1. Pointy chins are a unique characteristic of:
a) Homo sapiens.
b) Neanderthals.
c) Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy's species).
d) Homo erectus.
e) Chimpanzees.

2. Which species/sub-species has/had the largest known average cranial capacity?
a) Homo sapiens.
b) Neanderthals.
c) Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy's species)
d) Homo erectus.
e) Chimpanzees.

3. Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy's species) had which characteristics?
a) Very large cranial capacity, but otherwise very chimp-like.
b) A body very much like that of modern man, with long legs, short arms, and cylindrical-like rib cage, but a chimp-like brain.
c) Pelvis bones and feet that indicated bipedalism, but a ribcage like an ape, body proportions like chimpanzees (long arms and short legs), and a small brain.
d) Almost identical to modern man, but a bit shorter.
e) Almost identical to a chimpanzee.

4. The last term in the Drake Equation, L, stands for:
a) the number of planets with life on them in the Milky Way.
b) the fraction of habitable planets in the Milky Way with life on them.
c) the average time it takes intelligent life to develop on a planet.
d) the lifetime of an advanced communicable civilization.
e) the number of advanced civilizations in the Milky Way.

5. Of the following species (or sub-species) in the homo genus, which became extinct longer ago?
a) Homo sapiens.
b) Homo habilis.
c) Homo floresiensis.
d) Homo neanderthalensis.
e) Homo erectus.

6. The current human population on Earth is:
a) 6.2 million.
b) 3.2 billion.
c) 6.7 billion.
d) 13.2 billion.
e) 130 billion.

7. An asteroid like that which killed the dinosaurs is expected to hit the Earth, on average, about once every:
a) 1000 years.
b) 10,000 years.
c) million years.
d) 100 million years.
e) 2 billion years.

8. Some scientists believe that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis were a single species because:
a) their DNA is identical.
b) their skeletons and cranial structures are identical.
c) some skeletons have been found which look like they may be hybrids.
d) they existed at the same time.
e) ancient documents have been found that indicate intermarriage.

9. Agriculture began on Earth approximately:
a) 1 million years ago.
b) 100 thousand years ago.
c) 10 thousand years ago.
d) 3000 years ago.
e) 2000 years ago.

10. Bronze is:
a) an alloy of iron and tin.
b) an alloy of copper and tin.
c) an alloy of iron and carbon.
d) very pure iron.
e) very pure copper.

11. Which of the following advances likely began first on Earth?
a) the invention of the wheel.
b) the use of iron tools.
c) the use of copper tools.
d) agriculture.
e) the invention of written language.

12. The human population on Earth has doubled in approximately the last:
a) 40 thousand years.
b) 4 thousand years.
c) 400 years.
d) 40 years.
e) 4 years.

13. In the evolution of humans, which trait came first?
a) very large brains, equal in size to those of modern homo sapiens.
b) bipedalism.
c) body/limb proportions like those of modern humans.
d) heights of 6 feet or more.
e) ribcages shaped like those of modern humans, rather than funnel-shaped ribcages like apes.

14. Which of the following is a UNIQUE characteristic of Homo sapiens, compared to other members of the Homo genus and Neanderthals?
a) bipedalism.
b) tool users.
c) spread to other parts of the world besides Africa.
d) large cranial cavity.
e) pointy chins.

15. Which of the following traits describe Homo habilis?
a) no evidence for tool use.
b) bipedalism.
c) pointy chins.
d) cranial capacities similar to those of modern Homo sapiens.
e) survived for 2 million years in Asia, probably because of isolation from other species.

16. Homo floresiensis is:
a) the earliest known member of the Homo genus.
b) the name given to newly-discovered fossils in Indonesia, which may be a new species.
c) the first species to spread to Asia out of Africa.
d) the first species known to use tools.
e) the first known bipedal species.

17. Which important cultural advance happened about 10,000 years ago on Earth?
a) bronze use.
b) written language.
c) agriculture.
d) the invention of the printing press.
e) iron use.

