B
Recently, many people have fallen in love with the cute marmots(土拨鼠) because of the online short videos about their fighting. This led a group of people to buy real marmots online as pets. However, many organizations have quickly warned (警告) people that these seemingly lovely wild animals are actually high-risk carriers of the plague (瘟疫).
Marmots are common rodents(啮齿目动物) in North-west China. Listed as a second-class protected animals in China, they always choose cool mountain grasslands, open deserts, and rocky hills as their homes. They are good at digging (挖) holes, which are usually deep and each hole has a different use. Fresh grass, juicy plants, and treats like apples or lettuce fill their diet. Living in family groups, these social animals work together and share information often to stay alive in the difficult environment.
Marmots may look harmless, but these furry animals carry plague bacteria (
鼠
疫杆菌), which cause a disease (病) that killed over 100 million people like
the Bl
ack Death in the 14th century. The disease can spread through small cuts or even breath drops, causing high fever, painful lumps (肿块) under the skin, and bleeding. Without treatment (治疗), it is highly dangerous with the chances of staying alive as low as zero.
The National Health Commission advises:
⦁ Keeps safe distance(距离)when meeting wild marmots.
⦁ Never keep them as pets, touch, or feed them.
⦁ Report animals to wildlife experts (专家) instead of helping them directly.
⦁ Go to hospital in time if you develop a fever or lumps after touching them.
The recent online videos of feeding and touching marmots have raised warning. While their round faces might make us want to get close, health organizations warn everyone that cuteness isn’t worth risking lives. Protecting both wildlife and public health means watching animals safely from a faraway place.
(
B
) 5. What has recently caused people’s interest in marmots?
A. A report about marmots. B. Some funny short videos online.
C. A new study on marmots. D. Government protection laws.
(
D
) 6. What should you do if you find an injured (受伤的) marmot in the wild?
A. Take it home for medical care. B. Leave it alone and avoid touching.
C. Share its photo online. D. Report it to wildlife experts in time.
(
B
) 7. The writer talks about the Black Death in Paragraph 3 to show______.
A. the disease is not serious B. marmots can be really dangerous
C. how marmots develop D. old medical care was not good
(
A
) 8. What would be the best title for the article?
A. Marmots: Cute
Animals or Silent Killers?B. Online Videos of Marmots
C. History of the Black Death D. How to Protect Wild Rodents