TPO 49 Integrated Writing

The topic discusses the evidence that supports humpback whales migrate long distances by stars, the high degree of intelligence, maintaining straight ahead for a long distance, and unusual hopping behavior. From the listening materials, the professor generally opposes to the viewpoints in the reading passage and finds that it is not convincing enough.

First of all, the passage claims that humpback whales’ high intelligence is the reason why they can recognize stars in the night sky. Nonetheless, as the professor explains, there is no solid connection between intelligence level and the ability to sense the stars because other animals, such as ducks with lower intellectual development, also use stars to navigate at nights. This sensory ability is purely an animal’s instinct.

On the other hand, the reading content says humpback whales can migrate in straight lines is because they rely on the stars in the sky, instead of physical landmarks as many birds do. However, the professor indicates that humpback whales actually use their bio magnetite to sense the earth’s magnetic fields to orient themselves on the track rather than stars.

Finally, the author in the passage suggests that spy-hopping is a way that humpback whales use it to look at the stars. Nevertheless, other sharks also do spy-hopping, as the professor mentions that they use it for hunting the prey. Moreover, humpback whales mostly exhibit the behavior in the weather condition that stars are unable to see. Therefore, the professor believes it is speculation only.

Word count: 246