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

2. How common are genes that cause altruistic behaviors in nature?
(a) They are extremely rare.
(b) They are pretty common.
(c) They are nonexistent.
(d) They are vast majority of genes.

3. What does Dawkins speculate might be a reason a female animal could be tricked into raising a child that is not her own?
(a) The animal might misinterpret how related it is to the child.
(b) The animal might make alliances for self-protection.
(c) The animal might identify specific genes it has in common with the child.
(d) The animal might gain practice for future offspring.

4. In the example Dawkins gives, why do some ants grow a plant?
(a) The plant feeds a fungus the ants eat.
(b) The plant acts as camouflage for the anthill.
(c) The plant protects the anthill against erosion.
(d) The ants eat the plant.

5. What does the study of egg clutch sizes that Dawkins cites show?
(a) That there are only benefits to having a lot of eggs.
(b) That there are detriments and benefits to having a lot of eggs.
(c) That there are only detriments to having a lot of eggs.
(d) That having a lot of eggs is, in the end, exactly the same as having few eggs.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins describe some female birds demanding from males?

2. What chance does a parent have of giving a particular gene to a child?

3. According to Dawkins, is there a genetic reason to favor one child over others?

4. In Dawkins' discussion, what is the detriment of raising offspring, if there is something wrong with it?

5. What reason does Dawkins give that females care more for offspring?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does higher PI mean, in R.L. Trivers' ideas?

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

3. How do Trivers and Dawkins differ in their interpretation of males investing energy into offspring before mating?

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

5. What explanation does Zahavi propose for stotting?

6. What is the cuckoo's adaptation to care for its eggs?

7. Why, from the standpoint of the selfish gene, is it more beneficial to save five siblings than five cousins?

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

9. What does Dawkins cite that makes human beings exceptions to the idea that genes for having too large a number of children die out?

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

(see the answer keys)

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