What impression of the fox is created by 'a thief of bin bags and a screamer in the night'?

Foxes have lived in our cities for nearly a century, yet we still argue about whether they belong. To some residents, the fox is a thief of bin bags and a screamer in the night. To others, it is the last wild thing left in streets otherwise given over to concrete. Scientists, meanwhile, point out that urban foxes are neither villains nor victims: they are opportunists, perfectly adapted to feed on whatever our habits leave behind. If we dislike the mess, the evidence suggests, we should look first at our own rubbish, not at the animal that tidies it. Wildlife, after all, does not adapt to us out of kindness; it adapts because we leave the door open.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. A nuisance that steals and disturbs people, as seen by hostile residents

  1. Step 1: 'Thief' and 'screamer' are negative labels for the fox.
  2. Step 2: They show how some residents see it: a nuisance that steals and makes noise.
Answer
A nuisance that steals and disturbs people, as seen by hostile residents.
Why not the others: A protected species that residents are keen to welcome into their gardens: these residents are described as hostile, not welcoming. A shy creature that avoids contact with people during the day: the nouns 'thief' and 'screamer' stress bad behaviour, not shyness. A dangerous predator that attacks people walking home at night: nothing suggests physical danger; the complaints are about theft and noise.

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