Smokey Bear (often called Smokey the Bear or simply Smokey) is a mascot of the United States Forest Service created to teach the public about the dangers of forest fires. Smokey Bear’s slogan, “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires”, was created in 1947. In April 2001, the message was updated to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires”. Smokey Bear and his message are recognized by 95% of adults and 77% of children in the U.S. The Smokey Bear character was so popular that when a real bear was rescued from a forest fire, it achieved fame as a living version of the mascot.
The living symbol of Smokey Bear was an American black bear cub that was caught in the spring of 1950 in a huge wildfire in the state of New Mexico. He climbed a tree to escape the fire, but his paws and hind legs had been burned. A group of soldiers from Texas, who had come to help fight the fire, discovered the bear cub and brought him back to their camp.
At first the bear was called “Hotfoot Teddy,” but he was later renamed Smokey after the famous mascot. Some government workers helped Smokey until he became healthy again. Soon after, he became a celebrity. Smokey was flown in an airplane to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. When he arrived at the National Zoo, several hundred people, including children and photographers welcomed him to his new home.
Smokey Bear lived at the National Zoo for 26 years. During that time he received millions of visitors as well as so many letters addressed to him (up to 13,000 a week) that the United States Postal Service finally gave him his own unique postal code. His favorite food was peanut butter sandwiches, in addition to his daily diet of bluefish and trout.
Upon his death on November 9, 1976, Smokey was buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park. The Washington Post, a national newspaper, printed an article about Smokey, which mentioned his family, including his wife, Goldie Bear, and son, Little Smokey. Another national newspaper included an article about Smokey Bear on the front page on Nov 11, 1976.
Question 35: What is Smoket Bear?
A. a mascot of the United KingdomForest Service B. a mascot of the United States Marine Barracks
C. a mascot of the Forest Service D. a mascot of the United States Forest Service
Question 36: According to the article, when was the Smokey Bear's slogan created?
A. in 1947 B. in 1974 C. in 1977 D. in 2001
Question 37: According to the article, why was the bear chosen as the mascot for preventing wildfires?
A. It was very cute and cuddly B. He was popular with boys and girls
C. It was caught in a forest fire and hurt D.A group of soldiers from Texas brought him to their camp
Question 38: The word “huge” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
A. minor B. inclusive C. exclusive D. enormous
Question 39: According to the article, how long did Smokey Bear reside at the National Zoo?
A. for 26 years B. for 62 years C. up to 13,000 a week D. up to 1,000 a week
Question 40: The word “which” in paragraph 5 refers to ______
A. Goldie Bear B. an article about Smokey
C. a picture of Smokey D. a newspaper from the Washington Post’s
Question 41: According to the article, which of the following statements is NOT TRUE ?
A. Smokey Bear is a mascot of the United States Forest Service created to teach the public about the dangers of forest fires.
B. A group of soldiers from Texas discovered the bear cub and brought him back to their camp
C. Ninety-five percentage of US children can identify Smokey Bear and his message.
D. Goldie Bear, and Little Smokey are his wife and his son
Question 42: What would be a good title for this passage?
A. The Dangers of Forest Fires B. The Story of Smokey The Bear
C. The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. D. Smokey The Bear Loves Peanut Butter Sandwiches
