第二篇 Washoe Learned American Sign Language

　　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 around 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.

　　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 about 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.

　　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 Gardeners. He took Washoe to a research center in Ellensburg, Washington. There, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees, which are still alive.

　　Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe Washoer provided new information about 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.

　　Debate continues about chimps understanding of human communication. Yet, one thing is sure-Washoe changed popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence

　　36. The Gardeners’ experiment with Washoe_____.

　　A. began in 1969

　　B. won a big prize

　　C. lasted three years

　　D. influenced primate research

　　37. The second paragraph mainly discusses_____.

　　A. a report about Washoe’s progress in learning sign language

　　B. the whole direction of primate research

　　C. new primate researches conducted by many language scientific

　　D. an experiment with Washoe at a research center in Africa.

　　38. The Gardeners’ experiment with Washoe was criticized because______.

　　A. just ask some simple question

　　B. only copy teachers’ sign language

　　C. only memorize about 250words

　　D. just repeat short sentences.

　　39. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

　　A. Roger Fouts taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees.

　　B. Washoe was the first chimp to use American Sign Language

　　C. A chimpanzee died of natural causes in Africa at a research center

　　D. Nowadays there are still lots of scientists experimenting with chimpanzees

　　40. We can draw a conclusion from the last paragraph that_____.

　　A. Whether chimps can learn a human language remains unanswered

　　B. primate have the ability to speak a language

　　C. animals cannot learn a human sign

　　D. Washoe is as intelligent as humans