How “Kangaroo” Became an Animal’s Name
Early in the 18th century, Captain Cook, a famous explorer of Australia, unexpectedly caught sight of an unusual animal during his first visit to Australia. The animal had a large mouth-like head and jumped along on its large legs. To his surprise, the unusual animal carried it’s young in a special pocket of flesh. Captain Cook pointed to the animal which was eating grass in the distance and asked his native guide what the animal was referred to. The guide seemed not to know what he was pointing at and finally said Kang-a-roo, which Cook carefully wrote down as the animal’s name in his word book. The Europeans who later got to Australia were anxious to see the unusual animal “Kang-a-roo”, but their requests met with puzzled looks of the native people. Before long they got to discover that the native guide who made the answer to Cook’s question really meant, “I don’t know what you are pointing at.” Funny enough, the name “Kang-a-roo” stuck and it is still in use today.
60. Which of the following sentences best expresses the main idea?
A. Captain Cook
’s guide had a sense of humour.
B. Native Australians could speak English in Cook’s time.
C. Some words have rather funny origins.
D. Captain Cook was a lover of wild animals.
61. The main use for the animal’s flesh pocket is to_______.
A. keep food B. carry its babies
C. a long distance D. store food and water
62. When the native guide said “Kang-a-roo” he really meant_______
A. “Ah, it is a special kind of animals.”
B. “I wonder what you have said.”
C. “I have no idea of what you are pointing at.”
D. “What do you mean by pointing at that animal?”
63. The writer indirectly expresses that early in the 18th century_______
A. the native Australians and the Europeans explorers were not friendly to each other.
B. a common language was needed by the Europeans to communicate with the native in Australia.
C. a great many Europeans showed great interest in Australia.
D. a war against the European invaders was a break out