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2015 ‫מועד פברואר‬ - 41 - ‫ פרק ראשון‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Text II (Questions 18-22)

(1) For five meerkats at the London Zoo, home is a tiny plot of rocks and sand. It is
quite different from the southern African drylands, the natural home of these sociable
little animals. In fact, life in London can be so dull that it sends the meerkats into long
bouts of apathy.

(5) Lately, however, life has improved for the unhappy captives thanks to the installation

of a 50-centimeter-long plastic pipe full of holes, suspended from the ceiling of the
meerkats' cage. Inside the pipe is a mixture of sawdust and live mealworms. For the
meerkats, this simple device brings a touch of excitement – it provides a satisfying hunt
as well as a tasty meal. Visitors to the zoo also benefit: they are able to watch lively
(10) animals instead of sleeping balls of fur.

The mealworm dispenser seems simple enough, but the concept behind it – putting
some spice into the lives of zoo animals – is surprisingly recent. For decades, attempts
have been made to keep caged monkeys and other primates occupied, but until recently
little attention was paid to the psychological needs of other zoo animals. Two years

(15) ago, the Zoological Society of London and the Federation for Animal Welfare decided
to take a scientific look at the problem. As a result, the four veterinarians who take care
of the animals' physical needs have been joined by Dr. David Sheperdson, who attends
to their psychological well-being. His job is to make the meerkats and other animals in
the London Zoo happier.

Questions

18. The phrase "long bouts of apathy" (lines 3-4) can best be replaced by -

(1) the southern African drylands
(2) starvation
(3) periods of boredom
(4) their cage for days at a time

19. In line 6, "suspended" could be replaced by -

(1) removed
(2) observed
(3) divided
(4) hung

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