Zoos divide opinion: there are those who think it is cruel (残忍的) to keep animals locked up while others believe zoos are important for the survival of endangered species.
To think that zoos imprison animals is to misunderstand what zoos are about. Without zoos many of the creatures we love and admire would no longer exist. Every single day, over one hundred animal species vanish. Scientists predict that as early as 2050 one quarter of the Earth’s species will become extinct(绝种的).
Some animals are in danger because they are hunted. Worriedly, the population of tigers has already fallen by ninety-five percent. Other species are in danger because of a lack of food. For example, there are fewer than 1300 giant pandas left in the wild.
Zoos have special breeding programs to help those animals in danger. These breeding programs are proving very successful. As Irene Shapiro from Zoo and Wildlife Support says, “the Puerto Rican Parrot has grown in numbers from just thirteen to about eighty-five and the Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey, which has almost died out twenty years ago, has been reintroduced back into the wild. ”
Unfortunately, not everyone understands this important role zoos play. For example, Brian Featherstone from the Anti-Zoo Forum says, “I can’t believe we take animals from the wild and put them in cages for the entertainment of the public! We should view them on film or TV in their natural environment.”
However, this misses the point. A zoo does more than display animals to the public. It ensures their survival. Without zoos you would not be able to see many of these animals on TV or anywhere else!
55. According to the passage some people do not agree with zoos because they ________.
A. are too expensive to run B. put animals in danger
C. do not provide enough food D. keep animals locked up
56. According to the writer, the most important function of the zoo is to _________.
A. make a lot of money B. entertain visitors
C. ensure animals’ survival D. educate the public