Debate: Are Zoos Bad News?

According to the text, what did one of zoo director Manuel Mollinedo's tigers do?

• declared the entire zoo a crime scene

• found a resting tiger after some searching

• escaped her enclosure and attacked a teenager

• keep animals from being bored or becoming neurotic

What does the author compare zoos to in the section titled “Zoos Deserve Boos”?

• vacation

• prison

• a backyard

• the wild

Read these sentences from the text.

"Getting rid of zoos would be a tragedy for all animals," says Steve Feldman, senior vice president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He says zoos play a major role in educating people about animals and promoting wildlife conservation.

Based on this evidence, what can you conclude that Feldman may believe about zoos?

• Zoos are to blame for the deaths of many people and animals.

• Without zoos, people would research wild animals on their own.

• Zoos shouldn’t have to worry about how they treat animals.

• Without zoos, the public would care less about conservation.

What can be inferred from the text?

• Not everyone agrees on whether or not zoos are good.

• It is okay to taunt the animals.

• Animals are always dangerous.

• Some zoos are more fun to visit than others.

What title best describes the two sides of the argument presented in the text?

• My Favorite Animals to Visit at the Zoo

• Tigers Are Dangerous

• Educational or Cruel? A Debate about Zoos

• The Best Zoos to Go To

Read this sentence from the text.

PETA is firmly opposed to keeping wild animals in captivity.

As used in the text, what does the word "captivity" mean

• in a home

• in the natural habitat of the animal

• in a zoo

• in a national park

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Some animals in zoos get bored in captivity, ______ they become neurotic, pacing in circles or grooming their fur over and over again.

• but

• after

• so

• before

According to the text, what is one reason why zoos may be good?

Many people think that the solution to dangerous attacks and unhappy animals is to close zoos. Based on the text, what might be another solution to this problem? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.