Reading Passage 2

A 35-year study, in which approximately 2,500 elephants were observed in Kenya, has collected evidence of behaviour that claims that human beings have certain characteristics in common with elephants. Whereas our appearance is not unlike that of monkeys, the study argues that we defnitely share similar emotional reactions and thought processes with elephants.

B Elephants’ human-like behaviour, such as showing sadness when one of their fmily (or herd) dies, has been observed before. However, the study – the Amboseli elephant research project – reveals for the first time the range of emotions that elephants can show For instance, the study demonstrates that elephants feel upset when another elephant is in pain, feel angry over disagreements and can recognize members of their fmily.

C The body language used by elephants is also recognizable to humans. The study describes elephants touching trunks or bumping shoulders in greeting, while ‘playful’ elephants moved their heads from side to side to start a game. In addition, the researchers thought they saw evidence of ‘conversation’ between the elephants; when the signal to move was given, elephants stood side by side and ‘discussed’ which route to take.When this long exchange ended, the elephants moved all together in one direction.

D The project also details evidence of elephants’ higher thinking skills.When one of the herd was shot with a tranquilizer dart two elephants were observed removing the dart and standing either side of the tranquilized elephant in order to prevent it from flling over. Elephants also have the ability to make and use basic tools, such as fly killers taken from tree branches, and the knowledge to remember routes through the landscape many years afer they last travelled them.They have been found to be more intelligent than apes in some areas, such as route planning, while other experiments have shown them as capable as monkeys in co-operating on tasks. Scientists have even proved that their short-term memories are better than humans’ in some respects.

E Cynthia Moss started the Amboseli elephant research project. Her findings, published by University of Chicago Press conclude that there is ‘no doubt’ that elephants display empathy for one another.There is considerable support fr her findings. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, who runs the Save the Elephants project in Samburu nature reserve in Kenya, welcomed Moss’s research. ‘They’re definitely compassionate animals,’ he said.

Do the fllowing statements reflect the claims ofthe writer in the reading passage?

Write:
YES: if the statement reflects the claims of the writer
NO: if the statement contradicts the claims oft he writer
NOT GIVEN: ifit’s impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

I Scientists have fund that elephants can recognize and mirror human body language.
2 The study shows that elephants �ork together in order to make a decision.
3 The project demonstrates that some elephants have a good sense ofdirection.
4 The research has fund that elephants are cleverer than humans and monkeys in some ways.
5 Moss’s findings differ fom the conclusions ofall other scientists.