Human Evolution

When did Homo sapiens first appear, and how many other close ape relatives were already present on Earth?

• 30,000 years ago; one other species

• 300,000 years ago; at least three other species

• 3 million years ago; no other species

• 30 million years ago; five other species

What is the relationship between humans and chimpanzees according to the primate phylogenetic tree?

• Humans evolved directly from chimpanzees.

• Humans and chimpanzees are distant cousins with no shared ancestry.

• Humans and chimpanzees split from a common primate ancestor around 7 million years ago.

• Humans are more closely related to gorillas than to chimpanzees.

Which of the following describes Australopithecus afarensis?

• They were 2 meters tall with large brains and short arms.

• They lived 1.8 million years ago and were the first hominins to migrate out of Africa.

• They were about 1 meter tall, had arms longer than their legs, and a small brain.

• They were known for burying their dead and making art.

What does the "braided stream" model of human evolution suggest about populations?

• Populations always remain isolated and evolve independently.

• Populations sometimes separate and develop distinct traits, but can later reconnect and swap genes.

• Evolution always follows a straight, linear path without intermixing.

• Only one human population can exist at any given time.

What two main concepts do scientists typically use to define species when talking about fossils?

• Biological and Ecological species concepts

• Morphological and Phylogenetic species concepts

• Genetic and Reproductive species concepts

• Behavioral and Geographical species concepts

What anatomical feature in early hominin skulls indicated their ability to walk on two feet?

• The size of their teeth

• The position where the spinal cord passed through the skull

• The shape of their jawbone

• The length of their arm bones

Approximately how long ago did our ancestors begin using tools to slice meat off bones?

• 1 million years ago

• 1.8 million years ago

• 2.5 million years ago

• 320,000 years ago

Why do people in Sub-Saharan Africa exhibit more genetic diversity than populations elsewhere on Earth?

• They interbred more frequently with Neanderthals and Denisovans.

• They were the first to develop advanced tools and fire.

• They are descendants of the groups who remained in Africa, retaining a broader gene pool.

• They experienced a unique evolutionary pressure that increased genetic mutations.