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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which are the "fittest finches on the island," as discussed in Chapter 8?
(a) The hybrids between the magnirostris and the fortis.
(b) The hybrids between the scandens and the fortis.
(c) The scandens.
(d) The fuliginosa.

2. What caused the heavy rains in December 1982?
(a) Global warming.
(b) Unusually cold weather.
(c) A typhoon.
(d) El Niño.

3. What animals did Darwin call "imps of darkness"?
(a) Tortoises.
(b) Iguanas.
(c) Mockingbirds.
(d) Sea lions.

4. Which of the following is not a predator mentioned in Chapter 6?
(a) Cichlid.
(b) Rivulus hartii.
(c) Piranha.
(d) Prawn.

5. Who wrote the book Natural Selection in the Wild?
(a) Peter Grant.
(b) Charles Darwin.
(c) David Lack.
(d) John Endler.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which classic work of literature did Darwin take with him on his trip to the Galapagos Islands?

2. Whose A Short History of Biology "killed Darwin with kindness," according to Weiner?

3. What is the name of the animal resulting from the cross between a male horse and a female donkey?

4. In what year did the Grants first go to the Galapagos?

5. Where does Jamie Smith study sparrows?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the significance of black and brown feathers in finch males, as discussed in Chapter 6.

2. Explain Weiner's assertion that "taxonomists can be classified into splitters and lumpers."

3. Why did Trevor Price wait so impatiently for rain, and how did he respond when it continued not to come?

4. Describe some of the differences between the finch species in the Galapagos.

5. Describe the typical method of arrival on Daphne Major.

6. Summarize Endler's guppy experiments.

7. Describe some of the unusual finch behaviors during the drought.

8. Describe a typical workday for the Grants on Daphne Major.

9. Describe the view from the peak of Daphne Major.

10. What difference did Darwin see among the barnacles, and how did he react?

(see the answer keys)

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