Question

Though I know that I can do little to help the animals, I often check dog rehoming websites. Looking through page upon page of pitiful faces looking up, you might be forgiven for thinking that the only dogs to be abandoned in this country are fierce-looking or large and unruly dogs.

Recently, it seems there are some new additions in dog homes. Dogs Trust — the country’s largest dog welfare charity - says that in the past year over 400 “toy dogs” were handed in, a 44% increase on the year before.

“Toy dog” is the traditional term for all little dogs, but in recent years they’ve increasingly been referred to as “handbag dogs” after the ridiculous manner in which famous people like Paris Hilton carry them around in their $ 1,000 handbags, making these dogs the most wanted for impressionable teens. As the popularity of Hilton has waned, however, these dogs are being rudely tipped out of the handbags and given up to charity.

In spite of the sad ending that this trend brings for some of these dogs, it can only be a good thing if people become aware that the toy types are still dogs, not dolls to be carried around. If you really are prepared to stick with them, a small dog is just as capable of bringing joy without the need to dress him or her up. A large dog won’t sit on your lap while you read the papers or travel happily on the train with you. And a park full of pugs (哈巴狗) would be a happier and safer place than one full of teenage boys and badly trained large dogs. As Edith Wharton said, “My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.”

1.What is the author's new finding in the dog rehoming websites?

A. More “handbag dogs” are given up.

B. Some dogs in Dogs Trust are large dogs.

C. Teens are likely to play with their “toy dogs”.

D. The number of abandoned dogs is increasing.

2.What does the underlined word “waned” most probably mean?

A. Grown.    B. Weakened.    C. Begun.    D. Worked.

3.What does the author seem to suggest about dogs in the last paragraph?

A. Large dogs and children make a good park.

B. Keeping small dogs can bring joys in a way.

C. “Handbag dogs” should be forbidden in public places.

D. Ifs good to dress dogs up before carrying them around.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.B

【解析】本文讲的是作者在狗屋发现了很多玩具狗，也叫“手提包狗”被粗鲁的遗弃了，看到这一趋势，作者建议人们玩具狗仍然是狗，不是娃娃携带。如果你真的准备好了，一只小狗就能给你带来快乐。

1.细节理解题。根据文中“the country’s largest dog welfare charity - says that in the past year over 400 “toy dogs” were handed in, a 44% increase on the year before.”及“Toy dog” is the traditional term for all little dogs, but in recent years they’ve increasingly been referred to as “handbag dogs... 可知作者发现了很多的“手提包狗”被放弃。故选A。

2.词义推测题。此句子“ As the popularity of Hilton has waned, however, these dogs are being rudely tipped out of the handbags and given up to charity.

”可知，希尔顿的受欢迎程度下降了。则“waned”在此句的意思为下降。故选B。

3. 细节理解题。根据文中最后一段“If you really are prepared to stick with them, a small dog is just as capable of bringing joy without the need to dress him or her up.”可知小狗能给你带来快乐。故选B。