When a large group of people struggles to reach a consensus, voting is often used to help make a decision. Surprisingly, humans are not the only animals that exhibit this type of democratictendency. Several different species of animals demonstrate similar voting behavior.
One of the most notable examples of animals engaging in this activity involves African buffalo. Ecologist Herbert Prins first observed herdsof African buffalo performing voting behavior in the 1990s. Groups of African buffalo would pause under the intense midday sun and rest until dusk. Prins noticed that some buffalo would periodicallystand up and gazein certain directions during the break. As the sun set, they would proceedto a new grazing spot where they could feed during the evening. The buffalo’s behavior is evidence of a form of democratic voting, as the evening grazing locations are selected in accordancewith the most gazes from the group.
The African buffalo’s voting system is straightforward. One buffalo initiates the process by getting up, looking intently in a particular direction, and lying back down. If other buffalo agree with this choice, they will mimicthis behavior. Conversely, buffalo with a differingpreference will face their desired location. Ultimately, the direction favored by the majority dictates where the herd will graze that evening.
Not all buffalo are involved in the decision-making process, though. It’s primarily the adult females of the herd that participate. The voting system displays a certain level of fairness because the status of each buffalo in the group has no bearing on individual voting power. Every adult female, regardless of their social standing, has an equal voice. By exercising their collectivewisdom through voting, African buffalo guaranteea full stomach for all.
1. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?
(A) To illustrate how various creatures have developed democratic behavior.
(B) To reveal some advantages of group decision-making to readers.
(C) To let readers know democracy isn’t limited to humans.
(D) To explain the reasons behind human voting.
2. What does “The buffalo’s behavior” in the second paragraph refer to?
(A) That buffalo are inactive during daylight hours and move around extensively at night.
(B) That buffalo rise and stare at specific points, and then move to a new spot to graze.
(C) That buffalo take a midday break.
(D) That buffalo feed on grass.
3. According to the passage, why do African buffalo vote?
(A) To decide where to spend the night.
(B) To pick a feeding area for their young.
(C) To select a place to rest as darkness falls.
(D) To determine the location for their evening meal.
4. Which group of African buffalo is usually involved in the voting process?
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
democratic
[͵dɛməˋkrætɪk]
a. 民主的；〔美〕民主黨的（大寫）
The president was elected through a democratic process.
該總統是經由民主程序選出來的。
The Democratic and Republican Parties are the two major political parties in the US. 民主黨與共和黨是美國的兩個主要政黨。
高中 Level 3
●
tendency
[ˋtɛndənsɪ]
n. 傾向
Henry has atendency to look at the ground when he is telling a lie.
亨利說謊時往往會看地面。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
herd
[hɝd]
n. 一群
vt. 放牧
A herd of cattle was quietly grazing on the grass. 一群牛在草地上正安靜地吃草。
The cowboys herded the cows with the help of their horses.
牛仔們的馬協助他們來放牧牛群。
高中 Level 4
●
periodically
[pɪrɪˋɑdɪklɪ]
adv. 定期地
The manager checks in with the team periodically to track progress.
該經理定期聯繫那個小組以追蹤進度。
英檢中高
●
gaze
[gez]
vi. & n. 凝視，注視
Karen gazed at Johnson in amazement when he said that he would marry his elementary schoolmate, Joan.
強森說他要娶小學同學瓊安時，凱倫驚訝地盯著他看。
When the woman looked over at him, Ben averted his gaze.
當女子看著班時，他移開視線。
I met Judy’s gaze across the crowded dance floor.
我和茱蒂在擁擠的舞池中目光相會。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
proceed
[prəˋsid]
vi. 繼續前進
All passengers should proceedto Gate 2 for boarding.
所有乘客應前往 2 號登機門登機。
Please proceed with your explanation.
請繼續你的說明。
Please continue with your explanation.
請繼續你的說明。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
straightforward
[͵stretˋfɔrwɚd]
a. 直接的；易懂的
=
frank
Don’t beat around the bush. Mr. Lin is a very straightforward man. You can talk openly with him.
不要拐彎抹角的。林先生是很直接的人。你可以很坦率地跟他說話。
The installation of this software is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is follow the instructions step by step.
安裝這套軟體很容易。你只要一步步跟著指示就行了。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
initiate
[ɪˋnɪʃɪɪt]
n. （尤指會被告知祕密的）（新）加入者
vt. 開始；傳授基本知識；接納新成員
a. 新加入的
Management decided to initiate a new marketing strategy.
管理階層決定展開一套新的行銷策略。
My father initiated me into the art of diplomacy.
父親帶領我初步認識了外交上的藝術。
Carl was initiated into a fraternity right after entering college.
卡爾進大學後馬上就加入了一個兄弟會。
Only the initiates of the organization really knew its deep, dark secrets.
只有這個組織的新成員知道該組織深沉、黑暗的祕密。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
mimic
[ˋmɪmɪk]
vt. . 模仿
n. 善於模仿（他人或動物）的人
三態
mimicked [ `mɪmɪkt ] / mimicked [ `mɪmɪkt ]
=
copy
=
imitate
We all roared with laughter when Tom mimickedProf. Usher giving a lecture.
看見湯姆模仿厄許教授講課，我們全都大笑了起來。
Laura is an excellent mimic. Everyone thinks
it’s hilarious when she copies the voices and
mannerisms of our teachers.
蘿拉很會模仿。每個人都認為她學各個老師的聲音舉止都很
好笑。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
differing
[ˋdɪfɚɪŋ]
a. 不同的，相異的
The artists have differing styles but share a common passion for creativity.
那些藝術家風格各異，但對創意有著共同的熱情。
英檢中級
●
collective
[kəˋlɛktɪv]
a. 集體的， 共同的
n. 集體企業
The board has reached a collective decision on the matter.
董事會已就該議題做出了共同的決定。
The store is run by a collective, with the profits being shared among all the staff.
這間店由集體企業營運，利潤由所有員工共享。
高中 Level 5
●
guarantee
[͵gærənˋti]
n. 保證
vt. 保證，擔保
=
assurance
=
warranty
The guarantee from the manufacturer is valid for one year.
廠商的保證一年有效。
The product comes with a three-year guarantee.
這項商品有三年的保固。
I guarantee that everything will be fine. Just wait and see.
我保證一切將會沒事。等著瞧吧。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Extra Words
●
midday
[ˋmɪd͵de]
a. 正中午的
英檢中級
●
dusk
[dʌsk]
n. . 傍晚
The peasants worked from dawn todusk, striving to
earn a living.
這些農夫們從早工作到晚，努力維持溫飽。
高中 Level 6
●
dictate
[ˋdɪktet]
vt. & vi. . 口述；指定，規定
The manager just dictated a letter to his secretary.
經理剛才向祕書口述一封信函。
The committee didn’t dictate how the money should
be spent.
委員會並未規定這筆錢應該怎麼花。
The government shouldn’t be dictated to by the
mass media.
政府不該被大眾媒體所操控。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 6
Practical Phrases
●
in accordance with...
依據……
Make sure you use this product in accordance with
the instructions.
務必依照操作手冊使用此產品。
●
have no bearing on
對⋯⋯毫無影響
Minor grammatical errors have no bearing on the overall quality of the essay.
文法小錯誤不影響該論文整體的品質。
