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（促进） 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 本文是一篇科教类阅读，属于说明文，说明了现在的老人很孤独，为了解决这个问题，研究人员研究机器狗，把机器狗放在老人家，和老人一起生活，提高老人家的生活质量．
解答 29．B．细节理解题，根据第一段第一句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让孤独的老人生活得更好，故选B项．
30．C．细节理解题，根据第一段concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people's depression，physical activity，and life satisfaction．关心机器狗对于老人的情绪，与满意度的影响，故选C项．
31．A．细节理解题，根据倒数第二段最后一句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，在家里养更容易．故选A项．
32．B．细节理解题，由最后一段第三行these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper．可知机器可以成为老人有用的助手，故选B项．
点评 本文是一篇科教类阅读，题目涉及多道细节理解题．做题时学生应仔细阅读原文，把握文章主要内容，联系文章上下文内容并结合所给选项含义，从中选出正确答案，一定要做到有理有据，切忌胡乱猜测．
