题目内容

Researchers are placing robotic dogs 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 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 activities 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,” 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. find the causes of old people’s loneliness

C. make lonely old people’s life better

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. analyze the collected information

D. record their feelings and activities

3.What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?

A. It can watch TV with its owner

B. It can help the disabled people

C. It responds to all the human orders

D. It is easier to keep at home

4.The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may______.

A. keep old people active

B. cure certain diseases

C. change people's beliefs

D. look more like real dogs

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完形填空,阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

I was unbelievably proud of my nine-year-old daughter, Emily. ________ to buy a mountain bike, she’d been saving her pocket money all year, as well as doing small jobs to earn extra money. By Thanksgiving, she had collected only $49. I said, “You________ have your pick from my bicycle ________.” “Thanks, Daddy. But your bikes are so old.” She was right. All my girls’ bikes were 1950s models, not the kind a kid today would ________ choose.

As Christmas ________ near, Emily and I went bike shopping. As we left one store, she ________ a Salvation Army(基督教慈善组织)volunteer standing next to a big pot. “Can we give something, Daddy?” she asked. “Sorry, em, I’m out of change.” I said.

Throughout December, Emily continued to ________hard. Then one day, she made a ________announcement. “You know all the money I’ve been saving?” she said hesitantly. “I’m going to give it to the poor people.” So one cold morning before Christmas, Emily handed her total savings of $58 to a volunteer who was really very ________ .

________ by Emily’s selflessness, I decided to contribute ________of my old bicycles to a car dealer who was collecting used bikes for poor children. ________ I selected a shiny model from my collection, however, it seemed as if a second bike took on a glow(发光).Should I contribute two? No, one would be enough. But I couldn’t ________the feeling that I should give a second bike. When I later ________ the bikes, the car dealer said, “You’re making two kids very ________ , sir. Here are your tickets. For each bicycle contributed, we’re ________ away one chance to win a girls’ mountain bike.”

Why wasn’t I surprised when that second ticket proved to be the ________ ? I like to think it was God’s way of ________ a little girl for a sacrifice ________ her years---- while giving her dad a lesson in the ________ .

1.A. Promised B. Amazed C. Determined D. Organized

2.A. need B. should C. must D. can

3.A. collection B. contribution C. shop D. club

4.A. seldom B. likely C. slightly D. merely

5.A. drew B. became C. went D. pulled

6.A. observed B. sensed C. watched D. noticed

7.A. study B. try C. listen D. work

8.A. disappointing B. surprising C. formal D. public

9.A. agreeable B. hopeful C. thankful D. pitiful

10.A. Moved B. Shocked C. Persuaded D. Demanded

11.A. one B. some C. two D. any

12.A. While B. As C. Because D. Though

13.A. express B. describe C. explain D. shake

14.A. returned B. delivered C. chose D. shared

15.A. sweet B. healthy C. happy D. fair

16.A. putting B. giving C. storing D. signing

17.A. present B. harvest C. winner D. chance

18.A. greeting B. praising C. sheltering D. rewarding

19.A. under B. before C. beyond D. within

20.A. process B. project C. struggle D. communication

Many people rush into the commitment of bringing home a four-legged family member, only to find out that they are not ready for a pet.This often results in the dog being turned over to a shelter where it may not find another home.This can be avoided if potential pet owners take the time to figure out if they are truly ready for the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Being a responsible pet owner involves a financial commitment that goes beyond buying dog fooD. There are also parasite (寄生虫) prevention, boarding costs while traveling and the cost to care for the pet should it become ill or injureD. That is not to say that one must be rich in order to have a dog, but it is important to be prepared for the expenses that come with being a pet owner.

Another consideration is the time commitment.An owner away from home for 14 hours every day is not an ideal situation for a dog.A potential dog owner must also consider the time it takes to care for his or her pet, the time it takes to feed, walk, play with, bathe and clean up.Also, dogs require attention.Be prepared to spend time each day petting and playing with it.

Dogs are dogs, and will act like dogs.This includes barking, digging, having accidents in the house and, possibly, destroying some of the owner’s prized possessions, such as furniture, shoes and cell phones.If the above would cause an owner to want to get rid of the dog, then he or she is not yet ready to be a pet owner.Many wonderful pets end up in shelters simply because they acted like dogs!

1.Who might be qualified to be a dog owner, according to the text?

A. Jim, who has a daughter sensitive to dog’s smell.

B. Dick, a jobless teenager who can hardly pay his rent.

C. Kari, a teacher who works eight hours a day.

D. Steven, a business man who travels a lot on business.

2.To be a responsible dog owner you need to do all the following EXCEPT _________.

A. finding a shelter for it when you are bored with it

B. buying dog food and feeding it

C. taking it to hospital when necessary

D. spending time each day playing with it

3.What does the underlined part in the first paragraph probably mean?

A. Rush to adopt a dog formally.

B. Decide to be a pet owner without thinking about it carefully.

C. Run into a pet shelter and take one home so quickly.

D. Commit to buy a dog and take it home.

4.What might be the best title for the text?

A. Dogs Are Dogs

B. Pets Are Family Members

C. Have Time for a Dog?

D. Ready for a Pet?

You may have experienced the frustration of receiving a parking fine or finding your car towed away (拖走)after leaving it parked for a couple of minutes.

