Native to North America, the bobcat, sometimes called ‘wildcat’, is a (12) ……………. and nocturnal animal and is (13) ……………. seen by people. Bobcats are (14) ……………. twice the size of the average domestic cat. Most have a grey to brown coat and a short, black-tipped tail, which seems to be cut off or ‘bobbed’, hence its name. They have long legs, large paws, and tufted ears (15) ……………. to those of their larger relative, the Canada lynx.

Bobcats roam (16) ……………. much of North America and are able to adapt to such (17) ……………. habitats as deserts, forests, swamps, and have even been seen in suburban areas. On the rare occasion that these solitary animals are spotted, they are usually (18) ……………. Females tend to find quiet, undisturbed dens to (19) ……………. a litter of one to six kittens, which will stay with their mother for between nine months and a year, when they will learn to hunt before finally (20) ……………. out on their own.

12.

A. mysterious 

B. secret

C. hidden

D. confidential 

13.

A. almost 

B. rarely 

C. little 

D. slightly 

14.

A. greatly

B. considerably

C. roughly 

D. relatively

15.

A. same 

B. similar 

C. like 

D. as 

16.

A. throughout

B. during 

C. near

D. among

17.

A. many

B. mixed 

C. various

D. diverse

18.

A. individual 

B. lonely

C. separate

D. alone 

19.

A. rise 

B. grow 

C. raise

D. provide 

20.

A. setting 

B. being 

C. leaving

D. entering