Hominid Practice Questions

For many years, whole or fragmented hominid skulls have been excavated. Some of these skulls date from as early as 6 million years ago.  By comparing these skulls with other archeological findings, scientists are able to determine when major accomplishments were successfully achieved.  Which of the following statements correctly states the evolutionary progression of hominids?

• Hominids first developed tools, then language. The brain increased in size.

• Hominids first developed language, then tools for farming.  The size of the brain increased.

• Hominids first developed language, then tools.  Brain size decreased.

• Hominids first developed tools, then language. The brain got smaller.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of the following statements makes an accurate correlation between stages of hominid evolution?

• The brain increased in size which resulted in hominids developing tools.

• The brain decreased in size allowing for hominids to use tools.

• As the brain decreased in size the skull increased in size.

• Language developed as a result of increasing the size of the skull.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Many changes have occurred throughout hominid evolution. Modern humans have traits and abilities that were not apparent in their ancestors six million years ago. What is the correct progression of hominid development?

• The size of the brain did not begin to change until after language evolved.

• The brain grew larger as language began to develop.

• The manufacture of tools did not occur until after language surfaced.

• The jaw bone grew larger as the brain grew larger.

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The illustrations below represent different stages of hominid skull evolution.

What is the correct order of the evolution of the skull beginning with the earliest example?

• D,C,B,A

• C,A,D,B

• A,C,B,D

• B,D,A,C

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species.

Which statement below most closely explains the link between jaw size and hominid evolution? 

• The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size. 

• There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time.

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be larger and more protruding over time. 

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time. 

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What advantage did the development of bipedalism most likely confer to early hominids?

• It allowed them to evolve a complex social structure

• It allowed them to move and hold objects at the same time

• It allowed them to evolve an opposable thumb

• It allowed them to see with binocular vision

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The following table classifies three different organisms.

Which level of classification is represented by the box labeled A?

• Order

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Division