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Natural Selection Practice Tests

These Grade 7 Science practice tests build understanding of variation, adaptation, natural selection, evolution, population change, and evidence from fossils, anatomy, DNA, and ecological observations.

Skills covered

  • Explaining how inherited variation and environmental pressures affect survival and reproduction
  • Distinguishing adaptations, acquired traits, natural selection, artificial selection, and genetic drift
  • Using evidence from fossils, homologous structures, DNA, and geographic isolation
  • Connecting selection pressures to population changes across generations
  • Applying natural selection concepts to resistance, camouflage, climate, and biodiversity examples

How to use these practice tests

For each question, identify the population variation first. Then decide whether the trait is inherited, how the environment affects success, and what population-level change is expected over generations.

For more Grade 7 Science practice, return to the Grade 7 Science category.

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Grade 7 Natural Selection Practice Tests

Practice Grade 7 Science natural selection questions about variation, adaptation, selection pressures, evolution, and population change.

Choose the best answer for each question. Review the explanation after submitting your answers.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

A dark moth becomes more common after soot covers tree trunks. Which explanation best fits natural selection?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Dark moths were harder for predators to see and left more offspring..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: If color variation is inherited, better-camouflaged moths can survive predation and reproduce more often.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

If color variation is inherited, better-camouflaged moths can survive predation and reproduce more often.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

During a long drought, plants with deeper roots produce more seeds. What is the likely population result?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Alleles associated with deeper roots may become more common over generations..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Heritable root differences that improve water access can increase reproductive success during drought.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Heritable root differences that improve water access can increase reproductive success during drought.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Two lizard populations have different body colors because they live on different colored rocks. What evidence would best support natural selection?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The color differences are inherited and the better-camouflaged lizards leave more offspring..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Both heritability and differences in reproductive success are needed to explain a selection-driven population change.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Both heritability and differences in reproductive success are needed to explain a selection-driven population change.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A bird population is split by a new canyon and the two groups later cannot produce fertile offspring. What process may have occurred?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Speciation following geographic and reproductive isolation.

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: A physical barrier can reduce gene flow; continued divergence and reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

A physical barrier can reduce gene flow; continued divergence and reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Two rabbit populations have the same allele for fur color, but one lives in snow and one in grass. Why might the allele have different effects on fitness?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The environment changes how well the trait helps survival and reproduction..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: A trait that provides camouflage in one environment may be less helpful or harmful in another.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

A trait that provides camouflage in one environment may be less helpful or harmful in another.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is gaining strength through exercise not usually an inherited adaptation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The exercise changes the individual's body but does not normally change reproductive-cell DNA..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Natural selection acts on inherited variation, not on physical changes acquired during one individual's life.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Natural selection acts on inherited variation, not on physical changes acquired during one individual's life.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A few bacteria survive a treatment because they carry a resistance allele. What should happen if the treatment is repeated?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Resistant bacteria may become more common if they reproduce and pass on the allele..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Survival and reproduction of resistant bacteria can increase the frequency of the resistance allele.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Survival and reproduction of resistant bacteria can increase the frequency of the resistance allele.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

If a climate becomes warmer over many generations, which population is most likely to persist?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A population with inherited variation that includes traits suited to warmer conditions.

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Inherited variation gives natural selection material to favor when environmental conditions change.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Inherited variation gives natural selection material to favor when environmental conditions change.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which comparison is correct?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Natural selection is driven by environmental conditions, while artificial selection is directed by human choices..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Both processes can change inherited traits in populations, but the source of selection differs.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Both processes can change inherited traits in populations, but the source of selection differs.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation would be strongest evidence that a trait is an adaptation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The trait is heritable, improves success in a specific environment, and is more common after many generations..

  1. Identify the variation: Determine which inherited difference, environmental condition, or population pattern the question describes.
  2. Connect the variation to selection: Adaptations are supported by evidence connecting inheritance, environmental advantage, and population change over time.
  3. Check the population outcome: Natural selection changes how common inherited traits are across generations when those traits affect survival or reproduction.

Adaptations are supported by evidence connecting inheritance, environmental advantage, and population change over time.

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