Is it Time to Break with Colonial Legacy of Zoos?

Which quotation from the passage supports the central idea that zoos are representative of a larger flaw in society?

• "Several petitions have been created seeking some form of justice for Harambe." (paragraph 1)

• "As they evolved into public spaces and institutions, they continued the narrative of human dominance over nature." (paragraph 8)

• "While the 18th century Linnaen system of organizing living things is not wrong, per se, it is a uniquely Western way to portray species relationships, displacing other ways of envisioning the living creatures of the world." (paragraph 10)

• "But the dangers of past colonial travel are supposed to be nonexistent in the zoo visit. We long to experience exotic animals on our terms." (paragraph 14)

In paragraphs 2-3, how does the author acknowledge and respond to a conflicting viewpoint?

• by providing anecdotal evidence of the ways in which zoos are failing to conserve and protect animals

• by explaining how zoos function in society as a tool for conservation

• by describing the problems associated with modern zoos and their safety standards

• by identifying the apparent mission of zoos and asking whether or not zoos are accomplishing their goals

Part A: What does the word contention mean as it is used in paragraph 3?

• disagreement

• expansion

• growth

• observation

Part B: Which two phrases from paragraph 3 provide context for the meaning of the word contention?

• "American zoos are focused primarily on conservation and education..."

• "...their practice of keeping wild animals captive..."

• "Debates regarding individual animal rights and animal welfare..."

• "...animal reintroduction programs to bring animals into the wild..."

• "...have troubled the zoo experience for many a zoo visitor."

Read the claim from paragraph 5. "...animals in zoos may be fated by the very institution we have created to protect them."

Which quotation from the passage provides relevant support for the claim?

• "Instead of seeking justice for Harambe, or improving zoo policies or exhibit design, we should first ask what, precisely, are we conserving in zoos?" (paragraph 2)

• "The death of Harambe, the gorilla, has once again raised concern for an individual animal's well-being in the confines of a zoo - an otherwise healthy gorilla put down in order to save the life of a young boy who had fallen into its enclosure." (paragraph 4)

• "While we intend for zoos to educate the public about conservation, we should also be mindful of the hidden curriculum experienced in a zoo." (paragraph 6)

• "While the 18th century Linnaean system of organizing living things is not wrong, per se, it is a uniquely Western way to portray species relationships, displacing other ways of envisioning the living creatures of the world." (paragraph 10)

What inference can be made based on paragraph 6?

• The author is suspicious of anti-zoo organizations and protestors.

• The author believes zoos are missing important opportunities to educate the public.

• The author changed his mind about his support of zoos in their current state.

• The author disagrees with the ways in which zoos engage with their visitors.

Read the sentence from paragraph 8. "Zoos have moved from being a menagerie of conquered animals to collections that reflect the accumulated knowledge of difference and identity."

Does the author provide relevant and sufficient evidence to support the claim made in the sentence?

• Yes. The author provides descriptive examples of the ways in which zoos celebrate differences between geographical areas and animals.

• Yes. The author describes the various conservation efforts zoos make in different parts of the world.

• No. The author fails to provide descriptions of ways in which zoos represent differences in cultures and ideas.

• No. The author focuses on the similarities between early zoos and modern zoos rather than the current methodologies of modern zoos.

How does the structure of paragraphs 8-10 develop a key concept?

• By using cause and effect to show why zoos have a bad reputation today, the author demonstrates how far zoos have come from their original designs.

• By using a chronological description of the history of zoos, the author supports his idea that the old methodology surrounding zoos is still present and problematic today.

• By using compare and contrast to describe early and modern zoos, the author supports his idea that conservation should be the primary purpose for zoos.

• By using question and answer to highlight the solutions zoos present to biologists, the author emphasizes that fully knowing the natural world is a sought-after achievement.

17. Read the two excerpts from the passage:

"The most popular animals featured in zoos are those that come from "exotic" areas that are geographically remote from the Western countries that exhibit them. The buildings that house them feature lush vegetation, waterfalls and most importantly, cageless exhibits. We do not like to acknowledge that animals are enclosed, and so modern zoo exhibitions are designed to disguise the enclosure using glass panels, moats and other deceptions. The result is what Nigel Rothfels, author of "Savages and Beasts," calls a 'convincing verisimilitude.'" (paragraph 11)      

              When the Regenstein African Journey opened at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo in 2003, visitors who had never been to Africa commented on how real the exhibit felt to them. How did they know? The cues were there: naturalistic surroundings and waterfalls, a meandering footpath, thatched roof huts. It is how we imagine Africa to be. We long for a colonial experience - a close encounter with a wild animal in a wild place." (paragraph 13)

Which statement describes the connection between the two excerpts?

• The first excerpt describes the problems associated with modern zoo design, while the second excerpt provides an example of a successful zoo design.

• The second excerpt provides an example of what the first excerpt seeks to describe.

• Both excerpts illustrate the purpose of zoos, while the second excerpt includes a visitor anecdote of a zoo visit.

• Both excerpts illustrate the changes zoos have undergone since their early days.

What idea in the passage is reinforced by the photographs?

• the most popular animals often featured in zoos

• the unnatural practice of zoos to cage wild animals

• the different climates made available to animals in zoos

• the isolation of most zoo animals held in captivity