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Evolution, Natural Selection & Adaptations

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The remains, imprints or preserved evidence of a prehistoric organism.

a)

population

b)

species

c)

fossil

d)

variation

2.

Inherited trait that makes an individual physically DIFFERENT from other members of the same species.

a)

competition

b)

variation

c)

mutation

d)

vestigial structure

3.

Survival of the Fittest. Individuals that are best suited to their environment will survive & reproduce.

a)

natural selection

b)

artificial selection

c)

variation

d)

overproduction

4.

SIMILAR body parts among different species indicating that they possibly share a common ancestor.

a)

comparative embryology

b)

homologous structures

c)

variation

d)

vestigial structures

5.

Inherited trait that HELPS an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

a)

adaptation

b)

evolution

c)

competition

d)

variation

6.

A group of organisms that share similar characteristics and CAN reproduce with one another.

a)

community

b)

population

c)

species

d)

ecosystem

7.

Body part that is no longer needed for survival, but may have served an important function in the organism's ancestor.

a)

comparative embryology

b)

homologous structures

c)

variation

d)

vestigial structure

8.

When organisms work against one other for a RESOURCE that is in short supply.

a)

selection

b)

overproduction

c)

environmental change

d)

competition

9.

This scientist developed the theory of EVOLUTION by natural selection. He sailed to the Galapagos Islands to do his research & wrote the book, "On the Origin of Species".

a)

Albert Darwin

b)

Charles Darwin

c)

Albert Einstein

d)

Charles Einstein

10.

Humans come in all different heights. Adults range from 2.5 feet to 8 feet tall. What is this an example of?

a)

adaptation

b)

natural selection

c)

vestigial structure

d)

variation

11.

Humans cross-breed two types of strawberry plants to get strawberries that are larger & extra sweet. What is this an example of?

a)

natural selection

b)

artificial selection

c)

evolution

12.

An owl is born with a feather pattern that helps it camouflage in its forest environment. This HELPS it hide from predators. What is this an example of?

a)

adaptation

b)

competition

c)

environmental change

d)

variation

13.

Organisms that are best adapted to their environment, are more likely to survive & pass on their traits. True or false?

a)

True

b)

False

14.

Major changes to a population of species can happen very quickly. True or False?

a)

True

b)

False

15.

Ligers can't reproduce (cubs), therefore they are not a species. True or false?

a)

True

b)

False

16.

Predict... which moth population will INCREASE?

a)

light

b)

dark

17.

Darwin is most famous for his studies on which type of animal?

a)
b)
c)
d)
18.

These forelimbs, from different organisms, show common ancestry because:

a)

They have the same basic structure (design)

b)

They perform the same function (job)

c)

They are parts of mammals

d)

They are the same size

19.

A scientist finds dinosaur fossils in the BOTTOM layer of a cliff and mammal fossils in the TOP layer. What can be inferred?

a)

dinosaurs ate the mammals

b)

dinosaurs were eaten by mammals

c)

both organisms lived at the same time

d)

dinosaurs lived before mammals

20.

Which of these scenarios is an example of NATURAL selection?

a)

Farmers crossbreed two types of cows to produce a cow that has high-quality beef and can tolerate a hot climate.

b)

Dogs of the same breed, with a desirable coat color, are bred with one another to produce puppies with that same coat color.

c)

Wolves with thick coats survive a cold winter more than wolves with thin coats. Thick-coated wolves have more offspring the following spring.

21.

Which situation that could lead to the EXTINCTION of a species?

a)

increase in living space

b)

increase in food supply

c)

increase in competition

d)

decrease in predators

22.

Which describes a likely reason WHY a species would become extinct after a mass ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE?

a)

The environmental changes leads to fewer predators.

b)

There are not enough members of a species born with a trait necessary to survive in the new environment.

c)

The change in the environment creates more resources and less competition.

d)

There is more living space for the species in the changed environment.

23.

Which is an example of a COMMUNITY?

a)

All the hawks in Rolling Meadows.

b)

All the Hawks, Squirrels, Oak trees in Rolling Meadows.

c)

All the Hawks, Squirrels, Oak trees and Water in Rolling Meadows.

d)

All the Hawks, Squirrels, Oak trees and Water in a Forest.

24.

Which is NOT an adaptation of a polar bear?

a)

White fur

b)

Large Feet

c)

Thin Layer of fat

d)

Strong Swimmer

25.

A change in a species over a LONG period of time.

a)

adaptation

b)

evolution

c)

fossil

d)

variation