Evolution
Evolution and Natural Selection
Item EN032004: Species can change over generations because individuals with traits that are helpful in the current environment are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring.
Could individuals of a species look different today than individuals of the same species did many generations ago? Why or why not?
- Yes, all individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring.
- Yes, some individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring.
- Yes, some individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring.
- No, species do not change even after many generations, so individuals of the same species would not look different.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 559 |
6–8 n = 23 |
9–12 n = 499 |
Male n = 221 |
Female n = 300 |
English n = 516 |
Other n = 13 |
||
| A. | Yes, all individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 38% | 48% | 37% | 38% | 38% | 38% | 38% |
| B. | Yes, some individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 24% | 30% | 23% | 23% | 24% | 23% | 31% |
| C. | Yes, some individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring. | 33% | 22% | 34% | 32% | 33% | 34% | 15% |
| D. | No, species do not change even after many generations, so individuals of the same species would not look different. | 6% | 0% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 15% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 281 |
6–8 n = 18 |
9–12 n = 229 |
Male n = 109 |
Female n = 135 |
English n = 243 |
Other n = 9 |
||
| A. | Yes, all individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 35% | 28% | 35% | 37% | 32% | 34% | 44% |
| B. | Yes, some individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 20% | 28% | 18% | 18% | 20% | 20% | 0% |
| C. | Yes, some individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring. | 41% | 44% | 41% | 39% | 44% | 42% | 44% |
| D. | No, species do not change even after many generations, so individuals of the same species would not look different. | 5% | 0% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 11% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 305 |
6–8 n = 3 |
9–12 n = 280 |
Male n = 139 |
Female n = 150 |
English n = 276 |
Other n = 8 |
||
| A. | Yes, all individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 27% | 29% | 25% |
| B. | Yes, some individuals can change a little and pass those changes on to their offspring. | 17% | 33% | 17% | 18% | 16% | 16% | 38% |
| C. | Yes, some individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring. | 51% | 33% | 52% | 50% | 55% | 53% | 38% |
| D. | No, species do not change even after many generations, so individuals of the same species would not look different. | 2% | 0% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 0% |