Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a remarkable adaptation in the animal kingdom: camouflage. But we're not just talking about color changes, like a chameleon. Some animals, like the octopus, can change not only their color but also their texture to blend into their surroundings. For example, the mimic octopus can imitate the appearance and movement of dangerous sea creatures, such as lionfish or sea snakes, to scare off predators. This is called 'mimicry,' and it's more complex than simple camouflage because it involves both visual and behavioral imitation. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that octopuses can make these decisions rapidly, almost as if they're thinking ahead. However, unlike vertebrates, octopuses have most of their neurons in their arms, not in their central brain. This decentralized nervous system allows each arm to act somewhat independently, which may help with quick camouflage responses. So, while we often think of intelligence as centralized, the octopus shows us a different model of cognition.
❓ Question What is the main topic of the lecture?
A. A. The difference between chameleons and octopuses
B. B. How octopuses use mimicry and texture changes for defense
C. C. The role of the central brain in octopus intelligence
D. D. The evolution of predator-prey relationships in the ocean
✅ Correct Answer
B. How octopuses use mimicry and texture changes for defense
TOEFL Listening Tips
Skim the questions first to predict the content
Watch for signal words in lectures and conversations (however, actually, in fact)
For main idea questions, focus on the beginning; for detail questions, focus on examples and data
For attitude questions, pay attention to the speaker's tone and word choice
Take notes on keywords; don't try to write down every word
