Lately, Bolivia has outlawed (宣布……为非法) the use of animals in circus (马戏团) performances, and officials in the South American nation aren’t doing it in a silly way! They say all Bolivian circuses must stop using animals.
Some people welcome the law. They say animals should not be forced to work and that circus creatures are caged in tight spaces when they travel. However, other people say that many of the four legged performers are cared for by animal experts. Plus, they point out, circus animals entertain millions of fans.
Should animals perform in circuses? Student reporters Michael and Emily have done some work on the issue.
Yes, I think animals should be allowed in circus acts. Most circus trainers love and respect the animals they work with and treat them well. Certain rules and regulations also help to ensure that the animals are treated humanely, or with kindness. Millions of people love circus animals. They look forward to seeing elephants and tigers perform. Many of the animals are exotic (奇特的), so people might not get the chance to see them anywhere else. “Circus animals shouldn’t be banned,” says Parker, a sixth grader from Oregon City, “One of the main reasons people go to the circus is to see animals they don’t see every day and to see them do cool tricks.”
Animals should not perform in circuses. When animals are in circuses, they are forced to learn new behaviors in order to entertain humans. Those behaviors may go against their natural instincts (本性). For example, bearshibernatein the winter, but bears in a circus have to perform and can’t hibernate as their bodies tell them to. Also, circus animals have to travel all the time in cages. All that traveling may cause them to become confused or upset because their environment keeps changing. “When animals are removed from their habitat and held in cages ... it changes their behaviors,” points out Anne Northam, a teacher from Friendswood, Texas. “They are no longer selfsufficient (自给自足的).”
小题1:Which of the following can be a reason why people support the law?A．Animals in circuses are given more respect and care.B．Animals in circuses bring a lot of fun for people.C．Animals in circuses can’t live their life naturally.D．Animals in circuses are protected by many regulations.小题2:What’s Anne’s attitude towards the new law?A．She welcomes it. B．She is against it.C．She thinks it acceptable.D．She thinks it useless.小题3:Which would be the best title for the text?A．Enjoy more fun in circusesB．More respect and kindness to animals C．Circuses in Bolivia Open or ClosedD．Animals belong in circuses Yes or No小题4:The underlined word “hibernate” in the last paragraph probably means __________.A．sleepB．look for foodC．move from one place to another D．perform