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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 restrain Morris from doing?

2. What does Act 4 do?

3. What do we not know about mass extinction?

4. What did Morris publish while still in graduate school?

5. How many acts does the Burgess Drama have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did classifying Naraoia pose a problem for Whittington?

2. What did Leanchoilica look like?

3. Why wasn't the discovery of the Burgess Shale and its consequent new shift in perspective a gradual change?

4. Why does Gould deplore the prevention of Des Collins excavation of Walcot's quarry?

5. What sort of series does Chapter 4: Walcott's Vision and the Nature of History transition to and why?

6. What new species does the fourth act concentrate on?

7. What two major discoveries did Derek Briggs make?

8. What did Collins do when faced with the prevention of Des Collins excavation of Walcott's quarry?

9. How can Odaraia be described?

10. How does Gould describe the relationship between Oxford advisors and their students?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 1, Gould examines Walcott's inaccurate interpretation of the ladder and cone convention. Using this example, and others found in Chapter 1 or 2, agree or disagree with the following question: does Gould or Walcott present a more convincing argument concerning the ladder and cone interpretation? Present your paper with an arguable thesis that uses three solid examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2, the relationship between Burgess fauna and eukaryotic fauna is examined. of the sequential artist and the reader is examined. Examine the different stages of fauna. Answer the following question: What does this relationship express about evolution in general and about the Burgess Shale in particular? Use one of your own supporting ideas to back up your statement, and at least two examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 2, Gould discusses the two interpretations of the Burgess Shale, one known as true, and the other known as inaccurate. Using the book for context and description, tell these two different stories in your own words and explain their importance. Be sure to discuss the setting, storyline, and characters which are involved in the two interpretations. Also, answer why Gould chooses to relate the inaccurate version of the Burgess Shale's discovery, as well as the true version.

(see the answer keys)

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