Pet owners are being encouraged to take their animals to work, a move that scientists say can be good for productivity, workplace morale(士气), and the well being of animals.
A study found that 25% of Australian women would like to keep an office pet. Sue Chaseling of Petcare Information Service said the practice of keeping office pets was good both for the people and the pets. “On the pets’ side, they are not left on their own and won’t feel lonely and unhappy, ”she said. A study of major US companies showed that 73% found office pets beneficial(有益的), while 27% experienced a drop in absenteeism(缺勤).
Xarni Riggs has two cats walking around her Global Hair Salon in Paddington. “My customers love them. They are their favorites, ”she said. “They are not troublesome. They know when to go and have a sleep in the sun. ”
Little black BJ has spent nearly all his two years “working” at Punch Gallery in Balmain. Owner Iain Powell said he had had cats at the gallery for 15 years. “BJ often lies in the shop window and people walking past tap on the glass, ”he said.
Ms Chaseling said cats were popular in service industries because they enabled a point of conversation. But she said owners had to make sure both their coworkers and the cats were comfortable.
56. The percentage of American companies that are in favor of keeping office pets is _______ .
A. 73% B. 27% C. 25% D. 15%
57. We know from the text that “BJ” _______.
A. works in the Global Hair Salon
B. often greets the passers-by
C. likes to sleep in the sun
D. is a two-year-old cat
58. The best title for this text would be _______ .
A. Pets Help Attract Customers
B. Your Favorite Office Pets
C. Pets Join the Workforce
D. Busy Life for Pets
Yesterday, after telling my brother, Rhys, and me to stop playing like wild animals, Mom went to take a bath. We were having a pillow fight when 36 one hit a vase. Mom 37 the loud crash. Wasting no time, she came 38 into the room. I was sure that she was going to shout at us, but instead she just knelt by the 39 and began to cry.
This made Rhys and me feel pretty 40 . We went over and put our arms around her, and she explained to us why she was so upset. In the pieces 41 a broken glass rose, one petal (花瓣)gone, which was given by Dad on their first wedding anniversary. Dad had said that if he ever forgot to bring flowers home 42 an anniversary in the future, Mom was to look at that one. It was like their love—it would last a 43 .
We began crying, and 44 to glue it. But Mom said that wouldn’t really fix it. 45 it had been broken, the 46 of the “limited edition” had reduced. As Mom 47 began to pick up the mess, we tried everything we could think of to 48 her up, but even our best funny faces didn’t 49 . Tears kept coming down her cheeks. Everything was picked up. Seeing Mom going back to the bath, I 50 her and put both hands on her shoulders, saying, “All things can be 51 ，Mom. The only thing that cannot be broken is our 52 . It’s the only thing that can never be broken. ”
Mom hugged me very tightly and 53 smiled. After dinner that night, Mom glued the petal back onto the rose. Then she softly said, “My rose is truly unique. Its tiny damage reminds me of 54 more important：the realization that love 55 forever. ”
36. A. gradually B. suddenly
C. surprisingly D. immediately
37. A. caused B. witnessed
C. heard D. ignored
38. A. dressing B. shouting
C. flying D. crying
39. A. pieces B. vase C. pillow D. ground
40. A. disappointed B. angry
C. awful D. sensitive
41. A. grew B. lay C. stood D. existed
42. A. for B. in C. from D. by
43. A. decade B. year C. season D. lifetime
44. A. offered B. supported
C. pretended D. agreed
45. A. Just as B. In case
C. Now that D. Even though
46. A. price B. wealth C. value D. treasure
47. A. skillfully B. hopefully C. kindly D. slowly
48. A. cheer B. make C. light D. get
49. A. smile B. work C. show D. say
50. A. prevented B. stopped
C. kept D. followed
51. A. destroyed B. mended
C. improved D. broken
52. A. friendship B. honesty
C. love D. happiness
53. A. finally B. quickly
C. confidently D. immediately
54. A. anything B. something
C. nothing D. everything
55. A. changes B. appears C. lasts D. keeps
—I need to advertise for a roommate for next term.
—_______? Mary is interested.
A. Why bother B. Why not
C. So what D. What for
It was just a _______ comment; I didn’t mean it to be taken so seriously.
A. uniform B. casual C. humorous D. formal
I tried several stores to find a suitable book for my students, and I thought it was _______ the trouble.
A. worth B. worthy
C. worthwhile D. valuable
_______ leaves the room last ought to turn off the lights.
A. Anyone B. The person
C. Whoever D. Who
Although he knew little about the work done in the field, he succeeded _______ other more experienced experimenters failed.
A. which B. that C. what D. where
The two ladies burst into laughter from time to time as if _______ something funny.
A. to talk about
B. to chat
C. talking about
D. chatting with
The suit fitted him well _______ the color was a little brighter.
A. except for B. except that
C. except when D. besides
The two words “hurt” and “injure” are similar in meaning. It seems difficult for me to _______ them apart.
A. live B. separate C. tell D. divide
A study found that 25% of Australian women would like to keep an office pet. Sue Chaseling of Petcare Information Service said the practice of keeping office pets was good both for the people and the pets. “On the pets’ side, they are not left on their own and won’t feel lonely and unhappy, ”she said. A study of major US companies showed that 73% found office pets beneficial(有益的), while 27% experienced a drop in absenteeism(缺勤).