You can buy just about anything online these days. Major online retailers▼ in China, India, and the West are doing a booming business taking orders from Internet customers and having them delivered directly to their homes. Though India is still a poor country, it hasn't stopped the boom▼ of using online services to place orders, especially for city residents. That includes, of all things, cow dung▼ patties.
If you know anything about Hindu India, you shouldn't be surprised, though. Cows have been worshipped by Hindus for millennia▼. The sacredness▼ of cows even includes their poop, which is an environmentally friendly source of fertilizer▼ and can be used to light fires for cooking. Raw dung is mixed with dry hay▼ and then pounded into a hamburger-patty shape. Hundreds of millions of cattle wander around the country, unbothered by this religious nation, and millions more are raised for transportation, milk, and dung. Cows feature prominently in many religious ceremonies, such as Diwali and Lohri. Many Indians are vegetarians, so, unlike most other countries, cattle are normally not slaughtered for their meat or skin. Some Hindu castes▼ and Muslims are free from this restriction, though.
Most of the orders for dung cakes come from city residents, who are too busy to scavenge for cow poop in the streets or who have too little space to raise such a huge animal. Many were born and raised in the countryside, where religious traditions are greatly respected. They want to continue observing their childhood festivals, most of which include the burning of cow patties. Thus, they turn to online retailers to meet their needs. Imagine receiving a Lohri New Year's present of cow dung patties, gift-wrapped▼, no less, from Amazon or eBay!
1. What is this reading mainly about?
(A) Important religious festivals in India.
(B) The use of cow dung by Hindus.
(C) The online retailing business in India.
(D) Differences between rural and urban Indians.
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2. What is said about online retailing in India?
(A) Because India is a poor country, there is little of it.
(B) Only urban residents can take advantage of it.
(C) It is available only during religious festivals.
(D) It is growing very quickly.
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3. Which of the following is true about Hindus, according to the reading?
(A) They specialize in making leather crafts.
(B) They practice the same traditions as Muslims.
(C) They have made and eaten cow dung patties for millennia.
(D) They worship and protect their cattle.
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4. Why do many city residents in India rely on the Internet to buy cow dung patties?
(A) They want to show others how technically proficient they are.
(B) They want to show others how rich they are.
(C) It is much more convenient to do so.
(D) They refuse to approach cows because of their religion.
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