Evolution vocabulary

Question 1

A river has a group of fish where some individuals have long fins and others have short fins. The water flows quickly in this part of the river, making swimming harder for fish with short fins. Which statement best explains how natural selection works in this fish population, using the words variation, selection pressure, and reproduction in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

Within the fish population there is variation in fin length; the fast‑moving current acts as a selection pressure that favors fish with longer fins, so those individuals survive and, through reproduction, pass the long‑fin trait to their offspring.

Answer

The fast‑moving current creates variation in fin length, and the fish that are born with longer fins are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Answer

Fish that reproduce more often cause the fast‑moving current, which then creates a selection pressure that eliminates the short‑fin trait, leaving only long‑fin fish.

Answer

Because the fish population shows variation, the fish with longer fins reproduce more, and the resulting offspring change the river’s current, which becomes the selection pressure.

Question 2

A desert lizard has skin that reflects sunlight, keeping it cool during the hot day. This characteristic is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

adaptation

Answer

mutation

Answer

extinction

Answer

variation

Question 3

Which statement uses the words “extinct” and “extinction” correctly and shows how they differ from “endangered”?

Accepted Answer

The dodo bird is extinct; it disappeared because of extinction caused by humans, while the kiwi is still endangered.

Answer

The dodo bird is endangered; it may become extinct in the future if the extinction continues.

Answer

The dodo bird became extinct, which means it is still alive but at risk of extinction.

Answer

Extinction is a type of adaptation that helped the dodo bird survive, making it extinct today.

Try three questions

A desert lizard has skin that reflects sunlight, keeping it cool during the hot day. This characteristic is best described as a:

Which statement uses the words “extinct” and “extinction” correctly and shows how they differ from “endangered”?

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