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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what represents a gene?
(a) A line on a page in a book.
(b) A page in a book.
(c) A chapter in a book.
(d) A word in a book.

2. Which cells in an organism contain the creature's DNA?
(a) All of them.
(b) Interstitial cells.
(c) Paraxial cells.
(d) Barrier funciton cells.

3. What does Dawkins compare point mutation to?
(a) A misspoken word.
(b) A card getting shuffled into the wrong deck.
(c) A misprint on a book.
(d) A stray mark on a photocopy.

4. In Dawkins' discussion, what does he consider alleles to be, relative to genes?
(a) Cooperative partners.
(b) Understudies.
(c) Rivals.
(d) Immaterial extras.

5. Why does Dawkins say individuals within a species interact more with each other than with other species?
(a) Because they inhabit the same habitat.
(b) Because they need each other to survive.
(c) Because they compete for the same resources using the same tools.
(d) Because they are more easily recognizable to each other since they are similar.

6. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.
(b) A gene behavior that helps one group of genes survive by influencing the behavior of another.
(c) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(d) A gene behavior that allows cooperation between multiple gene machines.

7. What does the author suggest might be better wording than "survival of the fittest"?
(a) Survival of the most adaptable.
(b) Survival of the best.
(c) Survival of the stable.
(d) Survival of the most reliable.

8. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, is the machine created by the instructions beneficial or dangerous?
(a) It is neither dangerous nor beneficial.
(b) It is beneficial.
(c) It is both beneficial and dangerous, at different times.
(d) It is dangerous.

9. Do one-celled animals seem to have purpose and intention, according to the author?
(a) No, except under unusual circumstances.
(b) Yes, but they only appear to be purposeful.
(c) Yes, they must have some sort of mindful intention.
(d) No, they seem to behave without purpose.

10. In Dawkins' examine of ESS simulations, what two kinds of creatures are there?
(a) Ones that always run away, and ones that attack in stealth.
(b) Ones that always fight, and ones that always back down.
(c) Ones that always win, and ones that always lose.
(d) Ones that always cooperate, and ones that always fight.

11. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how many books are on the bookshelf?
(a) Twenty-three.
(b) Forty-six.
(c) Thirty-two.
(d) Fifty-four.

12. What happens in inversion?
(a) A nucleotide is inserted backwards in DNA.
(b) A gene is inserted backwards on a strand of DNA.
(c) Chromosomes are inserted backwards in a cell nucleus.
(d) DNA is inserted backwards in a chromosome.

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

14. What does ESS stand for?
(a) Evolutionary Stable Strategy.
(b) Evolutionarily Successful Strategy.
(c) Environmental Secure Strategy.
(d) Engineered Survival Strategy.

15. Why does the author use the word "apparently" to describe selfish or unselfish behavior?
(a) Because he is only concerned about appearances of selfishness.
(b) Because he doesn't believe the examples he is citing are necessarily true.
(c) Because behavior may only seem selfish or unselfish.
(d) Because he doesn't really believe in the terms selfish and unselfish.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?

2. How common does Dawkins say doubt about evolution is?

3. According to Dawkins, are mistakes in fidelity good or bad?

4. What happens to animals that tend to lose in fights?

5. What two opposites does Dawkins say he is examining the biology of?

(see the answer keys)

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