1 . On the roof of an apartment building in one of Gaza’s most crowded cities live two baby lions. One is male, the other female. They walk among the water tanks and eat chicken for food. Children play with the animals and some take selfies (自拍) with them. The baby lions have become pets for a 27-year-old bakery owner Naseem Abu Jamea. They have become popular playthings for many people in the neighborhood.
However, as children in his family and from the neighborhood played with the animals, Abu Jamea had little concern about the risks. “When you raise them as babies”, he said,“a harmony will grow between both of you.” This harmony, he added, would keep the lions from hurting him and others.
Abu Jamea said he got the baby lions from a local zoo but would not give more details. He did, however, share a dream of his.“It is my hobby. I was attached to them and I love to have them,” he said. He added he hopes one day to have his own zoo.
One animal doctor, Amir Khalil, has a different opinion. He has led several trips to Gaza with the animal welfare organization Four Paws to rescue mistreated zoo animals. “I advise the Gaza authorities to take away those lions,” he said. “At the age of six months a lion becomes more dangerous as his size gets bigger and his muscles become stronger.” Khalil also fears for the baby lions’ own welfare. He said lions raised in a home may not get the food and medical care they need. This could result in long-term health problems, especially difficulties with muscles, joints, and bones.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, zoos in Gaza have experienced a drop in the number of visitors. Without paying visitors, they are struggling to feed and care for the animals. Hassan Azzam is an official with Gaza’s agriculture ministry. When asked about the baby lions, he said the ministry does not know about any public objections to the animals. But he said the ministry would investigate.
1. What is known about the baby lions from the text?| A．They are taken good care of. |
| B．They are of opposite sexes. |
| C．Their lives are in danger. |
| D．They enjoy life with people. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Upset. | C．Suspicious. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．The two baby lions being kept as pets. |
| B．The two baby lions being taken away. |
| C．The two baby lions being mistreated in the zoo. |
| D．The two baby lions living in harmony with humans. |
| A．Provide financial assistance for the local zoos. |
| B．Require the zoo to take back the baby lions. |
| C．Make a survey about the local citizens’ reactions. |
| D．Publish a statement to express their sorry and concern. |
