15．I've been told that in China，having a pet，particularly a dog，is often considered to be a status（地位）symbol because it shows the family can afford to have an animal．It's very different here．
In Canada it's common to have pets．Many people have dogs；many others have cats，fish，birds or rabbits．Some keep what we call exotic（奇异的）pets，although keeping exotic animals is difficult，and because it can also be hard on the animals，the keeping of some exotic animals is not allowed by law．Some people do it anyway．
I like animals．As far back as I can remember my family has always had cats．Our cats．of course，wanted to go outside and it seemed reasonable to let them wander the neighborhood finding birds to run after，trees to climb and sunny places to sleep．As we always lived in a city，however，there was a problem．I remember more than once losing a cat that was killed by a car and it was heartbreaking．
Now，my wife and I lived in a small town．We no longer have a house-we live in an apartment（公寓）．We have a cat named Callie and she never goes out except onto the halcony（阳台）so cars are no longer a problem．She's about sixteen years old and will probably live to be twenty or more．The trouble will come when she dies．We've had a pet for so long that it seems like a natural part of our lives and without a cat around the room it will seem somehow empty．On the other hand，we're getting older and，given that a cat can live about twenty years we wonder if we'll ever have another after Callie goes．
Having a pet is very good for a number of reasons．It helps to teach children how to look after a living 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 companion（伙伴）and a comfort to have around．A pet，properly treated，returns the favor by giving back unconditional love．Wouldn't this world be a great place if people could learn how to do that!
64．The writer keeps a cat as a pet now becauseB．
A．she feels lonely living in the countryside
B．it acts as her companion
C．her family is used to keeping a cat
D．it can helps her teach her children．
65．What will happen after the writer's pet，Callie dies？C
A．She will surely buy another one．
B．She won't keep pets any longer．
C．She will remember it for a long time．
D．Her room will be empty．
66．What should people do in keeping a pet according to the text？A
A．Not allow it to go out of the room．
B．Catch birds for him to play with．
C．Let it wander outside as it likes．
D．Not live in the city．
67．What can be the best title for the passage？D
A．How to keep a pet． B．My pet，Callie．
C．Keeping Pets in Canada． D．It's the Animal in Me．
分析 本文属于记叙文阅读，作者通过这篇文章向我们介绍了在中国人们通常养狗作为宠物，但是在加拿大人们除了养狗，还会养猫、鱼、鸟或兔子，作者的家中一直养着猫，作者认为猫是他的伙伴，并详细介绍了他养的一只名为Callie的猫．
解答 64．B 推理判断题，根据最后一段For older people like me an animal is a companion（伙伴）and a comfort to have around．可知作者养了一只猫当做他的宠物是因为他将猫看做自己的伙伴，故选B．
65．C 推理判断题，根据倒数第二段On the other hand，we're getting older and，given that a cat can live about twenty years we wonder if we'll ever have another after Callie goes．可知在Callie死后，作者很怀念它，并且不知道以后是否会有与它一样的猫来陪伴自己，因此可知作者会在很长时间内记住Callie，故选C．
66．A 细节理解题，根据第四段We have a cat named Callie and she never goes out except onto the halcony（阳台）so cars are no longer a problem．可知养宠物的时候不让它们出门这样可以避免它们意外死亡，故选A．
67．D 主旨大意题，通读全文可知作者在这篇文章中主要向我们介绍了他自己曾经养过的一些宠物，故选D．
点评 考查学生的细节理解和推理判断能力．做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句，和题干进行比较，再做出正确选择．在做推理判断题时不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
