Question

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

 

Answer 1

1.C

2.D

3.D

4.A

【解析】

試題分析: 本文是一篇說(shuō)明文，說(shuō)明了現(xiàn)在的老人很孤獨(dú)，為了解決這個(gè)問(wèn)題，研究人員研究機(jī)器狗，把機(jī)器狗放在老人家，和老人一起生活，提高老人家的生活質(zhì)量

1.細(xì)節(jié)題，根據(jù)第一段第一句Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans可以知道研究的目的是讓孤獨(dú)的老人生活得更好，故選C項(xiàng)。。

2.D細(xì)節(jié)題，根據(jù)第一段concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression，physical activity，and life satisfaction.關(guān)心機(jī)器狗對(duì)于老人的情緒，與滿意度的影響 ，故選D項(xiàng)。

3.D細(xì)節(jié)題，根據(jù)倒數(shù)第二段最后一句Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercises and feeding concerns可以知道答案，所以選D項(xiàng)。

4.A細(xì)節(jié)題，由最后一段第三行these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper.可知機(jī)器可以成為老人有用的助手，故選A項(xiàng)。

考點(diǎn)：日常生活類(lèi)閱讀。