19．Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for old people．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（促進） 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 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．"
29．The purpose of Beck and Edwards'study is toB．
A．understand why old people depressed
B．improve the quality of life for old people
C．find the causes of old people's loneliness
D．make sure of the effects of old people's loneliness
30．In the research，the old people are asked toC．
A．note the activities of AIBOs
B．keep AIBOs at home for 12weeks
C．record their feelings and activity
D．analyze the collected information
31．What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs？A
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．
32．The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs mayB．
A．cure certain diseases
B．keep old people active
C．change people's beliefs
D．look more like real dogs．
分析 本文是一篇科教類閱讀，屬于說明文，說明了現(xiàn)在的老人很孤獨，為了解決這個問題，研究人員研究機器狗，把機器狗放在老人家，和老人一起生活，提高老人家的生活質量．
解答 29．B．細節(jié)理解題，根據第一段第一句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的老人生活得更好，故選B項．
30．C．細節(jié)理解題，根據第一段concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people's depression，physical activity，and life satisfaction．關心機器狗對于老人的情緒，與滿意度的影響，故選C項．
31．A．細節(jié)理解題，根據倒數(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，在家里養(yǎng)更容易．故選A項．
32．B．細節(jié)理解題，由最后一段第三行these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper．可知機器可以成為老人有用的助手，故選B項．
點評 本文是一篇科教類閱讀，題目涉及多道細節(jié)理解題．做題時學生應仔細閱讀原文，把握文章主要內容，聯(lián)系文章上下文內容并結合所給選項含義，從中選出正確答案，一定要做到有理有據，切忌胡亂猜測．
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