Behind the Scenes at the ZooWhat would it be like to work at a zoo?

1 Miki and Takashi stood with their parentsbehind the fence at Monkey Island on a sunnySaturday afternoon. They watched the monkeysfrolic on the rocks and soak up the sun.

2 “Look, Miki!” exclaimed Takashi. “That onehas a baby on her back!”

3 “I wish I could come here every day,” saidMiki to her family. “I don’t think I’d ever gettired of seeing the animals.”

4 “It sounds like you might like to be azookeeper,” Mr. Yamamoto said thoughtfully.“Do you see that woman wearing the tan pantsand top? I’m pretty sure she is a zookeeper. Ifyou’re interested, we could ask her whether shehas a few minutes to tell us about her job.”

5 Miki introduced herself and explained thatshe wanted to learn about a career inzookeeping. The woman, whose name wasAnnette, joined Miki, Takashi, and Mr. and Mrs.Yamamoto at a picnic table in a grassy area nearMonkey Island.

6 “How long have you been a zookeeper?”asked Takashi.

7 Annette smiled. “I’ve been working here foralmost 15 years,” she said. “I have a degree inzoology, like most of the other zookeepers here.”

8 “Is a degree in zoology a requirement foryour job?” asked Miki.

9 Annette shook her head. “No, but a degreerelated to the study and behavior of animalsdefinitely helps. A few of the zookeepers havedegrees in biology, and some others have workedin veterinary medicine.”

10 “What are the best and worst parts aboutbeing a zookeeper?” asked Miki.

11 “Well, seeing the animals every day is thebest part,” said Annette. “Zookeepers often form a strong bond with the animals under theircare. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselvesthat the zoo animals are wild creatures, notpets,” she added.

12 “I think the worst part is that the work canbe difficult and unpleasant,” continued Annette. “The cages are often smelly, and wehave to work in all kinds of weather. Thezookeepers have to make sure the animals areclean and well fed and that they are kept inappropriate conditions.”

13 “Do you ever teach the animals to dotricks?” wondered Takashi.

14 “That’s a good question, Takashi,” saidAnnette. “Some visitors to the zoo do expectthat the animals here will know how to perform.We are careful not to teach the animals to dothings just to entertain people. Some animals,like the monkeys, enjoy playing, so we playgames with them. Animals who are veryintelligent need to have some intellectualstimulation, so we try to provide that as well.

15 “So, what do you think, Miki? Does it soundlike zookeeping is something you might beinterested in pursuing?” asked Annette.

16 “I’m even more excited by the idea now thanI was before!” said Miki.

17 “I think that cleaning the litter box at homeshould be your chore now,” joked Takashi. “Idon’t want to be a zookeeper, but it would begood practice for you!”

90Spectrum Reading Grade 5

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Spectrum Reading Grade 5

NAME ______________________________

Circle the homophone that correctly completeseach sentence below.

1. Zookeepers have to work in all kinds of_______________. (whether, weather)

2. Annette finished cleaning the_______________ cage at two o’clock.(bear’s, bare’s)

3. The zookeeper _______________ somemeat to the lions. (through, threw)

Write S if the possessive word is singular. WriteP if it is plural.

4. _____ zookeepers’ duties

5. _____ Miki’s questions

6. _____ Annette’s opinion

7. _____ animals’ behavior

Mark each sentence below F if it is in first-person point of view and T if it is in third-person point of view.

1. _____ Annette enjoys her job.

2. _____ I have to remind myself that the zooanimals are still wild creatures.

3. _____ Takashi thinks Miki should startchanging the litter box at home.

4. _____ I would love having a job where Icould work with animals every day.

5. Do you think Miki will continue to look formore information about becoming azookeeper? Why or why not?

___________________________________

6. On the lines below, write one sentence fromthe story that shows that Miki might enjoy ajob as a zookeeper.

___________________________________

___________________________________

7. Why does Mr. Yamamoto tell Miki sheshould talk to the zookeeper?

___________________________________

8. Why don’t zookeepers usually teach the zooanimals to do tricks?

___________________________________

___________________________________

Use the information below to answer thequestions that follow.

1. Which day of the week is the zoo closed?

___________________________________

2. What are the zoo’s hours on Sunday?

___________________________________

3. How much is admission for one adult andone 10-year-old child?

___________________________________

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Green Valley Zoo

Hours of Operation

Monday ClosedTuesday–Friday 10–6Saturday 9–6Sunday 12–5

Admission:

Adults $8Children 3–12 $4Children under 3 Free

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