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- NEW SET
- A
- Inasmuch as peculiarities often appear under domestication in one sex
- and become hereditarily attached to that sex, so no doubt it will be under
- nature. Thus it is rendered possible for the two sexes to be modified
- through natural selection in relation to different habits of life, as is
- sometimes the case; or for one sex to be modified in relation to the other
- sex, as commonly occurs.
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- 1
- 1. The author's thesis is
-
- A. natural selection occurs among all animals
- B. natural selection only accounts for changes in habits of life
- C. only one sex will be affected by natural selection
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- a
- 0
- B
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- B
- (A) His thesis is that natural selection occurs throughout the animal kingdom.
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- B
- This leads me to say a few words on what I have called sexual
- selection. This form of selection depends, not on a struggle for existence
- in relation to other organic beings or to external conditions, but on a
- struggle between the individuals of one sex, generally the males, for the
- possession of the other sex.
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- 1
- 1. Sexual selection generally depends upon
-
- A. having too little food
- B. having too many predators
- C. having more males than necessary
- D. having an equal number of males and females
- E. having too few males
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- c
- 0
- C
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- C
- (C) Sexual selection occurs when there are more males than females.
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- NEW SET
- C
- The result is not death to the unsuccessful competitor, but few or
- no offspring. Sexual selection is, therefore, less rigorous than natural
- selection. Generally, the most vigorous males, those which are best fitted
- for their places in nature, will leave most progeny. But in many cases
- victory depends not so much on general vigor, as on having special weapons,
- confined to the male sex.
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- 1
- 1. Sexual selection assures that the successful competitor will have
-
- A. the most colorful covering
- B. the opportunity to breed
- C. the most food
- D. the fewest offspring
- E. the best chance of hiding from hunters
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- b
- 0
- D
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- D
- (B) Sexual selection guarantees the victor the opportunity to produce offspring.
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- D
- A hornless stag or spurless cock would have a poor chance of leaving
- numerous offspring. Sexual selection, by always allowing the victor to
- breed, might surely give indomitable courage, length of spur, and strength
- to the wing to strike in the spurred leg, in nearly the same manner as does
- the brutal cockfighter by the careful selection of his best cocks.
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- 1
- 1. Sexual selection in nature serves the same function as _______ does
- for farm animals.
-
- A. domestic breeding
- B. polygamy
- C. selective breeding
- D. sterilization
- E. neutering
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- c
- 0
- E
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- E
- (C) Sexual selection and selective breeding both assure that the fittest
- propagate.
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- E
- How low in the scale of nature the law of battle descends, I know
- not; male alligators have been described as fighting, bellowing, and
- whirling round, like Indians in a war-dance, for the possession of the
- females; male salmons have been observed fighting all day long; male stag
- beetles sometimes bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other males. . . .
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- 1
- 1. The phrase "like Indians in a war-dance" is used
-
- A. because the author considers Indians and alligators both to be animals
- B. because alligators dance before going to war, as the Indians do
- C. as a simile to help the reader imagine how ferocious the battles are
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- c
- 0
- F
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- F
- (C) This simile is used to describe the ferocity with which alligators fight.
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- F
- The war is, perhaps, severest between the males of polygamous animals,
- and these seem oftenest provided with special weapons. The males of
- carnivorous animals are already well armed; though to them and to others,
- special means of defense may be given through means of sexual selection, as
- the mane of a lion, and the hooked jaw to the male salmon; for the shield
- may be as important for victory as the sword or spear.
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- 1
- 1. "The shield" is a reference to the fact that
-
- A. the animal with the most defense may win
- B. the animal that can hide will survive the battle
- C. a shield can be used as a weapon
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- a
- 0
- G
- Correct.
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- wrong answer explanation
- G
- (A) This suggests that defense is helpful in winning a battle.
- end