Directions: Read the selections. Then answer each question.
Yes to Zoos!
1) Do zoos add to a community? There are those who would say no. But, in fact, zoos are helpful for animals, especially those that are endangered, or in danger of disappearing forever. Zoos can help protect them and keep them safe.
2) Early zoos were often nothing more than cement cages with bars. But today, more and more zoos are working to create areas that look very much like an animal's habitat in nature.
3) Workers at zoos want to help animals. If an animal becomes hurt or sick, zoos have special doctors to help them get better. Zoos make it possible for animals to raise their young in a safe place. This helps animals that are endangered as they struggle to survive.
No to Zoos!
1) For years, most people did not really stop to think about the ways zoos affect animals. It's true that zoos give people a place to learn about animals. But more and more people are questioning the idea of putting animals in zoos.
2) No matter how hard zoos work to make a zoo habitat similar to a natural habitat, they cannot succeed completely. This is because, in many cases, the needs of animals cannot be met. For example, elephants and giraffes in the wild travel and run great distances. They cannot do that in a zoo.
3) One reason people say zoos are needed is because they can help animals that are in danger of disappearing. But some animals simply do not do well in a zoo. Putting those animals in zoos is not fair.
4) Even though zoos want to help animals, there are too many problems. It is time for zoos to close.