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Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cat are worried that they will fight.A recent research has found a new recipe for
success.According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still
young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along
swimmingly.Twothirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.
However, it wasn't all sweetness and light.There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while aggression and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes.One reason for this is
probably that some of their body signals are just opposite.For example, when a cat turns its head away it
signals aggression, while a dog doing the same signals submission.
In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behavior.They are
learning how to talk in each other's language.It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk 'Dog', and dogs can learn how to talk 'Cat'.
What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence.They can learn to read each other's body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously
suspected.Once familiar with each other's presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together,
greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa.They can easily share the same
water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.
The significance of this research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets-to people who don't get along,
including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers.If cats and dogs can learn to get
along, surely people have a good chance.
1. The underlined word "swimmingly" in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. early
B. sweetly
C. quickly
D. smoothly
2. Some cats and dogs may fight when ________.
A. they are cold to each other
B. they look away from each other
C. they misunderstand each other's signals
D. they are introduced at an early age
3. What is found surprising about cats and dogs?
A. They eat and sleep together.
B. They observe each other's behaviors.
C. They learn to speak each other's language.
D. They know something from each other's voices.
4. It is suggested in Paragraph 4 that cats and dogs ________.
A. have common interests
B. are less different than was thought
C. have a common body language
D. are less intelligent than was expected