a. Redtail catfish

b. Alligator gar

c. Salmon

d. Asian arowana

2 Where does the blue ringed octopus originate from?

a. The United States

b. South America

c. Pacific Ocean

d. Tung Chung River

3 According to Ching, why do owners release their pet fish into the wild?

a. They want to free them from captivity.

b. They are doing experiments to investigate how animals adapt to new environments.

c. Owners have no room to keep pets which have grown too big.

d. Owners cannot afford the costs of keeping pets which have grown too big.

4 During what occasions, according to Sin, were turtles and shellfish bought from seafood markets released?

a. Animal rights campaigns

b. Environmental conservation events

c. Scientific research

d. Buddhist rituals

Think about

1 Why do people keep pets?

2 What do you need to think about before buying a pet?

3 What will happen if the ecology in reservoirs and the countryside are upset?

4 Who can you turn to for assistance if you are planning to give up your pet?

Rollow-up activities

1 Research the habitats and behaviour of the exotic pets mentioned in the article.

2 Visit the websites of animal concern groups and find out the number and species of pets abandoned in recent years. What can be done to improve the situation?

Answers

September 15

Reading comprehension: 1. a, 2. d, 3. d, 4. e, 5. d