Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class. The professor is discussing the behavior of certain birds.
'Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating adaptation in some bird species: the use of tools. While tool use was once thought to be a uniquely human trait, we now know that many animals, including crows and parrots, use objects to achieve goals. However, one lesser-known example is the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a small twig to probe for insects in tree bark. Interestingly, the finch doesn't just pick up any stick; it selects a spine of appropriate length and shape, and sometimes even modifies it by breaking off the tip. This behavior is not innate—young finches learn it by observing their parents. What's more, the finches show flexibility: if a spine is too short, they may discard it and search for a longer one. This suggests a level of problem-solving and cognitive processing that challenges our assumptions about avian intelligence.'
❓ Pregunta What does the professor imply about the woodpecker finch's tool use?
A. A. It is an innate behavior that does not require learning.
B. B. It indicates that the finch can adapt its tool selection and modification.
C. C. It is similar to tool use in crows, but only in the wild.
D. D. It is limited to using cactus spines and never twigs.
✅ Respuesta correcta
B. It indicates that the finch can adapt its tool selection and modification.
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