四、閱讀測驗 When Joe Biden became the 46th US president in 2021, two dogs followed him and his family into the White
House---and were kicked out shortly after they moved in. The German shepherds Champ and Major were sent away
for training after Major bit one of the president’s security guards. But this wasn’t the first time a president’s pets had
made the news.
President Bill Clinton had a charming cat named Socks. The cat was often featured in magazine and newspaper
photos, and even received fan mail. A White House staff member answered the letters. However, there was a bit of
trouble when an official criticized the president for spending government money on the cat’s public relations.
Clinton later acquired a dog named Buddy, whom Socks hated. The two fought constantly.
The family of President John F. Kennedy lived up to their celebrity reputations by taking in glamorous pets---
horses. They had four of them during Kennedy’s short presidency between 1961 and 1963. Two horses, Macaroni
and Tex, belonged to his young daughter Caroline. After she and Macaroni appeared on the cover of Life magazine,
the popular singer Neil Diamond was inspired to write the hit song “Sweet Caroline.”
President Theodore Roosevelt practically kept a zoo at the White House between 1901 and 1909. His family had
horses, dogs, a parrot, guinea pigs, a rooster, and a snake named Emily Spinach. Knowing the president’s love of
animals, his supporters gave him a bear, while an African king sent a baby lion as a gift.
Pets are known to benefit mental health, as they help people stay calm and feel loved. Perhaps that fact explains
why the only three presidents not to have pets---Andrew Johnson, James Polk, and Donald Trump---might be ranked
among the worst US presidents in history.
【題組】46. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) Rumors about US presidents.
(B) Stories about the White House pets.
(C) Analyses of pet behavior.
(D) Benefits of keeping pets.