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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would competition between early self-copying molecules be over?
(a) Space.
(b) Building-block molecules.
(c) Water.
(d) Gaseous molecules.

2. What shape does the author say water molecules in space make?
(a) Octagonal.
(b) Elliptical.
(c) Spiral.
(d) Round.

3. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?
(a) Why do genes exist?
(b) Why do people exist?
(c) Why do molecules exist?
(d) Why does DNA exist?

4. What process does the existence of Dawkins' imagined early molecules closely resemble?
(a) Evolution.
(b) Hybridization.
(c) Crystalization.
(d) Diffusion.

5. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?
(a) Dawkins says that they are a kind of "life," but not as we know it today.
(b) Dawkins says that they are definitely "life."
(c) Dawkins says it does not matter.
(d) Dawkins says that they are definitely not "life."

Short Answer Questions

1. What apparently selfish act of the praying mantis does the author describe?

2. In early reproducing molecules, what is the measure of "success"?

3. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?

4. What would molecules that started to manufacture energy using the sun eventually become?

5. Does the author believe that all people should act selfishly?

(see the answer key)

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