Question

A Canine Reading Buddy

Dogs and people have developed a special bond over time. Recently, however, some dogs have taken a different role in people’s lives—therapy dogs.

1. Some therapy dogs visit patients in hospitals or nursing homes, while others visit children in schools and libraries. They are there to help children become better readers.

Reading programs that use therapy dogs have been in existence for more than ten years. All therapy dogs of this program are registered with an organization that tests the dogs to make sure they have the right personality for the job.

2. Both the dogs and the handlers are volunteers with the reading program.

At the start of a reading therapy session, a child and a dog are introduced. The pair is allowed to settle down in a quiet corner together. 3. An adult handler stays nearby but generally lets the dog perform its job without interfering(干涉). Sometimes, a handler may ask a question that encourages the child to work with the dog to help the child feel more comfortable.

Not every child will be able to be part of a reading therapy program that uses dogs. A few children might be allergic to dogs or afraid of them; some children might have cultural traditions that prevent them from touching a dog. 4.

Reading therapy programs inspire learning and change. 5. They spend time with human friends. For dogs that love human companionshiop and a quiet place to rest, being part of a reading therapy program can be a great way to spend a few hours each day. The readers benefit too, gaining confidence and learning that reading aloud can be a relaxing experience.

A. How do the therapy dogs benefit from it?

B. But therapy animals also serve in many other areas.

C. As the child reads, the dog usually lies quietly and listens.

D. When reading to an animal, some children may become relaxed.

E. In these circumstances, other animals are available, such as cats and parrots.

F. A therapy dog is more of a companion and is trained to help people in different ways.

G. A dog’s handler also takes a class and must pass a test to work in the therapy program.

Answer

1.F

2.G

3.C

4.E

5.A

【解析】本文为介绍说明文。在服务犬和工作犬的不同工种中，治疗犬属于新兴的一类，它们是为弱势群体带来快乐和慰藉的治疗师。文章主要介绍了阅读治疗犬。

1.根据空后对治疗犬可以去探望医院或疗养院里的病人、看学校和图书馆的孩子、帮助孩子成为更好的阅读者可知，此处指“治疗狗可以从不同的方面帮助人们”。故选F。

2.根据上文中的All therapy dogs of this program are registered with an organization that tests the dogs to make sure they have the right personality for the job.（该项目的所有治疗犬都在一个组织中注册，这个组织测试这些狗以确保他们有适合工作的性格。）及空后Both the dogs and the handlers are volunteers with the reading program.（狗和驯化者都是阅读计划的志愿者）可知，此处指“治疗狗的驯化者也需要上课，必须通过测试才能在治疗程序中工作。”故选G。

3.根据空前的The pair is allowed to settle down in a quiet corner together.（他们两个可以在一个安静的角落安顿下来。）及空后 An adult handler stays nearby but generally lets the dog perform its job without interfering.（成人驯化者待在附近，但一般不干扰治疗狗执行它的工作）可知，此处指治疗狗在孩子阅读时在做什么。故选C。

4.根据空前的Not every child will be able to be part of a reading therapy program that uses dogs. A few children might be allergic to dogs or afraid of them; some children might have cultural traditions that prevent them from touching a dog.（并不是每个孩子都能参加使用治疗狗的阅读治疗项目。一些孩子可能对狗过敏或害怕它们；有些孩子可能有不接触狗的文化传统）可推知，此处指“在这种情况下，还有其他动物可以用，如猫和鹦鹉。”故选E。

5.根据空后的对治疗犬得到的好处描述及The readers benefit too（阅读者也受益）可知，“治疗犬从中怎么受益的”符合此处语境。故选A。

【名师点睛】

七选五题型主要考查上下文的理解与推断，虽然文章整体难度一般低于阅读理解，但是却给很多同学造成了很大的心理障碍。七个选项中选五个，比四个选项中选一个，感觉干扰性更大，很大同学在做这个题目时，总有一种眼花缭乱、心烦气躁的感觉，致使往往正确率不高。在这里提醒同学们，首先要克服心理障碍，同时要注意方式方法。注意设空前后的句子，因为这些句子之间是顺承和联系的，所有一定要联系和理解上下文的语境；同时正确选项中与原文中一般都有对应关键词（组）。例如第5小题，根据空后的对治疗犬得到的好处描述及The readers benefit too（关键词组）可知，“治疗犬从中怎么受益的”符合此处语境，选项A. How do the therapy dogs benefit（对应词） from it?由此确定正确答案为A选项。