阅读理解

Passage Three

If animals do have intelligence, how do scientists measure it? Before defining animals' intelligence, scientists defined what is not intelligence. Instinct is not intelligence. It is a skill programmed into an animal's brain by its genetic heritage. Rote conditioning is also not intelligence. Tricks can be learned by repetition, but no real thinking is involved. Cuing, in which animals learn to do or not to do certain things by following outside signals, does not demonstrate intelligence. Scientists believe that insight, the ability to use tools, and communication using human language are all effective measures of the mental ability of animals.

When judging animal intelligence, scientists look for insight, which they define as a flash of sudden understanding. When a young gorilla could not reach fruit from a tree, she noticed crates scattered about the lawn near the tree. She piled the crates into a pyramid, and then climbed on them to reach her reward. The gorilla's insight allowed her to solve a new problem without trial and error.

The ability to use tools is also an important sign of intelligence. Crows use sticks to pry peanuts out of cracks. The crow exhibits intelligence by showing it has learned what a stick can do. Likewise, otters use rocks to crack open crab shells in order to get at the meat. In a series of complex moves, chimpanzees have been known to use sticks and stalks in order to get at a favorites snack—termites. To make and use a termite tool, a chimp first selects just the right stalk or twig. He trims and shapes the stick, then finds the entrance to a termite mound. While inserting the stick carefully into the entrance, the chimpanzee turns it skillfully to fit the inner tunnels. The chimp attracts the insects by shaking the twig. Then it pulls the tool out without scraping off any termites. Finally, he uses his lips to skim the termites into his mouth.

Many animals have learned to communicate using human language. One chimp can recognize and correctly use more than 250 abstract symbols on a keyboard. These symbols represent human words. An amazing parrot can distinguish five objects of two different types. He can understand the difference between the number, color, and kind of object. The ability to classify is a basic thinking skill. He seems to use language to express his needs and emotions. When ill and taken to the animal hospital for his first overnight stay, this parrot turned to go. “Come here!” he cried to a scientist who works with him. “I love you. I'm sorry. Wanna go back?”

The research on animal intelligence raises important questions. If animals are smarter than once thought, would that change the way humans interact with them? Would humans stop hunting them for sport or survival? Would animals still be used for food, clothing, or medical experimentation? Finding the answer to these tough questions makes a difficult puzzle even for a large-brained, problem-solving species like our own.

单选题

As is mentioned in Paragraph 1, “tricks” played by animals may be ________.

【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】

根据第一段,由“Tricks can be learned by repetition”一句可知,动物的“tricks”可能是通过不断重复训练习得的。故选C。

单选题

Crows' using sticks to get nuts out of cracks illustrates ________.

【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】

由第三段可知,乌鸦用棍子把坚果从裂缝中取出来是在使用工具。故选B。

单选题

The parrot's being able to distinguish five objects of two different types indicates ________.

【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】

根据第四段,鹦鹉能分辨出五种不同类型的物体,能理解数字、颜色和物体之间的区别,这是一种分类能力。故选A。

单选题

Which of the following is an example of animals' communication through the use of human language?

【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】

根据第四段,一只大猩猩可以在键盘上识别和正确使用超过250个抽象符号被用作说明许多动物已经学会用人类语言交流的例子。故选D。

单选题

The last paragraph implies that ________.

【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】

由最后一段可知,人们在研究中提出了一个问题:如果动物比以前认为的更聪明,那人类与它们的互动方式会改变吗?这说明人们已经在思考是否需要重新考虑人与动物的关系。故选C。