当我们提到章鱼这种动物时，常常会联想到它在海底蠕动身体、独自活动的场景。但科学家认为章鱼可能比我们想象中更加擅长社交。一项新的研究发现，章鱼有时会和其它鱼类共同狩猎。

Octopuses are usually considered to be solitary creatures, but this study suggests they may have richer social lives than previously thought.

章鱼通常被认为是独居动物，但这个研究表明它们的社交生活可能比此前人们认为的更加丰富。

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.

研究者发现，章鱼在捕猎时会和不同种类的鱼合作，甚至为这个群体作出决策并承担领导职能。但事情并不总是一帆风顺。科学家观察到，章鱼似乎会击打团队中的鱼，目的是为了让它们继续完成任务并且更加卖力地捕猎。

The authors of the study say it shows that when it comes to sentience, octopuses are closer to humans than previously thought.

这项研究的论文作者表示，章鱼的感知能力比先前估计的更接近人类。

词汇表

solitary 独自的
richer 更丰富的
prey 猎物
pack （动物的）群体
leadership responsibilities 领导职能
go swimmingly （某事）顺利进行，一帆风顺
keeping… on task 让…继续工作
sentience 感知能力
than previously thought 比先前所想的更…

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

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.