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

 

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

Last Friday after I got my pay, I went shopping on my way home. In the crowded supermarket, I lost my purse and my money was gone with it. I felt very angry and sad. We were not rich and the money was important for us. How could I tell my wife about it?
I felt really sorry for losing the money. When I got home, I cleaned the house and prepared a nice meal. I hoped what I did could comfort(安慰) my wife. When she came back, she was surprised to see the clean house and the nice meal. Then I began to tell my story when we were at table, but my wife didn't respond (反映) as if she had not heard my words. Maybe she was trying hard to hide her anger, I thought.
“I've lost my pay." I said to her again.
“I see.” She didn't seem to be angry with me. For a moment, she said nothing but enjoyed the meal with me.
“I've lost my money," I could not help asking, “why don't you blame (责备) me?"
“Oh, my dear," she raised her eyes, looked at me and said, "I'm thinking about how to comfort you. It's the thief who is to be blamed!"
根据短文内容，判断句子正误，正确的写“T”，错误的写“F”
【小题1】I got my pay last Monday.
【小题2】 In the supermarket I lost my purse and money.
【小题3】 I cleaned the house because I liked doing it.
【小题4】My wife was surprised to see what I did.
【小题5】 When my wife heard my story, she became very angry.

These simple ways can increase(增加)your popularity and win you more friends，so why not try them?

    ●PAYING ATTENTION TO OTHERS This will reduce any shyness you may have. You'll be more relaxed and therefore more natural and fun. And you will get more good-people will love the fact that you're paying attention to them while you don't have to worry about what people think of you.

    ●LOOKING PEOPLE IN THE EYE Making eye contact is very important because it shows you're interested in them. If you let your eyes wander(游移)or keep looking over their shoulders，people will feel slighted(轻视)，and they'll like you less they would otherwise.

    ●ASKING QUESTIONS Doing this gives you two advantages，It shows other people that you are indeed paying attention to and that you consider what they are telling you important. Being sure to follow up when you've shared a conversation with someone about something important in his / her life，be sure to ask about it later. This shows that you listen and you care.

    ●MAKING AN EFFORT TO SMILE A smile means acceptance，and that makes people open up to you. Make a conscious(有意识的)effort(努力)one day to smile at the people you stay or work with and watch how well they respond (作出反应)to you；

    ●BEING RELIABLE(可靠的)People like those who help them，and they quickly begin to hate those who don't.

1.By fixing your attention on others，you will _______.

      A. be more worried and tired           B. feel more confident

      C. be paid less attention to           D. feel less liked

2.When having a conversation with people，you'd better NOT _______.

      A. be open up to them                B. fix your eyes on them

      C. ask questions about them          D. look at them

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

      A. Showing continuous care for others is highly valued.

      B. Smiling at others can often be misunderstood.

      C. Looking people in the eye will make them uncomfortable.

      D. You don't have to continue helping others if you don't want to.

4.Which is the best title for this passage?

      A. Ways to Make You More Natural          B. Trying to Be a Polite Person

      C. Making as Many Friends as Possible       D. Ways to Make You More Popular

 

These simple ways can increase(增加)your popularity and win you more friends，so why not try them?
●PAYING ATTENTION TO OTHERS This will reduce any shyness you may have. You'll be more relaxed and therefore more natural and fun. And you will get more good-people will love the fact that you're paying attention to them while you don't have to worry about what people think of you.
●LOOKING PEOPLE IN THE EYE Making eye contact is very important because it shows you're interested in them. If you let your eyes wander(游移)or keep looking over their shoulders，people will feel slighted(轻视)，and they'll like you less they would otherwise.
●ASKING QUESTIONS Doing this gives you two advantages，It shows other people that you are indeed paying attention to and that you consider what they are telling you important. Being sure to follow up when you've shared a conversation with someone about something important in his / her life，be sure to ask about it later. This shows that you listen and you care.
●MAKING AN EFFORT TO SMILE A smile means acceptance，and that makes people open up to you. Make a conscious(有意识的)effort(努力)one day to smile at the people you stay or work with and watch how well they respond(作出反应)to you；
●BEING RELIABLE(可靠的)People like those who help them，and they quickly begin to hate those who don't.
【小题1】By fixing your attention on others，you will _______.

A．be more worried and tired	B．feel more confident
C．be paid less attention to	D．feel less liked

【小题2】When having a conversation with people，you'd better NOT _______.

A．be open up to them	B．fix your eyes on them
C．ask questions about them	D．look at them

【小题3】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Showing continuous care for others is highly valued.

B．Smiling at others can often be misunderstood.

C．Looking people in the eye will make them uncomfortable.

D．You don't have to continue helping others if you don't want to.

【小题4】Which is the best title for this passage?

A．Ways to Make You More Natural	B．Trying to Be a Polite Person
C．Making as Many Friends as Possible	D．Ways to Make You More Popular