My previous home had a stand of woods behind it and many animals in the backyard. That first year, I　1　feeding peanuts to the blue jays, then the squirrels. The squirrels had no　2　coming up right to me for them. As the months went by, the rabbits saw that I was no　3　and didn't escape. When I threw carrot slices(薄片), they even came for a nibble(啃). Slowly they came to　4　me, and by the end of the year they were eating out of my hand.

　　That second year, the rabbits　5　me, and one would even sit up for slices!While I was feeding them, I　6　that a groundhog who used to run away was now taking an　7　interest in this food situation. I carefully extended a long　8　, with a keen eye on those teeth, and　9　, there were times I would have the groundhog sitting next to a rabbit, both munching(津津有味地咀嚼)on carrots. A few months later, while　10　, she would even turn her back to me. 　11　when she was facing away, I reached out and　12　scratched(搔)her back with my finger. She didn't move.

　　By year three, the rabbits and the groundhog were back. The groundhog　13　didn't have a problem with me scratching her back, and I got an idea. I'd always　14　, while slicing up carrots, that the end looked like a cap. 　15　one day, just to see what she would do, I gently　16　one on top of the groundhog's head. Again, not a　17　. The next time, I had my camera ready to record what you see here, one of several dozen such pictures. 　18　she had a slice to eat, she never　19　the one on her head. It was a fair　20　-I got a pleasure, and she had yet another tasty treat.

1. A. avoided B. started C. canceled D. suggested

2. A. business B. fun C. problem D. privilege

3. A. help B. cheat C. threat D. exception

4. A. trust B. miss C. admire D. appreciate

5. A. feared B. ignored C. discovered D. remembered

6. A. proved B. decided C. noticed D. understood

7. A. extreme B. increasing C. additional D. inspiring

8. A. squirrel B. rabbit C. peanut D. carrot

9. A. before long B. long ago C. over and over D. all over again

10. A. eating B. playing C. sitting D. sleeping

11. A. Next B. Once C. Soon D. Lately

12. A. carefully B. suddenly C. violently D. patiently

13. A. also B. thus C. just D. still

14. A. thought B. doubted C. admitted D. recognised

15. A. While B. Or C. So D. For

16. A. fixed B. placed C. hung D. kept