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
There are many stereotypes( 定型 ) about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable(好客的) . Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
American stereotypes are abundant. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
When traveling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the differing degrees of friendliness in the United States.
43. The main idea of the passage is _____________.
A. even Americans are surprised at the differences among themselves
B. there are many differences in character in different parts of the USA.
C. there are many reasons for the differences
D. stereotypes about people are not necessarily true
44. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. New Yorkers are usually open with strangers.
B. People from the South are usually considered good
C. The friendliest Americans travel from place to place.
D. Different parts have different customs and habits.
45. The differences lie in the following except ______ of the
parts.
A. the weather B. the history
C. geography D. the names
46. The word "abundant" in the second paragraph may probably mean _________.
A. plentiful B. normal C. curious D. strange
The drop in temperature in the middle of December is a sure sign that winter is finally here. The cold weather causes people to easily get sick. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to adjust(调整) your eating habits and put more nourishing foods on your daily menu.
Each area has different recipes(食谱). Take a look at the following list for more ideas.
Mention Beijing recipe, and the first thing people think of is “hot pot”. Hot pot has been a long-time winter tradition in Beijing, as a way to beat the cold and nourish the body with mutton, beef and other side dishes.
Where to go for hot pot
Laowu Siji Shuanrou
A traditional hotpot restaurant with a long history. It is wel1-known for selected mutton from Inner Mongolia. The old-style copper pot and tasty sauces add more f1avors to the broth (肉汤) to entertain your taste.
Address: No. 17, Baizhifang E. Avenue
Te1: 010--63516164
Suantiankula Restaurant
This place is famous for its healthy tomato hotpot broth. The sour broth is delicious but not oily. The secret-recipe red bean soup makes a great accompaniment. For alcohol-lovers, try the Shaoxing wine, which is made from rice and warms you up.
Address: No.8, Xinyuanxili M. Avennue
Tel: 010-64612345
40. The first paragraph mainly tells us ______.
A. how people change the diet in winter
B. why people change the diet in winter
C. what people eat in winter
D. why people eat hotpot all the year round
41. According to the passage, the underlined words “nourishing foods” probab1y refer to _________.
A. tasty sauces and side dishes
B. wine and sauce
C. mutton, beef and side dishes
D. sour broth and drinks
42. A1l the following statements tell the fa1se information EXCEPT ______.
A. If you want to eat healthy tomato hot pot broth, call 010-635l6164
B. Suantiankula Restaurant is famous for its oily broth
C. The secret-recipe red bean soup is served in Laowu Siji Shuanrou
D. The copper pot and tasty sauces are served to entertain people's taste
Ⅲ. 阅读理解 （共两节，满分40分）
第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下列短文，从文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。
Habits, whether good or bad, are gradually formed. When a person does a certain thing again, he is driven by some unseen force to do the same thing repeatedly, then a habit is formed. Once a habit is formed, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get rid of. It is therefore very important that we should pay great attention to the formation of habits. Children often form bad habits, some of which remain with them as long as they live. Older persons also form bad habits lasting as long as they live, and sometimes become ruined by them.
There are other habits which, when formed in early life, are of great help. Many successful men say that much of their success has something to do with certain habits in early life, such as early rising, honesty and so on.
Among the habits which children should not form are laziness, lying, stealing and so on. These are all easily formed habits. Unfortunately older persons often form habits which could have been avoided.
We should keep away from all these bad habits, and try to form such habits as will be good for ourselves and others.
36. ________ are formed little by little.
A. Good habits
B. Bad habits
C. Both good habits and bad habits
D. Either good habits or bad habits
37. Generally speaking, it's difficult for one___and easy for them____which should be avoided.
A. to form bad habits; to form good habits
B. to form good habits; to form bad habits
C. to form such habits as will be good; to get rid of bad habits
D. to get rid of bad habits; to form good habits
38. Why should we pay much attention to the formation of habits?
A. Because habits are of great help to every one of us.
B. Because a man can never get rid of a habit.
C. Because it's hard and sometimes even impossible to throw away bad habits.
D. Because we are forced to do them again and again .
39. According to the passage, early rising ________.
A. has something to do with success
B. is an easily formed habit
C. is such a habit as should have been avoided
D. is such a habit as will be kept
II、完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
阅读下列短文，掌握其大意，然后从文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。
After spending a weekend away with my son, I was so impressed by his generous heart that I sent him this letter.
Dear son,
I want to thank you for teaching me a very __16__ lesson in life by the great example you __17__. When we were eating at that café in Bondi and a person who had __18__ his hamburger didn’t have enough money to pay for it, without any __19__, you went over and put the __20__ $2 into this hand.
When we were leaving, you __21__ threw a five-cent coin onto the pavement and said __22__ like, “Some kid will really enjoy __23___ this.”
Last week, a young man __24___ me in the line at a petrol station didn’t have __25__ money to pay for his petrol. I asked the money collector, “How much __26__ is he ?” she told me he had meant to put $15 of petrol in his car __27__ he had been looking at the wrong gauge (计量表) and had put in 15 __28__, which came to just over __29__. That is an easy mistake __30__ both gauges run fast.
Something made me think of you and __31__ you did that night at the café in Bondi. I handed the man $6. He was so __32__ and said, “But why would you do this for me?” I just smiled as I thought of you.
Thank you, son, for teaching me that “it’s __33__ to give than receive”. Now when I see a five-cent coin on the __34__ and want to pick it up, I think of you and leave it __35__, just in case some kid will get a kick out of finding it.
16. A. humorous B. private C. reasonable D. valuable
17. A. followed B. gave C. set D. took
18. A. ordered B. booked C. offered D. bought
19. A. hesitation B. doubt C. permission D difficulty
20. A. other B. last C. extra D. rest
21. A. again B. already C. only D. also
22. A. nothing B. everything C anything D something
23. A. finding B. accepting C looking for D pointing at
24. A. behind B. beyond C. ahead of D. next to
25. A. much B. some C. any D. enough
26. A. far B. long C. short D. high
27. A. and B. but C. so D. while
28. A. litres (升) B. kilograms C. pounds D kilometers
29. A. $15 B. $20 C. $25 D. $30
30. A. until B. as C. although D. unless
31. A. what B. which C. whatever D whichever
32. A. excited B. surprised C. interested D encouraged
33. A. easier B. better C. faster D. worse
34. A. corner B. way C. ground D. carpet
35. A. there B. here C. out D. around
There is a popular opinion among teachers _____ reviewing the lesson after class can help students learn better.
A. who B. whose C. that D. which
