First Midterm BAC Report and Answer Key

BAC Report

The BAC met this afternoon to review comments regarding the MC questions from the first midterm. The representatives of the BAC brought two questions to discuss with me.

Question 12, Form 1 (Blue)/ Question7, Form 2 (Green)

This question states that females prefer to mate with males that have the largest claw and wave their claw the fastest and longest. Thus, this question is clearly talking about a trait that has been produced by selection explained by the sexy sons hypothesis or the handicap principle. The question makes it clear that it is expensive for males to grow large claws and waving their claws exposes them to a greater risk of predation. Because these imply that males with larger claws are at a disadvantage, that indicates that the large claws are a handicap to the males. Thus, the best answer is handicap principle. The answer to this question remains (c) as posted on the answer key.

Question 25, Form 1 (Blue)/ Question 20, Form 2 (Blue)

On Form 1 I inadvertently left the letter "E", the correct answer for the problem at the end of the question (the letter was not present on Form 2). The BAC suggested that it was not fair that some students had access to the correct information while others did not. I agree with their assessment so the question will be omitted from the exam (meaning- everyone will receive credit for this question).

Thanks to the members of the BAC for their hard work.

Answer Key

Form 1

1. a
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. a
6. b
7. c
8. c
9. d
10. c
11. a
12. c
13. e
14. e
15. b
16. d
17. c
18. c
19. b
20. d
21. d
22. a
23. c
24. b
25. omit
26. e
27. a
28. a
29. d
30. a

Form 2

1. a
2. B
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. a
7. c
8. e
9. e
10. a
11. b
12. c
13. c
14. d
15. d
16. d
17. a
18. c
19. b
20. omit
21. e
22. a
23. a
24. d
25. a
26. b
27. d
28. c
29. c
30. b