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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 Anomalocaris appear to represent?

2. What is the problem with the Burgess Shale in relation to many of the similarities and distinctions?

3. What example helped round out the Burgess revision?

4. What was once often a focus of the fauna?

5. How can Odaraia be described?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What did Whittington originally think Naraoia was?

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

4. What does Morris find that is so shocking?

5. What is uniquely special about the discovery of Sanctacaris?

6. What did Leanchoilica look like?

7. What new view did Whittington hold after working on Naraoia?

8. What two major discoveries did Derek Briggs make?

9. How can Odaraia be described?

10. Why did the Burgess Shale drama become a denouement by 1978?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gould argues that Canadaspis' classification as a crustacean is crucial. Summarize Gould's argument and then, using at least three examples from the book, argue for or against Gould's position.

Essay Topic 2

In Act 2, Gould discusses Whittington's shocking discovery after dissecting Opabinia's carapace. First, explain what the discovery was. Second, explain the discovery's significance for scientific research as a whole, and for the Burgess Shale in particular.

Essay Topic 3

Act 1 discusses the differences between Leif Størmer's explanation of the Burgess arthropods in his Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology and Walcott's narrow groupings of arthropod phylums. Compile at least three examples provided by Gould's book that examine their similarities and differences.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 666 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample