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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. In Dawkins' discussion, why don't baby birds continue to scream louder and louder?
(a) Because constant screaming leads parents to ignore chicks.
(b) Because screaming uses energy and attracts predators.
(c) Because other chicks will throw a screaming chick out of the nest.
(d) Because screaming ultimately deafens the chick and its siblings.

2. In the example that Dawkins gives, what do pigs sometimes do to the runt of the litter?
(a) Allow the other piglets to attack it.
(b) Eat it.
(c) Kick it away.
(d) Refuse to feed it.

3. What does Trivers look at breeding as?
(a) A careful calculation based on resources.
(b) A goal of existence.
(c) A war between the sexes.
(d) A race with time.

4. In the behavior called stotting, where do Thompson gazelles jump?
(a) Over a natural obstacle.
(b) Into the center of the pack.
(c) In front of a rival.
(d) In front of a predator.

5. What does Dawkins believe about the tension between survival of different generations?
(a) A compromise evolves where different generations get reasonable amounts of resources.
(b) The children are always benefited, even at costs to older generations.
(c) Children begin at a disadvantage, at the mercy of parents, and later begin to control the resources.
(d) The parents are the primary benefactor because they control resources, and children only get the minimum of what they need.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Medawar's study conclude?

2. According to Dawkins, for whom does a bird regulate the number of eggs it lays?

3. What does an animal do when it fails to claim a territory?

4. What does Dawkins speculate that cuckoo chicks might do?

5. What ant behavior does Dawkins give as an example of seemingly altruistic behavior?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Dawkins, what selfish behavior might birds that have fewer eggs because of overpopulation exhibit?

2. What two possible explanations for the behavior of the baby swallow observed by the Spanish researchers does Dawkins present?

3. According to Dawkins, in what ways does weaning benefit an older child?

4. What factors does Dawkins mention that weigh into caring for older versus younger offspring?

5. Describe Trivers' observations of striped cleaner fish.

6. What examples does Dawkins give of male animals resisting raising offspring that's not their own?

7. What factors does Dawkins mention that affect the human birthrate and population?

8. Does Dawkins put forth any ideas by Wynne-Edwards that he agrees with?

9. What is Hamilton's explanation of how herds are formed?

10. What is the result of Dawkins' game theory analysis of male and female sexual and childrearing behaviors?

(see the answer keys)

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