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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 12, Alone in a Crowded Universe.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the Green Bank estimates indicate?
(a) Extra-terrestrial life and intelligence should be plentiful.
(b) Extra-terrestrial life and intelligence is rediculous.
(c) Extra-terrestrial life and intelligence is non-existent.
(d) Extra-terrestrial life and intelligence is minimal.

2. What does the author note about studies done on woodpeckers?
(a) Woodpecker traits are found plentifully in other bird species and most of the traits necessary to be a woodpecker have come together only once during evolution
(b) Woodpecker traits are only found in other bird species.
(c) Woodpecker traits are found only slightly in other bird species and yet all of the traits necessary to be a woodpecker have come together only once during evolution.
(d) Woodpecker traits are found plentifully in other bird species and yet all of the traits necessary to be a woodpecker have come together only once during evolution.

3. What does the author conclude about a species' long-term survival probability?
(a) Shorter-lived species put more energy into self-repair and reproduction over a given time period, thus optimizing their long-term survival probability.
(b) Longer-lived species put more energy into self-repair and less energy into reproduction over a given time period, thus optimizing their long-term survival probability.
(c) Shorter-lived species put more energy into self-repair and less energy into reproduction over a given time period, thus optimizing their long-term survival probability.
(d) Longer-lived species put less energy into self-repair and more energy into reproduction over a given time period, thus optimizing their long-term survival probability.

4. The artistic endeavors of what animals are presented and considered?
(a) Chimpanzees and an elephant.
(b) Dogs and cats.
(c) A lion and mice.
(d) Birds and a horse.

5. What does the author argue about the life span of humans?
(a) It is longer than most species on Earth.
(b) It should be viewed as a privilege.
(c) It is too short.
(d) It should be viewed as the result of a series of trade-offs whereby an optimal organism is designed given many constraints.

Short Answer Questions

1. If a woman continued to deliver children as frequently as possible until death, what would happen to her?

2. What does the author say about any human trait?

3. How are humans unique among primates?

4. How selective are humans across an array of traits?

5. One of the most intriguing results of this analysis is the observation of ___________________________.

(see the answer key)

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