- 1. Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species', published in 1859, stands as a monumental work in the field of biology and the study of evolution, fundamentally changing our understanding of the natural world. In this groundbreaking text, Darwin meticulously presents his theory of natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time through the survival of individuals best adapted to their environments. He compiles extensive evidence from his five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle, observations of diverse organisms across various ecosystems, and insights from the fossil record. The book challenges the prevailing notions of creationism and fixed species, proposing instead that all life is interconnected through a complex web of descent with modification. With its bold ideas and comprehensive arguments, 'On the Origin of Species' ignited debates that continue to resonate in scientific, religious, and philosophical discussions today, establishing Darwin as one of the most influential figures in scientific history.
When was Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species' published?
A) 1871
B) 1859
C) 1900
D) 1809
- 2. What was the full title of Darwin's 'Origin of Species'?
A) Origin and Evolution of Living Beings
B) The Evolution of Species in Nature
C) On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
D) The Big Book of Evolution
- 3. Which ship did Darwin sail on for his famous voyage that influenced his ideas in 'Origin of Species'?
A) HMS Challenger
B) HMS Endeavour
C) HMS Discovery
D) HMS Beagle
- 4. What was the main concept proposed by Darwin in 'Origin of Species'?
A) Natural Selection
B) Creationism
C) Lamarckism
D) Intelligent Design
- 5. Which scientist independently developed a similar theory of evolution around the same time as Darwin?
A) Gregor Mendel
B) Louis Pasteur
C) Alfred Russel Wallace
D) James Hutton
- 6. Which group of organisms did Darwin specifically focus on in 'Origin of Species' to illustrate his theory?
A) Butterflies
B) Finches
C) Whales
D) Elephants
- 7. Which scientist was a key influence on Darwin's thinking, particularly in geology?
A) Thomas Malthus
B) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
C) Charles Lyell
D) Georges Cuvier
- 8. Which edition of 'Origin of Species' included a rejoinder to critics, addressing common misconceptions?
A) Second
B) Fourth
C) Eighth
D) Sixth
- 9. What is the term Darwin used to describe the deliberate breeding of organisms to produce desired traits?
A) Sexual Selection
B) Artificial Selection
C) Natural Selection
D) Directional Selection
- 10. How did Darwin explain the variation observed among individuals in a population in 'Origin of Species'?
A) Through inheritance and natural selection
B) Through sudden mutation events
C) Through selfish behavior
D) Through divine intervention
- 11. In what year did Darwin publish a follow-up book to 'Origin of Species' titled 'The Descent of Man'?
A) 1859
B) 1900
C) 1885
D) 1871
- 12. The concept of 'survival of the fittest' was popularized by whom as an extension of Darwin's work in 'Origin of Species'?
A) Thomas Huxley
B) Herbert Spencer
C) Alfred Russel Wallace
D) Ernst Haeckel
- 13. What is the term Darwin used to describe the process of male competition and female choice in mating?
A) Sexual Selection
B) Selective Breeding
C) Natural Selection
D) Artificial Selection
- 14. Darwin's theory of evolution is based on the concept of ___ descent with modification.
A) common
B) divergent
C) independent
D) parallel
- 15. According to Darwin, what is the driving force behind natural selection?
A) competition
B) chance
C) mutation
D) cooperation
- 16. What type of selection occurs when individuals with extreme phenotypes have the highest fitness?
A) stabilizing
B) disruptive
C) sexual
D) directional
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