Level 1 · Reading series
Lesson 11 · Why Cats Like Boxes
Audio track 11
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Does your cat like small boxes? A box is warm, quiet, and safe. A cat can hide in it and watch the room. This may help the cat feel calm.
Some animal shelters give boxes to new cats. The cats often use them as hiding places. A simple box is not only a toy; it is also a place to hide. For a nervous cat, it can be a small, safe room.
Check your understanding
After reading, state the main idea in one sentence and find a line that supports it.
Chinese translation
你家的猫喜欢小盒子吗？盒子里温暖、安静又安全。猫可以躲在里面，观察房间里的动静。这也许能让它平静下来。
有些动物收容所会给新来的猫准备盒子。猫常把它们当作藏身的地方。简单的盒子不只是玩具，还能让猫躲起来。对紧张的猫来说，它就像一间小小的安全屋。
Key words and expressions
Key terms have Chinese explanations. Hover over dotted words in the English passage for word help and pronunciation when available.
- quiet
- 安静的；声音很小的。
- safe
- 安全的；反义词是 dangerous。
- hide
- 躲藏；藏起来。本文指猫躲进去。
- watch
- 注视；留意移动的东西或变化。
- calm
- 平静的；feel calm 意为‘感到平静’。
- animal shelter
- 动物收容所；照顾获救或流浪动物的地方。
- give A to B
- 把 A 给 B。give boxes to cats 意为‘把盒子给猫’。
- hiding place
- 藏身之处。
- not only ...
- 不只是……；后面常接 also。
- nervous
- 紧张的；不安的。
Background notes (Chinese)
一项关于收容所猫的研究发现，得到藏身盒的猫在适应新环境时，行为上的压力通常下降得更快。但不是所有猫都会有相同反应。
资料来源：Vinke 等，Applied Animal Behaviour Science（2014）。