Biology Year 11 - Module 3 - Lesson 14

Human Evolution

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

In 2015, the announcement of 1,550 Homo naledi fossils from South Africa challenged the old idea that bigger brains always came first in human evolution. The hominid record shows something far more interesting: humans are one branch within the great apes, and our history is a branching evolutionary tree reconstructed from fossils, anatomy, tools and molecular evidence.

Key facts and definitions for Human Evolution
The concepts and principles underlying Human Evolution

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

Key facts and definitions for Human Evolution
Relevant terminology and conventions
The concepts and principles underlying Human Evolution

3. Key Terms

H. nalediespecially important because it disrupts simple linear stories

humansone branch within the great apes, and our history is a branching evolutionary tree reconstructed from fossils, anatomy,

Why humansone great-ape lineage rather than separate from ape evolution

Why human evolutionbranching rather than linear

Why multiple evidence typesneeded because the fossil record is incomplete

Natural selectionorganisms change because they want or need to

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Key facts and definitions for Human Evolution". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Band 32 marks

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Relevant terminology and conventions". Show your reasoning clearly.

Band 43 marks

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Human Evolution: "The concepts and principles underlying Human Evolution".

Band 54 marks

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

Band 5/65 marks

A student gives a memorised answer about Human Evolution but does not use evidence or reasoning.

Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Human Evolution?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Human Evolution?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: Key facts and definitions for Human Evolution