Was Jane Goodall a feminist trailblazer? The world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, a woman who “challenged human exceptionalism”, has died at the age of 91.
Farewell to the ‘gentle disruptor’
Chimp champion: Jane Goodall's revolutionary chimpanzee research became a potent argument against the idea that humans are unique in their ability to use tools and form complex societies. Comprehension quiz
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What does the article mean when it says Jane Goodall “challenged human exceptionalism”?
A: The idea that humans are exactly the same as all other animals.
B: The belief that humans are unique and superior to all other living things.
C: The act of making an exception for humans when studying animals.
D: The study of exceptional humans who do great things.
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Which word is the closest synonym for revolutionise as it is used in this sentence: “she could not have imagined that she would revolutionise science…”?
A: Complicate
B: End
C: Transform
D: Maintain
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Add the correct punctuation (capital letters and a full stop) to this sentence:
one day she phoned up famed paleoanthropologist louis leakey and he was so impressed he offered her a job on the spot
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True or False: Jane Goodall had to get a PhD from the University of Cambridge before she could begin her research on chimpanzees in Tanzania.
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What important discovery did Jane Goodall make about chimpanzees’ use of tools?
A: They use large stones to break open nuts.
B: They use twigs, stripped of their bark, to dig for termites.
C: They use leaves as sponges to drink water.
D: They use branches as weapons during the “Four Year War.”
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Write down two reasons given in the article why Jane Goodall faced difficulty or disrespect from some of her male colleagues.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1: B, 2: C, 3: One day she phoned up famed paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey and he was so impressed he offered her a job on the spot., 4: False, 5: B, 6: There are three reasons in the text!
1: B, 2: C, 3: One day she phoned up famed paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey and he was so impressed he offered her a job on the spot., 4: False, 5: B, 6: There are three reasons in the text!
Glossary
Revolutionise - Change something dramatically.
Esteemed - Greatly respected; admired.
Guarantor - A person or thing that acts as a guarantee. A military could be called the guarantor of a country's security.
Paleoanthropologist - Someone who studies human evolution by analysing fossil remains and archaeological evidence.
PhD - An abbreviation for a Doctorate of Philosophy. Students study for several years and usually do their own extensive research to gain a PhD.
Dismissed - To decide something or someone is not important and stop considering it.
Accolades - Awards or strong praise.
Disruptor - Someone who challenges established leaders or ideas and comes up with new ways of doing things.
Peers - People who are the same age, status, or ability as you.
Preached - To strongly urge or teach an idea or belief to others.