wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

NATURAL SELECTION AND EVOLUTION

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 7hrs 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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 organism knew it needed that trait, survives, and passes it on.

2.
The differences among a species, like different bird beaks, are called
a)
genes.
b)
variations.
c)
traits.
d)
theories.
3.
Why is the mouse population changing over time?
a)
The light mice can reproduce more successfully than the dark mice
b)
The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because the dark mice taste better
c)
The hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily
d)
The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because they can see the dark mice more easily
4.

Where do adaptations come from?

a)

The individual organism decides to adapt

b)

Mutations that give an organism an advantage in its environment

c)

Genetic recombination during meiosis

d)

Both mutations and genetic recombination are sources of adaptation

5.

Which best describes the role of mutations in natural selection?

a)

Mutations help an organism to better survive in their environment

b)

An organism may acquire a helpful mutation by interacting with the environment

c)

A mutation may result in a beneficial trait that makes an organism more likely to survive and reproduce

d)

Organisms with certain traits are more likely to win competitions for mutations

6.

All rabbits of the same species living in a particular area would be an example of a(n)

a)

population

b)

species

c)

community

d)

ecosystem

7.

The more genetic variation a population has,

the more likely it is for some individuals to

a)

evolve

b)

migrate

c)

survive

d)

mutate

8.
Why do frogs and other organism reproduce so many eggs or offspring?
a)
so that their babies can have friends to play with
b)
the more offspring the more likely the offspring will survive
c)
the more offspring the less likely offspring will survive 
d)
the more offspring the less competition
9.
Flying fish, flying birds, and bats are examples of which of the following?
a)
convergent evolution & homologous structures
b)
convergent evolution & analogous structures
c)
divergent evolution & homologous structures
d)
divergent evolution & analogous structures
10.
What happens in divergent evolution? 
a)
organisms become more similar
b)
organisms become less similar
c)
species become more related
d)
adaptive radiation always occurs
11.

What type of evolution is described in the following scenario: Porcupines in the United States have quills (spines) that are attached to their skins. When they feel threatened, they can tense up their bodies, causing the quills to “shoot out.” These spiny quills can pierce the skin of attacking animals, causing injury and pain. Although not closely related to the porcupine, hedgehogs that live throughout parts of Europe also have protective spines that they use to defend themselves from attacking animals.

a)

Coevolution

b)

Divergent Evolution

c)

Convergent Evolution

12.

What type of evolution is described in the following scenario: King Snakes are a family of snakes that usually eat other snakes in the wild. Even though many of the snakes they eat are very poisonous, King Snakes have adapted the ability to not be affected by their poisons. In response, some of these poisonous snakes, like rattlesnakes, have adapted other defensive behaviors (other than biting) to try and “scare off” the King Snakes.

a)

Coevolution

b)

Divergent Evolution

c)

Convergent Evolution

13.

What type of evolution is described in the following scenario: Chameleons, a type of lizard (reptile), have two eyes they can move in completely different directions, so they can see all the way around themselves. Sand lances are a type of fish that can also move their eyes like the chameleon, even though they are not related to one another.

a)

Coevolution

b)

Divergent Evolution

c)

Convergent Evolution

14.

What type of evolution is described in the following scenario: A kit fox lives in the desert and has large ears with greater surface area that keep the fox from getting overheated. The red fox lives in the forest and has a red coat that keeps it camouflaged.

a)

Coevolution

b)

Divergent Evolution

c)

Convergent Evolution

15.

What type of evolution is described in the following scenario: The Galloti atlantica and Galloti galloti lizards evolved through natural selection from a common ancestor into a wide variety of different looking lizards.

a)

Coevolution

b)

Divergent Evolution

c)

Convergent Evolution

16.

Other insects cannot, but, a bumble bee has just enough weight to open up the snapdragon flower to pollinate it. This is an example of...

a)

convergent evolution

b)

co-evolution

c)

divergent evolution

d)

speciation

17.
The picture represents what evidence of evolution?
a)
Homologous structure
b)
Analogous structure
c)
Vestigial structure
d)
Heterozygous structure
18.
Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms share a common ancestry
a)
vestigial structures
b)
homologous structures
c)
adaptive radiation
d)
fossil
19.
The scientific theory of evolution is supported by different types of evidence. The diagrams below show the skeletons of two different animal species. How does comparing the skeletons of these animals provide support for the scientific theory of evolution?
a)
 It provides information about the organisms' habitats.
b)
 It shows possible common ancestry between organisms.
c)
It provides information to determine the organisms' ages.
d)
It shows possible chromosomal similarities between organisms.
20.
The diagram illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms.Which of the following can be determined by observing the embryos shown in the diagram? 
a)
The organisms share a common ancestry.
b)
The organisms belong to the same genus.
c)
The organisms are native to the same geographic areas.
d)
The organisms will grow into anatomically similar adults.
21.

The pelvic bone of whales is not needed for movement within the water. This is an example of a(n) ______________ structure.

a)

vestigial

b)

analogous

c)

homologous

22.
If an organism has a vestigial structure, that structure likely once had a function in a(n)
a)
close relative
b)
early ancestor
c)
unrelated organism
d)
embryological stage
23.
Organisms with traits that are favorable to their survival and reproduction are ________ likely to pass on their genes to the next generation, and thus ________ common in the population
a)
more, less
b)
more, more
c)
less, less
d)
less, more
24.

Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection? 

a)

People selectively breeding hamsters.

b)

Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

c)

Insect populations developing resistance to certain pesticides.

d)

Male birds of certain species developing colorful feathers to attract female mates.

25.

Images of the embryo and adult stages of three different organisms are shown.

Q. Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this evidence?

a)

Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms eat the same types of food.

b)

Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms live in a similar environment.

c)

Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms share a recent common ancestor.

d)

Having similar embryos indicates that a certain protein controls how many legs the adult organisms will have.

26.

Two organisms that are closely related would have

a)

very similar DNA sequence

b)

exactly the same DNA sequences

c)

no proteins in common

d)

completely different DNA sequences