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TOEFL Directory > TOEFL writing > TOEFL Reading Class Unit 2_Passage 14_Question 144-154
TOEFL Reading Class Unit 2_Passage 14_Question 144-154
You have about 15 minutes to finish this passage.
First,use about 3-4 minutes to read the passage, try to understand the main idea of this passage.
Don't read it so slowly or try to remember all details.You need to do "fast reading",and "scan" the passage.
Second, read questions 1-11, and with questions you go back the passage again and look for correct answers.
Question 144-154
Passge 14
Birds have an extremely sophisticated visual communication system. The movement of a flock of dunlins is a marvel of coordinated precision flying. The birds take off, turn, and land, apparently without a leader or any sort of command, yet collisions are extremely rare. The secret is that each bird watches the other birds in the flock, anticipating their actions from their slightest movements, so that a maneuver spreads through the whole flock in a smooth wave in only a fraction of a second. When the flock changes direction in flight, the birds watch those ahead of them and time their reactions to create a wave of movement that occurs too rapidly for the human eye to catch what is happening. But it is possible to see what occurs when a small flock of starlings takes to the air. As each bird prepares to take off, it crouches slightly, then leaps into the air and flies away. The crouching action that precedes take off is known as an "intention movement,?and by watching these intention movements of flight all the members of the flock are brought into a state of readiness.
Wood pigeons use similar intention movements but in a different way. Provided that each pigeon makes the intention movements before taking off, the others ignore the behavior. But if one spots danger and does an emergency take off, the others interpret the absence of intention movements as an alarm signal, and the whole flock rises into the air. Another bird signal is the attitude of alertness that conveys a warning among flocks of geese. Geese are quick to notice a member of their flock standing with its neck stretched after spotting possible danger.
In all of these examples, the birds are reacting to the behavior of others, but this behavior is not primarily a signal. Other forms of communication have evolved through such patterns of behavior being modified into deliberate signals. These signals are called "displays,?and they are common to all members of a species, forming a kind of sign language that conveys the mood of the bird. Most commonly, displays are used to advertise a territory, repel a rival, and attract a mate.
144. What does the passage mainly discuss?
a) The way birds learn how to fly
b) Migratory patterns of various kinds of birds
c) Territorial conflicts among birds
d) The use of visual signals in bird communication
145. The word apparently in the passage is closest in meaning to
a) ordinarily
b) creatively
c) surprisingly
d) seemingly
146. Why is it difficult for people to observe bird signals that indicate a change in flight direction?
a) The signals are made simultaneously by many different birds in a flock.
b) The signals happen too quickly to be perceptible.
c) The signals are rarely used.
d) The signals are easily confused with display signals.
147. How would wood pigeons most likely react if a member of the flock failed to make intention movements before flight?
a) By signaling the other members to remain on the ground
b) By flying away immediately
c) By making a display movement
d) By ignoring the behavior
148. The word one in the passage refers to
a) pigeon
b) behavior
c) danger
d) take off
149. The word conveys in the passage is closest in meaning to
a) needs
b) benefits
c) uses
d) communicates
150. The author mentions that geese stretch their necks
a) in preparation for flight
b) in reaction to danger
c) to attract a mate
d) to indicate a change in flight direction
151. The word reacting in the passage is closest in meaning to
a) happening
b) pursuing
c) responding
d) obtaining
152. It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that members of two different flocks of geese would
a) avoid communicating with one another
b) have few territorial disputes
c) understand the displays of one another
d) avoid mating with one another
153. The word repel in the passage is closest in meaning to
a) confuse
b) contribute to
c) ward off
d) gather
154. Look at the four sentences in bold text in the passage. Click on the sentence in which the author provides an explanation for how flocks of birds perform flight maneuvers.
Scroll the passage to see all four sentences.
Birds have an extremely sophisticated visual communication system. The movement of a flock of dunlins is a marvel of coordinated precision flying. The birds take off, turn, and land, apparently without a leader or any sort of command, yet collisions are extremely rare. The secret is that each bird watches the other birds in the flock, anticipating their actions from their slightest movements, so that a maneuver spreads through the whole flock in a smooth wave in only a fraction of a second. ⒶWhen the flock changes direction in flight, the birds watch those ahead of them and time their reactions to create a wave of movement that occurs too rapidly for the human eye to catch what is happening. But it is possible to see what occurs when a small flock of starlings takes to the air. As each bird prepares to take off, it crouches slightly, then leaps into the air and flies away. The crouching action that precedes take off is known as an "intention movement,?and by watching these intention movements of flight all the members of the flock are brought into a state of readiness.
ⒷWood pigeons use similar intention movements but in a different way. Provided that each pigeon makes the intention movements before taking off, the others ignore the behavior. But if one spots danger and does an emergency take off, the others interpret the absence of intention movements as an alarm signal, and the whole flock rises into the air. ⒸAnother bird signal is the attitude of alertness that conveys a warning among flocks of geese. Geese are quick to notice a member of their flock standing with its neck stretched after spotting possible danger.
In all of these examples, the birds are reacting to the behavior of others, but this behavior is not primarily a signal. Other forms of communication have evolved through such patterns of behavior being modified into deliberate signals. These signals are called "displays,?and they are common to all members of a species, forming a kind of sign language that conveys the mood of the bird. ⒹMost commonly, displays are used to advertise a territory, repel a rival, and attract a mate.
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