There has been a lot of rain in California recently. Villagers and leaders there begin to be worried because they have found two birds died from a disease, West Nile Virus(病毒).

  West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes(蚊子).The symptoms(症状) are just like the flu. However, it can cause dangerous brain problems. When it rains a lot, it will leave a lot of water in ponds and trees. These places are good for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water. Warm weather will help the mosquito eggs to develop and then the number is increasing. Birds eat the mosquitoes and get sick. People can get the disease if they are bitten(叮咬) by mosquitoes with West Nile Virus.

  The government is trying its best go stop the spread of West Nile Virus. People are asked to wear long sleeves(长袖)and pants, close their windows and shut the doors. At the same time, workers have been sent out to check the wet areas. If they find mosquitoes they will use some special medicine to kill them.

1.Why did the two birds die?

  A. They died from West Nile Virus.

  B. They could not get enough food.

  C. The villagers killed them.

2.From the passage we know West Nile Virus is carried by ______.

A. flu                    B. mosquitoes                  C. water

3.People will get the disease if ______.

  A. they get wet in rainy days

  B. they are bitten by any mosquito

  C. they are bitten by mosquitoes with West Nile Virus

4. People are asked to wear long sleeves and pants in order to ­­______.

  A. keep warm

  B. check the wet areas

  C. avoid being bitten by mosquitoes

Scientists are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to test whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert(专家) in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study on the effect of robotic dogs on old people’s depression (沮丧) , physical activity, and life satisfaction.
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, scientists will collect baseline data(数据) for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the scientists will review the data to test if it has produced 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 his own mind.”
The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The scientists 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(与……相关) to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “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(心律). AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate(刺激) older people’s minds.”
【小题1】The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to _____________.

Scientists are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to test whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert(专家) in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study on the effect of robotic dogs on old people’s depression (沮丧) , physical activity, and life satisfaction.

         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, scientists will collect baseline data(数据) for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the scientists will review the data to test if it has produced 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 his own mind.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The scientists 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(与……相关) to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “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(心律). AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate(刺激) 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. improve 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. study the collected information

3.What does the underlined word “removes” mean?

A. moves again                   B. is movable         C. doesn’t need                      D. need

4.What is the better point of AIBO than 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.

5.The writer seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may__________.

A. cure certain diseases                                                B. keep old people active

C. change people’s ideas                                                        D. look more like real dogs

1 

There has been a lot of rain in California recently. Villagers and leaders there begin to be worried because they have found two birds died from a disease, West Nile Virus(病毒).

West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes(蚊子).The symptoms(症状) are just like the flu. However, it can cause dangerous brain problems. When it rains a lot, it will leave a lot of water in ponds and trees. These places are good for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water. Warm weather will help the mosquito eggs to develop and then the number is increasing. Birds eat the mosquitoes and get sick. People can get the disease if they are bitten(叮咬) by mosquitoes with West Nile Virus.

The government is trying its best go stop the spread of West Nile Virus. People are asked to wear long sleeves(长袖)and pants, close their windows and shut the doors. At the same time, workers have been sent out to check the wet areas. If they find mosquitoes they will use some special medicine to kill them.

1.Why did the two birds die?

A. They died from West Nile Virus.

B. They could not get enough food.

C. The villagers killed them.

2.From the passage we know West Nile Virus is carried by ______.

A. flu                    B. mosquitoes                  C. water

3.People will get the disease if ______.

A. they get wet in rainy days

B. they are bitten by any mosquito

C. they are bitten by mosquitoes with West Nile Virus

4.People are asked to wear long sleeves and pants in order to ­­______.

A. keep warm

B. check the wet areas

C. avoid being bitten by mosquitoes