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Evolution Basics

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Two organisms that are closely related would have

a)

very similar DNA sequences

b)

identical DNA sequences

c)

very few DNA sequences

d)

completely different DNA sequence

2.

Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures. These are known as

a)

vestigial structures

b)

unknown structures

c)

homologous structures

d)

fossilized structures

3.

A fossil of an extinct dinosaur is found and the anatomy of the fossil is similar to that of modern birds. What could this mean?

a)

This is purely by chance and isn't significant

b)

The extinct dinosaur and modern bird share a common ancestor

c)

All dinosaurs evolved into birds and that's why there aren't any dinosaurs alive today

d)

Dinosaurs choose to fly, and evolved into birds to escape predators and to capture food

4.

The process of new species arising in response to geographic isolation is known as...

a)

Sympatric speciation

b)

Locality speciation

c)

Behavioral speciation

d)

Allopatric speciation

5.

How do fossils demonstrate common ancestry?

a)

By evaluating their position in the fossil record

b)

By evaluating their functions

c)

By being their purpose in being

d)

By possessing similar anatomical structures

6.

What is a fossil

a)

a rock or mineral

b)

a living organism

c)

a DNA specimen

d)

the preserved remains of a once living organism

7.

Which two species are more closely related

a)

C & F

b)

B & F

c)

D & F

d)

G & F

8.

What do the similarities of these structures suggest?

a)

that these species share a common ancestor

b)

that these species grow at different rates

c)

that these species evolved slowly

d)

that these species lived a long time

9.

The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?

a)

Fossils A and C are the same age

b)

Fossil B is older than fossil C

c)

Fossils A is older than fossil B

d)

Fossil D is older than fossil C

10.

According to the diagram, which bird has the most similar DNA to a large tree finch?

a)

small tree finch

b)

medium tree finch

c)

large ground finch

d)

green warbler finch

11.

What word do we use to describe the process of biological change in organisms over time?

a)

Fossilization

b)

Evolution

c)

Mutation

d)

Amorphism

12.

Who created a classification system based on similarities between organisms?

a)

Linnaeus

b)

LaMarck

c)

Darwin

d)

Wallace

13.

This scientist believed that organisms changed over time from simple to complex, passing acquired traits to offspring.

a)

Darwin

b)

Cuvier

c)

Wallace

d)

Lamark

14.

This scientist believed that organisms changed over time from simple to complex, due to natural selection

a)

Darwin

b)

Cuvier

c)

Lyell

d)

Lamark

15.

This scientist believed that organisms changed over time from simple to complex, due to natural selection

a)

Wallace

b)

Cuvier

c)

Lyell

d)

Lamark

16.

This scientist believed that changes in the fossil record were due to the fact that catastrophic events were wiping out species from the beginning of time.

a)

Wallace

b)

Cuvier

c)

Lyell

d)

Lamark