Dog Translation Products Coming to U. S.

A Japanese toy maker declares that they have developed a gadget that translates dog barks into human language and plans to begin selling the gadget——under the name of Bowlingual——in U. S. pet stores and gift shops this summer.

Tokyo-based Takara Co. Ltd. says about 300, 000 of the dog translator gadgets have been sold since it was on sale in Japan late last year. It is forecasting far bigger sales once an English language translation for dogs comes to America in August. The United States is home to about 67 million dogs, more than six times the number in Japan.

"We know that the Americans love their dogs so much, so we don't think they will mind spending $ 120 on this product," the Takara marketing manager said during an interview at a recent pet products conference in Atlanta.

Regarded as one of the coolest inventions of 2002 by Time magazine, Bowlingual is made up of a 3 - inch long wireless microphone that is fastened to a dog collar and sends out sounds to a small console (控制台) that is connected to a database (数据库). The console divides each bark into six emotional types——happiness, sadness, disappointment, anger, threat and desire——and shows common phrases, such as "You're ticking me off," that fit the dog's emotional state.

Takara says it has spent millions of dollars developing the gadget in cooperation with famous sound experts and animal behaviorists.

One thing that does appear certain is that the markets for animal translation products will likely remain a dog's world since Takara has no plans to develop a similar gadget for cats. "They are too unpredictable (反复无常) , " the marketing manager said.

1.This passage mainly tells us that Bowlingual ___________.

A. was invented in Japan 　　　　　　　 B. has developed quickly

C. will be sold in America 　　　　　　 D. sells well for its price

2.The underlined word "they" in the last paragraph refers to ___________.

A. markets 　　　B. products 　　　 C. plans 　　 　　D. cats

3.When was this passage most probably published?

A. In the winter of 2002. 　　　　　　B. In the spring of 2003.

C. In the summer of 2002. 　　　　　 D. In the autumn of 2003.

4.From the passage, we can see that Takara Co. Ltd. is ___________ the sale of its new product.

A. proud of 　　　　　 　　　　　　B. satisfied with

C. confident of 　　　　　　　　　　D. worried about

All these gifts must be mailed immediately ________ in time for Christmas.

A. in order to have received 　　　　　　　　 B. in order to receive

C. so as to be received 　　　　　　　　 D. so as to be receiving

I climbed the stairs slowly, carrying a big suitcase, my father following with two more. By the time I got to the third floor, I was ___1___ and at the same time feeling lonely. Worse still, Dad ___2___ a step and fell, sending my new suitcases ___3___down the stairs. “Damn!” he screamed, his face turning red. I knew ___4___was ahead. Whenever Dad’s face turns red, __5___!

How could I ever ___6___ him to finish unloading the car ___7___ screaming at me and making a scene in front of the other girls, girls I would have to spend the ___8___of the year with? Doors were opening and faces peering out(探出), as Dad walked ___9___ close behind. I felt it in my bones that my college life was getting off to a(n) ___10___start.

“___11___the room quickly,”I thought. “Get him into a chair and calmed down.” But ___12___, would there be a chair in Room316? Or would it be a(n) ___13___ room?

___14___I turned the key in the lock and ___15___ the door open, with Dad ___16___ complaining (抱怨) about a hurting knee or something. I put my head in, expecting the ___17___. But to my ___18___, the room wasn’t empty at all! It had furniture, curtains, a TV, and seven paintings on the walls.

And there on a well-made bed sat Amy, my new ___19___, dressed neatly. Greeting me with a nod, she said in a soft voice, “Hi, you must be Cori.” Then, she ___20___ the music and looked over at ___21___. “And of course, you’re Mr. Faber, she said 　　　 ___22___. “Would you like a glass of iced tea?” Dad’s face turned decidedly ___23___ before he could bring out a “yes.”

I knew ___24___ that Amy and I would be ___25___ and my first year of college would be a success.

1. A. helpless B. lazy C. anxious 　 D. tired

2. A. took B. minded C. missed 　　 D. picked

3. A. rolling B. passing 　C. dropping 　 D. turning

4. A. suffering 　　 B. difficulty C. trouble D. danger

5. A. go ahead B. look out C. hold on D. give up

6. A. lead B. help C. encourage D. get

7. A. after B. without 　C. while D. besides

8. A. best B. beginning 　C. end D. rest

9. A. with difficulty B. in a hurry C. with firm steps D. in wonder

10. A. fresh B. late C. bad D. unfair

11. A. Search B. Find C. Enter D. Book

12. A. in fact B. by chance 　C. once more D. then again

13. A. small B. empty 　C. new D. neat

14. A. Finally B. Meanwhile 　C. Sooner or later D. At the moment

15. A. knocked B. forced C. pushed D. tried

16. A. yet B. only 　C. even D. still

17. A. worst B. chair C. best D. tea

18. A. regret B. disappointment C. surprise D. knowledge

19. A. roommate B. classmate C. neighbour D. companion

20. A. turned on B. turned down C. played D. enjoyed

21. A. Dad B. me 　C. the door D. the floor

22. A. questioning B. wondering C. smiling D. guessing

23. A. red B. less pale C. less red D. pale

24. A. soon B. there C. later D. then

25. A. sisters B. friends C. students D. fellows

Through English we will be able to communicate _____ part of the world we come from.

A. in which            B. even if　　 C. whatever            D. wherever