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Edinburgh Zoo’s giant pandas may have to return to China next year because of financial pressures(财务压力) brought on by COVID-19. It costs £1 million a year to lease Yang Guang and Tian Tian from Beijing. But the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs the zoo, had to close for three months in the summer, leading to a £2 million loss for the year.

The society’s chief executive, David Field, said the charity would have to seriously consider every possible saving including its giant panda contract. Mr Field said, “We have done all we can to protect our charity by taking a government loan, letting staff have a holiday where possible, reducing jobs where necessary and starting a fundraising activity. The support that we have received from our members and animal lovers has helped to keep our doors open and we are very grateful.”

The zoo couldn’t apply for the Government’s zoo fund, which was aimed at smaller zoos. Mr Field added, “We have to seriously consider every possible saving and this includes assessing our giant panda contract and the cost of their daily care. At this stage, it is too soon to say what the answer will be. We will be discussing next steps with our colleagues in China over the coming months.”

1.What troubles Edinburgh Zoo now?

A Fewer tourists.

B Lack of money.

C Growing pandas.

D The further panda contract.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章第一段内容可知，新冠疫情给爱丁堡动物园带来了财务压力，今年亏损高达200万英镑，故选B。

2.Many ways were thought of to protect the zoo EXCEPT _______.

A getting social support

B reducing workers

C increasing opening hours

D asking the government for help

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章第二段内容可知，苏格兰皇家动物园协会的首席执行官大卫·菲尔德（David Field）表示，他们想方设法节省开支，包括向政府贷款，尽可能地让员工休假，在必要时减少工作岗位，并发起筹款募捐等活动。文中并未提及增加营业时间，故选C。

3.Why couldn’t the government support the zoo?

A Because the zoo was not public.

B Because the zoo was too large.

C Because the zoo was too small.

D Because the zoo needed too much money.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据文章第三段第一句The zoo couldn’t apply for the Government’s zoo fund, which was aimed at smaller zoos.可知，这家动物园无法申请政府的动物园基金，该基金是针对小型动物园的。由此推断爱丁堡动物园因为占地面积大而无法获得政府支持，故选B。

4.Where are pandas going in the end?

A They will still wait and see.

B They will go to another zoo.

C They will return to China soon.

D They will stay in Edinburgh Zoo.

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据第三段At this stage, it is too soon to say what the result will be. We will be discussing next steps with our colleagues in China over the coming months. 可知，在现阶段，要说出什么结果还为时过早。未来几个月，爱丁堡动物园将与中国同事讨论下一步行动，由此说明熊猫们的最终去向还将拭目以待，故选A。