Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life - Student Worksheet

What is Charles Darwin most famous for contributing to biology?

• The discovery of DNA

• The classification of animals

• The theory of evolution by natural selection

• The invention of the microscope

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Why was Darwin's theory controversial when it was first introduced?

• It lacked any scientific evidence

• It challenged widely held religious beliefs

• It was identical to another scientist's work

• It supported spontaneous generation

How did Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle influence his ideas?

• He observed artificial selection in the lab

• He discovered fossils of modern animals

• He saw many diverse species adapted to their environments

• He proved that all species were unchanging

What role do fossils play in the documentary's explanation of evolution?

• They prove the Earth is only a few thousand years old

• They show gradual changes in species over time

• They are used to date modern organisms

• They disprove Darwin's theory

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What is meant by the "Tree of Life" in Darwin's theory?

• A mythological symbol of immortality

• A diagram showing how species are unrelated

• A family tree linking all living organisms through common ancestry

• A literal tree found in the Galápagos

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Why did Darwin study pigeon breeding?

• To understand genetic diseases

• To observe how artificial selection can shape traits

• To prove all pigeons are the same species

• To disprove evolution using domesticated animals

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Why were the Galápagos finches important to Darwin's theory?

• They were fossils from ancient birds

• They showed how a single species could evolve into many

• They had no predators, making them easier to study

• They were the only birds Darwin collected

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Which of the following is a modern example used in the film to support evolution?

• A lion's roar

• The similarity between chimpanzee and human DNA

• The blinking patterns of fireflies

• A zebra's stripes

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What is one reason people continue to resist the idea of evolution?

• It has been disproven by fossil evidence

• It was never scientifically supported

• It can conflict with certain religious beliefs

According to David Attenborough, why is Darwin's theory still important today?

• It provides a framework for understanding biodiversity and the natural world

• It was the first scientific theory ever proposed

• It supports the idea of fixed species

• It replaces the need for conservation efforts

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