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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. What type of selection primarily affects the reproductive characteristics of a species?
(a) Environmental selection.
(b) Natural selection.
(c) Artificial selection.
(d) Sexual selection.

2. What species type is known for a lot of variation between individuals?
(a) Polymorphic.
(b) Trimorphic.
(c) Bimorphic.
(d) Trapamorphic.

3. What type of work is presented in The Origin of Species?
(a) Biological.
(b) Chemical.
(c) Metaphysical.
(d) Spiritual.

4. What other actions do birds use their wings for?
(a) Mating.
(b) Swimming.
(c) Cleaning.
(d) Running.

5. What is the fate of traits that are neither helpful nor unhelpful for survival?
(a) They are not subject to natural selection.
(b) The are bred out of the species.
(c) They are subject to natural selection.
(d) They are subject to artificial selection.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when two species from different climates interbreed?

2. What is one way to observe the change in a species in a controlled environment?

3. In Chapter 1: Variation Under Domestication, what animal does Darwin give as an example for being perfectly adapted for catching its food?

4. How might one explain the correlation of growth?

5. When is the only time a rational conclusion can be reached on a theory?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Darwin propose a theory that goes against long-held popular belief?

2. How does the growth of a population work?

3. What is the ultimate result of the constant struggle to live?

4. Why does Darwin feel the distinction between species variations is arbitrary?

5. What factors contribute to the slowdown in reproduction in a species?

6. Why would natural selection be considered counter-intuitive?

7. What must be examined in order for Darwin's theory to be considered plausible?

8. How does natural selection explain why organisms pair with other organisms?

9. How do variations occur in the wild?

10. Why are the laws of inheritance still not understood?

(see the answer keys)

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