Question

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

Answer 1

1.B

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇说明文，说明了现在的老人很孤独，为了解决这个问题，研究人员研究机器狗，把机器狗放在老人家，和老人一起生活，提高老人家的生活质量。

1.细节理解题。由第一段第一句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，研究者正在把机器狗放在孤独的老人家里以确定他们是否可以改善人类的生活质量可以知道答案，故选B。

2.细节理解题。由第一段第四行concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression，physical activity，and life satisfaction.关于机器狗对老人的抑郁，身体活动和生活满意度可以知道答案，所以选C。。

3.细节理解题，由第四段最后一句Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercises and feeding concerns通常他们是残疾的，不能通过遛狗和狗一起玩耍来关心动物，一个机器狗不需要锻炼和喂养上的关心可以知道答案，所以选A

4.:细节题，由最后一段第三行these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper.这机器狗能够成为一个更有价值的健康助手可以知道答案，所以选B

考点：说明文短文阅读