A new study has found that cats can connect with people in the same way as dogs and children.The research, published in Current Biology, suggests the social abilities of cats to form human attachments has been greatly underestimated.The study notes that more cats live with humans than dogs do worldwide.But historically, more scientific research has centered on the social relationships between people and dogs.
The researchers designed experiments similar to methods used to measure human attachment behaviors.For example, other studies have observed how babies react to being reunited with caregivers after being separated for short periods.
About 70 cats were studied.The hehavior of the animals was observed by experts who divided them into two groups.64 percent were judged to be “securely attached”to caregivers, while 36 percent were found to be “insecurely attached.”The cats with secure attachments showed several signs of “reduced stress”levels, the study found.These cats were found to be more comfortable and effectively balanced their attention between the person and their surroundings.However, the cats with an insecure attachment showed clear signs of stress.These included shaking of the tail, repeated licking or staying completely away from the caregiver.
She added that the results showed that the level of secure and insecure attachments in cats is very close to those measured in human babies.In humans, research has found that 65 percent of babies are also securely attached to their caregivers.The researchers also were interested in finding out if socialization training would change the results.
But after a six-week training program for the cats, there were no major differences. “Once an attachment style has been established between the cat and its caregiver, it appears to remain relatively stable overtime, even after a training and socialization intervention(干预), ”Vitale said.
1.What does the study mentioned in this passage show?
A.Cats’social ability is little thought of.
B.Dogs have more sociable personalities than cats.
C.Historically, dog is much smarter than cats.
D.Cats have bad social relationships with dogs.
2.What will happen if the cats feel unsafe?
A.They tend to attack their caregivers.
B.They are going to shake their tails.
C.They will stay close to their caretakers.
D.They are likely to balance their attention.
3.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?
A.Attachment level in babies is higher than in cats.
B.Training program plays an important role in the results.
C.Researchers feel insecure when experimenting with cats.
D.It’s hard to make changes to attachment styles between cats and caregivers.
It was just before 8 a.m.on October 17, 2010.She’d checked the higher summits forecast posted by the Mount Washington Observatory before she left.Based on her experience, Bales knew that her hike was realistic.Besides, she had two plans and extra layers of clothing to better regulate her temperature as conditions changed.
At 10:30 a.m., the weather was showing its teeth.Bales added even more layers, including a jacket to protect herself from the cold winds and heavy fog.She made her way across the snow—covered ridge toward Mount Washington and began to think about calling it a day.Then she noticed something:a single set of footprints in the snow ahead of her.She’d been following faint tracks all day and hadn’t given them much thought, because so many people climbed Jewell Trail.But these, she realized, had been made by a pair of sneakers.She silently scolded the absent hiker for breaking normal safety rules and walked on.
Now she felt genuinely alarmed.She was sure the hiker could not navigate(找到方向)in the low visibility and was heading straight toward the challenging trails of the Great Gulf Wilderness.Bales stood there, shocked.The temperature and clouds were in a race to find their lowest point, and darkness was mere hours away.If Bales continued to follow the tracks.she’d add risk and time to the route she’d already adjusted to manage both.But she could not let this go.She turned to the left and called out, “Hello!”into the frozen fog.
Bales wouldn’t get an answer until a week later, when the president of her rescue group received a letter in the mail.It read: “I hope this reaches the right group of rescuers.I want to remain anonymous(匿名的), but I was called John.On Sunday, October 17, I went up my favorite trail, Jewell, to end my life.Weather was to be bad.Thought no one else would be there.I was dressed to go quickly.Next thing I knew this lady was talking to me, changing my clothes, giving me food, making me warmer.
1.What does the underlined sentence mean?
A.The weather began to get worse.
B.Nobody controlled the weather.
C.Weather could never be predicted.
D.Weather was generally changeable.
2.Why did Bales feel really frightened?
A.Because she lost her way completely.
B.Because the terrible weather was on the way.
C.Because she was blinded by the frozen fog.
D.Because she was convinced that someone was in trouble.
3.What is the purpose of John’s hiking?
A.To challenge his limit.
B.To go up his favorite trail.
C.To donate some money to rescue group.
D.To kill himself without being discovered.
听下面一段独白, 回答以下小题。
1.How did Whittle first learn about engineering?
A.From schoo1. B.From work. C.From his father.
2.What did Whittle do after having his idea for an engine?
A.He joined the Air Force.
B.He gained the legal right of ownership.
C.He decided to study further in college.
3.Where was Whittle’s last home?
A.Maryland. B.Coventry. C.Cambridge.
听下面一段较长对话, 回答以下小题。
1.Where will the speakers most likely go swimming ?
A.In the poo1. B.In the ocean. C.In the lake.
2.Why can’t the speakers go swimming this coming Sunday?
A.There will be a football game.
B.There will be a family party.
C.There will be bad weather
3.What will the speakers most likely watch?
A.An action movie. B.A comedy. C.A history movie.
4.What is the probable relationship between the speakers?
A.Friends. B.Teammates. C.Family members.
听下面一段较长对话, 回答以下小题。
1.Where does the woman’s mother live?
A.In Spain. B.In Mexico. C.In America.
2.What do the speakers plan to do on November 2nd ?
A.Travel to Madrid. B.Visit some friends. C.Attend a holiday event.
3.When will the speakers leave New York?
A.On October 22nd. B.On October 28th. C.On November 22nd.
听下面一段较长对话, 回答以下小题。
1.What was the girl’s most recent purchase?
A.A dog toy. B.Some clothes. C.An ice cream maker.
2.What is the relationship between the speakers?
A.Teacher and student. B.Father and daughter. C.Shopkeeper and customer.
3.Which word can describe the girl’s attitude to money？
A.Irresponsible. B.Wise. C.Greedy.
