Do dogs understand us?
Be careful what you say around your dog. It might understand more than you think.
A border collie named Rico recognizes the names of about 200 objects, say researchers in Germany. The dog also appears to be able to learn new words as easily as a 3-year-old child. Its word-learning skills are as good as those of a parrot or chimpanzee(黑猩猩).
In one experiment, the researchers took all 200 items that Rico is supposed to know and divided them into 20 groups of 10 objects. Then the owner told the dog to go and fetch one of the items and bring it back. In four tests, Rico got 37 out of 40 commands right. As the dog couldn't see anyone to get clues, the scientists believe Rico must understand the meanings of certain words.
In another experiment, the scientists took one toy that Rico had never seen before and put it in a room with seven toys whose names the dog already knew. The owner then told Rico to fetch the object, using a word the dog had never heard before.
The correct object was chosen in seven out of l0 tests, suggesting that the dog had worked out the answer by process of elimination(排除法). A month later, Rico remembered half of the new names, which is even more impressive.
Rico is thought to be smarter than the average dog. For one thing, Rico is a border collie, a breed (品种)known for its mental abilities. In addition, the 9-year-old dog has been trained to fetch toys by their names since the age of nine months.
It's hard to know if all dogs understand at least some of the words we say. Even if they do, they can't talk back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to sweet-talk your dog every now and then. You might just get a big, wet kiss in return!
1.From paragraph 2 we know that _______ .
A. animals are as clever as human beings
B. dogs are smarter than parrots and chimpanzees
C. chimpanzees have very good word-learning skills
D. dogs have similar learning abilities as 3-year-old children
2.Both experiments show that_______ .
A. Rico is smart enough to get all commands right
B. Rico can recognize different things including toys
C. Rico has developed the ability of learning mathematics
D. Rico won't forget the names of objects once recognizing them
3.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The purpose of the experiments is to show the border collie's mental abilities.
B. Rico has a better memory partly because of its proper early training.
C. The border collie is world-famous for recognizing objects.
D. Rico is born to understand its owner's commands.
4.What does the writer want to tell us?
A. To train your dog.
B. To talk to your dog.
C. To be friendly to your dog.
D. To be careful with your dog.
Spring is a wonderful season to celebrate rebirth and new life. The long，cold winter is over. The weather is warmer and sunnier. The trees again have leaves and the flowers are blooming. The season represents hope，joy and beauty. At this time，many people think of this classical music piece—Spring，which shows happiness. Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi wrote it in the seventeen hundreds.
However，not all songs about spring are happy. This song written and sung by K.D. Lang is about dreaming of spring in cold dark places. She recorded I Dream of Spring in 2008.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote It Might as Well Be Spring for the movie State Fair in 1945.Frank Sinatra sings it. It is a feeling of restlessness or excitement brought on by the coming of spring. Richard Rodgers also wrote Spring Is Here，this time with Lorenz Hart. Ella Fitzgerald sings this song about feeling lonely during this season.
Frank Loesser wrote the sad song，Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year. Why has the season been delayed? Because the singer's lover has left her. Sarah Vaughn released(发行) her version of the song in 1953.
By now you may be thinking，“Enough with the sad songs，already！”OK，then how about a cowboy song? Gene Autry was one of the America's most famous singing cowboys. He recorded When It's Springtime in the Rockies in 1937.
And finally，we'll leave you with a sunny song called Up Jumped Spring. Freddie Hubbard wrote this jazz song in 1977 and Billy Taylor Trio performs it.
1.If you are in a bad mood，you'd better listen to________.
A. Up Jumped Spring
B. I Dream of Spring
C. Spring Is Here
D. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year
2.It Might as Well Be Spring is a song that________.
A. is also called State Fair
B. is sung by Ella Fitzgerald
C. has a lonely feeling
D. was written by two people
3.According to the passage，which of the following is TRUE?
A. Most songs about spring are written by Italian composers.
B. K. D. Lang was good at writing happy songs.
C. Sarah Vaughn sang the song Up Jumped Spring first.
D. Gene Autry was a famous cowboy singer before K.D. Lang.
San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer. (Included in tickets price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tell time upon request.
Duration(时长): 2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco’s most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing form the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31st
Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.
Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23nd
This attractive tour takes you to some of San Francisco’s most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1.Which of the tours is available in March?
A. San Francisco Winery Tour. B. Back to the Fifties Tour.
C. Spooky Halloween Tour. D. Holiday Lights Tour.
2.What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tours?
A. Go to Treasure Island. B. Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C. Have free ice cream. D. Visit the Presidio district.
3.What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?
A. Take some drinks. B. Set off early in the morning.
C. Wear warm clothes. D. Make reservations in advance.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did Peter find when he woke up one morning?
A. His house was surrounded by the flood.
B. There was water all over the floor.
C. His car was upside down in the street.
2.What is the usual rainfall of the whole month of June in Peter’s hometown?
A. About 16 inches. B. About 17 inches. C. About 70 inches.
3.What does the passage mainly tell us?
A. How people fought against a natural disaster.
B. Many people died in a serious flood.
C. A big flood struck Peter’s hometown.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation take place?
A. At a seafood shop. B. In a dining hall. C. On the phone.
2.What do we know about the restaurant?
A. It is famous for seafood.
B. It seldom accepts large parties.
C. Famous people often come to dine.
3.What can we learn from the conversation?
A. The restaurant is by the sea.
B. Seafood is very popular nowadays.
C. Regular customers have advantages there.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman going to do at the very beginning of the conversation?
A. She is going to watch TV.
B. She is going to go out.
C. She is going to do some reading.
2.What does the man like doing?
A. He likes going out.
B. He likes watching TV.
C. He likes doing some reading.
3.What do they probably do at last?
A. They will watch TV together.
B. They will go out and enjoy themselves together.
C. They will do their music.
