Elephant communication
Read Elephant communication and check the IELTS Reading answers. O'Connell-Rodwell, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, has travelled to Namibia's first-ever wildlife reserve to explore the mystical and complicated realm of elephant communication. She, along with her colleagues, is part o…
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O'Connell-Rodwell, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, has travelled to Namibia's first-ever wildlife reserve to explore the mystical and complicated realm of elephant communication. She, along with her colleagues, is part of a scientific revolution that started almost 20 years ago. This revolution has made a stunning revelation: elephants are capable of communicating with each other over long distances with low-frequency sounds, also known as infrasounds, which are too deep for humans to hear.
Vocabulary from this passage
9 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- cranial cavity noun
The space within the skull that contains and protects the brain and sensory organs
The size of the cranial cavity reflects the complex social and cognitive abilities of the elephant.
- geophysics noun
The physics of the earth, including the study of seismic waves and ground vibrations
The study sits at the intersection of geophysics and biology to explain animal communication.
- infrasound noun
Sound waves with a frequency below the lower limit of human audibility, typically below 20 Hertz
Elephants use infrasound to coordinate group movements over distances spanning several kilometers.
- neurophysiology noun
A branch of physiology and neuroscience that studies the functioning of the nervous system
Advances in neurophysiology have helped clarify how nerves in elephant feet detect subtle ground tremors.
- resonating chamber noun
A hollow space that vibrates at specific frequencies to amplify or modify sound or vibrations
The sinus cavities in the elephant's skull may act as a resonating chamber for incoming signals.
- revelation noun
A surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed, especially through research
The discovery of seismic communication in large land mammals was a stunning revelation for the scientific community.
- seismic signal noun
Vibrations transmitted through the ground that can be used for communication or environmental sensing
The research suggests that elephants can distinguish between different seismic signals sent by distant herds.
- susceptible adjective
Likely or liable to be influenced, harmed, or affected by a particular thing or predator
Young calves are particularly susceptible to attacks by lions if they wander far from the herd.
- versatile appendage noun
A limb or protruding part of an organism that is capable of performing many different functions
The trunk is a versatile appendage used for everything from delicate manipulation to powerful communication.
Answers with explanations
- 27. Hammer
The diagram points to the inner ear. The text specifically mentions that the **hammer** bone in the elephant's inner ear is proportionally huge. The noun 'hammer' perfectly completes the diagram label.
- 28. body
The label asks what is 'extremely large'. The text states they have massive **bodies**, which serve as frames for receiving ground vibrations. 'Body' fits the diagram label correctly.
- 29. ["pad","pads"]
The diagram points to the elephant's foot. The text explains that the toe bones are set on a fatty **pad** (or pads) to help focus ground vibrations. This fits the required label.
- 30. sinus cavities
The diagram requires a term related to the skull with 'many' of something. The text mentions the front of the skull is riddled with **sinus cavities** which function as resonating chambers. This phrase correctly completes the label.
- 31. ["trunks and feet"]
The summary needs the body parts elephants use for 'listening'. The text notes O'Connell-Rodwell's theory that they listen with their **trunks and feet** rather than ears. The phrase fits perfectly.
- 32. ["infrasonic","low"]
The blank requires an adjective describing the lower frequency vibrations. The text states they detect **infrasonic** (or low) vibrations alongside higher frequency ones. This fits the required two-word limit.
- 33. ecology
The text lists three fields of study combining in this research: geophysics, neurophysiology, and **ecology**. The blank requires the missing third scientific field, making 'ecology' the correct answer.
- 34. seismic signals
The blank requires a noun phrase describing what a large land animal sends and receives. The text states she argued giant land animals are sending and receiving **seismic signals**. This fits grammatically.
- 35. auditory communication
The summary notes the existence of other approaches besides a specific one. The text quotes the researcher thinking that perhaps **auditory communication** is not the only thing going on. The two words fill the blank.
- 36. mate
The blank requires a noun explaining what elephant herds are finding. The text notes that long-distance communication is essential because it is difficult to find a **mate** in such a vast area.
- 37. ground
The summary requires the medium through which warning calls are detected. The text explicitly states the 2002 study revealed elephants could sense warning signals through the **ground**. The word fits perfectly.
- 38. A
The question asks when elephants need to communicate for survival. The text highlights sending alerts regarding predators because baby elephants are vulnerable. This aligns exactly with option A (when a threatening predator appears). Other options are not supported as primary survival reasons in this context.
- 39. A
The researcher notes that while the elephants responded, they 'didn't always flee,' resulting in her stating, 'I didn't expect the results to be that clear-cut.'
- 40. D
To find what is NOT mentioned, we verify the other options. The text mentions the 'hammer bone' (A), the 'fatty pad' of the 'toe bones' (B), and 'sinus cavities' (C) as parts aiding seismic detection. The **Tail** (D) is never mentioned in the context of sensing vibrations, making it the correct answer.