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CodeVID-M12-WS
Evolution — Practice Worksheet
Chapter: Evolution
Topic: Evolution
Maximum Marks: 31
Time: 30 minutes
Name: ____________________ Roll No.: __________ Date: ____________

General Instructions

  • All questions are compulsory.
  • Choose the correct option (A, B, C or D) for each question.
  • The answer key is at the end — try the paper first!
Section A — Multiple Choice (1 mark each) 17 × 1 = 17 marks
1.
Evolution is the gradual change in organisms over:
  • A.A few days
  • B.Very long periods of time
  • C.One generation
  • D.A single year
2.
The idea that life arose from non-living chemicals is called:
  • A.Chemical evolution
  • B.Special creation
  • C.Natural selection
  • D.Mutation
3.
The Miller–Urey experiment produced:
  • A.Complete cells
  • B.Simple organic molecules like amino acids
  • C.Fossils
  • D.DNA fingerprints
4.
Preserved remains of ancient organisms in rocks are:
  • A.Fossils
  • B.Genes
  • C.Codons
  • D.Hormones
5.
Organs with the same structure but different functions are:
  • A.Analogous
  • B.Homologous
  • C.Vestigial
  • D.Identical
6.
The wings of a bird and an insect (different structure, same function) are:
  • A.Homologous
  • B.Analogous
  • C.Fossils
  • D.Vestigial
7.
The theory of natural selection was proposed by:
  • A.Lamarck
  • B.Charles Darwin
  • C.Mendel
  • D.Pasteur
8.
Darwin's book on evolution is:
  • A.On the Origin of Species
  • B.The Selfish Gene
  • C.Principia
  • D.Silent Spring
9.
'Survival of the fittest' means individuals that survive and reproduce are those with:
  • A.No variation
  • B.Favourable variations
  • C.The largest size only
  • D.The most offspring only
10.
Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characters is now:
  • A.Accepted fully
  • B.Rejected
  • C.Proven
  • D.Untested
11.
The main source of new variation for evolution is:
  • A.Mutation
  • B.Digestion
  • C.Excretion
  • D.Respiration
12.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria arise because resistant individuals:
  • A.Survive and multiply
  • B.All die
  • C.Stop reproducing
  • D.Lose their DNA
13.
Humans and modern apes:
  • A.Share a common ancestor
  • B.Are unrelated
  • C.Are the same species
  • D.Never evolved
14.
The early human called the 'handy man' (a tool maker) is:
  • A.Homo habilis
  • B.Homo sapiens
  • C.Australopithecus
  • D.Dryopithecus
15.
Modern humans belong to the species:
  • A.Homo erectus
  • B.Homo sapiens
  • C.Homo habilis
  • D.Ramapithecus
16.
Evolution, in the modern synthetic theory, is best defined as a change in:
  • A.Allele (gene) frequencies in a population
  • B.Soil colour
  • C.Day length
  • D.Body temperature
17.
Movement of alleles between populations as individuals migrate is:
  • A.Gene flow
  • B.Mutation
  • C.Fossilisation
  • D.Translation
Section B — Challenge / Olympiad (2 marks each) 7 × 2 = 14 marks
18.
Homologous organs point to common ancestry, while analogous organs point to:
  • A.Convergent evolution toward a similar function
  • B.Common ancestry
  • C.No evolution
  • D.Identical genes
19.
Overuse of antibiotics speeds up the spread of resistant bacteria because antibiotics act as a:
  • A.Selection pressure favouring resistant individuals
  • B.Source of food
  • C.Mutation maker on demand
  • D.Cause of extinction of all bacteria
20.
Lamarck's giraffe explanation fails because the longer neck gained by stretching during life is:
  • A.Not passed on to offspring
  • B.Always inherited
  • C.A mutation
  • D.Caused by selection
21.
The near-identical structure of forelimb bones in humans, whales and bats is best explained by:
  • A.Descent from a common ancestor
  • B.Pure chance
  • C.Identical diets
  • D.Living in the same place
22.
Bipedalism (walking upright) was important in human evolution mainly because it:
  • A.Freed the hands for making and using tools
  • B.Reduced brain size
  • C.Removed the need for food
  • D.Stopped variation
23.
Random change in the gene frequencies of a small population, independent of fitness, is called:
  • A.Genetic drift
  • B.Natural selection
  • C.Mutation
  • D.Transcription
24.
If the allele frequencies in a population are found to be changing over generations, it indicates that:
  • A.Evolution is occurring (an evolutionary force is acting)
  • B.The population is at equilibrium
  • C.No genes exist
  • D.Mating has stopped

Answer Key

Section A — Multiple Choice (1 mark each)
  1. (B) Very long periods of time
  2. (A) Chemical evolution
  3. (B) Simple organic molecules like amino acids
  4. (A) Fossils
  5. (B) Homologous
  6. (B) Analogous
  7. (B) Charles Darwin
  8. (A) On the Origin of Species
  9. (B) Favourable variations
  10. (B) Rejected
  11. (A) Mutation
  12. (A) Survive and multiply
  13. (A) Share a common ancestor
  14. (A) Homo habilis
  15. (B) Homo sapiens
  16. (A) Allele (gene) frequencies in a population
  17. (A) Gene flow
Section B — Challenge / Olympiad (2 marks each)
  1. (A) Convergent evolution toward a similar function
  2. (A) Selection pressure favouring resistant individuals
  3. (A) Not passed on to offspring
  4. (A) Descent from a common ancestor
  5. (A) Freed the hands for making and using tools
  6. (A) Genetic drift
  7. (A) Evolution is occurring (an evolutionary force is acting)
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