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Evolution

Total questions: 35

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What determines whether two organisms belong to the same species.

a)

The environment they live in

b)

Physical Appearance

c)

Ability to reproduce with one another

d)

Evolutionary relationship to humans

2.

In the phrase "survival of the fittest," ; what is the meaning of the word fittest?

a)

Best-adapted organism

b)

Fastest organism

c)

Largest

organism

d)

Smartest organism

3.

What is a common ancestor?

a)

An animal that has a lot of offspring

b)

An animal that is related to many other species

c)

An animal from which two or more species evolved

d)

An animal that is good at escaping from predators

4.

Species go extinct when

a)

They have survived for longer than 10 million years

b)

They can't adapt to environmental changes

c)

Genetic code changes

d)

Disease kills 75% of a population

5.

What is evolution?

a)

When organisms migrate to warmer climates

b)

When organisms migrate to cooler climates

c)

Ancient rock layers and the fossils they contain

d)

How organisms change across many generations

6.
To adjust to a changing environment
a)
Mutation
b)
Adapt
7.

The forelimbs of mammals have similar anatomy because these groups descended from a recent common ancestor. Their bone structure is an example of a(n) ______________ structure.

a)

vestigial

b)

analogous

c)

homologous

8.

Many different groups of organisms have wings, even though they do not share a recent common ancestor. This is because they evolved in environments with similar selective pressures. Wings are an example of a(n) ______________ structure.

a)

vestigial

b)

analogous

c)

homologous

9.
Survival of the Fittest and Evolution were proposed by what scientist?
a)
Charles Darwin
b)
Albert Einstein
c)
Steven Hawking
d)
Isaac Newton
10.
What is the advantage of having different shaped beaks?
a)
To look different from other species.
b)
To be able to eat the food readily available in the environment.
c)
To protect itself against predators.
d)
To protect itself against prey.
11.

According to scientists, what is the ultimate cause of mass extinctions?

a)

Overhunting

b)

Evolution of a new species

c)

Major changes in the environment

d)

Asteroid impacts

12.
Charles Darwin came up with this theory 
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Mutation
13.
To adjust to a changing environment
a)
Mutation
b)
Adapt
14.
Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection? 
a)
People selectively breeding hamsters.
b)
Insect populations developing resistance to certain pesticides.
c)
Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.
d)
Male birds of certain species developing colorful feathers to attract female mates.
15.
Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better suited to the environment survive and reproduce therefore passing down their genes to their offspring? 
a)
Evolution 
b)
Variation 
c)
Adaptation
d)
Natural Selection 
16.
When an organism completely dies out, it is called.....
a)
Adaption
b)
Extinction
c)
Fossilization
d)
Mutation
17.
Structures that are inherited from a common ancestor are homologous.
a)
True
b)
False
18.
Humans, birds, whales, and lizards all have similar arm bones. What is the reason for this?
a)
The function of these bones is the same in all animals
b)
They live in similar environments
c)
They have a common ancestor
d)
All organisms resemble humans
19.
Bird wings and butterfly wings are an example of
a)
Homologous structure
b)
Analogous structure
c)
Mimicry
d)
Camoflague
20.
Analogous structures show common ancestry.
a)
True
b)
False
21.
Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as
a)
vestigial structures
b)
analogous structures
c)
homologous structures
d)
fossil structures
22.

What is a scientific theory?

a)

An explanation that makes a lot of sense

b)

An explanation that is supported by evidence

c)

An explanation that is popular among the public

d)

An explanation that has been proved and is now scientific law

23.

What can humans do to make sure that fish species don't go extinct?

a)

Destroy sharks and other predators in the ocean

b)

Stop the practice of overfishing

c)

Practice strategies related to overfishing

d)

Stay away from oceans

24.

The Bald Eagle almost went extinct when humans began using a pesticide called DDT. What can you conclude from the fact that the Bald Eagle population have since increased.

a)

The Bald Eagle is one of the healthiest birds on Earth.

b)

The pesticide was banned.

c)

The eagles learned to stay away from DDT.

d)

The Bald Eagle quickly evolved to tolerate the pesticide.

25.

According to most scientists, what is the ultimate cause of most mass extinctions.

a)

Overhuntin

b)

Overfishing

c)

Evolution of a new species to replace an old species

d)

Major changes in the environment

26.

Two organisms have homologous structures. Which can most likely be concluded about the two organisms?

a)

They are unrelated.

b)

They are the same organisms.

c)

They share a common ancestor.

d)

They evolved in a similar environment.

27.

What can be inferred from observed characteristics of land animals and aquatic animals.

a)

They are classified as the same species.

b)

They have the same dietary habits.

c)

They evolved from humans.

d)

They share a common ancestor.

28.

Scientist believe that dolphins and whales may have evolved from a common ancestor. What evidence supports this hypothesis?

a)

They swim the same way.

b)

They have the same dietary habits.

c)

They live in similar environments.

d)

They have similar anatomy.

29.

What can scientists most likely conclude from fossil records?

a)

Extinction is rare.

b)

Extinction is common.

c)

Extinction has occurred at exact intervals throughout geological time.

d)

Extinction has never occurred in plant species, only in animals.

30.

Based on the fossil record, which organisms were most likely to have existed first?

a)

Plants

b)

Bacteria

c)

Jellyfish

d)

Insects

31.
To adjust to a changing environment
a)
Mutation
b)
Adapt
32.

Evolution is best defined as:

a)

the process which organisms die.

b)

the process which organisms change over time.

c)

the process which organisms that are extinct become revived.

d)

the process which non-living things fossilize.

33.
The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?
a)
Fossil 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
34.

Which scientist is known for his work that he did on the Galapagos Islands to develop his theory of natural selection?

a)

Gregor Mendel

b)

Charles Darwin

c)

Anton Van Leewenhoek

d)

Robert Brown

35.

The process by which two populations of the same species become so different that they can no longer interbreed.

a)

natural selection

b)

artificial selection

c)

speciation

d)

fossilization