Section B Trying Your Hand
Consolidation Exercises
Skim the following passage and choose the best answer to each question.
Social insects live in integrated communities which in some ways are similar to human communities. In both types of communities there is a division of labor. In insect societies certain insects are responsible for reproduction； the workers collect food while the soldiers defend the colony. In the same way human groups such as farmers and shopkeepers have specialized functions in producing goods and providing services to the community.
Insects and human societies are also alike in that individual members of the community work together. Termite （white ant） workers coordinate their efforts to build nests. Similarly，in human societies engineers， architects， town planners and construction workers unite to build cities.
The nests of social insects are as complex as a man⁃made city. In some insect nests，special accommodation is provided for the young and for food storage. Many nests have devices for regulating the temperature. So insect nests are as functional as human houses.
It is not surprising， therefore， that many analogies have been made between social insects and human societies. It must not be forgotten， however， that insect social behavior is determined by innate （possessed from birth）instinct mechanisms. Insects show no capacity for learning or for developing a social tradition based on learning.
Choose the best answer.
1. The main idea of the passage is________.
A. the similarities between the insect nests and human houses
B. the complex nests of social insects
C. the similarities between social insects and human society
D. the function performed by social insects and human groups
2. Termite workers are responsible for________.
A. breeding babies
B. defending the colony
C. building nests
D. collecting food
3. Base on the passage， insect society and human community are different in that________.
A. human beings are more advanced than insects
B. insect social behavior is out of innate instinct while human being is capable of learning
C. human beings can make tools while insects can't
D. insects are born with some skills while people aren't
Explanations
1. The key is C.The first sentence in Para.1 summarizes the main idea of the passage，which is followed by explanations in the following paragraphs.
2. The key is C. From Line 2 of Para. 2， we know “Termite workers coordinate their efforts to build nests.”
3. The key is B. The answer can be found in the last sentence of Para. 4.