Ques: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: A study by St.. Louis University has found that a lovable dog named Sparky and a robotic dog, AIBO, were about equally effective at reducing the loneliness of nursing home residents. The study confirmed previous findings that dogs have a good effect on nursing home residents. Dr. Andrew Smith led the Stanford University team that built a home-assistance robot. "If humans can feel an emotional tie with robots, some day they could be not just our assistants, but also our companions," he said. To test whether residents responded better to Sparky, a trained dog, or the Sony-made robotic dog, researchers divided 38 nursing home residents into three groups at three long-term care centers in St. Louis. One group had weekly 30-minute one-on-one visits with Sparky; another group had similar visits with AIBO; a control group had no contact with either dog. The groups' respective levels of loneliness were tested by having them answer a number of questions at the beginning and near the end of the visits. After two months, both groups that had contact with the dogs were less lonely and more attached. Most of the elderly regarded Sparky, a 9-year-old dog, as an audience for their life stories, said investigator Marian Banks. "He listened attentively, wagged his tail, and allowed them to pet him," said Banks, who adopted and trained Sparky after finding him in a street behind her home seven years ago. Those who were together with AIBO took a little longer to warm to the robotic creature. Over time, however, they grew comfortable with him, and petted and talked to him. He would respond by wagging his tail, vocalizing, and blinking his lights.. "AIBO is charming once you start to interact with him," said the study's author, Dr. William Banks, "He's an attractive sort of guy. He gives a feeling of being personal, not just a robot." Question: Those who had contact with the robotic dog found that _ . Options: A: they didn't feel comfortable with it B: it was hard for them to interact with it C: they weren't comfortable with it at first D: the robot's vocalizing and blinking confused them
Ans: C

Ques: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: Mr. Fitzpatrick has given much attention to his "Weight reduction" programs. Just last year, for example, when he was the main speaker at the company dinner, he said he put on twenty pounds instead of losing thirty he promised he would. The year before that, he joined a health club. He exercised every day and ate less food. At the end of three months, however, he began making excuses about why he couldn't go there more often. After the health club failed to work, he joined Weight Watchers but stopped going because he was the only man there. And he hated following any of the diet programs. Fitz's latest idea is to join a walking club to "walk off" the weight. Question: Which of the following can best explain the main idea of the passage? Options: A: There is no good way to lose weight. B: One can do nothing without a strong will. C: There are different ways to lose weight. D: Walking is the best way of losing weight.
Ans: B

Ques: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: It's easy to see how to help some people, but what about those whose needs are not so clear? This story may have happened not long ago--- but it was a lesson which has stayed with me and helped me ever since. It was Thanksgiving and I was volunteering with my parents at a shelter for the needy. We served hot food to whoever came in. Most of our dinners looked like they had been having hard times; their clothes were worn out and dirty. Then, a man came in, who looked anything but needy. He was well dressed. I wondered what he was doing there and my jaw dropped in amazement when he joined the line for food. The closer he came to my service station , the more I muttered . What was this man doing? Surely he wasn't going to take food which was meant for those who were really in need! Then my mother quietly took me to one side. She said, "You have thought that the needs of the people who come here must be purely physical, hunger, etc. And this gentleman doesn't seem to have any of those problems. But what if his needs are emotional ? What if he needs comfort, friends, or just to be among other human beings? Her words hit me like a ton of bricks! I felt like I should apologize to the man--- but I didn't. About a week later the shelter received a large donation from an source. I can't help but wonder if it came from that man. Now, whenever I meet someone I remember my mother's lesson and try to send kindness their way, no matter how they look. Needs aren't always seen. But kindness always makes a difference. Question: The author's mother mainly wanted to tell the author that we _ . Options: A: shouldn't judge a man by his appearance. B: shouldn't complain about others C: should give others what they want. D: should accept everything we meet
Ans: A

Ques: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: A large number of women in Western European countries wish that they were born men. The number is said as high as 60% in West Germany. "Women often wish that they had the same chance as men have, and believe it is still men's world," said Dr James Holden, one of the scientists who did the study. Anne Harper has a very good job for an international oil company. She also believes in "Women' s Liberation ". "I don't wish that I were a man," she says, "and I don't think many women do. But I do wish that people would stop looking down upon us women. At work, for example, we often do the work that men do but get paid less. There are still a lot of jobs that are usually the best ones and open only to men. If you're a man, you have a much better chance of leading an exciting life. How many women pilots are there ... or engineers or scientists?" Question: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? Options: A: Usually the best jobs are not open to women. B: Women are less paid than men for the same job. C: There're more men pilots, engineers and scientists than women ones. D: Women are looked down upon because they're the second-class citizens.
Ans:
D