THE BRAINS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

By: Franz De Waal

Published: The Wall Street Journal; March 22, 2013; www.online.wsj.com The Saturday Essay

Level of Difficulty:***

BEFORE YOU READ

·         Carl Safina: What are animals thinking and feeling? https://www.ted.com/talks/carl_safina_what_are_animals_thinking_and_feeling

QUESTIONS

1.       The implication in the first two paragraphs of the text is that Ayumu

·         Has a good memory

·         Can count

·         Is intelligent

·         Use a touch screen

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

2.       Initial results of the new research into IQ tests for animals run counter to………………………….

3.       Aristotle, René Descartes and B. F. Skinner and his followers had something in common. They all …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Use your own words!

4.       Read the example of the research done with elephants and sticks to the end. Now state clearly what conclusion we can draw about animals from this example?

·         We the investigators didn’t understand elephants.

·         As soon as an elephant picks up a stick, its nasal passages are blocked.

·         Experiments with animals have been impeded by our tunnel vision

·         Elephants can use tools

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

5.       Read the story of Kundula to the end. It can be inferred from this story that:

·         Elephants can use boxes to get the fruit that is out of reach

·         They can remember they need the box to reach the fruit

·         Elephants are a lot brighter than we first supposed

·         Elephants can use the appropriate tools

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

6.       Read the mirror experiment carefully to the end. Now state clearly what conclusion we can draw from it?

·         Not all animals can be expected to recognize themselves in mirrors

·          Practical details of experiments with animals should be more carefully considered

·         The size of the tool used in animal experiments is of vital concern

·         Some animals are more concerned with their appearance than others

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

7.       Read the experiment done with chimpanzees and complete the following sentence: the view that human beings are superior to chimpanzees with regard to ………………………… is wrong.

8.        What second unexpected feet did chimpanzees accomplish? They were able to detect ………………………………………………………………………………..

9.       The information about the octopus is provided to prove that we need to change our way of thinking when it comes to ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.   Read the story of Hans. What skill did he prove horses possess?

11.   What does “This” refer to in the phrase “This is especially relevant”?

12.   The experiments comparing young children and apes were flawed because ……………………was disregarded.

13.   The purpose of the story of the woodpecker is to prove that……………………………………………………

14.   According to a recent article in the observer, a young chimp whose mother was killed by a leopard was befriended and cared for by the dominant male in the group. This story proves that …………………………………………………………………………………………. (The story is available on the website: www.observer.guardian.co.uk)

15.   According to the conclusion of the text, the belief in human uniqueness still persists despite……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WRITING TASK

Write an effect analysis essay on the following opinion expressed by the author in the text: “We have moved from viewing animals as instinct-driven, stimulus-response machines to seeing them as sophisticated decision makers” Before you do so, do a little research to get more information on the issue

·         We become more caring and considerate

·         We make more effort to preserve habitats ( laws, raising public awareness through education, media, forestry officials to fight poachers, trappers and the illegal trade in animal parts)

·         We make more effort to preserve endangered species ( determining of illnesses that attack species like the one currently destroying the koala bear community, sanctuaries, wild life parks, tougher sanctions, education and protection for animals)

THE BRAINS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This text has lent itself to a superb reading task for various reasons: firstly, it is about an issue students should be made better aware of, secondly it is heartwarming and has wow factor, thirdly, it lends itself to some wonderful questions and good, original writing task. It is full of non invasive experiments with animals that prove they are not the dumb beasts we have always supposed. The text would go well if it were prefaced by videos on illegal trade of animals or animal parts, the fight against poachers and the like.

1.       The third (clue: implication)

2.       A view of human kind’s unique place in the universe

3.       Grossly underestimated both the scope and the scale of animal intelligence

4.       The third

5.       The third

6.       The second

7.       Facial recognition

8.       Family resemblance. Which juveniles were born to which females won’t do because the answer has to general like the question; a very important rule of logic.

9.       Physiology of intelligence

10.   Understanding human body language

11.   The fact that nothing guarantees the mother’s sighs, head turns and subtle changes of position don’t serve as clues for the child

12.   The species barrier

13.   Underlying many of our mistaken beliefs about animal intelligence is the problem of negative evidence.

14.   We are not the only species to care about the well being of others

15.   Science