Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class.
Professor: Now, let's talk about animal communication. Many animals use sounds, but some use visual signals. For example, the cuttlefish, a marine animal, can change its skin color and pattern rapidly. This isn't just for camouflage. It also uses color changes to communicate with other cuttlefish. For instance, a male cuttlefish might display a striking pattern to warn off rival males, while a different pattern is used to attract a female. Interestingly, researchers have found that cuttlefish can even send mixed signals. On one side of its body, a male may show a courtship display to a female, while on the other side, it shows a threatening pattern to a male competitor. This ability to send two different messages at once is quite sophisticated. However, unlike human language, these signals are mainly instinctive, not learned. So, while the communication is complex, it's still limited to a set of fixed messages.
❓ Question What does the professor imply about cuttlefish communication?
A. A. It is less complex than human language because it is instinctive.
B. B. It allows cuttlefish to send different messages to different viewers at the same time.
C. C. It is primarily used for camouflage rather than social interaction.
D. D. It requires learning from other cuttlefish to be effective.
✅ Correct Answer
B. It allows cuttlefish to send different messages to different viewers at the same time.
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