Question

Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cats are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new secret of success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly likely that the two pets will get along swimmingly. Two­thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.

However, it wasn't all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals were just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals attacking, while a dog doing the same signals giving in.

In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behavior. They are learning how to talk each other's language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk “dog”，and dogs can learn how to talk “cat”．

What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn to read each other's body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than we previously thought. Once familiar with each other's presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.

The meaning of this research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets—to people who don't get along, including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers. If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance.

1.The underlined word “swimmingly” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to        .

A. early         B. quickly        C. sweetly       D. violently

2.Some cats and dogs may fight when        .

A. they are cold to each other

B. they look away from each other

C. they are introduced at an early age

D. they misunderstand each other's signals

3.It is suggested in Paragraph 4 that cats and dogs         .

A. have common interests

B. are less different than what we thought

C. have a common body language

D. are less intelligent than what we expected

4.What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?

A. We should learn to live in harmony.

B. We should know more about animals.

C. We should live in peace with animals.

D. We should learn more body languages.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

试题分析： 狗和猫可以和平相处，它们相互学习、理解对方的语言，通过这篇文章，人们也应该和平相处，积极营造和平世界。

1.C 细节理解题。根据第一段 Two-thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog可知，大部分的狗和猫相处关系好。Sweetly甜蜜和positive积极地意思接近，故选C。

2.D 推理判断题。 根据第二段reason for this is probably that some of their body signals are just opposite可知误会对方的时候，狗和猫就会打仗。故选D。

3.B 推理判断题。根据第四段的…，suggesting that the two may have more in common than we previously thought.可知，狗和猫和我们以前认为的相同点更多，于B选项意思一致。故选B。

4.A 推理判断题。根据文章开头Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home?和结尾的If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance可知，如果狗和猫都能和平相处，我们人类也能。故选A。

考点：考查科普类短文阅读。