Evolution and natural selection (Hard)

Which statement is true?

• Evidence drawn from comparative anatomy helps form the basis only for the theory of evolution.
• Evidence drawn from comparative anatomy helps form the basis only for biological classification systems.
• Evidence drawn from comparative anatomy helps form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.
• Evidence drawn from comparative anatomy helps form the basis for neither biological classification systems, nor the theory of evolution.
  

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Which is true concerning how fossils are used as evidence?

• Fossils cannot be compared to one another but can be compared to living organisms.
• Fossils can be compared to one another but not to living organisms.
• Fossils cannot be compared to one another or to living organisms.
• Fossils can be compared to one another and to living organisms.
  

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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Which best describes how organisms are classified today?

• according to their biological ancestry
• according to their reproductive parts
• according to the person who discovered them
• according to the habitats where they are found
  

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What geologic evidence exists to support the theory that Southern Africa, South America, Antarctica, and India were once one landmass?

• Sedimentary rock layers feature a wide variety of organisms.
• The organisms living on these continents today have similar physical characteristics.
• Fossils indicate that the organisms living on these continents today had common ancestors.
• Similar fossils of individual species were found in similar rock layers, showing that they existed at the same time.
  

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Which is most likely true about two organisms with similar anatomical features?

• They are not related.
• They share a common ancestor.
• They represent the same species.
• They use the features for different functions.
  

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

There are 13 species of Galapagos finches with 13 varieties of beaks. When a drought affected the Galapagos Islands in 1977, seeds became scarce. Some finch species survived while other finch populations decreased. Which is the most likelyexplanation for their survival?

• Finches with less colorful beaks were able to easily hide from predators.
• Finches with smaller beaks were able to change their diet to eat soft fruits.
• Finches with more colorful beaks had a greater chance to mate and produce offspring.
• Finches with beaks that were able to eat the types of seeds that survived, were more likely able to survive and reproduce.
  

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As continents formed, Earth’s climate changed and exposed more land. How did climate changes make the environment more favorable for reptiles than amphibians?

• Less water was available as the climate became drier, which favored reptiles.
• Less water was available as the climate became cooler, which favored reptiles.
• More water became available as the climate became wetter, which favored reptiles.
• More water became available as the climate became warmer, which favored reptiles.

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Based on the idea of “survival of the fittest,” which characteristic is most important for the survival of a species of organisms?

• long life span
• large body size
• genetic variation
  
• ability to run or fly

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

How have anatomical structures gradually become better adapted to organisms’ respective habitats?

• random mutations and random selection
• random mutations and natural selection
• natural mutations and random selection
• natural mutations and natural selection

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The image below shows four species of finches Charles Darwin found on the Galapagos Islands. How has genetic variation impacted these birds’ survival as they coexist in the same ecosystem?

• Genetic variation has allowed the birds to adapt to feed upon different sources on the island.
• Genetic variation has caused the birds to develop larger eyes in order to more easily spot prey and predators.
• Genetic variation has caused the birds to be active during different times of the day in order to avoid competition.
• Genetic variation has allowed the birds to adapt to have different appearances in order to camouflage in the environment.

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