Natural Selection and the Owl Butterfly (Listening)

1) What does the speaker mainly discuss?

A) The process by which animals develop specific characteristics over time.
B) The purpose of the owl butterfly's spot.
C) The influence of humans on evolution and natural selection.
D) The weaknesses of evolutionary theory as illustrated by the owl butterfly.


2) Which of the following are possible theories about the purpose of the spots on the owl butterfly's wings? (choose

A) They make the butterfly look larger than it is.
B) They intimidate predators.
C) They camouflage the butterfly.
D) They distract predators from the butterfly's body.


3) At 7:35, the speaker says "So, it's just a slight probability. Now, you might say, OK, what's 1% going to do? But when you compound that over thousands and thousands of generations, all of a sudden, this trait might dominate."

Why does he say: "Ok, what's 1% going to do"?

A) To present the other side of the debate.
B) To illustrate the insignificance of the figure.
C) To introduce a new point.
D) To encourage students to think about the issues themselves.


4) Which of the following is true of the development of the butterfly's spot?

A) It occurs within the lifetime of one butterfly.
B) It is the result of the ever increasing survival rates of its ancestors.
C) It is caused by variation within the genes of a generation of butterflies.
D) It was the result of the butterfly trying to avoid predators.


5) What does the speaker say about the complexity of a butterfly's wing?

A) It is far more complex than most people realize.
B) It is a relatively straightforward example.
C) It seems complex because it is difficult to relate to.
D) Compared to other insects, it is a fairly simple example.


6) From highest to lowest, organize the butterfly wings in order of survival rate for their respective insects.

1) ___________________
2) ___________________
3) ___________________
4) ___________________


A)











B)

C)

D)