What comes to your mind when someone mentions 'animal instinct'? Is it a greater sensory perception?

A
premonition? Sixth sense, perhaps? There is no doubt that animals need these cutting-edge senses for surviving
in the wild. The question is, does this animal instinct come in handy enough to shelter them from an impending
natural disaster? Scientists researching animal behavior are trying to establish a line of logic between jittery
animals and the natural disasters that seem to follow it. Let us delve deeper to unlock this mystery.
Do Animals Predict Natural Disasters?
For animals living in the wild, the meaning of life equals survival. This explains the presence of a keener sense
of hearing and smell in these creatures, especially when compared to humans. They possess an advanced
perceptive sense that aids their survival in the jungles. It makes them tune in to minute vibrations that are
imperceptible to us, what with survival not topping our list of priorities. It is well documented how migratory
species also make use of electromagnetic fields to navigate. Similarly, members of the animal kingdom have
always been deft at understanding climatic changes and adapting accordingly. Animals have been known to
show some noticeable changes in behavior that have signaled the possibility of a tragedy. Animals in zoos
attempt to escape confinement, horses and cattle mostly huddle in open spaces, insects are seen moving
indoors to safety; the animal kingdom seems united by this unique trait that they apparently possess. Here are
some examples that substantiate this theory.
Increasingly voluminous croaking of frogs is an indication of a storm brewing in the vicinity.
Expect heavy rains if you notice butterflies and bees do a sudden vanishing act. They are probably on the hunt
for a dry spot.
Sharks swim towards the safety of the deep seas when hurricanes threaten to strike.
Migratory birds are known to delay departures at the onset of hurricanes.
Prior to volcanic eruptions, there is a palpable restlessness among animals that inhabit the surroundings.
Cats and dogs have been observed to flee their homes during the days leading up to an earthquake, with a
sudden rise in lost pets adverts often preceding a disaster.
Do Animals Foresee Earthquakes?
Tales of animals sensing the occurrence of earthquakes are often shared. The tragic tsunami that hit Southeast
Asia in December 2004 was triggered by one of the worst earthquakes ever. This tragedy threw up a lot of
stories of animals scurrying to find shelter just ahead of the giant waves approaching. The aftermath of this
catastrophe saw unprecedented damage to human life. Surprisingly, the animals had managed to shelter
themselves from the wrath of nature to a great degree. There were various sightings of animals like elephants
and felines moving inland, exhibiting an unusual behavioral pattern.
We regularly hear people vehemently describing the peculiar yowls and howls of their beloved furry friends,
prior to an earthquake. Domestic pets have also been seen going through unexplained periods of gloom and
restlessness, days before the earthquake actually occurs.
Seismologists in China and Japan (countries victim to some gruesome natural disasters), are putting in efforts to
discover the reasoning behind uncommon animal behavior prior to earthquakes. They are hopeful of making an
advancement in establishing this theory as animals are able to detect changes in the Earth's vibrations.
Behold the Truth
Ever noticed how these stories of "fleeing animals" surface right after a tragedy has struck? Noticeable
peculiarity in animal behavior cannot always be indicative of an impending natural disaster. Here's why.
.Animals are known to change their behavior for unexplained reasons. Bizarre actions could also indicate
something as simple as mating calls.
.It is extremely difficult to study animals in a controlled environment as their reactions to several moods are
.Geologists state the "psychological focusing effort" to classify this as a myth. It is
only in hindsight that humans notice the changes in animal behavior. These
peculiarities are never glossed over if a natural disaster doesn't occur.
For our jungle friends, this 'wonder sense' that they possess is a matter of life and
death, something that is integral to their survival in the wild. Humans, being humans,
are able to smell an opportunity that would help them in predicting natural disasters.
What we imagine to be clairvoyance could be a mundane action on the part of the
animal. Their heightened sense of perception may not be conclusive, but it can't be
completely dismissed as well. So, the next time little 'Tommy' has an alarming ring to
his bark, decide if you wish to take flight or refill his food bowl.

