Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class.
Professor: Now, we've talked about how animals adapt to their environments, but today I want to focus on a fascinating example: the mimic octopus. This creature, found in the waters of Southeast Asia, can imitate the appearance and movements of up to fifteen different marine species. For instance, when threatened by a predator, it might flatten its body and swim like a poisonous flatfish, or it might tuck its arms and drift like a sea snake. Researchers believe this mimicry is not just accidental but a deliberate strategy to confuse predators. Interestingly, the octopus chooses which imitation to use based on the type of predator it faces. For example, if a damselfish—a known predator of octopuses—approaches, the octopus mimics the damselfish's own predator. This adaptive behavior suggests a level of intelligence and decision-making that surprises many scientists. So, what does this tell us about evolution? Well, it demonstrates that some animals can develop complex survival strategies that go beyond simple camouflage.
❓ Вопрос What is the main purpose of the lecture?
A. To explain how the mimic octopus uses mimicry as a defense mechanism
B. To compare the mimic octopus with other octopus species
C. To discuss the habitat of the mimic octopus in Southeast Asia
D. To argue that all octopuses are intelligent creatures
✅ Правильный ответ
To explain how the mimic octopus uses mimicry as a defense mechanism
TOEFL Listening Tips
Skim the questions first to predict the content
Watch for signal words in lectures and conversations (however, actually, in fact)
For main idea questions, focus on the beginning; for detail questions, focus on examples and data
For attitude questions, pay attention to the speaker's tone and word choice
Take notes on keywords; don't try to write down every word