What was a common public reaction when Darwin published his theory?

• A. The speed of light
• B. The origin of life from chemical reactions
• C. Human evolution and natural selection
• D. How to measure dark matter

Answer: (C)

The basic idea being tested is how Darwin’s theory impacted what people talked about and debated, especially in relation to humans. Darwin proposed natural selection as the mechanism by which evolution occurs, which implied that humans share common ancestry with other animals. That connection to human origins sparked intense public discussion and controversy, particularly among religious communities, because it challenged long-held beliefs about human uniqueness and creation. So the public reaction that stands out is focus on human evolution and natural selection, which is why that option is the best choice. The other topics—speed of light, origin of life from chemical reactions, and measuring dark matter—are from physics and cosmology or abiogenesis, not central to Darwin’s theory or the public debate it sparked.