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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. How did Wallace put Darwin in a tough spot, according to Quammen?
(a) By having used some of Darwin's observations in his own work.
(b) By having looked at Darwin's theories before he published his own.
(c) By telling him about his work.
(d) By publishing his theory first.

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

3. Who did Robert Bates work with?
(a) Darwin.
(b) Quammen.
(c) Wallace.
(d) Wilson.

4. Where does Quammen say isolates can occur?
(a) On islands and on land.
(b) Only on islands.
(c) In the bottoms of lakes.
(d) Only in areas separated by steep mountains or deserts.

5. Where did the dodo live?
(a) Sri Lanka.
(b) Galapagos Islands.
(c) Mauritius.
(d) Madagascar.

Short Answer Questions

1. What assumption does Quammen make at the end of his introductory chapter?

2. What does Quammen say about each of the pieces?

3. What was the first species to arrive in Krakatau after the eruption?

4. What ecosystem does Wallace distinguish from ecosystems that developed in isolation?

5. When does a species' dispersal ability become important, according to Quammen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the understanding about the variety of life forms before the theory of evolution came along?

2. What examples does Quammen cite of species changing size on islands?

3. What is the difference between an isolate and a sample, according to Quammen?

4. What is the first explanation Quammen offers for the relationship between island size and species count?

5. Who is Frank Preston, and what was his contribution to the discussion of island size and species count?

6. Describe Quammen's tone in the first chapter.

7. What other Mauritius species does Quammen describe?

8. Why are islands important in ecosystem studies, in Quammen's opinion?

9. What examples does Quammen use of dispersal ability?

10. What concept did Wallace develop in the Malay Archipelago?

(see the answer keys)

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