Question

Review paragraph 5.

Bald Is Beautiful

Paragraph 1: In 1966, a cat in Toronto, Canada, gave birth to a litter of kittens. Most of the kittens looked similar to their mother and father, but there was something surprising about one of them; it seemed to be bald! The kitten was named Prune, and it became the very first member of a new breed of cat. The breed was first called the Canadian hairless and later became known as the sphynx.
Paragraph 2: Although sphynx cats appear to be hairless, they actually do have tiny hairs on their body. However, these hairs make the cats feel soft rather than furry. Some people say it feels like petting suede; others say it is more like petting an apricot. Unfortunately, the tiny hairs are not enough to keep sphynxes warm when the weather gets chilly. Experts suggest this is one of the reasons why the cats seek out warm laps to snuggle on and warm covers to sleep under.
Paragraph 3: In 2012, a scientific study found the sphynx to be the most affectionate of all cat breeds. This intelligent and sociable cat often seeks out attention from humans and other animals. In fact, sphynxes are so gregarious, curious, and smart that they are sometimes trained as therapy animals. Their warm personality comforts others and their outgoing nature draws in strangers.
Paragraph 4: While some prospective pet owners seek out sphynx cats for their amiable nature, others are drawn to this breed because they think it is hypoallergenic (meaning it will not trigger allergic reactions in humans). Unfortunately, many people incorrectly blame an animal's fur for their allergies when the culprit is actually an allergen that lies in the animal's skin, urine, and saliva. This means that a nearly fur-free feline like a sphynx can still cause nearby humans to suffer an allergic reaction.
Paragraph 5: Even for those who don't suffer from allergies, owning a sphynx does come with its challenges. Like dogs, sphynxes tend not to bathe themselves. Owners are typically encouraged to bathe their sphynxes once a week to remove the buildup of oil that accumulates on their skin. Veterinarians also suggest moisturizing a sphynx's skin with a light, odorless lotion. In keeping with the sphynx's personality, most owners report that these cats actually learn to enjoy their "spa time." Sphynx cats may not have a thick coat of fur that needs to be brushed, but they still love being pampered.
What should owners do in order to make sure their sphynx cat's skin stays healthy? Select all that apply.
A. Owners should bathe their cat regularly.
B. Owners should train their cat to clean itself.
C. Owners should put lotion on their cat's skin.
D. Owners should groom their cat with a soft brush.

Answer 1

Correct answers: A and C.

- A is supported: owners are encouraged to bathe sphynxes about once a week to remove oil buildup.
- C is supported: veterinarians suggest moisturizing their skin with a light, odorless lotion.

B is incorrect (sphynxes tend not to bathe themselves), and D is incorrect (they lack a thick coat that needs brushing).