Researchers are placing robotic dogs（机器狗）in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated（刺激）,”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote（使……成为现实）that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”
In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.
“I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady, “When I’m watching TV, he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has a mind of his own.”
The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.
“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry(毛皮的).” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”
“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more-valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels, or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”
1.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to__________.
A. understand human-animal relationship
B. make lonely old people’s life better
C. find the causes of old people’s loneliness
D. promote the animal-assisted research
2. In the research, the old people are asked to__________.
A. note the activities of AIBOs
B. keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks
C. record their feelings and activity
D. analyze the collected information
3. What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?
A. It is easier to keep at home.
B. It can help the disabled people.
C. It responds to all the human orders.
D. It can watch TV with its owner.
4. The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may__________.
A. cure certain diseases
B. keep old people active
C. change people’s beliefs
D. look more like real dogs
When I was in the third grade, I was picked to be the princess（公主）in the school play. For weeks my mother had helped me practice my lines. But once on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Then my teacher told me she had written a narrator’s（解说者的）part for the play, and asked me to change roles. Though I didn’t tell my mother what had happened that day, she sensed my unhappiness and asked if I wanted to take a walk in the yard.
It was a lovely spring day. We could see dandelions（蒲公英）popping(突然出现) through the grass in bunches, as if a painter had touched our landscape with bits of gold. I watched my mother carelessly bend down by one of the bunches. “I think I am going to dig up all these weeds,” she said. “From now on, we’ll have only roses in this garden.”
“But I like dandelions,” I protested. “All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions!”
My mother looked at me seriously. “Yes, every flower gives pleasure in its own way, doesn’t it?” She asked thoughtfully. I nodded. “And that is true of people, too,” she added.
When I realized that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry and told her the truth.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator,” she said, reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her.
Over the next few weeks, with her continuous encouragement, I learned to take pride in the role. The big day finally came. A few minutes before the play, my teacher came over to me. “Your mother asked me to give this to you,” she said, handing me a dandelion. After the play, I took home the flower, laughing that I was perhaps the only person who would keep such a weed(野草).
1.he girl did not play the role of the princess mainly because .
A. she felt nervous on the stage
B. she lost her interest in that role
C. she preferred the role of the narrator
D. she had difficulty memorizing her words
2.Why did the mother suggest a walk in the garden?
A. To remove the dandelions.
B. To enjoy the garden scene.
C. To have a talk with her daughter.
D. To help her daughter recite the words.
3.. What is the main idea of the story?
A. Everybody can find his or her own way to success.
B. Everybody has his or her own value in the world.
C. Everybody should learn to play different roles.
D. Everybody has some unforgettable memory.
IF and WHEN often had lunch together. Their conversation always___ _ on the things they hoped to achieve and they loved to talk about them.
This particular Saturday when they met for lunch, WHEN ____ __ IF wasn’t in a great mood（心情）. After they sat at the usual table____ _ for them, WHEN asked IF, “You don’t seem your usual _____ __self?” IF replied,“Yesterday I saw a course I wanted to take, If only I ____ __ the time.”
WHEN knew exactly how IF felt and said, “I too saw a ____ __ and I’ m going to register (登记) when I get _____ __money.” WHEN then questioned IF, “what about the new job you were going to apply for?” IF answered, “I would have applied, but my _____ _ broke down. I couldn’t type my resume(简历).”
“Don’t worry. I’ve been thinking about looking for another job also, ____ ___I’ll wait and when the weather gets ____ __ I will do it then. I hate this awful weather.”
The man sitting nearby heard them talking about when this and if that. When he couldn’t ____ _ it anymore, he went to them and said, “I think I know ___ __ you could solve your problems.”
IF smiled and thought that even if he knew the ____ ___ they faced, there was no way he could help! ____ ___, IF asked the man for advice. The man said, “Your conversation reminds me of an old _____ ___: IF and WHEN were planted, and nothing _____ __.”
IF and WHEN both looked surprised and began to feel ____ __ of living their life for the “ifs” and “whens”. Finally they came to a(n) ____ ___: next time they met, there would be no “ifs” or “whens”; they would ___ _ talk about what they had _____ _!
1.A. agreed B. centered C. relied D. took
2.A. sensed B. insisted C. declared D. guessed
3.A. cleaned B. made C. ordered D. reserved
4.A. sensitive B. honest C. cheerful D. stupid
5.A. had B. spent C. seized D. valued
6.A. notice B. job C. course D. chance
7.A. lucky B. pocket C. enough D. paper
8.A. computer B. fridge C. camera D. recorder
9.A. or B. but C. for D. so
10.A. drier B. colder C. wilder D. nicer
11.A. take B. decline C. support D. watch
12.A. what B. where C. why D. how
13.A. changes B. expenses C. challenges D. possibilities
14.A. Anxiously B. Curiously C. Surprisingly D. Sadly
15.A. saying B. story C. habit D. fiction
16.A. rose B. grew C. removed D. remained
17.A. tired B. proud C. ashamed D. aware
18.A. ambition B. conclusion C. description D. agreement
19.A. even B. only C. still D. thus
20.A. discussed B. promised C. arranged D. accomplished
—Putting on a happy face not only helps us make friends but also makes us feel better.
— _______.
A. I’d love to B. I’m with you on that
C. It’s up to you D. It’s my pleasure
— How about your picnic last Sunday?
— Everything was perfect _______ the weather.
A. in place of B. as well as
C. except for D. in case of
—Where is the picture you drew the other day?
— It _______ next to the mirror on the wall.
A. is hung B. is hanged
C. was hanged D. is hanging
