Section B
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrases that best fits the context.
I have been told in China, having a pet, particularly a dog, is often considered to be a status symbol because it shows the family can 36 to have an animal. It is different here.
In Canada it is 37 for people to have pets. Many people have dogs. Many others have cats and there are people who keep fish, birds or rabbits. Some keep what we call exotic pets. These might be ferrets, snakes or almost any other animal you can think of, although keeping 38 pets is often difficult and because it can also be hard on the animal. The keeping of some exotic animals is not allowed by law.
Now, my wife and I live in a small town. We no longer have a 39 --- we live in an apartment. We have a cat named Callie and she never goes out 40 onto the balcony so cars are no longer an issue. She’s about sixteen years old and will probably live to be twenty or more. The 41 will come when she dies and we no longer have a pet. We have had a pet for so long it seems like a natural part of our lives and without a cat around the house it will seem somehow 42 . On the other hand, we are getting older and given that a cat can live about twenty years we wonder if we will ever have another after Callie goes. Cats are cutest, of course, when they are small kittens but a kitten is 43 for a longer time than we may have left.
I think having a pet is very good for a number of reasons. It helps to teach children how to look after a 44 creature, makes them realize that animals have feelings just like we do and that, in many ways, we depend on each other. For older people like me an animal is a 45 and a comfort to have around, a pet, properly treated, returns the favor by 46 unconditional love. Wouldn’t this world be a great place if people could learn how to do that.
36. A. buy B. afford C. supply D. provide
37. A. common B. unusual C. particular D. public
38. A. aboard B. domestic C. excited D. exotic
39. A. dormitory B. home C. family D. house
40. A. except B. besides C. except for D. beside
41. A. demand B. dilemma C. decision D. matter
42. A. puzzled B. confused C. empty D. alone
43. A. commitment B. committee C. friend D. follower
44. A. lively B. alive C. live D. living
45. A. company B. competitor C. companion D. co-worker
46. A. giving out B. giving in C. giving back D. giving off
47. A. bad B. great C. messy D. poor