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

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Whittington later note that he labored under?

2. What is the most common organism among the Burgess Shale fossils?

3. What was Yohoia specialized for?

4. How did the Burgess Shale's mysteries become apparent?

5. The Burgess fauna follow the beginning of what era?

Short Essay Questions

1. What special insight or perspective does the Burgess Shale offer?

2. What did Stephen Jay Gould desire to use the Burgess Shale for?

3. How is the "Cambrian explosion" defined?

4. What evidence favors Opabinia's uniqueness?

5. How is the Marrella splendens described in relation to the other Burgess Shale fossils?

6. How does Gould begin Chapter 2: A Background for the Burgess Shale?

7. Why do paleontologists find Opabinia unbelievable and fascinating?

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

9. How is the Precambrian Era defined?

10. Why did Whittington approach Yohoia less conservatively?

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

Chapter 3 examines the levels of the taxonomy of life. Describe four of these levels with examples from each and then explain the system of classification that Whittington used for the Burgess Shale animals. Answer why it is important for paleontologists to classify specimens. Support your argument with at least two logical examples.

Essay Topic 3

In Act 4, there is a drama concerning trilobites, Whittington and Naraoia. Explain the relationship between the three by citing three examples from the book as evidence. In addition, answer the following questions. What is the history of their relationship? How does the book conclude the discussion of their relationship and how is this significant?

(see the answer keys)

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