Question 1(Multiple Choice Worth 4 points)
(05.03 MC)

A team of scientists is researching the relationship between the two subspecies of A. africanus and concludes that the subspecies were actually different species. Which of the following would increase the reliability of this conclusion?

A second group of scientists finding significant differences in the DNA of the two different subspecies
Providing a description of the methods used in their experiments that led to the conclusion
Finding the two different subspecies of the species in different geographic locations
Publishing their research in order to make their findings available to the public
Question 2(Multiple Choice Worth 4 points)
(05.02 MC)

Woolly mammoths were grass-eating mammals that resembled elephants but with heavy coats, large tusks, and small ears that made them suited for extremely cold weather of the ice age. In addition to hunting by humans, which other conditions may have caused woolly mammoths to become less reproductively successful and eventually become extinct at the end of the last ice age?

Decreased grassland habitat size caused by a warmer climate
Decreased mammoth predator population size caused by warmer climate
Increased production of offspring adapted to the changing environment
Increased genetic variation in mammoth populations in warmer latitudes
Question 3(Multiple Choice Worth 4 points)
(05.02 HC)

Guppies living in a stream have a variety of spot patterns, some of which provide good camouflage against the stones in the streambed and others of which make them stand out against the background, allowing potential mates to see them more easily. If a predator that hunted by sight were introduced to the stream, what would be the most likely long-term consequence for the guppy population?

The number of guppies in the population would decline, although most of the remaining ones would be uncamouflaged.
The guppy population would devise a mutation that allowed the camouflaged guppies to find mates by scent or sound.
The guppy population would die out since none of the guppies would be able to find mates.
The number of camouflaged guppies in the population would increase while the number of successful matings decreased.
Question 4(Multiple Choice Worth 4 points)
(05.03 MC)

Hominid hind limbs became longer and stronger than their front limbs over time. Also, the largest toe on the hind limbs became smaller and closer to the other toes. Which of the following best explains the reason for this general trend in hominid evolution that occurred over millions of years?

As hominids evolved, their grasping abilities increased, improving their climbing abilities.
As hominids evolved, their brain size increased and their overall height decreased.
Hominids evolved to walk upright on their hind limbs, reducing the need for opposable toes.
Hominids evolved to arboreal lifestyles in order to increase access to food sources.
Question 5(Multiple Choice Worth 4 points)
(05.01 MC)

Based on fossilized evidence, there are scientific claims made about the evolution of certain species. If a scientist studying the fossils of a specific species had a hypothesis other than what was currently accepted, what steps should be taken to have the alternative hypothesis considered?

Since the original hypothesis is untestable given the circumstances, another one is more likely to be correct.
If an alternative hypothesis sounds plausible it could be used in place of the original hypothesis.
The scientist should publish the alternative hypothesis in a popular magazine to gain public support.
It is useful to test alternative hypotheses and know that they are incorrect.