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Unit 4 Study Guide Evolution

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

There are five species of the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet. Each flower is found in a different region of Texas and has slightly different traits. What most likely accounts for this variation?

a)

Natural selection

b)

Genetic Engineering

c)

Selective Pollination

d)

Selective Breeding

2.

How does the fossil record best support the theory of evolution?

a)

It shows population changes over time. 

b)

It shows structural changes over time.

c)

It shows behavioral changes over time

d)

It shows geographic changes over time.

3.

An adaptation is a trait that helps organisms

a)

Overproduce variation

b)

Become smaller and weaker

c)

Survive and reproduce

d)

Become less diverse

4.

Natural selection is the mechanism that

a)

This leads to increasing variation within a population

b)

Explains why populations produce more offspring than the environment can support

c)

increases the chance of certain individuals reproducing

d)

Allows a weaker species to reproduce more frequently

5.

Charles Darwin's studies of finches on the Galápagos Islands suggest that the finches' differences in beak structure were caused by which of the following?

a)

The mating behaviors of the different finch species

b)

the acquired characteristics of the parent finches

c)

the sizes of the islands on which the finches lived

d)

the adaptations of the finches to different environments.

6.

Based on the diagram, it is plausible that the giraffe formed.

a)

More spots to attract mates to produce offspring

b)

A longer neck to reach food in higher areas when food is scarce

c)

Longer legs to attack predators that approach

d)

A narrower head to reach deep into trees and eat food that is hard to reach

7.

Hummingbirds have long, slender beaks that allow them to feed on the nectar of deep-throated flowers. One hummingbird is born with a short, stout beak as a result of a genetic mutation. What is the most likely result?

a)

This hummingbird will eat insects and spiders instead of nectar

b)

This hummingbird will not live as long as other hummingbirds

c)

This hummingbird will build a bigger nest than other hummingbirds

d)

This hummingbird will attract more mates than other hummingbirds.

8.

 What most likely caused the variations in Darwin’s finches?

a)

The available water on the islands

b)

The number of mates on the islands

c)

The temperatures on the islands

d)

The available food on the islands

9.

The diagram shows a population of mice just after moving into an area with dark sand and

after many generations. 

Which explanation is best supported by the

diagram?

a)

The light mice had fewer predators.

b)

The dark mice had less favorable traits.

c)

The light mice were better able to reach

reproductive age

d)

The dark mice were better able to reach

reproductive age.

10.

Which of the following is true of reproduction?

a)

Only small organisms have a high chance to reproduce.

b)

On average, the fittest organisms pass on genes to the next generation.

c)

Only small organisms have a high chance to reproduce.

d)

All beneficial genes are passed on to the next generation.

11.

Which of the following would be least likely to form fossils that support the theory of evolution?

a)

The bones of organisms

b)

The teeth of organisms

c)

The skin of organisms

d)

The shells of organisms

12.

Which layer of rock is the oldest?

a)

Layer B is the oldest.

b)

Layer A is the oldest.

c)

They are all the same age

d)

Layer D is the oldest.

13.

Darwin's scientific theory of evolution explains and predicts which of the following?

a)

Extinct species are NOT related to living species

b)

Competition for mates and food does NOT cause changes in populations

c)

Variations in populations do not affect natural selection

d)

Species change over time

14.

 What were the dominant land animals during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods as suggested by the fossils found?

a)

Grazing animals

b)

Human ancestors

c)

Dinosaurs

d)

Amphibians

15.

What variation of an individual owl in an owl

the population would make the individual most likely

to survive in an environment where the owl's prey

is scarce?

a)

having better eyesight to spot prey more easily

b)

having fewer feathers to increase agility

c)

having shorter wings to increase flight speed

d)

having bigger nests to support more offspring

16.

What will most likely happen if the gene

frequencies in a given population remain

constant?

a)

Evolution will not take place within the

population.

b)

Evolution within that population will occur at a

faster rate

c)

Dominant characteristics will increase in the

population.

d)

Recessive characteristics will increase in the

Population.

17.

How should the fossils in the sediment layers of

Does earth appear if species have evolved?

a)

The upper layers should contain fossils of more complex

organisms.

b)

All of the layers should contain fossils of

complex organisms.

c)

All of the layers should contain fossils of simple

organisms.

d)

The lower layers should contain fossils of morecomplex

organisms.

18.

 The picture shows the change that occurred in an

insect population over 10 generations. The most likely explanation for this change is

that over time there was

a)

.an increase in the need for insects with longer

legs

b)

. an increase in the need for spots on the wings.

c)

a decrease in the need for spots on the wings

d)

 a decrease in the need for insects with longer

legs.

19.

 According to Darwin's theory of natural selection,

certain individuals will leave more offspring on

average than other individuals. Why is this true?

a)

Certain individuals possess adaptations that are

acquired through use.

b)

Certain individuals do not compete with other

members of the same species.

c)

Individuals that reproduce sexually will leave

more offspring than those that reproduce

asexually. 

d)

Certain individuals possess inherited

adaptations that are well-suited to the

Environment.

20.

 A population of birds has many small variations

among the individuals in the population. Variation

in beak size among these birds would affect their

survival most of the

a)

type of food available in the area changes

b)

size of nesting areas decreases.

c)

 weather in the environment changes.

d)

amount of water available in the area decreases