Natural Selection and Change Over Time: Summative Assessment

How is natural selection in the evolution of long necks in giraffes best explained?

• Shorter-necked giraffes were killed by long-necked giraffes.

• Giraffe necks grew longer because of the bone structure of the animals.

• Giraffes with longer necks survived because they were better suited to the environment.

• Long-necked giraffes mated only with other long-necked giraffes.

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LS4.B.1

Ducks live near ponds and lakes. The shape of a duck's foot helps it swim and walk on muddy ground. Which factor is most important in determining the shape of a baby duck's foot?

• the shape of the parent ducks' feet

• the temperature of the pond water

• the amount of mud in the bottom of the pond

• the amount of rain that fell before the duck was born

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LS4.B.1

The plover finds its food at the edge of shallow water. Which adaptation would help this species find food in shallow water?

• shorter wings

• curved beak

• longer legs

• color change

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LS4.B.1

Which variety of mouse do you think will be more successful in the dark jungle?

• White fur

• Dark brown fur

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LS4.B.1

How does natural selection explain your prediction?

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LS4.B.1

The diet of white-tailed deer consists primarily of shrubs. Sika are another species of deer that eat both grasses and shrubs. After an extended drought period, why might the sika population be favored over the white-tailed deer population?

• Sika require less food than the white-tailed deer.

• Sika require more water than white-tailed deer.

• Sika have more food sources than the white-tailed deer.

• Sika have fewer food sources than the white-tailed deer.

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LS1.B.2

The outermost tail feather of the male barn swallow is longer than that of the female barn swallow. The long tail feather helps the males attract females, but it also requires the males to use extra energy to fly.

The long tail feather trait is maintained in the barn swallow populations because compared to males with a shorter tail feather, males with a longer tail feather are more likely to...

• build a large nest

• produce offspring

• migrate each winter

• escape from predators

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LS4.C.1

LS1.B.2

A hiker was walking along a trail in the state park. While she was walking, she noticed that the plants along the edge of the trail had very few blooms on them. It looked like many of them had been stepped on by other hikers. She also noticed a plant that had been pulled out of the ground. It had a very short root system.

As she walked along, she noticed a large field. The plants that were there had many blooms on them. A small stream was running through the field.

Give two environmental factors that could explain why the flowers in the field are healthier than the ones along the trail.

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LS1.B.2

The diagram represents a cross-section of a cliff. It shows several rock layers containing fossils. Of the layers listed below, which layer of rock is most likely the youngest?

• the layer containing trilobites

• the layer containing amphibians

• the layer containing fishes

• the layer containing dinosaurs

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LS4.A.1

The diagram represents part of the horse fossil record from the three time periods. It includes illustrations of the hooves and teeth of horses from each time period.

Which of the following statements is best supported by the horse fossil record?

• The horse has been a carnivore.

• The horse has changed over time.

• The horse has many common ancestors.

• The horse has lived in the same ecosystem.

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LS4.A.1