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 _____________.

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

【小题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

【小题3】What does the underlined word “removes” mean?

A．moves again

B．is movable

C．doesn’t need

D．need

【小题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.

【小题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

Zhang Heng was a famous scientist in the history of China. His invention Hou Feng Seismometer was a great success and it helped us understand the world better.

(AD 78-139)	It was invented. Zhang Heng was born in Nanyang in the eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, there were many earthquakes every year. People thought they were from ghosts. Zhang Heng, however, didn’t believe it. He tried to find ways to study earthquakes for many years and in 132 he invented the first seismometer in the world.
It was used. But at first, people didn’t believe it and all laughed at him. In February, 138, Zhang heng’s seismometer told there was an earthquake in the west of Luoyang. After four days, three earthquakes really happened in Luoyang area. It was believed to be useful from then on. However, it was lost 1700 years ago.
It was reproduced. Scientists have been trying to reproduce one like that. In 2012, the latest reproduced seismometer was successfully listed in Shanghai museum. It was reported to have been a little helpful during the earthquakes in Tangshan, Yunnan and Sichuan. It is hoped to be improved better soon and be able to predict coming earthquakes one day.

 

1.When was the first seismometer in the world invented?

A．In 78.            B．In 132.            C．In 138.            D．In 139.

2. Where can we visit the latest reproduced seismometer?

A．In Henan.         B．In Luoyang.        C．In Shanghai.        D．In Nanyang.

3. We probably read this passage from a (an) ______________.

A．advertisement                         B．story book

C．travel guidebook                        D．science magazine

 

Yao Ming was born in China in 1980. Now the big name from China is playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He is the son of two basketball players and he learned how to play basketball when he was young. Now, as one of the stars in the NBA, he is working hard to show the world that Chinese basketball players can do well in this game, too!

Pele was a famous football player. He was born in Brazil in 1940. He started playing for Santos when he was only 16 and he didn't retire（退役） until 1977. He played for Brazil 111 times and he scored 97 international goals. Pele came from a poor family. He started playing football in the streets. He played for Santos and quickly became an international star.

Steffi Graf was born in Germany in 1969. She won the tennis semi-final（半决赛） at Wimbledon in 1985 when she was only 16, but she lost the final to another great tennis player, Martina Navratilova. People were 'surprised at the strength and power of her game. She soon became a famous tennis player and won most of the main matches.

1.Who is the youngest player in the passage?

    A. Pele.          B. Yao Ming.       C. Steffi Graft.        D. No one.

2. __________ comes from South America.

    A. Pele          B. Yao Ming        C. Steffi Graft        D. No one

3.Yao Ming began to learn to play basketball __________.

    A. when he was 15                   B. when he was young

    C. when he was tall enough            D. when he was strong enough

4.From the passage, we learn __________.

    A. Steffi Graf was born in 1985 in Wimbledon

B. Martina Navratilova was also a tennis player

C. Steffi Graf won few of the main matches

D. Steffi Graf won the tennis final when she was 16

 

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 _____________.

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

【小题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

【小题3】What does the underlined word “removes” mean?

A．moves again

B．is movable

C．doesn’t need

D．need

【小题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.

【小题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

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