Reading Science A - Darwin's Fancy With Finches

1. Complete the following analogy: beak size is to Galapagos finches as white hair is to _____________________________.

Whales

Tigers

Giraffes

Polar bears

The analogy is comparing beak size in Galapagos finches to white hair in polar bears. Just like beak size is a characteristic that varies among Galapagos finches, white hair is a characteristic that is commonly found in polar bears. This analogy suggests that beak size is a defining feature of Galapagos finches, just as white hair is a defining feature of polar bears.

Explanation

The analogy is comparing beak size in Galapagos finches to white hair in polar bears. Just like beak size is a characteristic that varies among Galapagos finches, white hair is a characteristic that is commonly found in polar bears. This analogy suggests that beak size is a defining feature of Galapagos finches, just as white hair is a defining feature of polar bears.

2. What does Darwin's controversial book, On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection illustrate?

The importance of variations in organisms

That traits affect how likely an organism is to reproduce

How species evolve by adapting to their environment

All of the above

Darwin's controversial book, "On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection," illustrates the importance of variations in organisms, the idea that traits affect how likely an organism is to reproduce, and how species evolve by adapting to their environment. The book explores how natural selection acts on variations within a population, favoring those traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. This process leads to the gradual evolution and adaptation of species over time. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above."

Explanation

Darwin's controversial book, "On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection," illustrates the importance of variations in organisms, the idea that traits affect how likely an organism is to reproduce, and how species evolve by adapting to their environment. The book explores how natural selection acts on variations within a population, favoring those traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. This process leads to the gradual evolution and adaptation of species over time. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above."

3. Based on context, the term resistance in paragraph 6 means _________________.

Opposition

Approval

Variation

Individualized

In paragraph 6, the term "resistance" is used to describe a form of opposition. This suggests that the term is referring to a situation where there is disagreement or pushback against something. The other options, such as approval, variation, and individualized, do not align with the idea of opposition that is presented in the context.

Explanation

In paragraph 6, the term "resistance" is used to describe a form of opposition. This suggests that the term is referring to a situation where there is disagreement or pushback against something. The other options, such as approval, variation, and individualized, do not align with the idea of opposition that is presented in the context.

4. Based on the information in paragraph 5, which of the finches in the diagram shown is most likely to have adapted to an area where food source is large, hard seeds?

4

3

2

1

Based on the information in paragraph 5, the finch in diagram 1 is most likely to have adapted to an area where the food source is large, hard seeds. This is because the beak of the finch in diagram 1 is larger and stronger compared to the other finches in the diagram. The larger beak allows the finch to crack open and eat hard seeds, which indicates that it has adapted to a habitat where this type of food source is abundant.

Explanation

Based on the information in paragraph 5, the finch in diagram 1 is most likely to have adapted to an area where the food source is large, hard seeds. This is because the beak of the finch in diagram 1 is larger and stronger compared to the other finches in the diagram. The larger beak allows the finch to crack open and eat hard seeds, which indicates that it has adapted to a habitat where this type of food source is abundant.

5. Which is the best definition of natural selection?

A process that happens in the absence of environmental conditions

A single process of adaptation within an individual

The survival of the fittest

An ability to predict the outcome of the defined species over time

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are advantageous for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, while those with less advantageous traits are less likely to pass on their genes. This leads to a gradual change in the characteristics of a population over time, as the individuals with the most beneficial traits are selected for. This process is often referred to as "the survival of the fittest" because it favors traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproductive success.

Explanation

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are advantageous for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, while those with less advantageous traits are less likely to pass on their genes. This leads to a gradual change in the characteristics of a population over time, as the individuals with the most beneficial traits are selected for. This process is often referred to as "the survival of the fittest" because it favors traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproductive success.