2. 外语
  3. Washoe Learned American Sign Language 1 An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and bor

Washoe Learned American Sign Language 1 An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and bor

admin2012-12-22  75
问题                   Washoe Learned American Sign Language
1 An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and born in Africa died of natural causes late last month at the age of 42 at a research center in the American state of Washington. Washoe had become known in the scientific community and a-round the world for her ability to use American Sign Language. She was said to be the first non-human to learn a human language. Her skills also led to debate about primates and their ability to understand language.
2 Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teaching Washoe sign language in 1966. In 1969, the Gardners described Washoe’s progress in a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grew to understand about 250 words. For example, Washoe made signs to communicate when it was time to eat. She could request foods like apples and bananas. She also asked questions like, "Who is coming to play?" Once the news a-bout Washoe spread, many language scientists began studies of their own into this new and exciting area of research. The whole direction of primate research changed.
3 However, critics argued Washoe only learned to repeat sign language movements from watching her teachers. They said she had never developed true language skills. Even now, there are some researchers who suggest that primates learn sign language only by memory, and perform the signs only for prizes. Yet Washoe’s keepers disagree. Roger Fouts is a former student of the Gardners. He took Washoe to a research center in Ellensburg, Washington. There, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees, which are still alive.
4 Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe Washoe provided new information a-bout the mental workings of chimpanzees. Today, there are not as many scientists studying language skills with chimps. Part of the reason is that this kind of research takes a very long time.
5 Debate continues about chimps understanding of human communication. Yet, one thing is sure-Washoe changed popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence.
A Reason Why Not Many Scientists Carry out This Research Nowadays
B Report about Washoe’s Progress in Learning Sign Language
C General Information about Washoe
D The Gardeners’ Contributions Recognized
E Debate on Chimps’ Intelligence
F Washoe’s Love for Three Young Chimps
Paragraph 3______.
选项
答案E
解析 第三段介绍了对Gardner夫妇发表的报告有两种不同的解读。一派认为Washoe的手语能力只是机械重复、死记硬背、物质激励的结果，不是智能的表现。另一派认为这是智能的表现，其证据是Washoe还能教三个小猩猩学习手语。争论的焦点是黑猩猩有没有智能。选项E用debate来概括上述争论，所以是答案。
转载请注明原文地址:https://www.kaotiyun.com/show/NOGd777K
本试题收录于： 职称英语综合类C级题库职称英语分类
0

职称英语综合类C级

职称英语

相关试题推荐
随机试题
最新回复(0)