Free levelled English reading practice. Read for meaning first, then use the full Speed Reading tool to time yourself and track your progress.
In 1960, a young Jane Goodall travelled to what is now Tanzania to study wild chimpanzees at Gombe. She did not begin with a university degree in science, but she had patience, curiosity and a deep interest in animals. Goodall spent long periods observing chimpanzees and gradually learned to recognise individuals and their social relationships. One of her most famous observations was seeing chimpanzees modify and use sticks to collect termites. At the time, tool use was often treated as a uniquely human ability, so the discovery challenged assumptions about the difference between humans and other animals. Goodall later earned a doctorate and became a leading conservation advocate. Her long-term research helped reveal chimpanzees as intelligent, social animals with distinct personalities. She has also encouraged communities to protect habitats while considering the needs of local people.
Comprehension questions
Where did Jane Goodall study chimpanzees?
What did she observe chimpanzees using sticks for?
