Reading Passage 3
Monkeys are fascinating creatures that have been a source of wonder and curiosity for many people throughout history. These intelligent animals capture our imagination with their impressive agility, social behaviour, and even their similarities to humans – unsurprisingly so, as they have been scientifically proven to be our distant genetic relatives.
This relation is primarily based on their shared genetic makeup. Studies have shown that monkeys and humans have a high percentage of genetic similarity, which indicates a common evolutionary ancestry. Additionally, both monkeys and humans belong to the same scientific order, primates. This classification means that they possess many anatomical and behavioural characteristics that are not found in other animal groups. Fossil evidence has also provided insights into the evolutionary relationship between monkeys and humans. Fossils of early primates, such as Proconsul and Aegyptopithecus, have features that resemble both monkeys and humans, suggesting that they were ancestral to both groups.
There are more than 200 species of monkeys, and each one has its own distinctive traits, ranging from the red-tailed monkey’s long tail to the mandrill’s colourful face. But today we would like to focus on three notable species: the chimpanzee, the howler monkey, and the spider monkey.
The Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees are among the most intelligent primates, with cognitive abilities that are comparable to those of human children. They are natural problem-solvers and boast a high level of emotional intelligence. In fact, studies have shown that chimpanzees are capable of understanding the emotions of others and even displaying empathy towards their peers.
Chimpanzees are found in the forests of central and western Africa, where they live in groups of up to 100 individuals. Such groups normally have leaders, either male or female chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are primarily herbivorous – but will also eat insects, birds, and small mammals when the opportunity arises – effectively making them omnivorous.
One of the most notable characteristics of chimpanzees is their ability to use tools. They have been observed using sharp sticks to extract insects from tree bark, bashing stones on nuts to crack them open, and even wrapping their faces in big leaves as protection from rain! Some chimpanzees have been known to fashion primitive weapons such as spears and use them to hunt small game.
Scientists have observed a wide range of social interaction among chimpanzees, including grooming, hugging, and kissing. They also engage in aggressive behaviors, such as screaming, hitting, and biting, when there is conflict within the group. While the latter is not indicative of animals of higher intellectual order, the former shows signs of the empathy mentioned earlier, which is generally uncommon among animals.
Sadly, chimpanzees are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. Many are also captured for the illegal pet trade, which has contributed to their decline. However, conservation efforts are underway to protect these remarkable animals and their habitats.
The Howler Monkey
Howler monkeys are one of the most vocal primates, and their distinctive calls can be heard up to three miles away. They are, in fact, one the loudest animals on Earth, rivaled by much bigger blue whale and lion. They are found in the forests of Central and South America and can live up to 20 years in the wild.
The howler monkey is a large and slow-moving animal, with males weighing up to 22 pounds and females weighing up to 16 pounds. They are primarily herbivorous and feed on leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Howler monkeys are arboreal animals, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. They have a prehensile tail, which acts like another limb and enables them to grasp onto branches tightly. This feature is particularly important for mother monkeys, who use their tails to carry their young as they move from tree to tree.
Howler monkeys are also notable for their social behaviours. They live in groups of up to 18 individuals, which consist of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring. The male is responsible for protecting his group from predators, while the females take care of the young. They are also very territorial, with males using their howl to intimidate as well as to signal their position. Interestingly enough, female Howlers do not howl at all.
In terms of conservation, howler monkeys face a variety of threats; the biggest one is deforestation of Amazon rainforest, their prime habitat.
The Spider Monkey
Spider monkeys are known for their long limbs and tails, which enable them to move through trees with great agility. They are found in the forests of Central and South America, where they live in groups of up to 35 individuals. Similar to the Howler Monkey, they are chiefly arboreal, mostly living in the trees, preferring not to get down to the ground without a compelling reason.
The name comes from their tail, which they effectively use as fifth limb that facilitates locomotion and helps them clear various obstacles with surprising ease. Because of the five limbs taking part in the process they visually resemble a spider crawling.
Spider monkeys are omnivorous and have a varied diet of fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects. They have a distinctive jaw structure that enables them to crack open hard nuts and seeds without having to resort to tools for that.
Mother spider monkeys carry their young on their backs for the first few months of their lives, similarly to Howler Monkey using their tail as a safety belt for their offspring. Once the baby is old enough, it will learn how to move from tree to tree and eventually become independent.
The Spider Monkey is one species that especially suffers from forest fragmentation. This is a situation when a continuous forest breaks up into smaller and isolated patches due to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and road building.
Despite their stark differences, there is one disturbing similarity among these three species. All three, are in one way or another, facing the risk of extinction – a situation that is shameful, especially given human understanding of how important biodiversity is.
Questions 29-36
Complete the table below.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER tor each answer.
Questions 37-40
For each question, choose the appropriate letter A-С
37 Monkeys and human are believed to be related because
A They are genetically identical
B They are uniquely similar in certain respects
C They possess anatomic resemblance
38 One peculiarity that makes Chimpanzee stand out is the fact they
A Like humans, make use of makeshift tools
B Prefer to live in larger social groups
C Favour mostly plant-based foods
39 What behavioural activities point at higher cognitive development among chimpanzees?
A grooming, kissing and hugging
B biting, screaming and hitting
C neither of these
40 Which monkey species is mentioned to have clearly defined gender roles?
A the chimpanzee
B the howler monkey
C the spider monkey
For this task: Answer keys :: Vocabulary