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Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

Total questions: 35

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of the following is NOT a cause of Evolution
a)
Overproduction
b)
Variations among organisms
c)
Competition
d)
Selective Breeding
2.
Darwin was not surprised by the variety of living things he saw on his voyage around the world.
a)
True
b)
False
3.
A(n) _______ is the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived  in the past
a)
Species
b)
Fossil
c)
Freddy
4.
Darwin observed the greatest diversity of organisms on the Galapagos Islands
a)
True
b)
False
5.
Which of the following statements are true?
a)
A) Many Galapagos organisms were similar to organisms on mainland South America
b)
B) Darwin though the ancestors of Galapagos animals and pants came from mainland South America
c)
C) All tortoises living in the Galapagos Islands looked exactly the same
d)
D) Both A & B
6.
A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce is a(n)
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Genotype
c)
Phenotype
d)
Adaptation
7.
Which of these statements is true about Darwin's conclusions?
a)
Darwin believed that evolution had occurred on the Galapagos Islands
b)
Darwin thought that Galapagos organisms gradually changed over many generations
c)
Selective breeding helped Darwin understand how evolution might occur
d)
All of the above
8.
In his book The Origin of Species, Darwin explained that evolution occurs by means of
a)
natural selection
b)
happenstance 
c)
the Big Bang
d)
selective breeding
9.
Individuals with variations that make them better adapted to their environment will not survive.
a)
True
b)
False
10.
Effect caused by limited food and other resources
a)
overproduction
b)
competition
c)
variations
d)
none of the above
11.
Effect caused by species producing more offspring than can survive
a)
overproduction
b)
competition
c)
variations
d)
none of the above
12.
Darwin knew all about genes and mutations.
a)
True
b)
False
13.

Although he was initially sent to medical school, what was Charles Darwin's true passion?

a)

art

b)

mathematics

c)

nature

d)

writing

14.

What was the primary goal of the Beagle's voyage?

a)

to transport passengers to North America

b)

to search for new forms of medicine

c)

to map the coast of South America

d)

to explore the Southern hemisphere

15.

In 1859, Darwin published his theory of evolution in a book called...

a)

Natural Selection and Evolution.

b)

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.

c)

The Nature of Galápagos Finches.

d)

Evolving through Adaptation in the Environments of Species.

16.

Darwin and ______ presented the idea of natural selection together in 1858.

a)

Alfred Russell Wallace

b)

Charles Lyell

c)

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

d)

Thomas Malthus

17.

What was Darwin's designated role on the Beagle?

a)

documenting the journey as the ship's journalist

b)

studying animals and plants as the ship's naturalist

c)

providing food for the crew as the ship's cook

d)

taking care of the passengers as the ship's surgeon

18.

Darwin used the Galápagos finches as evidence that

a)

traits are not hereditary.

b)

living things change over time.

c)

birds are different than other species.

d)

organisms in a species have no relation to one another.

19.

According to Darwin, ______ in species could result from many ______ over long periods of time.

a)

population growth; births

b)

mating; interactions

c)

big changes; small changes

d)

extinction; deaths

20.

What does genetic variation describe?

a)

similarities in the inherited traits of different individuals

b)

similarities between species in an ecosystem

c)

differences in the inherited traits of different individuals

d)

differences between various species’ mating preferences

21.

How does natural selection drive evolution?

a)

It does not; natural selection and evolution are entirely separate processes

b)

Before they can reproduce, individuals must adapt certain traits through natural selection.

c)

Within a generation, natural selection causes populations to eliminate unfavorable traits.

d)

Over time, natural selection causes living populations to evolve environmental adaptations.

22.

A group of individuals of the same species that live and reproduce in the same place is called

a)

a community.

b)

a species.

c)

a population.

d)

a civilization.

23.

When individuals with certain inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with less favorable traits, ______ occurs.

a)

genetic selection

b)

natural selection

c)

favored survival

d)

struggle for existence

24.

Which statement about adaptations is true?

a)

They are inherited.

b)

They are developed quickly.

c)

They cannot change over time.

d)

They are the same in every species.

25.

Individuals in a population are not all

a)

compatible.

b)

identical.

c)

the same species.

d)

living in one ecosystem.

26.

What led Darwin to his idea of natural selection?

a)

Individuals had certain traits that made them more successful.

b)

The Galápagos finches had a unique method of adaptation.

c)

Ecosystems with limited resources fostered great biodiversity.

d)

All of the above

27.

After the Beagle's voyage ended, Darwin spent time thinking about the ______ of Galápagos finches.

a)

beauty

b)

habitats

c)

rarity

d)

traits

28.

Eventually, Darwin realized that all living things were engaged in a ______ because there were not enough resources for all of them.

a)

genetic ritual

b)

fight to the death

c)

temporary competition

d)

struggle for existence

29.
When every organism of a species has died.
a)
Evolution
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Extinction
d)
Artificial Selection
30.
Where the better adapted organisms survive to pass traits along to offspring.
a)
Evolution
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Extinction
d)
Artifical Selection
31.
Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?
a)
Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
b)
Because they come from dominant alleles.
c)
Because they come from recessive alleles.
d)
Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.
32.

What word describes a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment?

a)

natural selection

b)

mutation

c)

camouflage

d)

adaptation

33.
The trees these moths used to live on were white, but have been covered in soot from coal factories. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?
a)
Dark moth
b)
Light moth
c)
Both will be equally successful
d)
Neither will be successful
34.
These moths are all the same species. The differences between their wings is an example of ________________
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Variation
c)
Homeostasis
d)
Extinction
35.
Dogs such as Chihuahuas are examples of....
a)
Artificial Selection 
b)
Natural Selection 
c)
Mutations 

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