18. Written language:
a) was first developed on Earth about 100 thousand years ago.
b) developed independently only in the Middle East, but then spread around the world.
c) developed independently in several places on Earth.
d) was first developed by Homo habilis, then passed down to Homo sapiens.
e) was first developed by Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy's species), then passed down to Homo sapiens.

19. Which of the following is NOT true about Neanderthals?
a) had a larger cranial capacity, on average, than Homo sapiens.
b) used tools.
c) co-existed in time with Homo sapiens.
d) likely were mainly responsible for driving Homo floresiensis into extinction.
e) had slightly different DNA from modern Homo sapiens.

20. The wheel was invented:
a) in North America.
b) in the Middle East.
c) in South America.
d) about 500 years ago.
e) about 2000 years ago.

21. Approximately when did life first appear on Earth?
a) 2 million years ago.
b) 65 million years ago.
c) 0.6 billion years ago.
d) 3.8 billion years ago.
e) 4.6 billion years ago.

22. Approximately when did the homo genus (`man') first appear on Earth?
a) 2 million years ago.
b) 65 million years ago.
c) 0.6 billion years ago.
d) 3.8 billion years ago.
e) 4.6 billion years ago.

23. Approximately when did the dinosaur extinction happen?
a) 2 million years ago.
b) 65 million years ago.
c) 0.6 billion years ago.
d) 3.8 billion years ago.
e) 4.6 billion years ago.

24. Approximately how long ago was the `Cambrian Explosion', when many new species appear on Earth, including trilobites?
a) 2 million years ago.
b) 65 million years ago.
c) 0.6 billion years ago.
d) 3.8 billion years ago.
e) 4.6 billion years ago.

25. Approximately how old is the Earth?
a) 2 million years old.
b) 65 million years old.
c) 0.6 billion years old.
d) 3.8 billion years old.
e) 4.6 billion years old.

26. What is a major difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
a) prokaryotes are plants; eukaryotes are animals.
b) prokaryotes are multi-cellular; eukaryotes are single celled.
c) prokaryotes are animals with gills, digestive tracts, and bilateral symmetry; eukaryotes are animals without these properties.
d) prokaryotes are more complex than eukaryotes, and appeared on Earth after the eukaryotes.
e) eukaryotes have nuclei in their cells; prokaryotes do not.

27. The second level of biological classification after Kingdom is:
a) Class.
b) Phylum.
c) Order.
d) Family.
e) Genus.

28. Many scientists believe that dolphins are very intelligent animals. Evidence for this includes:
a) large brain-to-body mass ratios.
b) apparent self-awareness, as indicated by mirror tests.
c) they recognize and respond to their trainers on video.
d) highly structured social groups.
e) all of the above.

29. Dolphins share which levels of biological classification with us?
a) Only Kingdom.
b) Only Kingdom and Phylum.
c) Only Kingdom, Phylum, and Class.
d) Kingdom, Phylum, Class, and Order.
e) Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, and Family.

30. How closely related are we to Chimpanzees?
a) They are in the same Family (homonids).
b) They are in the same Super-Family (homonoids = tail-less apes).
c) They are in the prosimian Sub-Order, while we are in the anthropoid Sub-Order.
d) We are in the same Kingdom and Phylum; but different Classes.
e) They are in the same Kingdom, Phylum, and Class, but not the same Order.

31. Which species has the second largest brain-to-body mass ratio, after humans?
a) chimpanzees.
b) orcas.
c) bottlenose dolphins.
d) gorillas.
e) lemurs.

32. The next level of biological classification after Family is:
a) Phylum.
b) Genus.
c) Order.
d) Class.
e) Species.

33. Which Phylum do humans belong to?
a) Animals.
b) Cetacea.
c) Chordata.
d) Delphinidae.
e) Homonidae.

34. What percentage of our DNA do we share with chimpanzees?
a) 10 percent.
b) 70 percent.
c) 90 percent.
d) 98.4 percent.
e) 100 percent; our DNA is indistinguishable from that of chimpanzees.

