Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Tess of the d'Urbervilles follows the life of Tess, a young woman from a poor family in rural England, as she navigates the complexities of love, social class, and morality. Written by Thomas Hardy, this novel explores themes of fate, victimization, and the struggle against societal norms. The story begins with Tess's family discovering their noble lineage, leading to a series of events that profoundly impact her life. As Tess encounters both love and tragedy, the narrative delves into the harsh realities faced by women in the Victorian era. This classic work is essential for students and readers interested in literary studies, Victorian literature, and social commentary.

Key Points

  • Explores Tess's struggles with love and societal expectations
  • Examines the impact of class and gender on individual fate
  • Highlights the conflict between personal desire and social duty
  • Critiques the moral standards of Victorian society
132
/ 74
Researchers have undertaken a long-term study of populations of rock pocket mice, , in ArizonaChaetodipus intermedius
and New Mexico. Rock pocket mouse fur is either dark or light in color. Most of the populations studied live in areas with
light-colored granite rocks; however, some areas are dominated by dark-colored rocks from ancient lava flows.
Researchers collected mice from six sites in Arizona and recorded their coat colors. Figure 1 shows the study sites, the
rock colors, and the distribution of coat colors.
Figure 1. Rock color and coat color at three sites on a lava flow (West, Mid, and East), and three nearby sites: O’Neill
Hills (O’Neill), the Tule Mountains (Tule), and Christmas Pass (Xmas)
In the Arizona populations, the melanocortin-1 receptor gene is responsible for coat color phenotype (light or
dark). The allele, which results in a dark coat, is dominant to the allele. Researchers collected samples of
mice from all six study sites and sequenced the gene. They also collected mice with dark coats from a location in
observed in that population. The rock pocket mouse population in Carrizozo is isolated from the populations in Arizona.
Table 1 presents the genotypic data from sampled mice from all seven locations.
Table 1. Genotypes of Rock Pocket Mice at Seven Collection Sites
State Collection Site Genotype Total Collected
Arizona Christmas Pass 0 0 6 6
Arizona Tule Mountains 0 5 80 85
Arizona West 6 1 0 7
Arizona Mid 3 2 0 5
Arizona East 35 7 3 45
Arizona O’Neill Hills 9 34 34 77
New Mexico Carrizozo 0 0 9 9
AP BIOLOGY Scoring Guide
Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Part A
AP Biology Page 1 of 24
5/9/26, 4:08 PM
AP BIOLOGY Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Scoring Guide and Analysis
https://getthispdf.com
1/74
1.
Which of the following best describes the processes occurring between the mouse populations and their
environments?
(A)
Natural selection favors the mice with the dark coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to
be better adapted.
(B)
Natural selection favors the mice with the light coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to
be better adapted.
(C) Dark color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations.
(D) Light color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations.
Answer C
Correct. On the dark lava flow rocks (West, Mid, and East locations), most of the mice have dark coats.
These dark-colored mice are better camouflaged, thus they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Therefore, on the dark lava flow rocks, natural selection favors the mice with dark coats.
2.
Owls (primary predators of rock pocket mice) are nocturnal visual predators that are able to distinguish effectively
between dark and light colors in low-light conditions.
Which of the following best explains the relationship between coat color and predation rate in the rock pocket
mouse population on the lava flow rocks with respect to the different coat color phenotypes?
(A)
A dark coat color provides camouflage to mice on the lava flow rocks; therefore, mice with dark coats
have a lower predation rate in that habitat.
(B)
At night, predators have reduced vision, so there is no relationship between coat color and predation rate
on rock pocket mice.
(C) A dark coat color reflects less light and therefore mice with dark coats have a lower predation rate.
(D) A light coat color reflects more light and therefore mice with light coats have a lower predation rate.
Answer A
Correct. Many prey species have adaptations that allow them to blend in with their environment, thus
escaping predators. In this case, the dark coat color of rock pocket mice blends in with the dark rocks on
the lava flows but is more obvious on the light granite rocks. Therefore, mice with dark coats would have
a lower predation rate on the lava flow rocks and a higher predation rate on the granite rocks.
3.
Based on the data in Table 1, which of the following best describes the relationship between the gene and
coat color in the Carrizozo, New Mexico, rock pocket mouse population?
Scoring Guide
Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Part A
Page 2 of 24 AP Biology
5/9/26, 4:08 PM
AP BIOLOGY Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Scoring Guide and Analysis
https://getthispdf.com
2/74
(A)
The allele is responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population and likely spread
from the Arizona population through migration.
(B)
The allele is not responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population, so the dark coat
color is likely a result of convergent evolution.
(C)
The allele is absent from the Carrizozo population, so all the mice in this population must
have coats that are light in color.
(D)
The allele is absent from the Carrizozo population because of different environmental
pressures in the Carrizozo population.
Answer B
Correct. In the Arizona rock pocket mouse populations, mice with dark coats have a homozygous
dominant or heterozygous genotype for the gene. However, according to the data table, the dark
mice from the Carrizozo population are all homozygous recessive for the gene. The Carrizozo
population is also found on a dark lava flow. Convergent evolution occurs when different species or
populations show a similar adaptation to a similar environment, but the adaptation is due to different
genes. In this case, the Carrizozo mice population have a different mutation that results in a dark coat
color.
4.
The researchers built an enclosure to prevent migration into and out of the O’Neill rock pocket mouse population
for a period of two years.
Which of the following best predicts the effect of the enclosure on the O’Neill population?
(A) The O’Neill population will rapidly evolve into a separate species.
(B) The O’Neill population will become less diverse due to the bottleneck effect.
(C) The frequency of the allele will decline due to natural selection.
(D) One of the alleles for the gene will become fixed due to genetic drift.
Answer C
Correct. The allele occurs at a higher frequency in the O’Neill population than in the other
populations of rock pocket mice on the light granite rocks. This higher-than-expected frequency is likely
due to immigration from the East rock pocket mouse population on the lava flow rocks. An enclosure
that would prevent this gene flow would reinforce the selective pressures on the O’Neill population due
to the light-colored granite rocks. Since mice with dark coats are more visible to predators on light
granite rock, the mice with dark coats would be less likely to survive and reproduce, so the
Scoring Guide
Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Part A
AP Biology Page 3 of 24
5/9/26, 4:08 PM
AP BIOLOGY Unit 7 Progress Check: MCQ Scoring Guide and Analysis
https://getthispdf.com
3/74
/ 74
End of Document
132
You May Also Like

