View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What make up periods?

2. What kinds of versions does the story of the Burgess Shale's discovery have?

3. Who newly interpreted the Burgess animals in 1971?

4. What kind of development were the Burgess animals first interpreted to have?

5. How many levels are there in the taxonomy of life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first chapter of "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History" about?

2. How did Whittington try to uncover the bodily appendages of Opabinia?

3. How did Walcott's taxonomy have to be significantly updated?

4. What sorts of new procedures did Whittington's team use?

5. What evidence favors Opabinia's uniqueness?

6. What did people think Opabinia was and what did Whittington choose to believe about this idea?

7. Why did Gould write this book as an homage to the Burgess Shale?

8. How is the Precambrian Era defined?

9. What dominant paradigm about the Burgess fossils was Whittington pressured to conform to?

10. What is Chapter 3: Reconstruction of the Burgess Shale: Toward a New View of Life about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Act 1 discusses the new Burgess Shale animal, Opabinia. Pick one other animal and then write a thorough essay that compares and contrasts Opabinia with the other animal. Compile at least three major examples provided by Gould's book that examine their similarities and differences.

Essay Topic 2

Agree or disagree with the following statement: the scientist is responsible for the implications or consequences of his or her research regardless of its accuracy or inaccuracy. Cite three examples from the book that support your view. Explain you argument with solid reasoning and make sure to address what responsibility the public might have in this argument.

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 2 focuses on the myth of the laboratory and of field work. What does Gould have to say about the myths behind these work stations? Discuss three examples that explain how Gould presents these working stations as mythic. Also, determine the similarities and differences between laboratory and field work.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample