival.
(c) The herd behavior is fot the good of the species.
(d) The herd behavior is not an adaptation.

4. What does Dawkins describe as "intruder retreat" behavior?
(a) Entities tend to retreat from aggressive intruders.
(b) The entity intruding into an unknown situation tends to retreat.
(c) Strangers tend to consider each other intruders and retreat.
(d) Groups tend to retreat when an intruder is in the area.

5. Can a gene change it's strategy for survival?
(a) No, genes can only create the protein they are formed to generate.
(b) Yes, genes modify themselves to try new strategies.
(c) Yes, genes modify their strategy by chaning the proteins they form.
(d) No, genes only predict a likely strategy and are stuck with it.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is the most stable result of the specific ESS simulation Dawkins describes?

3. What apparently unselfish act of a bee does the author describe?

4. Why does the author use the word "apparently" to describe selfish or unselfish behavior?

5. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dawkins have to say about the phrase "to ensure the survival of the species?"

2. Describe "crossing over."

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

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

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

8. How does Dawkins view whether fidelity is important to evolution?

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

10. What happens to genes in sexual reproduction?

(see the answer keys)

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