Alex the Parrot Quiz

Why is Alex's ability to speak and understand words important?

• It makes him a good pet

• It helps scientists learn about animal intelligence

• It allows him to make friends with other birds

• It makes him famous on TV

How does Alex's communication skills compare to most other parrots?

• They are the same as other parrots

• They are much more advanced

• They are slightly worse

• The passage doesn't say

What does Alex's ability to ask for things tell us about his intelligence?

• He can only copy words he hears

• He understands the meaning of words

• He is smarter than humans

• He doesn't really understand what he's saying

Why do you think Dr. Pepperberg rewards Alex with objects when he answers correctly?

• To make him happy

• To help him connect words with real things

• Because she has too many objects

• To make him work harder

How might Alex's ability to identify colors be useful?

• It helps him find food in the wild

• It makes him a better pet

• It shows he can learn and remember information

• It helps him fly better

What does Alex saying 'I love you' when Irene leaves suggest about their relationship?

• Alex is just repeating words

• Alex and Irene have formed a bond

• Alex is trying to get a treat

• Irene taught Alex to say this as a trick

How might scientists use what they learned from Alex?

• To teach all parrots to talk

• To understand other animals better

• To make parrots better pets

• To help parrots survive in the wild

What does Alex's ability to understand over 100 words tell us about bird brains?

• Bird brains are exactly like human brains

• Bird brains are more complex than we thought

• All birds can learn this many words easily

• Birds can only learn words, not understand them

How does Alex's story change what we know about animals?

• It shows animals can't really think

• It proves animals are as smart as humans

• It suggests some animals might be smarter than we believed

• It doesn't change anything we know about animals

If Alex can learn to understand words, what might this mean for other animals?

• All animals can probably learn to talk

• Only birds can learn language

• Some animals might be capable of more complex thinking than we thought

• Animals don't need to communicate with words