Marlin Perkins’ keen interest in animals, especially snakes, brought him a lot of trouble when he was young. His landlady never excused him for keeping snakes in his closet. After two years of college, he left school and found a job in a zoo, sweeping the sidewalks for $3.50 a day. He was very happy about it because he could now watch animals and study them all day long. He soon became an official in charge of reptiles (爬行动物)and then director of the Buffalo Zoo.
Through his snake-hunting expeditions, Perkins won his fame as a snake expert. His love for snakes is such that he thinks of them in terms of (根据) personalities. However, snakes do not have the universal appeal as he wishes. Even Perkins’ most favorite animal Bushman, the 550-pound toughest African ape, was frightened by snakes. Bushman once escaped from his cage. Nothing could draw him back. Finally a keeper went to the reptile house, got three little snakes, and dangled (摇晃) them toward Bushman. The great ape nearly tore the place apart getting back to the safety of his cage.
Perkins likes all animals and takes more interest in them than many parents take in their own children. He keeps daily records on all the baby animals, takes their temperature and watches their diet strictly. Speaking about his success, Perkins sums up his philosophy of life as follows: “My life has taught me that the surest path to success is to find out what you most enjoy doing, then set out to do it.”
40.Perkins’ first zoo job was __________.
A. collecting snakes B. sweeping sidewalks
C. looking after an ape D. taking notes on animals
41.Bushman’s reaction (反映) suggests that ___________.
A. he was easy to be nervous B. most people dislike animals
even animals dislike snakes D. he was a tough animal to manage
42.Perkins believes the best way to success is to __________.
A. do what you like most B.work hard at it
C.do what people don’t like D.be brave enough
43. According to the passage, Marlin Perkins entered his life work through ______.
A. help B.chance C.choice D.necessity
44.A good title for the passage would be ________.
A.Lovely Snakes B.A Good Expert
C.Marlin Perkins’ world D.Human’s Friend---Animal
