1) Compare two hypotheses, which attempt to explain how environmental change influenced early hominin traits. (See, especially, Explorations, Chapter 9, Section: Paleoenvironment and Hominin Evolution)
2) Explain the distinct morphological traits associated with bipedalism. Then, describe one theory that addresses why humans became bipedal. (See, especially, Explorations, Chapter 9, Section: Derived Adaptations: Bipedalism, including Skeletal Adaptations to Bipedalism)
3) How was stone tool technology important to Homo evolution? Discuss one physical change and one cultural change in either Homo habilis or Homo erectus that was influenced by tool use. See, especially, Explorations, Chapter 10, Sections: Homo habilis: The Earliest Members of our Genus, Homo habilis: Culture and Lifeways; and/or Homo erectus: Biological and Cultural Innovations.
4) How did shifting climate and environments influence the physical and cultural variability of Archaic Homo sapiens? Pick one group of Archaic Homo sapiens to illustrate your point(s). See, especially, Explorations, Chapter 11, Sections: Neanderthals; The Middle Stone Age: Neanderthal Contemporaries in Africa, Denisovans; and/or How Do These Fit In? Homo naledi and Homo floresiensis.