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(專家) 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 (沮喪) , 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(數(shù)據(jù)) 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(與……相關(guān)) 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.”
【小題1】The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to _____________.

根據(jù)句意，用括號(hào)內(nèi)所給動(dòng)詞的適當(dāng)形式填空。
【小題1】—Why are you walking so quickly?  —________ (catch) the early bus.
【小題2】—Have you been abroad? –Yes, I ________ (stay) in London for two years.
【小題3】If you don’t like the drink you _________(order) ,just leave it and try a different one.
【小題4】—What are you doing?  --I’m watching a match. It started at 7pm and ________(be) on for another half an hour.
【小題5】—Who are you waiting for?-- Andy, he ________(expect) to come here at 3 o’clock. But he has’t come yet.

補(bǔ)全對(duì)話(5分)

A: ______1.____?                         

B: I’m watching TV.

A: The TV show is boring.___ 2.__.

B: That sounds great.___ 3.__?

A: Yes, I do.I have a new soccer.

B: ______4._____?

A: It’s sunny outside.It’s good for sports.

B: ____5.___?

A: In front of the park, OK?

B: Great.See you.

It's over three years since I began to learn English. I am glad that I am getting on well with it.

I find English very interesting, but quite difficult. When I first started, I thought I had only to remember the new words and learn some grammar. I know little about English idioms(習(xí)語(yǔ)). I thought each English word had a word with the same meaning in Chinese. When I learned to say "I see a book on the desk", I thought the English word "see" was just like the Chinese word "kan". So one day when my teacher asked me, "What are you doing?" I answered, "I'm seeing a book." "That's wrong," the teacher said. "You don't see a book. You read a book. You can't use an English word like a Chinese one. Be sure not to make the same mistake again."

After that I began to pay more attention to the differences between Chinese and English. For example, in English we say a "high mountain", but a "tall man". In Chinese we use the same word "gao" for both. Again in English we say "take part in the sports meeting", "attend a meeting" and "join the army", while in Chinese we can use "can jia" for all the three. It's interesting, isn't it? So to study English doesn't only mean hard work, it can be great fun, too! We not only have to pay attention to pronunciation, grammar, spelling and handwriting, we also have to understand English idioms. We can learn English well only in that way!

But all this is only a beginning and I still have a long way to go. I'll try my best and work even harder than before. I must speak and listen to English more both in and out of class. I must read and write more, too. I must learn English well so that I can work well when I grow up.

1.When I first started learning English, I thought________.

A. I know some English idioms

B. I didn’t have to remember the new words and learn some grammar

C. I had only to remember the new words and learn some grammar

D. each English word couldn't find a Chinese word with the same meaning

2."I'm seeing a book" --- The writer wanted to say_________.

A. I'm looking a book        B. I'm reading a book

C. I'm looking for a book     D. I'm watching a book

3.Which is not true?

A. To study English only means hard work.

B. To pay attention to pronunciation and grammar.

C. To read and write more.

D. To have to understand English idioms.

4.We should speak and listen to English ________.

A. after class   B. after class and in class

C. in class     D. before class

5.Which is the best topic of the passage?

A. How to study English well     B. The importance of English

C. English idioms               D. Do more reading

— Hello, Sandy. This is Jack. What are you doing?

— I’m watching a match. It started at 7 p.m. and _____ on for another half an hour.

A. has been    B. was        C. had been    D. will be