Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class. Professor: Now, let's talk about a fascinating adaptation in the animal kingdom—the mimic octopus. This creature, found in the waters of Southeast Asia, can imitate the appearance and movements of at least fifteen different marine species. For example, when threatened by a predatory damselfish, it mimics the sea snake, which is a known predator of that fish. To do this, it changes its color to match the sea snake's stripes and moves its arms in a sinuous, snake-like pattern. Interestingly, the mimic octopus doesn't just copy one species; it selects the mimic that is most threatening to its specific predator. This suggests a level of cognitive flexibility that is rare among invertebrates. Recent studies have shown that the octopus can even learn new mimics through trial and error. However, researchers are still debating whether this behavior is purely instinctive or involves conscious decision-making. The octopus's brain is complex, but much of its nervous system is distributed throughout its arms, which complicates our understanding of its intent.
❓ Pregunta According to the professor, what does the mimic octopus demonstrate when it selects a specific mimic for a specific predator?
A. A. A purely instinctive response with no variation.
B. B. An ability to imitate only sea snakes and damselfish.
C. C. A level of cognitive flexibility that is rare in invertebrates.
D. D. A preference for mimicking species that are larger than itself.
✅ Respuesta correcta
C. A level of cognitive flexibility that is rare in invertebrates.
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