Who’s That Chicken in the Mirror?
Humans are very smart. When we look in a mirror, we don’t see someone else! We know we’re looking at ourselves.
人類非常聰明,當我們看鏡子的時候,我們知道鏡子裡面的是我們自己。
Elephants can also see themselves in a mirror. They’re smart too. So can dolphins. How about… chickens??
大象、海豚都認得鏡子裡的自己,那雞呢?
Roosters are boy chickens. Last year, scientists tested some roosters… They wanted to know how smart they are.
Roosters是公雞。去年科學家做了實驗測試牠們有多聰明。
First, they put the roosters in with lots of other chickens. Then,* *they flew a dangerous bird high above their heads. The roosters made a big sound! They were warning the other chickens.
首先科學家把公雞跟其他的雞放在一起。再讓猛禽飛過,發現公雞會出聲音警告同類。
Next, they took the other chickens away. The roosters were alone. Again,they flew the dangerous bird high above their heads. This time, the roosters stayed quiet.
接著科學家讓公雞單獨留下來,這一次牠們就保持安靜。
Finally, they gave the roosters a mirror. If the roosters stayed quiet this time, it would prove chickens were smart.
最後科學家放了一面鏡子。如果公雞保持安靜,就可以證明牠們很聰明。
Once more,they flew the dangerous bird high above the rooster’s heads. And … most of the roosters stayed quiet!
科學家再一次放出猛禽,結果…大部分的公雞都保持安靜。
Maybe roosters really can see themselves! Are chickens smarter than we think?
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Vocabulary
公雞看到鏡子裡面的公雞,似乎明白那是牠自己。
1. mirror 鏡子
When you look in the mirror 你照鏡子的時候…
Wait, is this some ghost story? 等等,這是鬼故事嗎?
No no, I’m just asking what you see.不是,我只是問你看到什麼。
I see myself, of course.當然是我自己囉。
2. themselves 他們自己
My two babies see themselves, too.我的兩個幼兒也看到自己。
Why do you sound so surprised? 為什麼你這麼驚訝?
Because they’re just one year old! 因為他們才一歲。
3. other 別的
They smile and wave. 他們會笑,還揮手。
So you’re saying they know? 所以你是說他們知道?
They know it’s them. 他們知道那是他們。
Not other people.不是別人。
4. smart 聰明的
Maybe they’re smart? 也許他們很聰明?
Yeah, as smart as dolphins! 對啊,跟海豚一樣聰明。
來一起讀單字。
mirror鏡子
themselves他們自己
other 別的
smart聰明的
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Quiz
1. What animal can see itself in a mirror?
a. A dog
b. An elephant
c. A rabbit
2. How do roosters warn other chickens of danger?
a. Make a big sound
b. Run away
c. Fall asleep
3. What was flown over the rooster’s heads?
a. An airplane
b. Ironman
c. A dangerous bird
Answers:
1. b
2. a
3. c