Scientists Study Jonathan the Tortoise’s Genome for Clues to Longevity

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the first definition provided after the researchers’ objective?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. A description of species-wide aging rates
   2. A definition of the term genome
   3. A warning about individual biology
   4. A prediction concerning immediate answers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A definition of the term genome

   The narration first explains that a genome comprises all genetic material.

   A genome is the complete collection of genetic material in an organism.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does Jonathan’s age demonstrate in the narration?

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   1. That age is irrelevant to biological research
   2. That he is an exceptional land-animal example
   3. That he belongs to the longest-lived species
   4. That his genome has already been fully interpreted
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   That he is an exceptional land-animal example

   His age makes him an exceptional example among land animals.

   At 194, he represents an exceptional example among land animals.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

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   Why can long-lived species serve as useful points of comparison?

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   1. Because all species share identical aging mechanisms
   2. Because comparisons may illuminate differing survival durations
   3. Because long-lived species have simpler genomes
   4. Because researchers can determine age without biological evidence
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Because comparisons may illuminate differing survival durations

   Their differences may help explain why organisms have markedly different lifespans.

   Animals do not all grow older at the same pace, and long-lived species can provide useful points of comparison.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What caution does the speaker attach to genetic patterns?

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   1. They should be treated as definitive explanations
   2. They are useful only for measuring chronological age
   3. They require caution before supporting conclusions
   4. They cannot be compared across different species
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   Answer

   They require caution before supporting conclusions

   Patterns require careful interpretation and do not automatically establish causation.

   Genetic information can be studied for possible patterns, but interpreting those patterns requires care.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What must researchers distinguish within Jonathan’s biology?

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   1. Genetic information from environmental observations
   2. Meaningful details from individual characteristics
   3. Jonathan’s age from his physical development
   4. Living animals from historical specimens
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Meaningful details from individual characteristics

   They must separate potentially important details from merely individual characteristics.

   Researchers must determine which details are potentially meaningful and which are simply part of Jonathan’s individual biology.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the study’s value ultimately depend on?

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   1. Producing an immediate medical treatment
   2. Confirming Jonathan’s exact birth records
   3. Deepening scientific understanding of longevity
   4. Showing that all tortoises age exceptionally slowly
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Deepening scientific understanding of longevity

   Its value lies in possibly deepening scientific understanding of longevity.

   Its value lies in the possibility that Jonathan’s genetic information could deepen scientific understanding of longevity.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What are researchers seeking as they continue examining the genome?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. A clearer account of factors potentially linked to slower aging
   2. A complete explanation of every aging process
   3. Proof that one genetic trait determines lifespan
   4. A comparison of Jonathan’s habitat with human environments
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A clearer account of factors potentially linked to slower aging

   They seek a clearer view of biological factors linked with slower aging.

   They are seeking a clearer view of the biological factors that may be associated with aging more slowly than expected.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

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