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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Darwin discover on the way back to Chile by way of the Uspallata pass north of Mendoza?

2. Who are the unusually tall people compared to other natives of the area?

3. What has meant giving up his usual social circles and going off into unknown territories to meet unforeseen hardships?

4. Walking along a road cut through the landscape, what does Darwin reflect on?

5. Where does Darwin particularly admire the view?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Darwin's exploration of the interior of the Tahitian Island.

2. What evidence does Darwin find that sea beds are raised by nature to great heights?

3. Explain the problem of distance perception and atmospheric effects in the mountains.

4. What are the things Darwin notices at Keeling Island?

5. How does Darwin describe the countryside coming down off the Blue Mountain plateau?

6. What is Darwin's journal entry as they leave New Zealand?

7. How does Darwin describe the dress of the Chilean miner?

8. Relate what Darwin finds at Chatham Island in the Galapagos archipelago.

9. What route does Darwin take back to Chile and what he discovers on the way.

10. Explain what Darwin sees at Concepcion and why the houses are still standing.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the value of keeping a journal. In your essay note that only observations are made in the 5-week stay on the Galapagos Islands. It was later after pondering his notes on Galapagos and reading other scientific books that Darwin used his Galapagos experience as a model for his theories in THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. Be less specific and generalize more in your essay about how a well-kept journal may be of great value at some future time.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the type of person who is scientifically, physically, and emotionally fit to undertake a voyage like the one Darwin made around the world. In explaining your thesis, use examples of Darwin's inquisitive mind, his ability as a hunter, his ability to ride a horse, his nerve to go off with strangers into the unknown, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about hunting for sport. Mention Darwin's killing of the condor in connection to the efforts today to save the bird from extinction. In your essay discuss how humans have contributed to the extinction or near extinction of many species.

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