Mid-term Exam #1: Evolution of Cultures, Spring 2019
Multiple Choice Questions
There are 12 questions below; each is worth 2 points. Pay attention to what the questions
are asking. Some require multiple answers.
1. Using data from both your readings and lectures, which of the following statements
relative to the evolution of humans are true? (Check “all” that are true).
___ Relative to the age of the earth, humankind's tenure on earth has been brief.
___ Anatomical (fossil) and molecular (immunological distance dating) data seem to
suggest that the African apes and hominids recently (perhaps as recently as 5-10 million
years ago) diverged or branched.
___ There have been significant changes in the postcranial skeleton (from the neck
down) of hominids over the past 1 million years.
___ Although the number of archaeological specimens which are thought to represent
humankind's earliest ancestor are relatively few in number, we can be confident that if
each specimen is accurately described then the conclusions drawn from it will
necessarily be accurate.
___ There has been a reduction in the size of canines through time with an increased
reliance on the use of stone tools. This recognized relationship suggests that tools have
had a role in changing the selective pressures on teeth.
___ Humans evolved from chimpanzees.
___ Biologically man is an primate.
2. Match each of the following processes or societies (left column) to those in the right
column. (Letters can be used only once).
_D_ Band (Hunter-Gatherers) A. Darwin
_C_ Uniformitarianism B. Inegalitarian/hierarchical society
_F_ Typology C. Geological process of change
_A_ Natural Selection D. Egalitarian society
_B_ Chiefdom or State E. Shared, learned behavior
_E_ Culture F. Classification device
3. Which of the following statements about human diversity and/or genetic variation are
true? (Check all that are true).
___There is more genetic variability within a group then there is between groups.
___Culture, in part, explains the diversity of human behavior.
___ Human variability is the end product of both biology and culture.
___ Mutation is the source of all genetic variability.
___ The environment provides the background to which human adapt. Humans can adapt
physiologically and/or culturally. The possible combinations have produced a variety of
human patterns.
___Cultural variation is the end product of physical differences.
This study source was downloaded by 100000900412927 from CourseHero.com on 01-16-2026 13:17:51 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/40862843/Final-Midterm-Multiple-Choice-Kanepdf/
Multiple Choice Questions
There are 12 questions below; each is worth 2 points. Pay attention to what the questions
are asking. Some require multiple answers.
1. Using data from both your readings and lectures, which of the following statements
relative to the evolution of humans are true? (Check “all” that are true).
___ Relative to the age of the earth, humankind's tenure on earth has been brief.
___ Anatomical (fossil) and molecular (immunological distance dating) data seem to
suggest that the African apes and hominids recently (perhaps as recently as 5-10 million
years ago) diverged or branched.
___ There have been significant changes in the postcranial skeleton (from the neck
down) of hominids over the past 1 million years.
___ Although the number of archaeological specimens which are thought to represent
humankind's earliest ancestor are relatively few in number, we can be confident that if
each specimen is accurately described then the conclusions drawn from it will
necessarily be accurate.
___ There has been a reduction in the size of canines through time with an increased
reliance on the use of stone tools. This recognized relationship suggests that tools have
had a role in changing the selective pressures on teeth.
___ Humans evolved from chimpanzees.
___ Biologically man is an primate.
2. Match each of the following processes or societies (left column) to those in the right
column. (Letters can be used only once).
_D_ Band (Hunter-Gatherers) A. Darwin
_C_ Uniformitarianism B. Inegalitarian/hierarchical society
_F_ Typology C. Geological process of change
_A_ Natural Selection D. Egalitarian society
_B_ Chiefdom or State E. Shared, learned behavior
_E_ Culture F. Classification device
3. Which of the following statements about human diversity and/or genetic variation are
true? (Check all that are true).
___There is more genetic variability within a group then there is between groups.
___Culture, in part, explains the diversity of human behavior.
___ Human variability is the end product of both biology and culture.
___ Mutation is the source of all genetic variability.
___ The environment provides the background to which human adapt. Humans can adapt
physiologically and/or culturally. The possible combinations have produced a variety of
human patterns.
___Cultural variation is the end product of physical differences.
This study source was downloaded by 100000900412927 from CourseHero.com on 01-16-2026 13:17:51 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/40862843/Final-Midterm-Multiple-Choice-Kanepdf/
