French and American doctors have done an operation (手术) together in which the doctors were outside the operating room. This kind of operation is known as robotic operation.
Doctor Marescaux did the operation in an office in New York City last month, while a sixty-eight-year-old woman patient was in a hospital in Strasbourg, France.
A doctor in Strasbourg got the patient ready. He placed medical tools and a small video camera in her stomach area. Doctor Marescaux in New York watched the patient on a video screen. Then he used the computer to send messages to the robot machine.
The robot moved the tools that cut the woman’s gallbladder (胆囊) away. The woman got well soon after the operation and left the hospital two days later.
Experts say the main problem with such a robotic operation is based on high-speed telecommunications (通讯系统) between the doctor and the robot. Technology must be able to send a doctor’s order to a robot to move the tool quickly.
Experts also say a successful robotic operation will improve an operation. For example, the robot can make such smaller movements than a person can. A robot machine can turn tools in ways that a doctor’s hand cannot.
Doctors say such a robotic operation will make safer and better operations in the future. They say it will improve doctor training. It will also mean that doctors could do an operation on people in dangerous places far away. And it could mean that people could have operations done by top doctors without having to travel to the city where the doctors work.
The underlined phrase “ robotic operation” means ________.
| A．a special kind of robot invented by doctors. |
| B．something done to mend a robot. |
| C．an operation done by French and American doctors. |
| D．an operation done far away with the help of a robot. |
We use the robot in the operation because _________.
| A．it can send messages in a high speed. |
| B．even a top doctor can’t do the operation himself. |
| C．it can make the operation safer and better. |
| D．operations can be done without doctors. |
If we want to use the robot in the operation, we must solve the problem of ________.
| A．top doctors |
| B．smaller movement |
| C．doctor training |
| D．high-speed telecommunications |
Which of the following is NOT right?
A.Robotic operation has been used in the USA.
B.Robotic operation is good for doctor training.
C.Experts speak highly of robotic operation.
D.The robot is used to watch the patient clearly.What’s the best title for this passage?
| A．An Operation |
| B．Robotic Operation |
| C．How to do a Robotic Operation |
| D．The problems of a Robotic Operation |
Scientists are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to test whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert(专家) in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study on the effect of robotic dogs on old people’s depression (沮丧) , physical activity, and life satisfaction.
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, scientists will collect baseline data(数据) for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the scientists will review the data to test if it has produced 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 his own mind.”
The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The scientists 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(与……相关) to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “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(心律). AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate(刺激) older people’s minds.”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．improve 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．record their feelings and activity |
| D．study the collected information |
What does the underlined word “removes” mean?
| A．moves again | B．is movable |
| C．doesn’t need | D．need |
The writer seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may__________.
| A．cure certain diseases | B．keep old people active |
| C．change people’s ideas | D．look more like real dogs |
When Christie Andrews was born, she weighed less that half of one kilogram. Her heart was the size of a large coin. Her mother said Christie was so small that she could hold her in the palm of one hand.
Christie couldn’t breathe without a machine to give her oxygen. If she had been born 20 years earlier, she would probably have died at once. She needed two operations, but she survived without serious damage.
Twenty years ago , 90% of all premature(早产) babies died. Today, doctors manage to save four out of every five, because they have better machines for breathing and better ways to feed the babies.
But saving Christie’s life cost more than $ 400,000. In some cases, doctors spend 1 million dollars saving a single child. The parents usually don’t have enough money to pay. The government, an insurance company or the hospital picks up the bill. Even after a baby goes home from the hospital, it may require medical care.
Some people think it makes more sense to spend money saving 10 adults who have cancer or other diseases than saving one small baby. But nobody wants to be the doctor who has to tell parents to their faces, “Sorry, I won’t save your new child.”Parents don’t pay their babies’ hospital bills because .
| A．they don’t have enough money |
| B．they would rather save cancer patients |
| C．doctors don’t care if the babies die |
| D．it makes more sense to have a bigger baby |
The true cost of saving a baby may be even more than 1 million because .
| A．oxygen machine are expensive |
| B．the baby may require medical care after it leaves the hospital |
| C．doctors always charge more than they should |
| D．four out of five premature babies can now be saved |
From the story we know that saving a cancer patient .
| A．is easier than saving a baby |
| B．is harder than saving a baby |
| C．is cheaper than saving a baby |
| D．is more common than saving a baby |
The main idea of the article is .
| A．doctors must never decide whether to save babies or cancer patients |
| B．doctors are able to save premature babies, but the cost is very high |
| C．having a premature baby was cheaper and safer 20 years ago |
| D．Christie survived because the hospital paid her bills |
On the way back from work every evening, more often than not（往往） there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway (快车道). He looked to be in his late 40s but was probably a lot younger. He had shoulder length straight black hair and a short beard.
