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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.”
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

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

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.

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．
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．

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．

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

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.
We can infer from the passage that Sam Berns was ________.

A．very fat	B．very thin
C．good-looking	D．young-looking

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

What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Cell.

B．Change.

C．Progerin.

D．Progeria.

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.

Do you know of anyone who uses the truth to deceive (欺骗)? When someone tells you something that is true, but leaves out important information that should be included, he can give you a false picture.
For example, some might say, “I just won a hundred dollars on the lottery (彩票). It was great. I took that dollar ticket back to the store and turned it in for one hundred dollars!”
This guy’s a winner, right? Maybe, maybe not. We then discover that he bought $200 worth of tickets, and only one was a winner. He’s really a big loser!
He didn’t say anything that was false, but he left out important information on purpose. That’s called a half-truth. Half-truths are not technically lies, but they are just as dishonest.
Some politicians often use this trick. Let’s say that during Governor Smith’s last term, her state lost one million jobs and gained three million jobs. Then she seeks another term. One of her opponents(对手) says, “During Governor Smith’s term, the state lost one million jobs!” That’s true. However, and honest statement would have been, “During Governor Smith’s term, the state had a net gain of two million jobs.”
Advertisers will sometimes use half-truths. It’s against the law to make false statements so they try to mislead you with the truth. An advertisement might say, “Nine out of ten doctors advised their patients to take Yucky Pills to cure toothache.” It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of them work for the Yucky Company. This kind of deception happens too often. It’s a sad fact of life: Lies are lies, and sometimes the truth can lie as well.
How much did the lottery winner lose?

A．Two hundred dollars.	B．One hundred dollars.
C．Three hundred dollars.	D．Four hundred dollars.

We may infer that the author believes people should _______.

A．buy lottery tickets

B．make use of half-truths

C．not take anything at face value

D．not trust the Yucky Company

What do the underline words “net gain” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．final increase	B．big advantage
C．large share	D．total saving

What can we know from the example of the Yucky Pill advertisement?

A．False statements are easy to see through.

B．Advertisements are based on facts.

C．Doctors like to act in advertisements.

D．Half-truths are often used to mislead people.

Teen models are not difficult to find. An online agency features both models young as well as older. Those who are looking for child models to show off their products and make them look better can find what they are looking for by hiring children models from these online modeling agencies. This is less expensive than trying to go through large modeling agencies that often cost thousands of dollars for the client(客户).
Many of those who are selling children’s products and have websites for parents and children are looking for teen models. As a result, there is more of a need for young models to participate in the field of modeling. The best way for clients to hire models that will not end up costing them a fortune is to use an online modeling site. An online modeling site will have portfolios(档案) of models young as well as old. Someone who is looking for teen models can find a variety of different children when they take a look at these sites.
Online teen models usually work for less money than offline models, although they are still paid well enough to make it worth their while to model. Clients who are looking for young models can go on an online modeling agency to look for portfolios of the teens that they will want to use in their advertising campaigns. Parents or guardians must agree to the modeling offers and the agency will act as a go-between for both the teen models as well as the clients who are looking for young models.
Clients can look through portfolios for the young models and get the ones that are right for what they are looking for to advertise for them. It is now affordable for anyone to hire teen models when using an online modeling agency site. Parents of young models can also use these sites to get their teens a chance to get a head start in the world of modeling.
What is the main advantage of online modeling agencies?

A．They can help the clients to train teen models in a short time.

B．They can offer teen models that cost clients less money.

C．They can make the products look much better.

D．They can advertise for the clients and cost them less money.

To hire teen models, the clients are advised to.

A．find modeling agencies

B．look through newspapers

C．make use of online modeling sites

D．advertise on the Internet

According to the author, the agency plays a part of .

A．looking for teen models

B．judging good teen models

C．hiring good teen models

D．working as a middleman

The online modeling sites can offer teen models a good chance to.

A．beat the other models

B．become famous in the future

C．make a lot of money for future use

D．have an advantage from the beginning

A．$ 246. 5.	B．$263.
C．$273. 5.	D．$ 290.

A．the name	B．the honor
C．the title	D．the privilege