Charles Darwin

What was Charles Darwin's main contribution to science?

• He was the first person to think of the idea of evolution

• He developed the modern theory of evolution

• He refuted the modern theory of evolution

• He was the first person to actually witness animals evolving

What term would best describe Charles Darwin's decision to sail aboard the HMS Beagle?

• Unlucky

• Serendipitous

• Wretched

• Uneventful

What was the mission that led Darwin's boat to sea?

• Discovering proof of evolution

• Claiming South American land for Great Britain

• Looking for South American gold deposits

• Mapping the South American coastline

What is an inherited trait?

• A characteristic determined by an organism's genes

• A skill that's developed through practice

• An organism's place in the food web

• An organism's relationship to its parents

Which of these is an opinion about Darwin?

• He waited a long time to publish "On the Origin of Species"

• "On the Origin of Species" is a poorly-written book

• "On the Origin of Species" was controversial when it was published

• "On the Origin of Species" had both critics and supporters

Which of the following statements is true?

• Human beings evolved from chimpanzees

• Chimpanzees evolved from human beings

• Humans and chimpanzees both evolved from a common ancestor

• Chimpanzees and humans are not closely related, biologically

When is a trait most likely to be passed on to the next generation? Choose the best answer.

• When it serves no purpose to the organism

• When it prevents the organism from finding a mate

• When it gives the organism an abundant supply of water

• When it becomes an advantage to the organism's survival

In what major way did Darwin's ideas diverge from Lamarck's?

• Lamarck thought changes to an individual animal during its lifetime would be passed on to offspring

• Lamarck believed that environmental pressures drove evolution

• Lamarck thought that the animals would not have had time to evolve in Earth's short history

• Lamarck did not believe that species could change over time

What can you infer from the fact that Darwin studied theology (religion) before dedicating the rest of his life to science?

• He didn't like his theology professors at school

• Theology didn't captivate his mind the same way science did

• He thought that no one should study theology

• He remained deeply religious throughout his life

Which is the most likely evolutionary response of birds to a food supply of insects living in deep, narrow tunnels?

• Birds get smaller with each generation, until they can fit inside the tunnels

• Birds learn to plug up the tunnels, forcing the insects to the surface for air

• Birds begin eating bark and leaves instead

• Bird's beaks get progressively longer and thinner with each generation