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2012 מועד אוקטובר - 49 - פרק שנ י- אנגלית
Text II (Questions 18-22)
(1) The tarantula is a large, hairy spider that inspires fear and horror in many people.
Tarantulas can be as large as dinner plates and live for as long as twenty years. They inhabit
every continent except Antarctica. So far, scientists have identified 800 different tarantula
species.
(5) Contrary to many myths about them, however, tarantulas are usually timid creatures that
attack other animals only for food or in self-defense. Like most spiders, tarantulas inject
poison into their victims when they bite, but they rarely bite people. Even when they do, the
bite is not lethal. Medical literature does not contain a single reliable report of a human death
from tarantula venom.
(10) The feeling of horror aroused by tarantulas may have its historical roots in Italy, where
the name "tarantula" originated. The name comes from the province of Taranto, where the
prescribed remedy for the bite of a "Taranto spider" was wild dancing. A folk dance, the
lively "tarantella," developed from this practice. Ironically, the Taranto spider – whose bite is
highly toxic – does not belong to the tarantula family at all.
(15) Recently, as more people have become aware of the peaceful nature of tarantulas, the
spiders have become increasingly popular as pets. In fact, so many tarantulas have been taken
from the wild for sale as pets that some species have become endangered. Perhaps tarantulas
were better off when humans regarded them with fear and horror.
Questions
18. The main purpose of the text is to -
(1) compare tarantulas with other poisonous spiders
(2) explain why some species of tarantula are endangered
(3) discuss past and present attitudes toward tarantulas
(4) provide information about the appearance and behavior of tarantulas
)© 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
