Evolution: Theory, Evidence, and Implications | Science for Sixth Grade

Question 1

Which key concept is NOT part of the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Intelligent design

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Genetic inheritance

Question 2

What process allows organisms that are better adapted to their surroundings to have a greater chance of survival and reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Question 3

Who is the scientist that proposed evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Louis Pasteur

Answer

Isaac Newton

Question 4

In evolution, what is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a potential explanation that can be tested, a theory is a well-supported explanation.

Answer

A theory is a potential explanation that can be tested, a hypothesis is a well-supported explanation.

Answer

There is no difference between a hypothesis and a theory.

Question 5

What is NOT a source of variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors

Answer

Genetic mutations

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 6

How does genetic drift impact the evolution of small populations?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to loss of genetic diversity and alleles.

Answer

It can lead to fixation of genetic diversity and alleles.

Answer

It has no effect on the evolution of small populations.

Question 7

The smallest unit that can evolve over time is a:

Accepted Answer

Population

Answer

Species

Answer

Organism

Answer

Ecosystem

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered scientific evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Ancient texts

Answer

Fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Molecular biology

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

It is a widely accepted theory supported by a vast amount of evidence.

Answer

It is not supported by the fossil record.

Answer

It conflicts with religious beliefs.

Answer

It cannot explain the complexity of living organisms.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a key mechanism driving evolution?

Accepted Answer

Use and disuse of body parts

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 11

Who is widely recognized for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Marie Curie

Question 12

What is the process by which new species arise?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Question 13

Evolution can lead to a range of consequences. Which of the following is NOT a potential outcome?

Accepted Answer

Reduced adaptation to changing environments

Answer

Increased genetic diversity

Answer

Extinction of certain species

Answer

Creation of new species

Question 14

Which of these is NOT a type of natural selection that happens in nature?

Accepted Answer

Artificial Selection

Answer

Directional Selection

Answer

Disruptive Selection

Answer

Heterozygote Advantage

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism involved in natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer

Variation in traits within a population

Answer

Differential survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits

Answer

Heritability of favorable traits

Question 16

What is speciation?

Accepted Answer

The formation of a new species

Answer

The change in the genetic makeup of a population

Answer

The extinction of a species

Answer

The adaptation of a species to a new environment

Question 17

Which of the following characteristics describes a vestigial structure?

Accepted Answer

It has no apparent function.

Answer

It is essential for an organism's survival.

Answer

It is a new adaptation.

Answer

It is identical across all species.

Question 18

Who is considered the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Question 19

What is the significance of transitional fossils?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence for the gradual evolution of species.

Answer

They disprove the theory of evolution.

Answer

They only exist in the fossil record of extinct species.

Answer

They are not relevant to the study of evolution.

Question 20

Which process drives changes in populations of living things, according to the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Man-made selection

Answer

Genetic shifts

Answer

Changes in genes

Question 21

What is the name for the process where new species originate from existing species?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Question 22

What's the role of genetic variation in evolution?

Accepted Answer

It's the raw material natural selection works with.

Answer

It makes sure all members of a species are identical.

Answer

It limits how much creatures can adapt to changing conditions.

Answer

It doesn't play a role in evolution.

Question 23

How does evolution explain the variety of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

All living things share a common ancestor.

Answer

It explains why some are more complicated than others.

Answer

It can predict the evolution of new species.

Answer

It guarantees the survival and prosperity of all species.

Question 24

How does the theory of evolution impact our understanding of the past of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

It provides a framework for comprehending the origins and connections of different species.

Answer

It suggests life has always been the same.

Answer

It predicts the eventual extinction of all species.

Answer

It doesn't affect how we understand the past of life.

Question 25

What is the primary force driving evolution?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutations

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Migration

Question 26

Which process enables organisms to become better suited to their surroundings over time?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 27

Which of these is NOT a way genetic variation occurs?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Recombination

Answer

Gene flow

Question 28

What is the process through which new species develop from existing ones?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Mutation

Question 29

Which concept is NOT central to the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Instinct

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Mutation

Question 30

How does natural selection influence a population over time?

Accepted Answer

It encourages individuals with beneficial traits to reproduce more, passing on their genes.

Answer

It creates completely new traits and characteristics in a population.

Answer

It prevents genetic variation within a population.

Answer

It ensures all individuals in a population have the same traits.

Question 31

What do we call the steady change in inherited traits of a population over many generations?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Speciation

Question 32

What is the process by which new species entstehen?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Mutation

Question 33

Who is widely recognized for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can cause genetic drift in small populations?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Founder effect

Answer

Population bottlenecks

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 35

Which of the processes below is NOT a mechanism of evolution in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Gene flow

Question 36

The process in which a species gains new traits that enhance its survival and reproduction in a specific environment is called:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Mutation

Question 37

The gradual change in the distribution of traits or alleles over time within a population is known as:

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Speciation

Question 38

The term for the process that leads to the emergence of a new and distinct species is:

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Evolution

Question 39

The random change in the frequency of alleles within small populations is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Gene flow

Question 40

The theory that describes how life's diversity arises from natural processes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Theory of evolution by natural selection

Answer

Theory of relativity

Answer

Germ theory

Answer

Theory of heliocentricity

Question 41

What is the main idea behind natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment are more likely to pass those traits on.

Answer

Organisms can choose to evolve to better suit their environment.

Answer

All species evolve at the same rate.

Question 42

Which of these is an example of an adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A polar bear's thick fur helps it stay warm in cold climates.

Answer

A species going extinct because its habitat is destroyed.

Answer

A plant growing towards sunlight.

Question 43

What is speciation?

Accepted Answer

When a new species forms from a common ancestor.

Answer

The process where organisms adapt to their surroundings.

Answer

When a species goes extinct.

Question 44

Why is genetic variation important for evolution?

Accepted Answer

It provides the differences that natural selection can act upon.

Answer

It prevents all species from going extinct.

Answer

It makes sure everyone in a group looks the same.

Question 45

What's the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are similar because they share a common ancestor, while analogous structures have similar functions but come from different ancestors.

Answer

Homologous structures are always better than analogous structures.

Answer

Homologous structures are always on the outside of a body, while analogous structures are always on the inside.

Question 46

What is the role of mutations in evolution?

Accepted Answer

They create new genetic variations within a population.

Answer

They are the only way new traits appear.

Answer

They always harm an organism.

Question 47

What is genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Random changes in the frequency of genes in a population.

Answer

The way new species are formed.

Answer

When genes move from one population to another.

Answer

How the genetic makeup of a population changes over time.

Question 48

What does evolution tell us about life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

It helps us understand the diversity of life and how all living things are connected.

Answer

It proves that humans are the most important species.

Answer

It lets us predict what will happen in evolution.