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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
A Hardworking Cat
1 A stationmaster is a person who keeps a train station running
smoothly. At Kishi Station in western Japan, however, the
stationmaster is not a person at all—it is a cat named Tama!
2 As a kitten Tama was a stray without a real home. She spent most
of her time at Kishi Station. A nearby grocery store owner gave
her food. Although she had no real owner or home, Tama seemed
to enjoy watching people at the station. Tama also enjoyed the
attention and affection she received from passengers.
3 In the early 2000s, the train company that ran Kishi Station was
losing money. Not enough people were riding the trains. By April
2006 the company could no longer afford to pay the people who
worked at the station. With no employees to help them,
passengers now had to manage their own travel.
4 Even though the employees were gone, Tama stayed at the
station. She continued to greet train riders with a warm nuzzle
and a purr. Soon visitors shared stories with others about the cat
at Kishi Station. People wanted to see the sweet cat that was
always on duty. The train company had fun with the unusual
situation. It gave Tama the title of “Kishi stationmaster.” The job
even came with a stationmaster’s uniform. It is a simple black
cap. Tama wears the hat every day at work. Instead of paying
Tama with money, the company pays her with cat food.
5 Perhaps Tama’s title was originally meant as a joke, but Tama
continues to perform her job wonderfully, like any hardworking
employee. She walks around the station in her uniform and greets
passengers. The black, white, and orange cat allows passengers to
pet her and take photographs with her. People continue to visit the
station just to see Tama.