I bought a dress for only 10 dollars in a sale; it was a real        .

A. exchange             B. bargain          C. trade            D. business

28. __________ no need __________ the radio since I've got used to working with it on.

   A. It's; to turn down  B. It's; turning up       C. There's; turning of   D. There's; to turn off

 All ______is needed is that you can stay with us.

A. the thing    B. that            C. what          D. which

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.” 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.”

47. The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to        .

A. understand human-animal relationship 

B. makes lonely old people’s life better

C．find the causes of old people’s loneliness 

D. promote the animal-assisted research

48. In the research, the old people are asked to        .

note the activities of AIBOs  

keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C. record their feelings and activity 

D. analyze the collected information

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

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.

50. 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 gods    

写作（共1小题，25分）

寒假即将来临，你班同学就假期计划进行讨论，提出了不同看法，请根据提示写一篇英语短文，并谈谈你的看法。

注意  1.  词数150左右

2．短文必须包括表中所列要点，可根据内容分段表述；

3．可适当增加细节以使行文连贯；

4．参考词汇：眼界horizon(view)

Until the 1980s, the American homeless population was made up of mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems, both legal and educational, for already overburdened urban school administrators and teachers.

　　Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.

One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.

　　Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions(规定) of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.

64. What can be implied from the first paragraph?

　 A. Before the 1980s, the homeless population mainly consists of children.

　 B. Urban schools are seriously short of academic facilities.

　 C. Many homeless children gather in inner cities.

　 D. Homeless children are deprived of the opportunity to receive free education

65. The National Coalition for the Homeless believes that the number of homeless children is ___

　  A. 350,000       B. 440,000       　C. 3,000,000   　　D. 220,000

66. The reason why one part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate might be that ___

　　A. the homeless children are usually making a living by themselves

　　B. the homeless population is growing very fast.

　　C. some homeless children are abandoned by their families

　　D. the homeless children usually don’t attend school regularly

67. The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that ____________.

　　A. all homeless people are allowed to receive a good education

　　B. there is an increasing number of homeless children in America

　　C. it is necessary for homeless children to be counted as children

D. the educational problems of homeless children are being recognized

The $ 11 billion self – help industry is built on the idea that you should turn negative thoughts like “ I never do anything right” into positive ones like “I can succeed.” But was positive thinking advocate Norman Vincent Peale right? Is there power in positive thinking?

Researchers in Canada just published a study in the journal Psychological Science that says trying to get people to think more positively can actually have the opposite effect: it can simply highlight how unhappy they are.

The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin by citing older research showing that when people get feedback which they believe is overly positive, they actually feel worse, not better. If you tell your dim friend that he has the potential of an Einstein, you're just underlining his faults. In one 1990s experiment, a team including psychologist Joel Cooper of Princeton asked participants to write essays opposing funding for the disabled. When the essayists were later praised for their sympathy, they felt even worse about what they had written.

In this experiment, Wood, Lee and Perunovic measured 68 students' self-esteem. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings for four minutes. Every 15 seconds, one group of students heard a bell. When it rang, they were supposed to tell themselves, "I am lovable."

Those with low self-esteem didn't feel better after the forced self-affirmation. In fact, their moods turned significantly darker than those of members of the control group, who weren't urged to think positive thoughts.

The paper provides support for newer forms of psychotherapy (心理治疗) that urge people to accept their negative thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. In the fighting, we not only often fail but can make things worse. Meditation (静思) techniques, in contrast, can teach people to put their shortcomings into a larger, more realistic perspective. Call it the power of negative thinking.

What do we learn from the first paragraph about the self-help industry?

       A．It is a highly profitable industry.

       B．It is based on the concept of positive thinking.

       C．It was established by Norman Vincent Peale.

       D．It has yielded positive results.

What is the finding of the Canadian researchers?

       A．Encouraging positive thinking many do more harm than good.

       B．There can be no simple therapy for psychological problems.

       C．Unhappy people cannot think positively.

       D．The power of positive thinking is limited.

What does the author mean by "you're just underlining his faults" in the third paragraph?

       A．You are not taking his mistakes seriously enough.

       B．You are pointing out the errors he has committed.

       C．You are emphasizing the fact that he is not intelligent.

       D．You are trying to make him feel better about his faults.

It can be inferred from the experiment of Wood, Lee and Perunovic that        .

       A．it is important for people to continually keep their self - esteem

       B．self – affirmation can bring a positive change to one’s mood

       C．forcing a person to think positive thoughts may lower their self - esteem

       D．people with low self – esteem seldom write down their true feelings

—I’ve eo"^ to say goodbye．I'm flying home on Sunday．

       —Well．_____

       A．Help yourself．

       B．Have a safe trip and remember me to your parents．

       C．I'm longing to see you．

       D．I couldn't agree more．

— Shall we go to see the snow sculptures(雕塑)？

   — _______.

   A. Sorry, I promise                B. It depends on the weather

   C. Never mind                       D. It doesn’t matter

. It is said that his carelessness and ignorance together ________ a terrible fire, which burned down the building.

A. resulted in  B. resulted from     C. turned out                D. worked out