WHAT’S YOUR EV-Q (Evolution Quotient)?

(Editor’s note: this quiz focuses on human evolution. Later quizzes will address the evolution of the universe, the earth, life on earth, human consciousness, civilization, and spirituality).

Come back on June 1, 2005 for the answers to this quiz as well the next quiz: What’s Your ME-Q (Mother Earth Quotient)?

For updates about future quizzes sign up on our mailing list.

1. Primates, the order of mammals that includes chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and humans, probably began to evolve about 35 million years ago.

True. After the dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago, a great surge in the evolution of mammals occurred and led to the appearance of primates and eventually hominids.

2. Geological activity and climate change played a central role in the early stages of human evolution.

True. After plate movements created new mountains and the Great Rift Valley, the climate of East Africa dried significantly and encouraged mobility to access more distant food sources.

3. In addition to humans, there are several other species of primates that are capable of walking upright.

False. No other primate or animal that walks upright has ever been identified.

4. Human ancestors first began to use tools about 200,000 years ago.

False. Tool use first appeared well over 2 million years ago.

5. Our species, homo sapiens sapiens, first appeared in central Africa about 150,000 years ago.

True. Evidence suggests that our species evolved in Africa, and then spread out to various parts of the world from there.

6. Early archaeological evidence of uniquely human behavior includes clothing, jewelry, and team badges.

True. Apparently it took our species many thousand of years to adopt such behavior.

7. Evidence suggests that the Neanderthals also made drawings on cave walls, just like Cro-Magnon humans.

False. The desire to create and communicate with art appears to be uniquely human.

8. Today, parts of the human brain are quite similar to the brains of other animals.

True. The brain stem is also called the reptile brain, as it is very similar to the brain of a modern reptile. The limbic system is also called the mammal brain, as it is very similar to the brain of a modern mammal. The cerebral cortex is uniquely human.

9. Recent findings reveal that humans and chimpanzees share about 70% of the same genes.

False. We share about 98% of a chimpanzee’s genes!

10. Like humans, other mammals also experience fear, anger, shame, rivalry, contempt, and contentment.

True. These basic emotions are generated by the brain’s limbic system, which is common to all mammals.

Come back on June 1, 2005 for the answers to this quiz as well the next quiz: What’s Your ME-Q (Mother Earth Quotient)?

For updates about future quizzes sign up on our mailing list.

For a brief overview of human evolution and its spiritual implications, see Chapter 4 of “The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert” by Phyllis Strupp.

Other quizzes:
May 1, 2005: What’s Your EV-Q (Evolution Quotient)?
June 1, 2005: What’s Your ME-Q (Mother Earth Quotient)?
July 1, 2005: What’s Your U-Q (Universe Quotient)?
September 1, 2005: What’s Your CIV-Q (Civilization Quotient)?
August 1, 2005: What’s Your LE-Q (Life on Earth Quotient)?
October 1, 2005: What’s Your CIV-Q (Civilization Quotient)?
December 1, 2005: What’s Your SPIF-Q (Spirituality Quotient)?
January 1, 2006: What’s Your F-Q (Fanaticism Quotient)?

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