Tragedy at the Circus
In yesterday’s circus（马戏团）show, a tiger suddenly attacked its trainer and had to be shot dead. As the circus packed up and left, circus officials said the show would go on, even without tigers.
However, the officials cann’t simply turn a blind eye to the ethical（道德的） problems left behind. Even before this tragedy(悲剧), animal rights activists protested（抗议） against keeping wild animals in unnatural conditions and forcing them to suffer for the profit(利润)of circus organizers.
It is now time for us to take effective steps to make sure that circus animals are treated properly.
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Circus Safe for Animals
Our circus recently suffered a most tragic event in its history. While we are thankful for the pity from the public, we are also astonished by the opinion expressed in “Tragedy at the Circus. ”
First, our performing animals are not taken from the wild. As to the ethical problems. we always believe humans and animals can—and should—live together nicely. To us, the performing animals are representatives of their species(物种), and our circus is one of the only places left willing to support this special role of performing animals in the existence of the species. Those who argue that circus life is harmful to animals show little knowledge of these facts. Life in the “wild” is unsafe, but a continuous struggle for existence. To overlook these realities is the greatest fault against the animal kingdom.
This circus has proven that animals are stronger and smarter than we could imagine. Within the circus is a joyful atmosphere for both animals and humans: people are educated, and species saved.
【小题1】What is the main purpose of the first passage?A．To show pity for the performing animals.B．To express worries about animal trainers' safety.C．To deal with the difficult situations of the circus. D．To call for action to protect circus animals.【小题2】What will the circus most probably do?A．Take no notice of the tragedy. B．Continue its performances. C．Use fewer wild animals. D．Limit its profit.【小题3】What does the circus think of its performing animals?A．They are as clever as human beings. B．They struggle continuously with human beings for existence. C．They are helpful in saving their species. D．They have equally natural living conditions as wild animals.【小题4】What is the most probable relationship between the two passages?A．A public request and a newspaper report. B． A newspaper article and a reply to it. C．Two parts of a newspaper article. D．Two newspaper reports.D
网友回答
(答案→)D
解析：本文是关于马戏团里的动物的安全的争论，有人认为马戏团里的动物很可怜，收到了不公平的对待。有部分人认为马戏团对物种的保护很有帮助。
【小题1】D 归纳总结题。根据第一部分最后两行It is now time for us to take effective steps to make sure that circus animals are treated properly. 说明其目的是呼吁人们为保护马戏团里的动物安全采取行动。故D正确。
【小题2】B 推理题。根据第一部分第一段最后一句circus officials said the show would go on, even without tigers.说明他们的表演将继续下去，故B正确。
【小题3】C 细节题。根据第二部分第二段3,4,5三行the performing animals are representatives of their species(物种), and our circus is one of the only places left willing to support this special role of performing animals in the existence of the species.说明他们认为马戏团是唯一一个愿意养活这种物种的地方，他们认为他们在这方面是起了很大作用的。故C正确。
【小题4】B 推理题。根据文章这两部分可知第一部分一篇报刊文章人们呼吁对于马戏团的动物安全采取行动，第二部分是马戏团的回应，故这最可能是报刊文章及马戏团的回应。故B正确。