Can Animals Be Gay?‏

Lindsay Young is a biologist1 in Hawaii. Since 2003, she has been researching Laysan albatrosses2, which are a kind of sea bird. Every year, Young has watched as the birds returned to Hawaii for the mating3 season. One year, Young observed something special about some of the couples. She discovered that one-third of the couples were made up of two females. Although the female-female couples made eggs with males, they chose to live and raise their babies together. 琳賽‧楊恩是夏威夷的一位生物學家。她從2003年開始就一直在研究黑背信天翁這種海鳥。每年當這些鳥類在交配季節返回夏威夷時，楊恩都會觀察牠們。有一年，楊恩觀察到當中一些信天翁伴侶的特殊行為。她發現有三分之一的伴侶是由兩隻雌鳥所組成的。雖然這些由兩隻雌鳥組成的伴侶是與雄鳥交配下蛋的，但牠們卻選擇一起共築愛巢，並且養育牠們的幼鳥。 　　After Young published a paper4 about her study, many scientists contacted her. The animals that they studied also chose to be with a mate of the same gender5. Over 450 different kinds of animals have shown this type of behavior. The big question is why, but scientists are not honestly sure. Young says that more research needs to be done. The animal world is similar to the human world, but the two are not completely the same. Animals chose their activities and partners for reasons that scientists could only guess. Right now, all scientists know for sure is that there is no single answer to the question, "Can animals be gay?"

在楊恩出版了關於她這項研究的論文後，有許多科學家紛紛跟她聯繫。因為他們研究的動物也選擇跟相同性別的配偶在一起。有超過四百五十種不同的動物已經表現出這種行為。這當中最重要的問題就是為什麼，但科學家其實並不確定。楊恩表示這還需要進行更多的研究。動物的世界與人類的世界有相似之處，但兩者並不完全相同。動物選擇牠們的活動及夥伴的原因，科學家們也只能臆測而已。而在目前，所有科學家能夠肯定的事就只有『動物也有同志情？』的這個問題並沒有單一的解答。

Questions

1. What did Lindsay Young discover about Laysan albatrosses?
(A) Male birds raised their babies all by themselves.
(B) One-third of the couples were male-male couples.
(C) They imitated the way humans chose activities and partners.
(D) Some of the albatross couples were made up of two female birds.

1. 關於黑背信天翁，琳賽‧楊恩發現了什麼？
(A) 雄鳥全靠自己獨力養育牠們的幼鳥。
(B) 有三分之一的伴侶是由兩隻雄鳥所組成的。
(C) 牠們選擇活動和夥伴的方式是模仿人類的。
(D) 有些信天翁伴侶是由兩隻雌鳥所組成的。
2. According to the article, which of the following is true?
(A) Many kinds of animals choose to be with a mate of the same gender.
(B) Scientists have already known for a long time why some animals are gay.
(C) Many scientists had contacted Young before she published a paper about her study.
(D) The reasons why animals and humans choose their partners are completely the same.
2. 根據本文，下列何者為真？
(A) 許多動物都選擇與相同性別的配偶在一起。
(B) 對於為何有些動物是同志一事，科學家們很早就知道原因了。
(C) 許多科學家在楊恩出版關於她的研究論文之前就已跟她聯繫。
(D) 動物和人類選擇他們夥伴的原因是完全相同的。
答案：1. (D)　2. (A)

Building Your Vocabulary

1. research　vt. & n. 研究
Scientists have been researching the effects of the drug on mice.
科學家一直在老鼠身上研究這種藥物的功效。
2. observe　vt. 觀察
Samantha likes to observe people at malls.
莎曼珊喜歡觀察賣場裡的人們。
3. raise　vt. 養育；飼養；種植
My dad has been raising chickens for years.
我爸爸養雞已經養了好幾年了。
4. publish　vt. 出版，發行
The author recently published a new book.
這位作者最近發行了一本新書。
5. imitate　vt. 模仿
Children often imitate their parents' behavior.
小孩子常會模仿他們父母的行為舉止。

Phrases for Learning   1. be made up of...　　由……組成 This group is made up of six boys and six girls. 這個團體是由六個男孩及六個女孩所組成的。 2. be similar to...　　和……相似 Polly's taste in clothes is similar to mine. 波莉對服裝的品味跟我很像。 3. for sure　　肯定地，確切地 The party will take place tomorrow for sure. 這場派對明天一定會舉行。 Extra Words   1. biologist　n. 生物學家 2. albatross　n. 信天翁 3. mating　n. 交配（本文中作形容詞用） mate　n.（動物的）配偶 4. paper　n. 研究論文 5. gender　n. 性別 Tips In Use   She discovered that one-third of the couples were made up of... （她發現有三分之一的伴侶是由……所組成的。） 　　用英文表示分數時，分子須用基數（one, two...）表示，而分母則用序數（second, third...）表示。當分子大於"1"時，分母的字尾須加上"-s"。分子與分母之間通常有連字號"-"連接，但"a/one half"（二分之一）與"a/one quarter"（四分之一）間則沒有。例： 1/5 → one-fifth 3/10 → three-tenths If we divide the cake into six pieces, each of us can have one-sixth. （如果我們把蛋糕切成六塊，每人可分得六分之一。） Sandra has finished three-quarters of her paper. （珊卓的論文已經完成四分之三了。）