How to Identify and Classify Sharks - Exam
  • 1. What is the primary characteristic used to initially identify a shark as a shark?
A) Cartilaginous skeleton
B) Scales similar to bony fish
C) Bony skeleton
D) Operculum (gill cover)
  • 2. Which fin is NOT found in all shark species?
A) Dorsal fin
B) Anal fin
C) Caudal fin
D) Pectoral fin
  • 3. What is the function of spiracles in some shark species?
A) To expel waste
B) To draw water into the gills
C) To sense vibrations
D) To detect electrical fields
  • 4. What type of scales do sharks possess?
A) Cycloid scales
B) Dermal denticles
C) Ctenoid scales
D) Ganoid scales
  • 5. The shape of which fin is most important for determining a shark's locomotion style?
A) Pectoral fin
B) Dorsal fin
C) Pelvic fin
D) Caudal fin
  • 6. Which of the following is a characteristic of a hammerhead shark?
A) Luminous organs
B) Cephalofoil
C) Spines on dorsal fin
D) Barbels
  • 7. What is the name for the sensory pores used for electroreception?
A) Lateral line
B) Spiracle
C) Nictitating membrane
D) Ampullae of Lorenzini
  • 8. What is the function of a nictitating membrane?
A) Sound detection
B) Olfactory reception
C) Depth perception
D) Protection of the eye
  • 9. What is the most common type of reproduction in sharks?
A) Viviparity
B) Parthenogenesis
C) Ovoviviparity
D) Oviparity
  • 10. Which family contains the goblin shark?
A) Mitsukurinidae
B) Squalidae
C) Lamnidae
D) Carcharhinidae
  • 11. What is the defining characteristic of sawsharks (Pristiophoridae)?
A) Bioluminescence
B) Extremely large size
C) Presence of barbels
D) Elongated snout with lateral teeth
  • 12. Which shark family includes the great white shark?
A) Squalidae
B) Carcharhinidae
C) Lamnidae
D) Orectolobidae
  • 13. What is the primary diet of whale sharks?
A) Plankton
B) Seals
C) Fish
D) Squid
  • 14. Which family are carpet sharks a part of?
A) Rhincodontidae
B) Hexanchidae
C) Orectolobidae
D) Squatinidae
  • 15. What is the defining characteristic of angelsharks (Squatinidae)?
A) Elongated snout
B) Spiraled intestines
C) Flattened body
D) Six gills
  • 16. How many gill slits do most sharks have?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Four
D) Six
  • 17. Which shark has six gill slits?
A) Sphyrna lewini (Scalloped hammerhead)
B) Hexanchus griseus (Sixgill shark)
C) Carcharodon carcharias (Great white shark)
D) Rhincodon typus (Whale shark)
  • 18. What is the term for sharks that lay eggs?
A) Viviparous
B) Oviparous
C) Asexual
D) Ovoviviparous
  • 19. What is a 'mermaid's purse'?
A) A shark's stomach
B) An egg case of some shark species
C) A shark's heart
D) A shark's kidney
  • 20. Which of the following is a filter-feeding shark?
A) Tiger shark
B) Basking shark
C) Bull shark
D) Mako shark
  • 21. What is the primary function of the lateral line?
A) Sense of smell
B) Sense of taste
C) Detecting electrical fields
D) Detecting vibrations in the water
  • 22. What is the general body shape of a dogfish shark?
A) Hammer-shaped
B) Torpedo-shaped
C) Flattened
D) Saw-shaped
  • 23. What is the function of claspers in male sharks?
A) Reproduction
B) Balance
C) Defense
D) Sensing prey
  • 24. Which shark is known for its distinctive elongated upper caudal lobe?
A) Reef shark
B) Thresher shark
C) Nurse shark
D) Lemon shark
  • 25. Which of the following sharks is most likely to be found in freshwater?
A) Hammerhead shark
B) Mako shark
C) Bull shark
D) Great white shark
  • 26. What is the term for the tooth replacement system in sharks?
A) Diphyodont
B) Polyphyodont
C) Oligodont
D) Monophyodont
  • 27. What is the purpose of countershading in sharks?
A) Attracting mates
B) Camouflage
C) Temperature regulation
D) Defense against parasites
  • 28. Which shark has a 'wobbegong' as a common name?
A) Squalus acanthias
B) Galeocerdo cuvier
C) Cetorhinus maximus
D) Orectolobus maculatus
  • 29. What distinguishes megamouth sharks from other shark species?
A) Large mouth and filter-feeding behavior
B) Spotted patterns
C) Deep-sea bioluminescence
D) Hammer-shaped head
  • 30. Which body part is used to identify Port Jackson sharks?
A) Shape of caudal fin
B) Harness-like markings
C) Number of dorsal fins
D) Presence of an anal fin
Created with That Quiz — where a math practice test is always one click away.