Vervet monkeys2.docx

1、Vervet monkeys2Questions 24-35 are based on the following passage.This discussion of vervet monkeys is from a 1984 book about animal communication.Vervet monkeys have at least three different categories of alarm calls. When a leopard or other large carnivorous mammal approaches, the monkeys give one

2、 type of alarm call; quite a different call is used at the sight of a martial 5 eagle, one of the few flying predators that captures vervet monkeys. A third type of alarm call is given when a large snake approaches the group. This degree of differentiation of alarm calls is not unique, although it h

3、as been described in only a few kinds of animals. When ethologists, who10 study animal behavior, interpret data of this kind, they require proof that variations in animal communication signals convey anything more than information about the communicators internal state.The first and relatively simpl

4、e question is whether the15 vervet monkeys three types of alarm calls convey to other monkeys information about the type of predator. Such information is important, because the animals defensive tactics are different in the three cases. When a leopard approaches, the monkeys climb into trees. But le

5、opards are20 good climbers, so the monkeys can escape them only by climbing out onto the smallest branches, which are too weak to support a leopard. When the monkeys see a martial eagle, they move into thick vegetation close to a tree trunk or at ground level. Thus the tactics that help escape from

6、a25 leopard make them highly Vulnerable to a martial eagle, and vice versa. In response to the threat of a large snake, they stand on their hind legs and look around to locate the snake, then simply move away from it, either along the ground or by climbing into a tree.30 Knowing that the monkeys giv

7、e different alarm calls when they see different predators does not establish beyond a doubt that the calls actually describe the type of predator. When the monkeys, which are usually close to each other, hear an alarm call, each one quickly looks around at the35 caller. Like many other animals, they

8、 are adept at judging the direction in which another animal is looking, so they can easily see what the caller is looking at. This serves much the same function as pointing. When monkeys other than the caller take the appropriate action to avoid the40 danger, it is difficult to be sure whether they

9、are acting solely on the basis of the call or whether the call simply led them to look at the source of the danger.To clarify this situation, researchers conducted some carefully controlled playback experiments under natural45 conditions. The basic idea was to play from a concealedloudspeaker tape r

10、ecordings of vervet alarm calls when vervets had just seen a leopard, a martial eagle, or a large python, and to inquire whether these playbacks, in the absence of a predator, would elicit the normal response.50 The experiments required many precautions and refinements. For instance, vervet monkeys

11、come to know each other as individuals, not only by visual appearance but by minor differences in their vocalizations. They might not respond even to an alarm call recorded from one of their55 own companions if that individual was in plain sight some distance from the vegetation concealing the speak

12、er. In al experiments, the loudspeaker reproduced calls of a member of the group, and the speaker was hidden in a place when the monkeys would expect that individual to be. The expeiments had to be prepared with tape recordings of a know member of a well-studied group of vervet monkeys and a hidden

13、speaker located where this individual frequently spends time.When all these conditions were satisfied, the playback65 of alarm calls did indeed elicit the appropriate responses. The monkeys responded to the leopard alarm call by climbing into the nearest tree; the martial eagle alarm caused them to

14、dive into thick vegetation; and the python alarm produced the typical behavior of standing on the hi70 legs and looking all around for the nonexistent snake. Not all ethologists have accepted the straightforward interpretation that the alarm calls convey information about the type of predator. One a

15、lternative interpretation is that the alarm calls are injunctions to behave in certain ways.75 Thus the leopard alarm might mean Go climb into a tree. But even this interpretation necessarily ascribes three specific types of injunction to the vocabulary of vervet monkeys. Even such postulated injunc

16、tions would be more than a simple reflection of the internal state of the80 communicator.24. The passage indicates that the calls described in lines 1-7 are significant primarily because they(A) show that animals are capable of expressing emotion(B) prove that some animals are more intelligent than

17、others(C) noticeably improve the monkeys rate of reproduction(D) represent a departure from the monkeys predictable patterns of communication(E) prompt questions about the potential extent of animal communication 25. In lines 9-13 (When . . . state), the authors observation about ethologists implies

18、 that they(A) are dismissive of issues that concern other biologists(B) limit themselves by their reliance on traditional explanations of animal behavior(C) fail to account for discrepancies between field and laboratory observations(D) try to avoid unjustified conclusions about the meaning of a phen

19、omenon(E) use an approach that sometimes arouses resentment26. What; is the relationship between the first paragraph (lines 1-13) and the simple question mentioned in lines 14-16?(A) The first paragraph contains evidence that will answer the question.(B) The question arises from information in the f

20、irst paragraph.(C) The question makes light of the view presented in the first paragraph.(D) The first paragraph outlines the way the question will be answered in the rest of the passage.(E) The question defines an unorthodox view that was discounted in the first paragraph.27. In lines 18-24 (When a

21、 leopard . . . level), the author juxtaposes two kinds of behavior in order to(A)show how the presence of more than one observer in the field yields conflicting information(B) provide evidence that challenges an accepted theory about monkey communication(C) compare a unique form of defense to a more

22、 common form of defense(D) explain how the monkeys imitate behavior of other animals(E) emphasize the usefulness of different responses in different situations28. The third paragraph (lines 30-42) contributes to the development of the passage primarily by(A) indicating an interpretation that is even

23、tually ruled out(B) showing the necessity of multiple explanations (C) describing an alternate method of observation(D) supporting a hypothesis with observations from the field(E) drawing an analogy between animal and human behavior29. When designing the experiments described in lines 43-63, researc

24、hers had to consider all of the following EXCEPT(A) the location of certain monkeys in the group(B) the monkeys familiarity with one another(C) the location of the equipment(D) the vocalization of predators(E) individual differences among the monkeys calls30. According to lines 43-63, which action w

25、ould likely keep the monkeys from responding to the recorded calls?(A) Locating the loudspeaker far from where the individual whose voice it broadcasts can be seen(B) Playing the calls during feeding or grooming periods(C) Playing the calls so often that the monkeys become accustomed to them and fai

26、l to react(D) Allowing the monkeys to detect the presence of the human observers(E) Interfering with the hunting routines of the usual predators31. In line 64, satisfied most nearly means(A) convinced(B) dispelled(C) fulfilled(D) appeased(E) compensated32. The experiments described in the passage pr

27、ovide evidence that most directly supports the conclusion that vervet monkeys(A) are highly adaptable to changing environmental conditions(B) respond to the presence of predators with calls particular to each danger(C) tolerate individuals who do not pose an immediate threat(D) protect themselves by

28、 mimicking the calls of certain predators(E) illustrate the ability of most mammals to communicate information33. The authors reaction to an alternative interpretation (line 73) is best characterized as(A) offended, because it disregards the authors own observations(B) skeptical, because it perpetra

29、tes the falsehood that monkeys possess human traits(C) supportive, because it provides proof for a hypothesis(D) receptive, because it is consistent with the data(E) respectful, because it is shared by many experienced field researchers34. The final paragraph primarily serves to(A) show how an objec

30、tion to a hypothesis actually confirms one of its central elements(B) introduce a personal interpretation of the findings(C) suggest that responses to alarm calls are genetically determined(D) cast doubt on the importance of a field of inquiry(E) indicate the kinds of questions that are not suscepti

31、ble to further study35. The author uses vervet monkeys to convey which poi about animal communication?(A) Animal vocalizations are modeled after human sounds.(B) Some animals can impart vocally specific information about their observations.(C) Most animals respond differently to different alarm calls.(D) Animals vocalize primarily to communicate an internal state.(E) Most animals exhibit an acute sense of hearing when sensing predators.