1
Eugene Dubois’ named his Trinil, Java, find, which means “ape-human which stood
upright,”
(A)
Homo sapiens.
(B)
Homo habilis.
(C)
Pithecanthropus erectus.
(D)
Australopithecus africanus.
2
The out-of–Africa (or Noah’s ark) model hypothesis of modern human original holds that
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
World.
3
Although there is continued debate about our origins, there is wide agreement that modern
humans first developed about 200,000 years ago in
(A)
Africa.
(B)
Java.
(C)
Siberia.
(D)
South America.
Feedback:
The answer is Africa.
4
Mitochondrial DNA testing has indicated that, assuming a constant rate of genetic
diversification, all human variation
(A)
could have arisen in the past 150,000 years.
(B)
is inherited via the maternal line.
(C)
can be traced to tropical Africa.
(D)
is explained by our divergence from Neanderthals.
Feedback:
The answer is could have arisen in the past 150,000 years.
5
In evolutionary terms, the transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens seems to have
occurred
Feedback:
The answer is Pithecanthropus erectus.
(A)
quickly.
(B)
sporadically.
(C)
slowly.
(D)
none of these.
6
Homo sapiens spread from tropical Africa into Europe and Asia
(A)
to escape religious persecution.
(B)
to escape advancing glaciation.
(C)
between 100,000 and 45,000 years ago.
(D)
between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago
Feedback:
The answer is between 100,000 and 45,000 years ago.
7
Complex fluctuations between glacial maxima and much shorter interglacial periods
coincided with the
(A)
evolution of modern humans.
(B)
evolution of Homo erectus.
(C)
evolution of both Homo erectus and Homo sapiens.
(D)
move out of Africa.
Feedback:
The answer is evolution of both Homo erectus and Home sapiens.
8
Discuss the major argument for considering Homo ergaster a separate form. What reasons
do critics who resist this argument proffer? Do you think these are reasonable criticisms?
Answer:
9
Compare and contrast Homo erectus with earlier forms of Homo.
Answer:
10
Outline the initial radiation of early humans throughout the Old World. Discuss reasons why
our ancestors might have left tropical Africa.
Answer:
11
Discuss the findings at the archaeological site of Torralba, Spain. What does this
information tell us about Homo heidelbergensis and its contemporaries?
Answer:
12
The multiregional (or candelabra) model hypothesis of modern human origin holds that
Feedback:
The answer is slowly.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
13
Distinguishing modern humans with archaic humans, we can say archaic humans lacked
(A)
emotion.
(B)
intelligence.
(C)
a conscience.
(D)
cognitive flexibility.
The answer is cognitive flexibility.
14
We find the first signs of religious ideology with
(A)
Neanderthals.
(B)
Australopithecines.
(C)
primates.
(D)
hominids.
The answer is Neanderthals.
15
The Matuyama-Brunhes boundary marks
(A)
the moment of the reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field.
(B)
the beginning of the time of constant temperatures and glaciations.
(C)
the predominance of Homo sapiens over Homo erectus.
(D)
the beginning of the Upper Pleistocene.
The answer is the movement of the reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field.
16
During glacial maxima, how much of the Earth’s surface was covered in ice sheets?
(A)
one-third
(B)
one-fourth
(C)
one-sixth
The answer is Homo erectus populations evolved independently.
(D)
one-eighth
17
How many glacial episodes has the Earth experienced?
(A)
5
(B)
1
(C)
9
(D)
12
Feedback:
The answer is 9.
18
Which of the following was the first to use fire, fashion more elaborate tools, and leave
Africa?
(A)
Homo neandertalensis
(B)
Homo sapiens
(C)
Australopithecus afarensis
(D)
Homo erectus
Feedback:
The answer is Homo erectus.
19
Which of the following is characteristic of Homo erectus?
(A)
brain capacity between 775 and 1,300 cubic centimeters
(B)
more rounded skull with conspicuous brow ridges
(C)
hips and limbs full adapted to upright posture
(D)
all of these
Feedback:
The answer is all of these.
20
Anthropologists Leslie Aiello and Robin Dunbar have argued that what ability appeared in
humans by at least 250,000 years ago?
(A)
tool making
(B)
use of fire
(C)
language
(D)
cognitive reasoning
Feedback:
The answer is one-third.
21
Which of the following is an anatomical difference when comparing features of
Neanderthals compared with modern humans?
(A)
robust postcranial skeleton
(B)
bun-shaped skull
(C)
retreating forehead
(D)
all of these
The answer is all of these.
22
Mitochondrial DNA used to trace the origins of modern humans and major population
movements in prehistory in inherited
(A)
through the female line.
(B)
through the male line.
(C)
as a dominant trait.
(D)
as a recessive trait.
The answer is through the female line.
23
Based on DNA sequencing information, we can estimate that Neanderthals may have split
from early modern humans
(A)
between 55,000 and 69,000 years ago.
(B)
between 550,000 and 690,000 years ago.
(C)
at some indeterminate date during the Ice Age.
(D)
some 150,000 years ago.
The answer is between 550,000 and 690,000 years ago.
24
A spear made from a point, shaft, and binding is an example of
(A)
a composite tool.
(B)
a French dentriculated flake.
(C)
a Stillbay-type tool.
(D)
a Mousterian tool.
The answer is a composite tool.
The answer is language.