WorksheetsEvolution & Natural Selection
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 20mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which characteristic BEST indicates an evolutionary relationship between birds and reptiles?
a)
scales
b)
feathers
c)
warm blood
d)
hard-shelled eggs
2.
Which most likely led to major changes in biological evolution?
a)
separation of landmasses
b)
short time periods of drought conditions
c)
long time periods with no volcanic eruptions
d)
migration of animals from one area to another
3.
Which evidence best supports the theory that many species of organisms have become extinct?
a)
current fossil records reflect only species that exist today
b)
radioactive dating of rocks provides evidence of extinct species.
c)
some fossil records reflect organisms that no longer exist today
d)
scientists have uncovered ancient writings that describe organisms no longer living
4.
Many plants and animals native to Australia are found nowhere else on Earth. Which best explains this?
a)
The soil of Australia has a high mineral content with plenty of moisture.
b)
Geologic evolution occurred, separating Australia from other land masses.
c)
The climate of Australia is very favorable to many plant and animal species.
d)
Biological evolution failed to create changes in the plant and animal species of Australia.
5.
What do transitional fossils best support?
a)
the theory of biological evolution
b)
the law of superposition
c)
the theory of geological evolution
d)
the theory of continental drift
6.
Evolution can best be described as which type of change?
a)
absolute change
b)
extreme change
c)
gradual change
7.
The prairie dog has many adaptions to its ecosystem. Which best explains the genetic variation in the prairie dog that provided adaptation to its ecosystem?
a)
exceptional vision to see a great distance on the prairie
b)
claws to dig tunnels for shelter from predators
c)
long tails to anchor themselves to trees
8.
How is genetic variation related to an organism's ability to adapt to its environment?
a)
When genetic variation is low, the ability to adapt is high
b)
When genetic variation is high, the ability to adapt is low
c)
When genetic variation is low, the ability to adapt is low
d)
Genetic variation is unrealted to the ability to adapt
9.
Why is genetic variation within a species important for the survival of the species?
a)
It will likely result in larger individuals in the species.
b)
It will likely result in the species becoming predators.
c)
It will likely result in more intelligent individuals in the species
d)
It will likely result in individuals in the species being able to adapt to their environment.
10.
A strawberry farmer finds that, after a hard freeze, some of his strawberries are still alive. Which best explains why these strawberries were able to survive?
a)
They have larger leaves to protect the fruit than the other strawberries
b)
They have different genetic variations that cause them to be more resistant to cold temperatures
c)
They are able to reproduce more quickly than the other strawberries
d)
The color of the strawberries is darker, and they maintain their temperature better than other strawberries.
11.
A low-level species in a food web suddenly becomes extinct. Of its predators, which will most likely survive?
a)
the predators that are genetically similar
b)
the predators that feed on many different organisms
c)
the predators that primarily feed on the now-extinct species
12.
What type of species has the best chance of surviving through significant environmental change?
a)
genetically-diverse species
b)
genetically-homogeneous species
c)
species with highly-specialized traits
13.
Which adaptation has occurred due to genetic variation allowing some species to seem invisible to predators?
a)
ability to make loud noises
b)
exceptional vision
c)
camouflage
14.
Which would best allow a species to survive environmental changes?
a)
similar physical features
b)
low mutation rate
c)
small population
d)
genetic diversity
15.
The diagram representts the evolutionary history of the horse. Which best accounts for the changes in the horse?
a)
Through artificial selection, larger horses survived and were chosen to reproduce offspring.
b)
Through artificial selection, small horses were bred out of the gene pool, leaving only larger horses.
c)
Through natural selection, favorable adaptations were passed to offspring, allowing for the evolution of the horse.
d)
Through natural selection, horses acquired traits that produced changes and then were passed on to their offspring.
16.
Which best describes what would occur in a species that has little or no genetic variation?
a)
The rate of species survival would increase over time.
b)
The rate of species survival would decrease over time.
c)
Most of the offspring would survive, but the gene pool would be weakened.
d)
Most of the offspring would survive, and the gene pool would be strengthened.
17.
Which demonstrates genetic variation resulting in a protective adaptation?
a)
A butterfly changes colors to look like its poisonous relatives.
b)
A bird in the desert breeds at night to avoid the heat.
c)
A groundhog runs into a burrow to avoid a predator.
d)
A beaver builds a dam to protect its family.
18.
Which will most likely occur when a bird’s beak size increases over time to better crack open nuts?
a)
Species survival will increase.
b)
Species survival will decrease.
c)
Species reproduction will increase.
d)
Species reproduction will decrease.
19.
Which is most likely the result of genetic variation in organisms?
a)
Mothers give birth to identical twins.
b)
A virus wipes out an entire field of crops.
c)
Some bacteria survive when exposed to antibiotics.
20.
I am going to totally rock this SMA!
a)
Yes...Totally!!!
b)
Wait...we have a SMA?
c)
Ummm yeah sure...maybe!
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