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Punctured Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation to be o
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Updated on: 25 Jan 2026, 10:18
Updated on: 25 Jan 2026, 10:18
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36% (01:27) correct
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Punctured Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation to be overly (i) _______ or simplistic. In actuality, say its proponents, any comparative advantage acquired by the member of a species would, under most conditions, be reabsorbed and 'averaged out' among a sizable number of members of the species before it had time to be visible, a gradation too (ii) _______ for Darwin and his naturalists to observe.
Manhattan Review
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
|---|---|
| A. manipulative | D. underhanded |
| B. ambitious | E. elusive |
| C. meticulous | F. cantankerous |
Manhattan Review
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Re: Punctured Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation to be o
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30 May 2025, 04:27
30 May 2025, 04:27
2
Expert Reply
The passage discusses Punctuated Equilibrium, a theory in evolutionary biology that critiques traditional Darwinian gradualism. Key points:
1. Critique of Darwinian gradualism: Punctuated Equilibrium argues that Darwinian views of gene flows and causation are overly $\qquad$ (Blank i) or simplistic.
- Darwinian gradualism suggests slow, continuous changes.
- Punctuated Equilibrium proposes that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.
2. Mechanism: Any comparative advantage (a trait that improves fitness) would be re-absorbed and averaged out in a population before becoming visible. This gradation is too $\qquad$ (Blank ii) for Darwin and his contemporaries to observe.
Analyzing Blank (i)
We need a word describing how Punctuated Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation. The tone is critical ("overly $\qquad$ or simplistic").
Options:
- A. manipulative: Implies intentional control or deception. Doesn't fit the scientific critique.
- B. ambitious: Suggests Darwinian views are overly ambitious. Not the right critique.
- C. meticulous: Means very detailed or precise.
- Fits well: Punctuated Equilibrium critiques Darwinian views as overly focused on tiny, gradual changes (meticulous) instead of rapid bursts.
Best choice: C. meticulous.
Analyzing Blank (ii)
The gradation (gradual change) is too $\qquad$ for Darwin to observe. This implies the changes are hard to detect or measure.
Options:
- D. underhanded: Suggests deceit. Doesn't fit.
- E. elusive: Means hard to catch or observe.
- Fits perfectly: Gradual changes are too subtle/slow to observe.
- F. cantankerous: Means bad-tempered. Irrelevant.
Best choice: E. elusive.
Verifying the Pair
- (i) "meticulous": Darwinian views are overly focused on tiny, gradual changes.
- (ii) "elusive": These tiny changes are too hard to observe in real time.
This aligns with Punctuated Equilibrium's critique that gradualism is too focused on unobservably slow processes.
Why Not Other Options?
- Manipulative/underhanded/cantankerous: Don't fit the scientific critique.
- Ambitious: Doesn't match the idea of overly detailed or unobservable changes.
Final Answer
Blank (i): C. meticulous
Blank (ii): E. elusive
Correct Pair: C, E
1. Critique of Darwinian gradualism: Punctuated Equilibrium argues that Darwinian views of gene flows and causation are overly $\qquad$ (Blank i) or simplistic.
- Darwinian gradualism suggests slow, continuous changes.
- Punctuated Equilibrium proposes that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.
2. Mechanism: Any comparative advantage (a trait that improves fitness) would be re-absorbed and averaged out in a population before becoming visible. This gradation is too $\qquad$ (Blank ii) for Darwin and his contemporaries to observe.
Analyzing Blank (i)
We need a word describing how Punctuated Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation. The tone is critical ("overly $\qquad$ or simplistic").
Options:
- A. manipulative: Implies intentional control or deception. Doesn't fit the scientific critique.
- B. ambitious: Suggests Darwinian views are overly ambitious. Not the right critique.
- C. meticulous: Means very detailed or precise.
- Fits well: Punctuated Equilibrium critiques Darwinian views as overly focused on tiny, gradual changes (meticulous) instead of rapid bursts.
Best choice: C. meticulous.
Analyzing Blank (ii)
The gradation (gradual change) is too $\qquad$ for Darwin to observe. This implies the changes are hard to detect or measure.
Options:
- D. underhanded: Suggests deceit. Doesn't fit.
- E. elusive: Means hard to catch or observe.
- Fits perfectly: Gradual changes are too subtle/slow to observe.
- F. cantankerous: Means bad-tempered. Irrelevant.
Best choice: E. elusive.
Verifying the Pair
- (i) "meticulous": Darwinian views are overly focused on tiny, gradual changes.
- (ii) "elusive": These tiny changes are too hard to observe in real time.
This aligns with Punctuated Equilibrium's critique that gradualism is too focused on unobservably slow processes.
Why Not Other Options?
- Manipulative/underhanded/cantankerous: Don't fit the scientific critique.
- Ambitious: Doesn't match the idea of overly detailed or unobservable changes.
Final Answer
Blank (i): C. meticulous
Blank (ii): E. elusive
Correct Pair: C, E
Re: Punctured Equilibrium views Darwinian gene flows and causation to be o
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23 Oct 2025, 23:26
23 Oct 2025, 23:26
3
How can it be simplistic and meticulous at the same time ? Simplistic means having very little depth. Ambitious fits better as Darwin’s model tried to explain everything with gradualism, whereas Punctuated Equilibrium critiques it as too sweeping and overarching.
