8.L.4.1

Evidence shows that early horse species were much smaller than the modern-day horse. Which best explains the evolutionary changes in the horse?

• Smaller horses were better able to escape predators.

• Larger horses were better able to find and collect food.

• Horses increased in size due to an expansion of habitat areas.

• Horses increased in size so that humans could use them for transportation.

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Representative samples of a bug species are placed into four petri dishes. Which sample would most likely have the best chance for survival?

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3. In which way does genetic variation within a population help to ensure the survival of a species in response to the environment they live in?

• Genetic variation causes the members of the population to require a different source of food.

• Environmental changes which affect one organism within the population may not affect others.

• Genetic variation occurs when environmental conditions remain stable for an extended period of time.

• Environmental changes decrease genetic variation so that the population experiences fewer adaptations.

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Which adaptation helps plants overcome limited water in the desert?

• fat storage

• compact root systems

• camouflage coloration

• waxy coating on leaves

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Four species of Galapagos finches are shown below. Which best explains why the birds evolved with differently shaped beaks?

• They interbred with each other.

• Some birds had defective gene pools.

• All of the birds ate the same type of food.

• They adapted to eating different types of food.

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The diagram below represents the evolutionary history of the horse. Which best accounts for the changes in the horse?

• Through artificial selection, larger horses survived and were chosen to reproduce offspring.

• Through artificial selection, small horses were bred out of the gene pool, leaving only larger horses.

• Through natural selection, favorable adaptations were passed to offspring, allowing for the evolution of the horse.

• Through natural selection, horses acquired traits that produced changes and then were passed on to their offspring.

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The image below shows the variation in beak size and shape for four Galapagos finch species. Which species of finch would most likely survive if the seeds in the Galapagos became larger and had heavier coverings?

• Geospiza magnirostris

• Geospiza fortis

• Geospiza parvula

• Certhidea olivacea

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Relationships in a grassland ecosystem are shown below. Which best describes the changes in the populations of brown grasshoppers and green grasshoppers over time in this grassland ecosystem?

• The populations of brown grasshoppers and green grasshoppers will both increase over time.

• The population of brown grasshoppers will increase over time, while the population of green grasshoppers will decrease over time.

• The population of brown grasshoppers will decrease rapidly over time, while the population of green grasshoppers will decrease gradually over time.

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A new predator has just moved into an area with a population of rabbits. The rabbits with longer back legs have an advantage because they can run faster. Which is an example of adaptation?

• The species of rabbits will become extinct due to stress.

• The rabbits with the shorter back legs will learn to hide

• The future generations of rabbits will have longer legs.

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Turtles have adapted to their habitat to protect themselves from their predators. Which best describes this adaptation?

• mimicry

• parasitism

• protective covering

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