Zoos as a Business
Zoo proponents state that zoos are educational. Supporters state that visitors to the zoo leave with new knowledge about animals and an interest in conservation. Unfortunately, studies show that most people at the zoo are doing anything but learning. Zoos try to draw people in with fun events not related to animals. These include fitness runs, light shows, and fundraisers. They have restaurants, gift shops, and even rides. People spend more time talking about other topics or taking pictures of the “cute” animals. They rarely read or listen to the educational information available at the zoo. They spend only a few minutes or pass right by most exhibits. Finally, it is important to know that many zoos exist to make a profit. This means that they may use much of their money to attract visitors rather than to educate those visitors or to care for the animals.

What is the author’s point in Paragraph 4, “Zoos as a Business”?

A. Zoos provide many fun activities for visitors beyond just looking at animals.

B. The goal of zoos is to make money, not to educate visitors about animals.

C. People that support zoos believe that visitors become interested in conservation.

D. People that visit zoos spend very little time looking at the exhibits.
Question 2

Part B

Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?

2A. “Zoos try to draw people in with fun events not related to animals. These include fitness runs, light shows, and fundraisers.”

2B “Supporters state that visitors to the zoo leave with new knowledge about animals and an interest in conservation.”

2C. “They spend only a few minutes or pass right by most exhibits.”

2D. “People spend more time talking about other topics or taking pictures of the ‘cute’ animals.”