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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Song of the Indri.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Philip Darlington propose?
(a) A set of exceptions to this rule.
(b) A mathematical ratio between island area and number of species.
(c) A set of formula that measure biodiversity.
(d) A correction that makes this rule broadly applicable.

2. What does a species have if it has high dispersal ability?
(a) The ability to change their environment to suit their own traits.
(b) The ability to adapt to new environmental conditions.
(c) The ability to withstand great environmental changes.
(d) The ability to move from place to place.

3. How does Quammen describe the komodo dragon's territory?
(a) As inseparable from the islands where it developed.
(b) As an island within an island.
(c) As the whole history of its development in the ecosystem.
(d) As any environment that satisfies its survival requirements.

4. What were the first plants to arrive after the eruption of Krakatau?
(a) Grasses.
(b) Mushrooms.
(c) Lichens.
(d) Mosses and ferns.

5. When did Krakatau erupt?
(a) 1883.
(b) 1721.
(c) 1923.
(d) 1852.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Quammen say an island is?

2. Which scientist compared animals on islands with their counterparts on larger landmasses?

3. What rule governs the relationship between the size of an island and the number of species it can support?

4. What does Quammen say makes animals smaller on islands?

5. What surprising dispersal ability does Quammen say elephants have?

(see the answer key)

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