理工類考試輔導(dǎo)：補(bǔ)全對話Washoe Learned

　　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. Wash0e had become known in the scientific community1 and around the world for her ability to use American Sign Language2. She was said to be the first non-human to learn a human language. Her skills also led to debate3 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 Gardners7 described Washoes progress in a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grew to understand4 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?" Once5 the news about Washoe spread， many language scientists began studies of their own6 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 Washoes keepers disagree. Roger Fouts is a former student of the Gardners7. 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 believes Washoe provided new information about the mental workings of chimpanzees8. 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.

　　詞匯：

　　chimpanzee n.黑猩猩 critic n.評論家，批評家

　　community n.社區(qū)，圈子 workings n.活動，運(yùn)行

　　primate n.靈長類動物 chimp n.=chimpanzee

　　注釋：

　　1. in the scientific community ： 在科學(xué)界，在科學(xué)家的圈子里

　　2. American Sign Language(ASL)： 美國手語。利用手、臉部表情、身體姿勢表達(dá)思想的美國聾啞人語言。在加拿大、墨西哥等地也使用ASL.ASL與British Sign Language(BSL英國手語)不同，兩者不能相互理解。

　　3. led to debate： 引起辯論。lead to意為“導(dǎo)致”，to為介詞，debate為名詞。

　　4. she grew to understand about 250 words： 她漸漸掌握約250個(gè)單詞。9row t0是“漸漸”的意思。

　　5. Once ： 一旦。0nce是連接詞。例：Children like to cycle once they have learned how. 小孩一旦學(xué)會了如何騎自行車，就會喜歡上它。

　　6. of their own： 屬于自己的。of their own的含義與on their own不同， on their own是“獨(dú)自”的意思。

　　7. the Gardners： Gardner夫婦

　　8. Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe...： 像個(gè)體研究者Jane Goodall這樣的科學(xué)家相信……。like(像，跟……一樣)是介詞，本句的謂語是believe.句子中的private researcher意為“不受雇于任何單位，自己獨(dú)立工作的科研人員。”

　　練習(xí)：

　　1. Paragraph 1

　　2. Paragraph 2

　　3. Paragraph 3

　　4. Paragraph 4

　　A Reason Why Not Many Scientists Carry out This　Research Nowadays

　　B Report about Washoes Progress in Learning Sign Language

　　C General Information about Washoe

　　D The Gardeners Contributions Recognized

　　E Debate on Chimps Intelligence

　　F Washoes Love for Three Young Chimps