Our listener question this week comes from Abdullahi Farah, who wants to know about the life and work of Doctor Benjamin Carson.

Doctor Carson is an internationally recognized doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been the director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the hospital for twenty-five years. At the age of thirty-three, he became one of the youngest doctors in the United States to hold that position. And he was the first African-American to have that position at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Ben Carson is known for his work as a brain surgeon for children. For example, in nineteen eighty-seven, he led a team of seventy doctors and nurses in an operation to separate two babies joined at the head. Earlier attempts by other surgeons on other babies had failed. Doctor Carson successfully performed the operation. Both babies were able to survive independently.

Doctor Carson has written four books. His first book, "Gifted Hands," tells the story of his life. Benjamin Carson was born in nineteen fifty-one in Detroit, Michigan.

As a boy, Ben was not a good student. In fact, he was the worst in his class. When his mother learned of his failing grades she asked her sons to read two library books every week. She limited the amount of time they watched television. And she told them to respect every person.

Ben Carson soon became the top student in his class. He went on to study at Yale University, one of the best universities in the country, and later to medical school at the University of Michigan.

Doctor Carson has received many awards and honors. Last year he received the nation's highest civilian honor. Former President George W. Bush presented Benjamin Carson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony at the White House.

The passage is probably taken from _____.

A. a radio      B. a magazine       C. TV       D. a paper

What does the word “surgeons” in paragraph 3 mean?

A. nurses       B. doctors      C. hospitals    D. points

Benjamin Carson’s change in study was largely because of ______

A. his hard work        B. his teacher

C. his mother           D. his father

What’s the aim to write the passage?

A. To call on us to learn from Benjamin Carson.

B. To praise Benjamin Carson for his achievements.

C. To show us how Benjamin Carson succeeded

D. To introduce Benjamin Carson’s life and work

 

Researchers are placing robotic dogs（机器狗）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（使……成为现实）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.”

47. The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to        .

A. understand human-animal relationship 

B. makes lonely old people’s life better

C．find the causes of old people’s loneliness 

D. promote the animal-assisted research

48. In the research, the old people are asked to        .

note the activities of AIBOs  

keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C. record their feelings and activity 

D. analyze the collected information

49. What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?

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.

50. The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may        .

A. cure certain diseases     B. keep old people active

C．change people’s beliefs  D. look more like real gods    

 

第三部分：阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)

阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

“Dad! He took a book without paying!” I yelled .

My father looked surprised. Before the boy could say anything, his mother grabbed his arm and shook it. “Is it true? You stole? Tell me!”

Everyone was quiet. The boy began to cry, and he nodded his head. He pulled out the comic book (漫画书) from under his shirt. 

“Oh, Mr. Kim. I am sorry! My Ted made a big mistake!” Mrs. Diaz told my father. She tried to take the comic book, but Ted wouldn’t let go.

“It’s OK. He can keep it,” my father said with a smile.

“Oh no,” Mrs. Diaz said. “Let me pay right now ...” She dug in her purse. “How much?”

“Three seventy-five.”

Mrs. Diaz’s eyes widened, and she dug deeper. I saw her mouth make a small line. “Three seventy-five?” she asked.  

“It’s OK. You can pay later,” my father said.

“No,” Mrs. Diaz said. She kept looking in her purse. “I have money here.”

I felt bad for yelling, for I realized that Ted had tried to steal the comic book because he didn’t have the money. Maybe the boy could have a job, I thought.

I had an idea.

“What if he worked with me?” I asked. They turned to me.

I said, “He can work with me to pay for the comic book.”

“Good,” my father said smiling at me. Mrs. Diaz nodded. She turned to her son, “You hear? You will work and buy the comic book!”  

“Yes, Mama,” Ted said, hanging his head.

As they left, Ted looked back, and though he still seemed sad, he stuck out (伸出) his tongue at me.

