Question

 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 (剌激) ,"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 Vm 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 ad?vantages 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,be?cause it was metal and not furry (毛皮的) ."Beck says. "But it's amazing how quick?ly 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. make lonely old people's life better

   C. find the causes of old people's loneliness

   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. record their feelings and activity

   D. analyze the collected information

3. What is the advantage of AIBO over 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.

4. 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 dogs

Answer 1

[文章大意]这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了一种可以照料老年人的机器狗。

1. B细节理解题。根据第一段中的第一句"Researchers are placing robotic dogs (机器狗) in the homes of lonely old peo?ple to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans."可知，他们研究的目的是改善孤独老人的生活质量，即让孤独老人生活得更好，故答案为B.

2. C细节理解题。根据第二段中的第三句"These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO."可知，实验中的老人被要求记录下他们在使用机器狗前后的感觉以及活动内容，故答案为 C。

3. A推理判断题。根据第四段中的"Often the elderly are dis?abled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding con-cerns."可知，养一只机器狗的优点之一是不用出去通，不用照顾它，所以在家里养一只机器狗更方便，故答案为A.

4. B推理判断题。根据最后一段中的最后一句"'AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people's minds.'"可知，机器狗在将来或许会做那些有助于刺激老人大脑的游戏，即让老年人活跃起来，故答案为B.