FAQs of Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

What are the main themes in Tess of the d'Urbervilles?
The main themes in Tess of the d'Urbervilles include the struggle against fate, the impact of social class, and the complexities of morality. Hardy critiques the rigid social structures of Victorian society, particularly how they affect women. Tess's journey illustrates her victimization by both societal norms and personal circumstances, raising questions about justice and morality. The novel also explores themes of love, loss, and the search for identity, making it a profound commentary on the human condition.
How does Tess's character develop throughout the novel?
Tess evolves from an innocent and hopeful young woman into a tragic figure shaped by her experiences and societal pressures. Initially, she is portrayed as a strong, resilient character, but as she faces betrayal, loss, and societal judgment, her spirit is gradually crushed. Her relationships, particularly with Angel Clare and Alec d'Urberville, significantly influence her development. Tess's struggles highlight the limitations placed on women in her time, ultimately leading to her tragic fate.
What role does nature play in Tess of the d'Urbervilles?
Nature plays a significant role in Tess of the d'Urbervilles, often reflecting Tess's emotional state and the broader themes of the novel. Hardy uses vivid descriptions of the English countryside to symbolize Tess's connection to her environment and her inherent purity. The changing seasons and landscapes mirror her journey, from the idyllic rural life to the harsh realities she faces. Nature serves as both a refuge and a source of conflict, emphasizing the tension between human desires and the indifferent forces of fate.
What is the significance of the title, Tess of the d'Urbervilles?
The title Tess of the d'Urbervilles signifies Tess's connection to her family's noble lineage and the societal expectations that come with it. The d'Urberville name represents both heritage and the burdens of social class, which profoundly impact Tess's life choices and experiences. The title underscores the theme of identity, as Tess grapples with her past and the implications of her ancestry. It also highlights the irony of her situation, as her noble lineage does not protect her from the harsh realities of her existence.

Related of Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy