Crows are notoriously poor and aggravating subjects for
field research. Keen observers and quick learners, they are
astute about the intentions of other creatures, including
researchers, and adept at avoiding them. Because they are so
numerous, active, and monochromatic, it is difficult to
distinguish one crow from another. Bands, radio transmitters, or
other identifying devices can be attached to them , but this of
course requires catching live crows, who are among the wariest
and most untrappable of birds.
Technical difficulties aside , crow research is daunting
because the ways of these birds are so complex and various.
As preeminent is generalists, members of this species
ingeniously exploit a great range of habitats and resources, and
they can quickly adjust to changes in their circumstances.
Being so educable, individual birds have markedly different interests
and inclinations, strategies and scams. For example, one
pet crow learned how to let a dog out of its kennel by pulling
the pin on the door. When the dog escaped, the bird went into
the kennel and ate its food.
22.What is the main topic of the passage?
(A) The ways in which crows differ from other common birds.
(B) The myths and legends about crows.
(C) The characteristics that make crows difficult to study.
(D) The existing methods for investigating crow behavior.
23.According to the first paragraph, what evidence is there that crows have interested people for a long time?
(A) The large number of stories about crows.
(B) The frequency with which crows are sighted.
(C) The amount of research that has been conducted on crows.
(D) The ease with which crows are identified.
24.The word "comparably" in line 7 is closest in meaning to
(A) interestingly
(B) similarly
(C) otherwise
(D) sometimes
25.In line 9, the author mentions the endangered California condor as an example of a species that is
(A) smaller than the crow
(B) easily identifiable
(C) featured in legends
(D) very rare
26.The word "them" in line 10 refers to
(A) crows
(B) subjects
(C) intentions
(D) researchers
27.According to the second paragraph, crows are poor subjects for field research for all of the following reasons EXCEPT
(A) They can successfully avoid observers.
(B) They are hard to distinguish from one another.
(C) They can be quite aggressive.
(D) They are difficult to catch.
28.In the second paragraph, the author implies that using radio transmitters would allow a researcher who studies crow to
(A) identify individual crows
(B) follow flocks of crows over long distances
(C) record the times when crows are most active
(D) help crows that become sick or injured
29.According to the third paragraph, which of the following is true about crows?
(A) They seldom live in any one place for very long.
(B) They thrive in a wide variety of environments.
(C) They have marked preferences for certain kinds of foods.
(D) They use up the resources in one area before moving to another.