B1: Koko the Gorilla
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Koko was a famous gorilla who learned to use sign language to communicate with humans.
Who Was Koko?
Koko was born in 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo and lived until 2018. She became world-famous for learning American Sign Language (ASL) from her teacher, Penny Patterson, starting at just one year old. By adulthood, Koko knew over 1,000 signs and understood about 2,000 words of spoken English.
Key Facts for B1 Learners
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Koko used signs for everyday needs like "food," "play," and "sad."
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She showed emotions, such as crying when unhappy or laughing during playtime.
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Scientists studied her to learn if animals can think and feel like humans.
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The 1981 National Geographic video shows Koko chatting with Penny during breakfast and play.
This introduction prepares you for the quiz on the video—watch it first to test your understanding!
Watch the video closely. take notes!
Is there anything wrong in the picture?
Koko the Gorilla B1 Quiz
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question based on the video. Answers at the end.
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Where is the experiment with Koko taking place?
a) London
b) Near San Francisco, California
c) Florida
d) New York​ -
Who is teaching Koko sign language?
a) Another gorilla
b) A famous actor
c) A veterinarian
d) Research psychologist Penny Patterson​ -
How many signs is in Koko's vocabulary, according to Dr. Patterson?
a) About 450
b) Only 50
c) Over 1,000
d) About 100​ -
What does Koko understand besides signs?
a) Hundreds of spoken words
b) Music notes
c) Only pictures
d) Computer code​ -
What animal is Penny Patterson the first to work with using sign language?
a) Gorillas
b) Orangutans
c) Elephants
d) Chimpanzees​ -
During breakfast, what does Penny Patterson prepare for Koko?
a) Hot cocoa that needs stirring
b) Peanut butter sandwich
c) Fresh fruit salad
d) Eggs and toast​ -
Who is Michael in the video?
a) Koko's baby
b) A seven-year-old gorilla trainee
c) Penny's assistant
d) The camera operator​ -
What does Koko sign repeatedly to herself?
a) Flower and hat
b) Sad and cry
c) Food and sleep
d) Run and play​ -
What do critics say about the gorillas' signing?
a) It is perfect English
b) It is faster than humans
c) It is just mimicry or responses to cues
d) It includes grammar rules​ -
Why is teaching gorillas sign language important, according to the video?
a) To train them for jobs
b) To sell books about them
c) To make them perform in shows
d) To help conservation efforts by showing their intelligence​
Answer Key
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b
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d
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a
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a
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a
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a
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b
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a
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c
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d
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