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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. Does the author believe that all people should act selfishly?
(a) Yes, he believes selfish behavior has positive results.
(b) No, and he believes people will not naturally act selfishly.
(c) Yes, he believes that selfish behavior is natural and therefore good, despite negative results.
(d) No, he believes people should try to overcome selfish natural tendancies.

2. What game, played by computers, does Dawkins use as an example of things that can happen automatically based on rules?
(a) Chess.
(b) Checkers.
(c) Go.
(d) Backgammon.

3. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?
(a) Dawkins says that they are definitely not "life."
(b) Dawkins says that they are definitely "life."
(c) Dawkins says that they are a kind of "life," but not as we know it today.
(d) Dawkins says it does not matter.

4. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(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 mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.

5. What apparently unselfish act of a bee does the author describe?
(a) Losing its life to sting an intruder.
(b) Bringing back pollen to help feed the whole colony.
(c) Evacuating immature bees from an endangered hive.
(d) Fighting off predators who are near the queen.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?

2. In Dawkins' description, how does a retaliator behave?

3. What does the author compare nerves to?

4. What happens to animals that tend to lose in fights?

5. How common does Dawkins say doubt about evolution is?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why doesn't Dawkins find it statistically remarkable that an early molecule would arise that would copy itself?

8. How do genes directly and indirectly control behavior?

9. Describe "crossing over."

10. Explain how the Watt Governor uses mechanics to regulate itself.

(see the answer keys)

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