Welcome to this TOEFL listening practice. You will hear a short lecture excerpt about animal behavior. Listen carefully and pay attention to the main topic, key details, examples, and supporting evidence. After the lecture, you will answer four questions based on what you heard.
Okay, everyone. Let's continue our discussion on animal behavior. Today, I want to talk about migration, specifically the incredible journeys undertaken by some bird species. Now, migration isn't just random flying; it's a complex, often annual, movement from one geographic location to another, usually for breeding or feeding purposes.
Think about the Arctic Tern, for example. This small bird holds the record for the longest migration. It breeds in the Arctic during the Northern Hemisphere summer and then flies all the way to the Antarctic for the Southern Hemisphere summer, covering distances of up to 40,000 kilometers round trip each year!
This requires remarkable navigation skills. Scientists believe birds use a combination of cues: the sun's position, the stars at night, the Earth's magnetic field, and even landmarks. It's truly one of nature's most amazing feats.
Now, let's test your understanding of the lecture. Answer the following questions: First, what is the main topic of the professor's mini-lecture? Second, according to the professor, what is one reason birds migrate? Third, what bird species does the professor mention as an example of long-distance migration? And fourth, what are some of the cues scientists believe birds use for navigation during migration? Take your time to think about your answers based on what you heard in the lecture.