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/can-animals-predict-natural-

Choose the correct answer.

1) A natural tendency to behave in a particular
way that
people and animals are born with is,
a) delay
b) instinct
c) trait
2) Jittery is most nearly the synonym of:
a) alert
b) bizarre
c) restless
3) Something important and that must be done
first or
needs more attention than anything else is,
a) period
b) various
c) priority
4) Discern is most nearly the synonym of:
a) distinguish
b) ignore
c) concern
5) The term cutting-edge means:
a) intellectual
b) acutely sensitive
c) blunt,not very sharp
6) What readily or clearly seen or perceived
is,
a) beloved
b) imperceptible
c) palpable
7) The term gloss over means:
a) expressing admiration
b) covering up a fault or error
c) keeping out of sight

8) Substantiate is most nearly the synonym of:

a) confirm
b) change
c) disagree
9) Forceful anger is,
a) disaster
b) wrath
c) survival
10) Peculiarity is most nearly opposite to:
a) particularity
b) singularity
c) normality
11) To impend means:
a) to be about to occur
b) to happen later than it should
c) to not move
12) Nearby area or neighbourhood is,
a) domestic
b) inland
c) vicinity
13) Hitting someone or something in a forceful
way is,
a) to strike
b) to impend
c) to detect
14) The term deft at means:
a) being uncapable of handling difficult
situations
b) being able to do something quickly
and skillfully
c) getting or reaching something by working
hard

Choose the correct answer.

1) The link between the abnormal animal behaviours and upcoming natural
disasters is
researched by
a) Asians.
b) scientists.
c) academics.

2) To stay alive,animals need

a) a sixth sense to foresee natural disasters.
b) freedom.
c) sharp senses to protect themselves from potential dangers.
3) For _____________ ,surviving is not the most important thing in life.
a) human beings
b) animals
c) plants
4) Some animals like ______________________ use electromagnetic fields to find their ways in
nature.
a) whales,birds and elephants
b) tigers,lions and cheetahs
c) dogs,cats and rabbits
5) Noticing climate changes and behaving in unexpected ways in prospect of a disaster
a) are just myths that have been talked about animals.
b) are two traits that have been wrongly attributed to animals.
c) are common traits of animals.
6) Sharks swimming away from an upcoming natural disaster
a) is not true.
b) is an occurrence that supports the idea of animals sensing the potential tragedy.
c) is a scientifically proven fact.
7) In 2004 tsunami,
a) people luckily managed to save their animals.
b) animals perished more than people.
c) animals protected themselves better than people did.
8) Animals are uneasy and behave strange ________________________ a disaster.
a) before
b) after
c) during the course of
9) China and Japan
a) are two countries who were badly affected by natural disasters.
b) are two countries who have been hopelessly trying to prove the theory that animals foresee
earthquakes.
c) are two countries who gave victims to natural disasters more than any other country did.
10) According to __________________, people perceive the significance of unnatural animal
behaviours after natural
disasters have occurred.
a) pet owners
b) scientists
c) geologists
11) Animals
a) are inferior to human beings therefore their reactions and behaviours shouldnt be taken
into account at all.
b) may behave strange for no reason and react to different situations in the same way.
c) are certainly predictable therefore they can easily be observed for scientific purposes.
12) This following sentence is in accordence with the main idea of this passage
a) Little Tommys bark shouldnt alarm anyone.
b) Little Tommys bark may indicate a potential disaster or simply means that he is hungry.
c) People had better prepare themselves for a tragedy when Little Tommy barks.

ANSWER KEY:
Vocabulary:
1) b 2) c 3) c 4) a 5) b 6) c 7) b 8) a 9) b 10) c 11) a 12) c 13) a 14) b
Reading Comprehension:
1) b 2) c 3) a 4) a 5) c 6) b 7) c 8) a 9) a 10) c 11) b 12) b