Ted has been working here for two weeks. He has paid for the comic book, but my father says he is such a good worker that he can work with me as long as he wants. We are friends now. 

56. Where did the story most probably take place? 

A. In a classroom.                           B. In a supermarket.  

C. At a bookstore.                       D. At a library. 

57. By saying “but Ted wouldn’t let go” in Paragraph 4, the author means Ted ______.

A. took the book by mistake      B. wanted to keep the book

C. didn’t want to go home        D. didn’t think he was wrong

58. From the underlined sentences in the eighth paragraph, we may infer that Mrs. Diaz ______. 

A. didn’t think her son stole the book

B. had been out of work for a long time

C. forgot to take money with her that day

D. couldn’t afford to pay for the book

59. In the last paragraph, what does the author mainly tell?

A. His idea was successful.        B. Ted didn’t like the job.

C. He liked Ted very much.        D. Ted was a naughty boy.

 

Einstein was born in 1879 in Germany. As a child, he was slow to learn to talk. As a pupil, he was backward. But when he was fourteen years old, he became clever. He taught himself maths from textbooks. He studied hard because he wanted to be a physicist.

In 1901, Einstein began teaching. In 1902 he continued his studies at the University of Zurich. Several years later, he formulated(系统地阐述)his famous Theory of Relativity(相对论).To most people the law of relativity is difficult to explain. But once Einstein explained it to a group of young students. He said,” When you sit with a good girl for two hours, you think it is only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute, you think it's two hours. That is relativity."

After Hitler came into power in Germany, Einstein went to America. In 1940 Einstein became an American citizen. In 1955, Einstein's life ended at the age of seventy-six.

36. When Einstein was a pupil of twelve, he _______.

A. was not quick in learning to talk       B. was poor in his studies

C. studied very hard                   D. hardly lagged behind

37. The law of relativity is_______ .

A. very hard for most people to understand

B. too hard for Einstein himself to explain

C. too hard to explain to anybody except Einstein

D. easy to understand only for the young students

38. Which of the following do you think is true?

A. The Germans owed their scientific progress to Einstein.?

B. The Americans owed all their economic development to Einstein.

C. Einstein owed a great deal to the modern world.

D. Einstein made a very great contribution to modern science.

39. The title for this passage should be " _______ ".

A. Theory of Relativity          B. An American Citizen

C. Albert Einstein              D. Einstein's Contribution

 

Work is a very important part of life in the United States. When the early Protestant immigrants(新教徒移民) came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This attitude, the Protestant Work Ethic(道德规范), still influences America today. Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing something for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work defines(给…下定义) them: they are what they do. What happens then, when a person can no longer work? Almost all Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to retire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is, is a difficult change, even for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know how to use their time or they feel lost without their jobs. Retirements can also bring financial problems. Many people rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to the government. Each employer also gives a certain percentage to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, however, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other retirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation(通货膨胀) is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance(补助), Medicare(health care)and welfare(general assistance), but many senior citizens have to change their life styles after retirement. They have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to buy food, fuel and other necessities.

Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. They have time to spend with their families or enjoy their hobbies. Some continue to work part time, others do volunteer(志愿) work. Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, even help young, people to get started in new business. Many retired citizens also belong to “Golden Age” groups. These organizations plan trips and social events. There are many chances for retirees.

American society is only beginning to be concerned about the special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts(折扣) in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services such as free courses, food service, and help with housework. Retired citizens are a rapidly growing percentage of the population. This part of the population is very important and we must meet their needs. After all, every citizen will be a senior citizen some day.

The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of _______.

A. religion             B. economy           C. psychology               D. family

The passage is mainly about _______.

A. money and check                           B. senior and junior

C. work and retirement                       D. Protestants and Americans

When Americans stop work, it’s difficult for them to _______.

A. get Social Security checks               B. feel productive

C. enjoy themselves                            D. be religious

The author mentions _______ examples of the government' steps to ease the problem of limited income.

A. two            B. four           C. five            D. three