OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What defines a feral child?

1. A child who is remarkably intelligent

2. A child who is raised in human society

3. A child that appears human but behaves like an animal

4. A child with advanced mental capabilities

The correct answer is: A child that appears human but behaves like an animal

A feral child is defined as a child who has been raised outside of human society, often in isolation, and as a result exhibits behaviors that are more animalistic than human. This definition captures the essence of what a feral child is; they typically lack social skills, language, and the cultural learning usually acquired in a human family environment. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the condition of a feral child. A child who is remarkably intelligent would not be considered feral, as intelligence is often measured within the context of learning and social interaction. Similarly, a child who is raised in human society (the second option) cannot be classified as feral since their upbringing is within the norms of human interaction and culture. Lastly, while advanced mental capabilities might be a characteristic of some children, it does not pertain to what a feral child is defined by; such capabilities would typically require socialization and education, which are absent in the feral scenario. Thus, the focus on animal-like behavior stemming from a lack of human societal development correctly identifies what a feral child is.