But now a high tech car sticker could help motorists avoid such a situation by allowing a traffic warden(管理员)to get in touch with them.Car owners can buy the sticker and place it inside their car’s windscreen,having set it up with vital information,such as their phone number.The slim design will i nclude a sensor that will send a text message warning a driver about a coming fine when touched by a traffic warden.The message will ask them to move their car immediately.The driver could then type a reply for the warden us ing their smartphone,which will appear on the sticker’s screen.They may choose to write something along the lines of“back in two minutes”in a bid to avoid a fine.Frankfurt-based IT consultant,Daniel Kalliontzis,came up with the idea and is raising funds on Indiegogo to put his 54 sticker into production.

The smart sticker system will rely on the good will of traffic wardens and critically,a German law.The law states:“An officer has to choose the most e fficient and inexpensive way for the car owner to remove the vehicle.”It could be cheaper for the authorities to contact the driver than to tow his car.

At the time of writing,Mr Kalliontzis has raised just over 3,000 of his 50,000 goal on Indiegogo.If he manages to raise the money,the stickers will be shipped in June 2015.But it appears that car owners using the smart system could get some unnecessary warning messages,because anyone could touch the smart sticker.

1.The first paragraph is intended to ________.

A. highlight an awkward situation

B. complain about a parking fine

C. introduce the topic of the passage

D. remind motorists of the parking risk

2.What may probably contribute to the application of the TowStop sticker in Germany?

A. The sticker’s low cost.

B. The mass production.

C. The goodwill of motorists.

D. The law of the country.

3.What can be concluded from the last paragraph about the TowStop Sticker?

A. It takes time and efforts to put it to use.

B. Only traffic wardens can touch the sticker.

C. All car owners will use the sticker in 2015.

D. Kalliontzis is experienced in raising money.

4.What’s the right order of the following statements according to the passage?

①A message is sent by the sensor.

②The sticker is put inside a car’s windscreen.

③A traffic warden touches the smart sticker.

④The sticker is set up with vital information.

⑤The motorist sends a message.

A. ②④⑤③①

B. ④②③①⑤

C. ④②③⑤①

D. ②④①③⑤

As children begin to head back to school, there are several things that you can do to make sure that your child stays healthy and performs at their peak potential during the school year.

1.Make sure your child is up to date on their immunizations(免疫).The summer is a good time to schedule visits to the doctor’s as your child is not in school, and the visit won’t require that your child miss school days.

2.Encourage proper nutrition.America faces childhood obesity(肥胖).This means that the percentage of overweight children is increasing each year, and this will place your child at risk of developing a variety of diseases when they are middle age or even young adults.You can start helping your child to become healthier by offering fruits and vegetables at home instead of calorie heavy potato chips and candy.

3.Get your child involved in sports activities.Activities in high school such as track and cross-country are important for socialization for your child, as well as helping to improve their health.You can get your child interested in wholesome activities by discussing with them how you enjoyed similar activities in high school.

4.Have the birds and the bees conversation with your child.Many children become sexually active in junior school and senior high school, and the sooner you discuss sex with your child the sooner they will be prepared.Tell your child that there is always the possibility of infecting a sexual disease when two people have sex; and discuss with your child the use of condoms.The sooner you start having this embarrassing situation the better.

5.Know your child’s friends.You can do this by inviting your child to bring their friends over to your house for a pizza night, or by chatting with them when they stop by your house.If you find your child’s friend has a bad reputation, then you could consider introducing your child to a different network of people, such as through the girl/boy scouts.Forbidding your child from seeing a certain person may only lead them to rebel and become closer to that person.

6.Discuss with your child the seriousness of drug use and abuse.Your child may not realize that using drugs can have serious consequences.Your child may get the false impression that drug use is his right.Explain to a child that saying no to drugs is their right, and that anybody offering them drugs is not their friend.

7.Help your child to avoid a life long smoking addiction by discussing with them the consequences of smoking.The sad fact is that most smokers became addicted when they were in their teenage years, and are unable to quit for long periods of time and often die many years earlier due to their smoking habit which increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and a variety of medical conditions.Even if you are a smoker yourself, you can discuss with your child about how damaging smoking can be on a person’s health.

8.Impress upon your child the importance of traffic rules.Tell them that it is OK to wear a seat belt in anyone’s car, because it may save their life one day.If your child rides a bicycle or a skateboard, then discuss with them the importance of always wearing a helmet.As you child becomes qualified for driver’s permit, you should discuss with them the importance of prevention from drinking and driving.

9.Be cautious about signs of depression in childhood.A surprisingly large number of children may become depressed, and a small number of teenagers and children commit suicide(自杀) each year.Realize that any signs of unusual depressed mood, angry outbursts, suicidal comments, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of enjoyment of activities with friends may be signs of depression.

1.What topic is NOT discussed in this passage?

A. Traffic B. Smoking

C. Depression D. Study

2.The first three tips focus on children’s .

A. medical care B. nutritious food

C. physical health D. sports activities

3.“Have the birds and the bees conversation with your child” means “ ” .

A. have a humorous talk to children about sex

B. tell children stories about the animal world

C. give a formal expert education to children

D. deliver lectures to children on sex diseases

4.This passage is meant for parents to .

A. teach their children to behave well

B. prepare their children for a new term

C. educate their children after school

D. train their children for special ability

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