Chapter 15, Problem 4A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

In 1831, HMS Beagle set sail from England for Maderia and then proceeded to South America. The main mission of the ship was to survey the coast of South America. Darwin’s roles on the ship were of a naturalist and companion to the captain. His main job was to collect biological and geological specimens during the ship’s travels.

Answer to Problem 4A

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option A. Earth and life are recent and have remained unchanged

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option A. Earth and life are recent and have remained unchanged −When Darwin took a voyage on the HMS Beaglein 1831 , people believed that earth was only 6000 years old. Almost everyone including young Darwin believed that plants and animals were unchanging.

Hence, this is the correct option.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option B. Species evolved rapidly during the first six thousand to a few hundred thousand years−When Darwin took a voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1831, people believed that earth was only 6000 years old. Almost everyone including young Darwin believed that plants and animals were unchanging. Hence, this is not the correct option.

Option C. Earth is billions of years old, but species have not evolved- When Darwin took a voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1831 , people believed that earth was only 6000 years old. Almost everyone including young Darwin believed that plants and animals were unchanging. Hence, this is not the correct option.

Option D. Species have evolved on earth for billions of years−When Darwin took a voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1831, people believed that earth was only 6000 years old. Almost everyone including young Darwin believed that plants and animals were unchanging. Hence this is not the correct option.