當我們提到章魚這種動物時，常常會聯想到它在海底蠕動身體、獨自活動的場景。但科學傢認為章魚可能比我們想象中更加擅長社交。一項新的研究發現，章魚有時會和其它魚類共同狩獵。
Octopuses are usually considered to be solitary creatures, but this study suggests they may have richer social lives than previously thought.
章魚通常被認為是獨居動物，但這個研究表明它們的社交生活可能比此前人們認為的更加豐富。
Researchers found they work together with different species of fish when hunting for prey, even making decisions on behalf of the pack and sharing leadership responsibilities. But things don’t always go swimmingly. Scientists witnessed octopuses punching fish in the group, apparently, as a way of making them work harder and keeping them on task.
研究者發現，章魚在捕獵時會和不同種類的魚合作，甚至為這個群體作出決策並承擔領導職能。但事情並不總是一帆風順。科學傢觀察到，章魚似乎會擊打團隊中的魚，目的是為瞭讓它們繼續完成任務並且更加賣力地捕獵。
The authors of the study say it shows that when it comes to sentience, octopuses are closer to humans than previously thought.
這項研究的論文作者表示，章魚的感知能力比先前估計的更接近人類。
詞匯表
solitary 獨自的
richer 更豐富的
prey 獵物
pack （動物的）群體
leadership responsibilities 領導職能
go swimmingly （某事）順利進行，一帆風順
keeping… on task 讓…繼續工作
sentience 感知能力
than previously thought 比先前所想的更…
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. According to the article, what do many people think about octopuses?
2. When do octopuses work with fish?
3. Why do octopuses sometimes hit fish?
4. True or False? According to the authors of the study, octopuses are nothing like humans.
答案
1. According to the article, what do many people think about octopuses?
The article says that octopuses are usually considered to be solitary creatures.
2. When do octopuses work with fish?
Octopuses work with some species of fish when hunting for prey.
3. Why do octopuses sometimes hit fish?
Scientists believe that octopuses sometimes hit fish to make them work harder and stay on task.
4. True or False? According to the authors of the study, octopuses are nothing like humans.
False. According to the study, in terms of sentience, octopuses are closer to humans than previously thought.
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