Every day after work I would remember to gather any spare change, and put it aside to give him if I saw him. A feeling of joy would come over me every time I saw him, while coming off the ramp(坡道). So did he. Sometimes the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, “I’m blessed!”
Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off(解雇). For the rest of that day all I could think of was “how am I going to provide for my kids as a mother, how am I going to pay rent?”
It is clear that on my way home that day I was very sad and upset. I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did. Yet there he was as always, as I turned the ramp. He set his eyes on me, while still smiling and waving at others as usual.
While I was waiting for the red light to turn, he strolled (闲逛) over to my car. He had a big smile. He looked at me straight in the eyes and said, “Today I will give you a dollar.” He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.
You see that day he taught me a valuable lesson more than a dollar bill. No matter what material things are taken from you, no one can take away your choice to be joyful. Every time I’m faced with challenges, I think of the homeless man’s valuable lesson and remember that I am blessed.Why did the writer feel sad and upset after out of the boss’s office?
| A．Because she was criticized by the boss. |
| B．Because a new job was offered to her. |
| C．Because she was laid off by the boss. |
| D．Because there was something wrong with her job. |
What is NOT true about the homeless man from the passage?
| A．He would be seen at the exit of the freeway. |
| B．He usually smiled and waved at others. |
| C．He had a deep impression on the writer. |
| D．He felt joyful only when money was offered to him. |
The homeless man gave the writer a dollar because .
| A．he had collected a lot of money | B．he wanted to pay her back |
| C．he knew what she experienced | D．he wanted her to be happy |
The writer learned from the story that .
| A．a dollar bill will be enough to make you happy |
| B．each of us has been blessed all the time |
| C．whenever it is, we should choose to help others |
| D．it is more than material things that bring us happiness |
WONDERFUL EVENTS
| HORSE RACING ALL YEAR ROUND Races Start at 3 p.m. Every Sunday City Sports Center Lots of Free Parking Space Free presents No children allowed |
100 YEARS OF PICTURES THEN AND NOW(Photo Show) See the Tianjin History From 1900-2000 February 1--- April 30 City Art Museum, 750 High Street Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| WEEKEND SALES This Saturday 2-6 p.m. EVERYTHING 20%-40% OFF Visit Us at Block Grandview Mall Realize Your Dreams Save Time and Money Fall in Love with Prices We Offer |
DANCE PARTY CELEBRATE A SPECIAL DATE Bringing Your Sweet Heart SUNDAY NIGHT, COUNTRY CLUB Live Band(乐队) from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. $ 25 A Couple(夫妇) $ 15 A Single(单个的) Person |
What can you do if you only have time between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday?
| A．Go shopping |
| B．Go to see a photo show |
| C．Go to the dance party with your sweet heart |
| D．Go to watch the horse racing |
How much will Mr. and Mrs. Smith pay if they want to go to the dance party?
| A．15 dollars | B．25 dollars |
| C．30 dollars | D．For free |
Where can you see the article above?
| A．In a fashion magazine | B．In a tour guide |
| C．In a newspaper | D．In a sports ad |
请认真阅读下面短文，并根据短文内容回答问题。
Courage is the ability to be brave in various situation in our life. Here and there, now and then, everyone needs courage to do something well. Courage may make you confident of your success. If you have courage, you will not show fear in face of anything difficult or dangerous. With courage, you mak look someone in the eye who you have wronged and say “I am sorry”： you may still smile even if you are seriously ill and know you are at the end of your life.
How can we build up our courage?
Believe you will be successful. Take chances and know that you have your own talents. Besides, your family and friends are always there for you.
Exercise your courage. It can be compared to a muscle(肌肉). The more we use it, the stronger courage gets.
Know that giving up is not a choice. It’s much easier to give up, and it takes courage to say or do what you think is right, even when other people think you are wrong.
Fight to control your fear. Courageous people may still be afraid, but the differnce is that they can control their fear.
They don’t let it hold them back but use it as a reminder of what they can lose if they don’t go on.
Get courage by reading inspiring stories of brave people. Abraham Lincoln is one of the people who you may think of.What is courage?
______________________________________________________________________________What wil you do in face of difficulty or danger if you don’t have courage?
_______________________________________________________________________________How can courage become stronger?
_______________________________________________________________________________What is the difference between courageous people and others?
_______________________________________________________________________________What will you do if you have courage in your study?(请结合自身实际，自拟一句话作答)
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