WHY DO ZEBRAS HAVE STRIPES?

WHY DO ZEBRAS HAVE STRIPES?

 

Zebras are certainly very attractive to us and they _______________ (doubt) find each other very appealing too, but it is believed their stripes evolved because they help the zebra foil its predators. Zebras have what is termed “disruptive coloration”. The stripes break up the smooth contours of the animal’s body and result in the _______________ (conceal) of the zebra’s true shape. When the zebra moves, the pattern may be even more _______________ (confuse), so a _______________ (threat) lion may not be sure if this is dinner after all! The ancestors of the zebra were monochrome dark-coloured animals. Through the _______________ (accident) birth of some foals with lighter coloured stripes the process of _______________ (evolve) was set in motion. Since stripes were a _______________ (protect) colouring, they were an advantage. Striped animals had a better chance of _______________ (survive) and went on to have more striped foals.

From: Advanced Gold Exam Maximiser, Longman

KEY

WHY DO ZEBRAS HAVE STRIPES?

 

Zebras are certainly very attractive to us and they DOUBTLESS / UNDOUBTEDLY (doubt) find each other very appealing too, but it is believed their stripes evolved because they help the zebra foil its predators. Zebras have what is termed “disruptive coloration”. The stripes break up the smooth contours of the animal’s body and result in the CONCEALMENT / CONCEALING (conceal) of the zebra’s true shape. When the zebra moves, the pattern may be even more CONFUSING (confuse), so a THREATENING (threat) lion may not be sure if this is dinner after all! The ancestors of the zebra were monochrome dark-coloured animals. Through the ACCIDENTAL (accident) birth of some foals with lighter coloured stripes the process of EVOLUTION (evolve) was set in motion. Since stripes were a PROTECTIVE (protect) colouring, they were an advantage. Striped animals had a better chance of SURVIVAL (survive) and went on to have more striped foals.

From: Advanced Gold Exam Maximiser, Longman

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