Question

Which of the following statements is true about William Smith?

1) He created the first geological map.
2) He devised a system of taxonomy still in use today.
3) He was the first to establish the fact of extinction.
4) He first proposed the idea of natural selection.

Answer 1

William Smith created the first geological map, a key historical advancement in the field of geology made in 1815. He is not responsible for developing the contemporary system of taxonomy, establishing the concept of extinction, or proposing the idea of natural selection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about William Smith is that he created the first geological map. Although William Maclure is known for creating an early geological map of the United States in 1809, William Smith, an English geologist, is often credited with creating the first detailed, nationwide geological map of any country.

In 1815, Smith published a geological map of England, Wales, and part of Scotland. He is known as the "Father of English Geology" and his contributions significantly advanced the field of geology by providing visual and scientific evidence to support the geological layering of the Earth.

The development of taxonomy, the theory of natural selection, and the establishment of extinction as a fact are attributable to other individuals.

The system of taxonomy still in use today was developed by Carl Linnaeus, not William Smith. The first to establish the fact of extinction is often attributed to Georges Cuvier, while the idea of natural selection was proposed by Charles Darwin and also independently by Alfred Wallace.