35. Which of the following traits have NOT been observed in chimpanzees?
a) can communicate with humans via sign language.
b) apparent self-awareness, as indicated by mirror tests.
c) use primitive tools.
d) highly structured social groups.
e) can read, write, and speak simple English words.

36. Which of the following is NOT one of the five Kingdoms of life?
a) protista (protoctista).
b) prokaryotes.
c) animals.
d) plants.
e) chordata.

37. Which species is our closest living relative?
a) Gorillas.
b) Chimpanzees.
c) Old World Monkeys.
d) Lemurs.
e) Dolphins.

38. Which species apparently recognize themselves in mirrors?
a) only humans.
b) only humans and chimpanzees.
c) humans, chimpanzees, dolphins, orangutans, and elephants.
d) all mammals.
e) all animals.

39. Which species shares 98.4 percent of our DNA?
a) Gorillas.
b) Lemurs.
c) Chimpanzees.
d) All mammals.
e) None; our DNA is unique.

40. The biological classification system, in order from top down, is:
a) Phylum, Kingdom, Order, Class, Genus, Family, Species.
b) Kingdom, Order, Phylum, Class, Genus, Family, Species.
c) Family, Phylum, Kingdom, Class, Order, Genus, Species.
d) Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
e) Kingdom, Order, Genus, Class, Family, Phylum, Species.

41. Dolphins and Homo sapiens:
a) Share 98.4 percent of the same DNA.
b) Are both in the Chordata Phylum.
c) Are classified in different Phyla.
d) Are in the same Genus.
e) Are both Anthropoids.

42. Which of the following classifications do NOT apply to humans?
a) prokaryotes.
b) chordates.
c) eukaryotes.
d) mammals.
e) homonids.

43. Approximately how long ago did the dinosaur extinction happen?
a) 2 million years ago.
b) 65 million years ago.
c) 0.6 billion years ago.
d) 3.8 billion years ago.
e) 4.6 billion years ago.

44. When did life first appear on Earth?
a) About half a billion years ago, after the second Snowball Earth episode.
b) About 3.8 billion years ago, soon after the end of the period of bombardment.
c) About 2 million years ago.
d) About 65 million years ago.
e) About 13.7 billion years ago.

45. A lemur is:
a) an orca.
b) a type of gorilla.
c) a tail-less ape; a member of the Pongidae family.
d) a primate with a long tail and a fox-like snout with a wet nose.
e) the earliest known mammal, that appeared in the fossil record about 225 million years ago.

46. Which of the following is NOT true about mitochondria?
a) They have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes.
b) They are small `organelles' found in eukaryote cells.
c) They have different DNA from their host cell.
d) They may have evolved from independent bacteria-like organisms which, in the distant past, formed a symbiotic relationship with a larger `host' cells.
e) Humans have mitochondria in their bodies.

47. By the time the Earth was 2.6 billion years old, there was significant oxygen in its atmosphere. This transformation of our atmosphere was likely caused by:
a) plants.
b) animals.
c) chordates.
d cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
e) volcanoes.

48. The Snowball Earth episode that is thought to have happened before the Cambrian period of the Paleozoic epoch 600-800 million years ago:
a) killed off all life on Earth. Life had to start over.
b) caused the dinosaurs to become extinct.
c) marked the end of the period of bombardment, when the Earth was being hit by many meteorites left over the formation of the solar system.
d) may have triggered a `Cambrian Explosion' of many new species when it thawed.
e) was similar in intensity to the Ice Ages that happened in the last 2 million years.

49. The Pongidae Family includes:
a) Homo sapiens, Chimpanzees, Gorilla, and Orangutans.
b) Chimpanzees, Gorilla, and Orangutans.
c) Homo sapiens and other similar extinct species.
d) All mammals.
e) Dolphins and orca.

50. Chimpanzees:
a) do not use tools.
b) can read, write, and speak simple English words.
c) are lemurs.
d) are our direct ancestors.
e) have been taught sign language.

