Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding the Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is false?

  1. Darwin set out his theory of evolution by natural selection.

  2. Darwin thought of natural selection by analogy to how farmers select crops or livestock for breeding.

  3. The struggle for existence was later described by Islamic writer Al-Jahiz in the 9th century.

  4. Darwin published a detailed account of his evidence and conclusions in On the Origin of Species in 1859.

  5. Darwin's ideas were inspired by the work of Patrick Matthew.
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E Correct answer
Explanation

Darwin's ideas were inspired by the observations that he had made on the Beagle voyage, and by the work of a political economist, the Reverend Thomas Malthus, who in An Essay on the Principle of Population, noted that population (if unchecked) increases exponentially, whereas the food supply grows only arithmetically; thus, inevitable limitations of resources would have demographic implications leading to a struggle for existence.

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