PTERead the text and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. More than one response is correct.

We humans are social —we stick together. Family traditionally came first. Then more distant relatives. Then larger groups of unrelated individuals, connected by culture. But it turns out the same could be said for sperm whales. "So usually you find the female, and their mom and the grandmas and their aunts, and they all stay together for many years." Maurício Cantor, a biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He says those closely related family groups then seek out other families with similar behavior: "They tend to hang out or stay together with those who produce the same kinds of sounds." Meaning whale cliques are based on similar clicks. And similarly clicking whales don't just hang out together, he says. They also emulate each other's songs, or codas. Meaning clans of whales evolve their own —their own form of culture. And these dialects are key. Cantor and colleagues built a computer simulation of generation after generation of virtual whales. And they found that no other factor—like genetics or mother-daughter teaching—could explain the emergence of the clans and dialects in real sperm whale society. The study appears in the journal Nature Communications. "I'm not trying to say that the types of culture the whale has are the same as human culture. Obviously human culture is much more diverse and complex and cumulative and symbolic. But it's very fascinating just to see that they can have some type of , they can have their own type of culture." And maybe a better understanding of that whale culture, he says, might persuade a few human cultures to be a bit more conservation-minded, when it comes to whales.

PTE#309 - Animal Dialect

Question 309 of

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    PTE Fill In The Blanks (select)

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    PTE Fill In The Blanks (select) Scoring Criteria

    Number of items: 5-6

    Communicative skills scored: Reading and writing

    • 1 Each correctly completed blank

    • 0 Minimum score


    PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading): Efficiently Navigate This Reading Task

    The PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) task is a component of the PTE Academic reading section. While not the most crucial part of the test, understanding how to approach it efficiently can help optimize your overall performance.

    Understanding the PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) Task

    In this task, you'll see a text with several blanks. You need to select the correct word from a drop-down list to complete each blank. This tests your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and understanding of context.

    Key Features of PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading):

    • Text passages of 80 words or more
    • Multiple blanks per passage
    • Drop-down list of options for each blank
    • Tests reading and vocabulary skills
    • Various academic topics covered

    Strategies for Efficient Completion of PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    While this task is not crucial for your overall score, approaching it efficiently can save time for more important sections. Here are some strategies:

    1. Quickly scan the entire passage for context
    2. Don't spend too much time on any single blank
    3. If you know the answer, fill it in quickly
    4. If unsure, make your best guess and move on
    5. Prioritize speed over perfection in this task

    Important Note on Time Management

    Don't spend too much time on this task. If you know the answer, fill it in and move on. If you're unsure, make your best guess and proceed to the next question. Remember, this task is not crucial to your overall score, so it's better to save time for more important sections of the test.

    Essential Tips for PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    NEVER leave any blanks unfilled. ALWAYS make an educated guess if unsure. Remember, there's no penalty for incorrect answers, so it's better to choose an option than to leave it blank.

    Common Challenges in PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    Be aware of these common challenges, but don't let them slow you down:

    • Time management
    • Unfamiliar vocabulary
    • Distinguishing between similar word choices
    • Understanding complex sentence structures
    • Maintaining focus throughout longer passages

    How to Practice PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) Effectively

    While this task is not crucial, some practice can help you approach it more efficiently:

    1. Practice quick reading and context understanding
    2. Improve your vocabulary through regular reading
    3. Practice with sample questions to get familiar with the format
    4. Time yourself during practice to improve speed

    Scoring for PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    Understanding the scoring can help you prioritize your efforts:

    • Each correct answer receives one point
    • Incorrect answers receive zero points (no negative marking)
    • This task contributes less significantly to your overall score compared to other sections

    Conclusion: Efficiently Handling Fill in the Blanks (Reading) in PTE

    While the Fill in the Blanks (Reading) task is part of the PTE reading test, it's not crucial to your overall score. Focus on quick completion rather than perfection. Remember, don't spend too much time on this task. If you know the answer, fill it in quickly. If you're unsure, make your best guess and move on. Prioritizing more important sections of the test is key to maximizing your overall PTE score.