Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.
Transcript
Now scientists in the UK have discovered that bumblebees enjoy playing with balls, just as humans and dogs do. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London say the research, which was published in the journal Animal Behaviour, provides a strong indication that insect minds are far more sophisticated than we might have imagined. Aruna Iyengar has this report.
It's an extraordinary sight: a bee plays with a ball. It's more than just cute. Researchers say this shows, for the first time, insects interacting with inanimate objects as a form of play. And that suggests their minds are more complex than we previously thought.
Bees are known to work cooperatively in hives. They give us honey and wax, and our ecosystem relies on them through pollination. But despite their tiny size and brains, they're far from being just nature's workhorses. A team at Queen Mary University of London designed a series of experiments where bees rolled wooden balls. They found the bees showed their playful side without any extra inducement like a sugary treat. They went back to the toys again and again. Younger bees played more than older ones, and adult males rolled for longer than females of a similar age.
Aruna Iyengar, BeeBC News
© BBC
Who's want to play with be?
I don’t think i like any insects but if we are talking about beauty i think ladybugs are beautiful
Hello,
I think my favourite insect is bee. It's essential for us to live because the pollination. Thier brains found to be morr sophisticated than we thought. They are workhorses working cooperatively in to build the hive.the scientists found a strong indication of their intelligence in experiment a inanimate wooden balls are used without sugar inducement used.
Hi Team,
In the transcript: "But despite their tiny size and brains, they're far from being just nature's workhorses."
--> it says 'size and brains', I suppose size is used here to refer to the size of a specific insect group (bees), can I also use brain (singular) here then? (Furthermore, could I use sizes and brains then?)
Having difficulties over "plural vs singular". Thank you!
Hello Yan,
Yes, you can use 'brains' here without changing the meaning in this context. The singular forms ('size' and 'brain') describe a feature common to and typical of all bees. The plural forms describe all the individual examples, which may or may not be typical of the type.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I like butterflies, because every type has different wings colours, and also bees.
They both are two type of insect that help nature to grow and to keep in a well condition; without these insects most plants will disappear quickly, due to the fact that pollination wouldn’t exist.
For that, humans being ought to protect them and avoiding their annihilation.
It’s a difficult question for me, because I don’t like the insects. I just think all nature is beautiful, and the animals and all living being are important for the life.
how to do task2. I am not able to put word in this exercise.
Hello Tharrpu,
For task 2, first you must tap or click on the word block at the top that you want to move. Then tap or click in the space where you want to put it. It should move.
If it doesn't, I would suggest trying a different browser or device. As far as I can tell, it is working correctly.
I hope this helps you.
All the best,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Thanks a lot. I got it.