5.
阅读理解
There is little doubt
that house cats first developed naturally from ancient wild cats. The cleverest
relative is the American wild cat which still lives in Africa today. This is
understandable because the first house cats came from Africa.
Cats first started to live around people in
Egypt about 6,000 ~ 7,000 years ago. From Egypt, cats started to move around
the world. At about the same time, Egyptians began storing grain(谷物) in buildings. Scientists used to believe that
people tamed cats to catch mice and protect the grain. However, cats
don't like to be told what to do! Now, scientists believed that eats followed
the mice and learned to accept people. Finally, some of the cats began to grow
comfortably around people. These were smaller cats that needed protection. As
these cats and people got used to each other, they moved in together. Around 5,000 years ago, eats started to live
with people.
Soon cats were in Greece, then the Middle
East and China. They moved along Egyptian business roads keeping away mice and
keeping people around them. After the Romans came to Egypt, they also accepted
the cats and brought them to Europe. These cats likely bred(繁殖) with other cats to form the many kinds of
house cats we have today.
Cats are relatively recent house animals.
House cats still have a lot in common with their wild relatives. Cats sleep a
lot to save energy just like wild cats. They often get food at night as well.
House cats are generally peaceful and friendly, but be careful! If a cat feels
it is in danger, it will fight back—just like a wild cat.