常春藤生活英语【149】9 Wed

9 Wed

Man's best friends are smarter and more like humans than we ever thought. A leading dog researcher and professor, Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia, did a study. It showed that the average dog has the mental abilities of a two-year-old child. These smart dogs can count to five and do simple math. They can also understand about 165 words, including signs, signals, and gestures. Moreover, they can show basic emotions like happiness, anger, and fear.

Psychologists used tests that were designed for young children to see if dogs had certain mental abilities. The results show that the smartest dogs, which Coren calls super breeds, can recognize up to 250 words. Of course, not all dogs are created equal. Different breeds of dogs have different levels of intelligence. At the top of the list is the Border collie. Poodles, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Doberman pinschers make up the rest of the top five. The breed that scored the lowest is the Afghan hound. Although dogs are not Einstein, they should be treated and trained as smart and sensitive individuals by their human owners.

Questions  

1. Which of the following is NOT true of Stanley Coren's find?
(A) Dogs have the intelligence of two-year-old children.
(B) Dogs can solve some easy math problems.
(C) Dogs can use gestures to communicate with humans.
(D) Dogs can express a few emotions.
2. According to Coren, super breeds _________.
(A) can identify up to 165 words
(B) are what he refers to as the smartest dogs
(C) include Afghan hounds
(D) are almost as clever as Einstein

Building Your Vocabulary  

1. leading a. 最重要的；最好的
Dr. Chen is a leading scientist in ecology.
陈博士是生态学上首屈一指的科学家。
2. average a. 普通的，平常的
The average person can't tell if a diamond is fake.
一般人分辨不出一颗钻石的真伪。
3. mental a. 智力的；精神的，心理的
A lot of people don't know they have mental problems.
很多人不知道自己有精神方面的问题。
4. gesture n.（身体各部位的）姿势；手势
Rebecca shook her head in a gesture of disappointment.
芮贝卡摇了摇头，做出了失望的姿势。
5. recognize vt. 认识，认出
Gary recognizes all of Madonna's songs.
盖瑞认得所有玛丹娜的歌曲。
6. intelligence n. 智力；理解力
Someone of such high intelligence should have known it was only a joke.
智力那么高的人应该知道那只是句玩笑话。
7. sensitive a.（感情）易受伤的；敏感的
This kind of creature is sensitive to light.
这种生物对光很敏感。 ► up to...　　多达……
Ben can eat up to 10 bananas at once.
小班一次可以吃掉十根香蕉。 

Tips In Use  

.....top of the list is the Border collie.
（……首位的是边境牧羊犬。）
本文中提及了许多犬只品种，以下就为各位读者整理并介绍其它常见的品种名称。
1. Border collie　n. 边境牧羊犬
collie  n. 柯利牧羊犬
2. poodle  n. 贵宾狗
3. German shepherd　n. 德国牧羊犬
shepherd  n. 牧羊狗；牧羊人
4. golden retriever　n. 黄金猎犬
retriever  n. 经训练会衔回猎物的猎犬
5. Doberman pinscher　n. 杜宾狗
6. Afghan hound　n. 阿富汗猎犬
hound  n. 猎狗
7. Labrador  n. 拉布拉多猎犬
8. Dalmatian  n. 大麦町犬 

More to Know  

1. 杰克的在校成绩普通，所以他没有申请哈佛大学。
Jake only had ______ grades in school, so he didn't apply for Harvard.
2. 那名顾客做了个手势示意要买单。
The customer made a ______ for the bill.
3. 那名侍者可以一次端出多达六盘菜。
The waiter can deliver ______ ______ six plates of food at a time.

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