Which statements given below provide correct descriptions of macroevolution?

Question

A) Mass extinctions primarily kill off plant life leaving animal numbers virtually unchanged

B) following a mass extinction when one species has an advantage over another species for survival we call it catastrophic species selection

C) overtime any species ultimately has two possible evolution fates it may give rise to new species or become extinct without leaving descendants

D) B & C

E) none of the choices is correct

Answer 1

Evolution simply means "change over time" and 'macro' means 'large' or 'at a higher level.' So in this case we're looking for something having to do with change in species over time at a high level of organization. Because mass extinction and speciation (i.e. when one species divides into or gives rise to new species) both involve evolutionary changes in entire species—as opposed to smaller groups or populations—they definitely meet our definitions for macroevolution. So I would say D is a good answer here, as B and C are both examples of macroevolution.

Caveat: That said, neither describe macroevolution in itself, so much as give examples of it (in this sense they describe instances of it, but not the process itself). This leaves E open as a possibility but only if it's almost a trick question. All in all, I think D is the best answer here.