Researchers are placing robotic dogs 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 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 activities 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.”
1.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to ____.
A. understand human-animal relationship
B. find the causes of old people’s loneliness
C. make lonely old people’s life better
D. promote 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. analyze the collected information
D. record their feelings and activities
3.What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?
A. It can watch TV with its owner.
B. It can help the disabled people.
C. It responds to all the human orders.
D. It is easier to keep at home.
4.The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may ____.
A. keep old people active B. cure certain diseases
C. change people's beliefs D. look more like real dogs
If a sitcom(情景喜剧)that lasts for l0 years is considered popular，then surely one that still arouses emotions after 20 must be considered a classic．Friends first aired in the US in 1994，featuring a cast of six young men and women in New York．In the time since，it’s become one of the most famous titles in the sitcom style，aired in over 100 countries and regions in the world．
The show is typical among those who grew up in the 1990s because it explores basic yet important themes like friendship，struggling to survive in a big city，and finding independence and identity，all of which are still relevant to young audiences today．
Against the background of the Internet age，IT staff who were once marginalized(排斥)and laughed at have experienced a revival due to the popularity of hit show The Big Bang Theory，in which four talents lacking normal social skills make an attempt at living on a college campus．
At the same time，Gossip Girl，describing a young cast of New Yorkers born with silver spoons in their mouths，demonstrates the difficulties upper-class adolescents experience．The show’s fashion and mature subject matter allowed it to capture the interest of both teenagers and adults．
Although these typical TV shows span a wide timeline and feature a variety of themes，they all have a universal topic．Love，money，friendship，career aspirations and identity are things all young people struggle to understand．Why are they still fascinating? It remains to be found out．
1.Why is the sitcom Friends typical among young people in the 1990s?
A．Because it is a breakthrough in the producing style．
B．Because it is the most influential sitcom of all time．
C．Because it addresses the subjects faced by the youth．
D．Because it predicts the future of the young at that time．
2.What can we learn about The Big Bang Theory?
A．It arouses people’s enthusiasm for computers．
B．There are four talents who are good at everything．
C．It is set in the time before the Internet came into being．
D．It improves the conditions of the people in technological industry．
3.According to the passage，Gossip Girl ．
A．attracts people of all ages
B．shows eye-catching style and adult subject
C．describes the life of ordinary girl
D．describes the hardships of upper-class people
4.What will the author most probably talk about next?
A．The introduction to other hit sitcoms．
B．The further information about the plot．
C．The emotional response among audience．
D．The analysis of the reasons for the appeal．
Sam Berns wasn’t like any other boy. He was 17 and he had an aging disease known as progeria.
“Even though I have many difficulties in my life, I don’t want people to feel bad for me,” Sam said during a TED talk.
Progeria affects approximately one in every 4 million to 8 million newborns. Right now, there are only about 200 children living with it worldwide. The genetic(基因的) change tied to it causes those with the disease to produce the protein progerin, which blocks normal cell function.
His view on life is extremely inspiring. He had to face challenges no one else could even dream of. As children with progeria age rapidly, they suffer from a loss of body fat and hair and an inability to gain weight. That didn’t keep Sam down, though.
“All in all, I don’t waste energy feeling bad for myself,” Sam said. “I surround myself with people that I want to be with. And I keep moving forward.”
This boy from Boston was so amazing, famous people and athletes wanted to take him under their own. Last Saturday night could have been an amazing moment for Sam. One of his favorite teams, the New England Patriots, wanted to make him their honorary captain during a playoff game.
Instead, it just was’t meant to be. Sam passed away before he had a chance to stand next to his team, so they held a moment of silence before the game for him.
Sam’s unbelievable view on life, and his deep effect on others, is hard to forget. He was presented with so many challenges in life but he wasn’t afraid to face them. Be more like Sam, this wonderful teen. Surround yourself with positive people, love them and move forward.
1.We can infer from the passage that Sam Berns was ________.
A. very fat B. very thin
C. good-looking D. young-looking
2.According to the passage, Sam Berns was a boy ________.
A. of great intelligence
B. of complete failure
C. with an optimistic view on life
D. with a passive view on life
3.What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Cell. B. Change. C. Progerin. D. Progeria.
4.What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To praise Sam Berns for his hardwork.
B. To show how famous Sam Berns was.
C. To encourage readers to live a positive life.
D. To show how Sam Berns dealt with challenges.
Over years, I’ve been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept-the ant philosophy. They have an amazing four-part philosophy. First, ants never _______. If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another __________. Second, ants think about winter and summer. That’s an important _________. You can’t be so naïve as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter ________ in the middle of summer. Think ahead. The third part is that ants think summer all winter. During the winter, they ________ themselves, “ This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.” They can’t ____ to get out. Last, how much will ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that it ______ can. What a great philosophy to have- the ant philosophy: never give up, look ahead, stay ____ and do all you can.
1.A. quitB. returnC. escapeD. advance
2.A. antB. warC. wayD. cave
3.A. planB. attitudeC. policyD. opinion
4.A. strawB. fruitC. clothingD. food
5.A. warnB. enjoyC. remindD. teach
6.A. offerB. waitC. expectD. manage
7.A. recentlyB. possiblyC. largelyD. generally
8.A. positiveB. activeC. considerateD. negative
Without a shadow of a doubt, my grandfather is the single most influential person in my life. He was more than just my grandfather and I’m proud to say, my _________.
As a child there was no safer place than the security of his lap. I would watch horror movies on TV from behind his recliner. The monsters wouldn’t dream of _______ me there! He taught me how to appreciate beautiful foods. I remember, at age 5. __________ on a chair by the stove as he taught me how to make scrambled eggs.
He was warm, loving, firm and straightforward. He had a ________ of accepting whatever came his way with no _________ than a shrug. His deep faith carried him through what life had to offer.
He loved baseball ( especially the Pittsburgh Pirates- except when they ________ a game! ). He would often have one game on television while listening to another on his radio and he could tell you what was going on in both games. When he __________ 90, his other grandson, Bill, gave him an autographed photo of Willie Stargell, his favorite Pirate player. He was so __________ of that birthday present.
He was seldom sick. He just wouldn’t _______. Various family members often joked that he would be pushing all of us around the block in wheelchairs as he jogged. Some people have a small garden in their backyard. My grandfather had a huge ________. He would grow some flowers and vegetables. He always had something to do and it was __________ done well. Whenever anything was broken, it was taken to my grandfather.
At the age of 92 , he __________. Father of three, grandfather of three, great-grandfather of ten, friend of countless individuals, this remarkable man touched all of our lives and we are better for the experience.
I love you, grandpa.
1.A. grandpaB. friendC. colleagueD. opponent
2.A. coming forB. rushing toC. moving aboutD. turning to
3.A. jumpingB. lyingC. climbingD. standing
4.A. dayB. placeC. wayD. time
5.A. longerB. moreC. lessD. better
6.A. delayedB. called offC. lostD. gave up
7.A. nearedB. passedC. grewD. turned
8.A. proudB. tiredC. excitedD. crazy
9.A. give upB. slow downC. send awayD. take in
10.A. kitchenB. libraryC. towerD. garden
11.A. rarelyB. scarcelyC. alwaysD. merely
12.A. passed awayB. passed outC. passed throughD. passed down
– I don’t think our earth will be destroyed as described in the film 2012.
- _____. It’s only a science fiction film.
A. That’s terrible. B. Don’t mention it.
C. I hope not. D. I can’t agree more.
