语法填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）

阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为46～55的相应位置上。

Americans love pets. In America, there are more families with pets 小题1:those with children. It is common __小题2:__ U.S. homes have some sort of pets, such as monkeys, snakes and even wolves. But Americans’ all-time favorites are cats and dogs, because dogs can offer protection from thieves and unwelcome visitors and cats can help get rid __小题3:the home unwanted pests. Beneath keeping pets, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treated well. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner __小题4:__ (deliver) to their homes, just like pizza. Pets can even go with 小题5:_owners on vacation. Besides, at least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America which provide care and adoption services for _小题6:__ (home) and ill-treated animals. To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buy health insurance 小题7:___ their pets. Pets are _小题8:___ basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. By now researchers _小题9:___ (discover) that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure. Pets even encourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, and they provide _小题10:_ good topic of conversation.