51. Single-celled organisms without cellular nuclei are called:
a) Eukaryotes.
b) Chordates.
c) Pongidae.
d) Prokaryotes.
e) Plants.

52. During the `Cambrian Explosion' 0.6 billion years ago:
a) The dinosaurs became extinct.
b) Trilobites first appeared.
c) Cyanobacteria first appeared.
d) Primates first appeared.
e) Life first appeared on Earth.

53. Based on current population trends, the expected human population on Earth in the year 2050 will be approximately:
a) 3 billion.
b) 6 billion.
c) 9 billion.
d) 50 billion.
e) 100 billion.

54. In the evolution of humans, walking upright on two legs:
a) is a very recent development, after the development of brains equal in size to that of humans.
b) is a characteristic of only homo sapiens and neanderthals, not earlier species.
c) was a trait of Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy's species).
d) happened after the development of long legs and short arms, but before large brains.
e) was a trait of Homo erectus, but not earlier species.

55. Australopithecus bosei and robustus:
a) Were the first bipedal species.
b) Were our direct ancestors.
c) Spread from Africa to Asia, and so survived for almost 2 million years.
d) Were an evolutionary dead end.
e) Were the ancestors of Neanderthals, but not us.

56. Homo habilis:
a) used tools.
b) was the first bipedal species.
c) overlapped in time with homo sapiens.
d) had cranial cavities similar in size to those of homo sapiens.
e) had pointy chins.

57. Fossils dating to 12,000 - 95,000 years ago of a possible previously unknown species of very small homonids were recently found in Asia. This species has tentatively been named:
a) Homo floresiensis.
b) Homo habilis.
c) Australopithecus afarensis.
d) Homo sapiens neanderthalensis.
e) Australopithecus bosei.

58. The printing press was invented:
a) About 10,000 years ago.
b) About 4000 B.C.
c) About 2000 B.C.
d) About 1450 A.D.
e) In 1895.

59. Neanderthals:
a) Had identical DNA to homo sapiens.
b) Were stronger than homo sapiens, but had smaller brains.
c) Lived in Asia, while homo sapiens lived in Africa.
d) Became extinct about 65 million years ago.
e) Had larger cranial cavities than homo sapiens.

60. Of the following species (or sub-species), which became extinct most recently?
a) Australopithecus robustus.
b) Homo habilis.
c) Australopithecus afarensis.
d) Australopithecus bosei.
e) Homo erectus.

61. Of the following species (or sub-species), which lasted the longest amount of time, a span of almost two million years?
a) Homo sapiens.
b) Homo floresiensis.
c) Australopithecus afarensis.
d) Neanderthals.
e) Homo erectus.

62. A common alloy of copper and tin is:
a) steel.
b) metallico.
c) carboxyl.
d) adamant.
e) bronze.

63. Radios were first used:
a) About 1450 A.D.
b) In the 1700's.
c) In the 1890's.
d) In the 1940's.
e) In the 1950's.

64. Which of the following countries has the highest current birthrate of humans?
a) Iraq.
b) The U.S.
c) China.
d) Sweden.
e) They are all about the same.

65. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are:
a) prokaryotes.
b) eukaryotes.
c) fungi.
d) anthropoids.
e) chordates.

Answers: 1a, 2b, 3c, 4d, 5b, 6c, 7d, 8c, 9c, 10b, 11d, 12d, 13b, 14e, 15b, 16b, 17c, 18c, 19d, 20b, 21d, 22a, 23b, 24c, 25e, 26e, 27b, 28e, 29c, 30b, 31c, 32b, 33c, 34d, 35e, 36e, 37b, 38c, 39c, 40d, 41b, 42a, 43b, 44b, 45d, 46a, 47d, 48d, 49b, 50e, 51d, 52d, 53c, 54c, 55d, 56a, 57a, 58d, 59e, 60e, 61e, 62e, 63c, 64a, 65a.