Question

    Researchers at UCLA Medical Center found that a 12-minute bed-side visit with a dog can help reduce anxiety levels by 24 percent in heart failure patients, compared to a 10 percent drop when patients had a visit from a human volunteer, and no drop in patients who had no visit.

Results of the 76-patient study were presented last week. The study was supported by a non-profit (非盈利)organization which promotes human-animal interaction and connection. In the study, effects of dog and volunteer visits were compared with those of volunteers only, and with patients who had no visits and stayed at rest. Patients were asked to answer a list of questions before and after the visits. The results suggested improved heart function, and the most obvious reaction was seen in anxiety levels.

“The first thing you notice is that the patient’s facial expression, changes to a smile and the pressure of the world seems to be lifted off their shoulders,” study author Kathy Cole said. Feelings of disappointment and helplessness are common among heart patients, Cole said, and just three nights in a hospital is enough to make some patients feel anxious and uncomfortable. During the visit, the furry friend is allowed to lie on the bed next to the patient with its head within two feet of the patient’s. Most patients petted the dog, while others talked about the dog with human volunteers in conversation. 　　

Dogs used in the study are specially trained dogs that go through a series of trainings. There are different kinds of dogs. Researchers used everything from Bernese mountain dogs to small schnauzers. However, a dog doesn’t have to be specially trained to have a calming effect on a person. In fact, the animal doesn’t even have to be a dog in order to help. “As long as the animal has meaning to the patient, or a relationship with the patient, it can help calm the patient,” Cole said.

1.We learn from the text that heart patients benefit most from visits by___________.

A.a volunteer on his own B.a well-trained dog alone

C.a non-profit organization D.a volunteer with a dog

2.The study shows that, for heart patients, __________.

A.their recovery depends on contact with animals

B.their heart pressure reduces if they stay at rest

C.their contact with animals improves their condition

D.their anxiety is reduced if they stay longer in hospital

3.According to Cole, the change of patients’ expression on the face indicates that_________.

A.they are mentally comforted B.they are happy with the experiment

C.their treatment time may be shortened D.their heart function is returning to normal

4.This report concentrates on__________.

A.the treatment of heart disease B.the cure power of animals

C.the relationship between dogs and humans D.the promotion of human-animal interaction

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了加州大学洛杉矶分校医学中心的研究人员发现，在心脏衰竭患者中，带着狗在床上躺12分钟可以帮助降低24%的焦虑水平，相比之下，当患者有人类志愿者来看望时，焦虑水平下降了10%，而没有来看望的患者焦虑水平没有下降。研究报告的作者指出患者面部表情的变化表明他们在精神上得到了安慰。以及介绍了参与研究的狗的情况。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段Researchers at UCLA Medical Center found that a 12-minute bed-side visit with a dog can help reduce anxiety levels by 24 percent in heart failure patients, compared to a 10 percent drop when patients had a visit from a human volunteer, and no drop in patients who had no visit.可知加州大学洛杉矶分校医学中心的研究人员发现，在心脏衰竭患者中，带着狗在床上躺12分钟可以帮助降低24%的焦虑水平，相比之下，当患者有人类志愿者来看望时，焦虑水平下降了10%，而没有来看望的患者焦虑水平没有下降。由此可知，我们从这篇文章中了解到，心脏病人最能受益于一位带着狗的志愿者的探访。故选D。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中In the study, effects of dog and volunteer visits were compared with those of volunteers only, and with patients who had no visits and stayed at rest. Patients were asked to answer a list of questions before and after the visits. The results suggested improved heart function, and the most obvious reaction was seen in anxiety levels.可知在这项研究中，狗和志愿者拜访的效果与志愿者的效果进行了比较，并与那些没有拜访过并且休息的病人进行了比较。患者被要求回答一系列的问题之前和之后的访问。结果显示心脏功能得到改善，最明显的反应出现在焦虑水平。由此可知，研究表明，对心脏病人来说他们与动物的接触改善了他们的状况。故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中“The first thing you notice is that the patient’s facial expression, changes to a smile and the pressure of the world seems to be lifted off their shoulders,” study author Kathy Cole said.可知研究报告的作者Kathy Cole说:“你首先会注意到病人的面部表情、笑容的变化，以及他们肩上的压力似乎都减轻了。”由此可知，根据Cole的说法，患者面部表情的变化表明他们在精神上得到了安慰。故选A。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段Researchers at UCLA Medical Center found that a 12-minute bed-side visit with a dog can help reduce anxiety levels by 24 percent in heart failure patients, compared to a 10 percent drop when patients had a visit from a human volunteer, and no drop in patients who had no visit.可知加州大学洛杉矶分校医学中心的研究人员发现，在心脏衰竭患者中，带着狗在床上躺12分钟可以帮助降低24%的焦虑水平，相比之下，当患者有人类志愿者来看望时，焦虑水平下降了10%，而没有来看望的患者焦虑水平没有下降。结合文章还说明了研究报告的作者指出患者面部表情的变化表明他们在精神上得到了安慰。以及介绍了参与研究的狗的情况。由此可知本报告集中讨论了动物的治疗能力。故选B。