From apes to Australopithecus to Homo sapiens, hominids have evolved over the past 6 million years into what we are today. You learned about just a few important species along the way. Match the hominid on the left to its correct description on the right.
Homo neandethalensis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens
Australopithecus
Homo habilis
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Cro-Magnons; modern humans
Lived in Africa; some ape-like characteristics
Lived in Africa and Europe; our closest extinct relative
"Handy man"; slightly larger brain than Australopithecus
Longer legs than arms; first to leave Africa
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Try again.
Continue to check your understanding of the evolution of humans by answering the following multiple choice questions.
When did Homo sapiens first appear?
- about 2 million years ago
- about 34,000 years ago
- about 200,000 years ago
Homo sapiens are modern humans, like us, as well as Cro-Magnons.
Homo sapiens are modern humans, like us, as well as Cro-Magnons.
Homo sapiens are modern humans, like us, as well as Cro-Magnons.
Why did the Neanderthals evolve to have shorter and stockier bodies than other humans did?
- They lived in Europe which had a colder climate.
- They lived in Africa which had a warmer climate.
- They could more easily kill large animals with their bare hands.
Taller and leaner bodies are more adapted to hot climates.
Taller and leaner bodies are more adapted to hot climates.
Taller and leaner bodies are more adapted to hot climates.
Which species was the first to exhibit body proportions similar to ours?
- Homo habilis
- Australopithecus afarensis
- Homo erectus
Our legs are longer than our arms, and we are more adapted to life on the ground instead of in the trees.
Our legs are longer than our arms, and we are more adapted to life on the ground instead of in the trees.
Our legs are longer than our arms, and we are more adapted to life on the ground instead of in the trees.
Summary
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