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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which term refers to a type of variation that is seen in most or all groups of organisms?
(a) Organism variation.
(b) Indefinite variation.
(c) Species variation.
(d) Definite variation.

2. What can be said about the range of species that are closely related?
(a) They are typically large.
(b) They are typically very small.
(c) They are unrestricted.
(d) They are restricted.

3. What is unique about white cats with blue eyes?
(a) They do not reproduce.
(b) They are blind.
(c) They are deaf.
(d) They are not seen in the wild.

4. What do scientists attribute to organs that cannot be explained by natural selection?
(a) Overuse.
(b) Disuse.
(c) Inheritance.
(d) Use.

5. What is unique about variation in polymorphic species?
(a) Not dependent on internal factors.
(b) All invertibrates.
(c) Not dependent on external factors.
(d) Dependent on external factors.

6. What does Darwin say will happen to species that do not adapt?
(a) They become smaller in size.
(b) Nothing.
(c) They are weeded out.
(d) They are stronger than others.

7. What does natural selection say must be true for change to be preserved?
(a) It must be unique.
(b) It must be genetic.
(c) It must be universal.
(d) It must be beneficial to the species.

8. What term refers to those organisms that survive despite the struggle for resources?
(a) Circle of life.
(b) Natural selection.
(c) Artificial selection.
(d) Hereditary modification.

9. What would increase the likelihood of variations occurring in a given population?
(a) Fewer members of the species to compete with.
(b) Dramatic environmental changes.
(c) Increase in available food.
(d) Domestication.

10. Which species require more years for change?
(a) Fast breeders.
(b) Sterile species.
(c) Slow breeders.
(d) Inter-breeders.

11. What does the absence of complete facts with Darwin's theory open the theory up to?
(a) Success.
(b) Objections.
(c) Confusion.
(d) Failure.

12. What is one function that cave dwelling animals lost through natural selection?
(a) Taste.
(b) Touch.
(c) Sight.
(d) Hearing.

13. Why would one organism be able to survive in a climate that another could not?
(a) It has thicker skin.
(b) It is better adapted.
(c) It has more fur.
(d) It is maladapted.

14. What is one way to observe the change in a species in a controlled environment?
(a) Learn about extinct animals.
(b) Observe captive animals.
(c) Create hybrids.
(d) Observe wild animals.

15. What do naturalists call a situation where a child takes on characteristics NOT shared by the parents?
(a) Adopted.
(b) Introverted.
(c) Extroverted.
(d) Reverted.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of selection primarily affects the reproductive characteristics of a species?

2. What may hinder positive traits from being passed on during natural selection?

3. How might one explain the correlation of growth?

4. In Chapter 4: Natural Selection, what does Darwin suggest about most variations?

5. As an example of a variation, what does Darwin indicate in Chapter 1 that is a change due to improved diet?

(see the answer keys)

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