Staying in hospital can be difficult for patients, often causing fear and anxiety, especially in younger individuals. These emotions can easily take over, but hospitals in Richmond, Virginia, have programs to relieve some of the stress and create moments of joy.
Due to a program called Dogs On Call provided by the non-profit organization Center for Human-Animal Interaction, at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, the sound of dogs coming down the hallway creates an atmosphere of excitement among child patients. For 21 years, the volunteer-run program has been connecting dogs with those in need of an inspiring moment.
With the necessary registration steps, dogs and handlers can participate in weekly visits to the hospital. Besides the scheduled visits, parents or children can request a specific team to visit their rooms.
“When a patient interacts with a dog, it can decrease blood pressure and reduce pain,” says Nancy R. Gee, executive director of the center. Their faces change just for a moment. They’re not thinking about their health situation or their pain. Just for that moment, they’re just kids with a dog.
Instead of Dogs On Call, Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond provides Happy Wheels, a program in which a cart full of treats and other items rolling through the halls of the hospital. The volunteer-run program visits four times a week. They go from room to room to hand out toys, coffee, snacks, and other comfort items. All of the items found in the cart are donated to the program and handed out to families in all children’s care units.
“It’s an opportunity for the children to be children and to get excited about a new toy coming in their rooms, ”says Laura Gepford, child life specialist at St. Mary’s Hospital. “Besides the fevers, the medicine and all the difficult things that occur in the hospital, they have the shining of happy moments. That’s what people hold onto. ”
1. What do we know about the program Dogs On Call?| A．Dogs might frighten the child patients. |
| B．Dog visits must follow a fixed schedule. |
| C．It gives mental treatment to the child patients. |
| D．It is financially supported by the government. |
| A．Children care for dogs by nature. |
| B．Children’s moods are changeable. |
| C．Children are too young to take their illness seriously. |
| D．Children’s spirits are lifted by the dogs’ companion. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Appreciative. | C．Dissatisfied. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．By bringing patients comfort and cheer. |
| B．By changing people’s attitude to illness. |
| C．By telling people the importance of play. |
| D．By guiding parents to better comfort kids. |
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Some important dates in China’s fighting Covid-19 before May 7,2020 | |
| Jan 20, 2020~ Feb 20,2020 | Jan 23: Wuhan declared temporary outbound (向外的) traffic restrictions. Jan 24: National medical teams began to be sent to Hubei and wuhan. Jan 27: The Central Steering (指导) Group arrived in Wuhan. Feb 18: The daily number of newly cured and discharged (出院) patients exceeded that of the newly confirmed cases. |
| Feb 21, 2020~ Mar 17,2020 | Feb 21: Most provinces and equivalent administrative units started to lower their public health emergency response level. Feb 24: The WHO-China Joint Mission on Covid-19 held a press conference in Beijing. Mar 11-17: The epidemic (流行病) peak had passed in China as a whole. |
| Mar 18,2020 ~Apr 28,2020 | Apr1: Chinese customs began NAT (核酸检测) on inbound arrivals at all points of entry. Apr 8: Wuhan lifted outbound traffic restrictions. Apr 26: The last Covid-19 patient in Wuhan was discharged from hospital. |
| Apr 29, 2020~ May 7,2020 | Apr 30: The public health emergency response was lowered to Level 2 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. May 7: The State Council released Guidelines on Conducting Covid-19 Prevention and Control on an Ongoing Basis. |
1. What happened between January 20 and February 20?
| A．The Central Steering Group arrived in Wuhan. |
| B．The WHO-China Joint Mission on Covid-19 held a press conference. |
| C．The last Covid-19 patient in Wuhan was discharged from hospital. |
| D．Beijing lowered its emergency response level. |
| A．January 23. | B．March 11. | C．April 8. | D．May 7. |
【推荐2】Every fall, like clockwork, Linda Krentz of Beaverton, Oregon, felt her brain go on strike. “I just couldn’t get going in the morning,” she says. “I’d get depressed and gain 10 pounds every winter and lose them again in the spring.” Then she read about seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs in fall and winter, and she saw the light literally. Every morning now she turns on a specially constructed light box for half an hour and sits in front of it to trick her brain into thinking it’s still enjoying those long summer days. It seems to work.
Krentz is not alone. Scientists estimate that 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal depression and 25 million more develop milder versions. But there’s never been definitive proof that treatment with very bright lights makes a difference. After all, it’s hard to do a double-blind test when the subjects can see for themselves whether or not the light is on. That’s why nobody has ever separated the real effects of light therapy from placebo (安慰剂) effects.
Until now, in three separate studies published last month, researchers report not only that light therapy works better than a placebo but that treatment is usually more effective in the early morning than in the evening. In two of the groups, the placebo problem was resolved by telling patients they were comparing light boxes to a new anti-depressant device that gives off negatively charged ions (离子). The third used the timing of light therapy as the control.
Why does light therapy work? No one really knows. “Our research suggests it has something to do with shifting the body’s internal clock,” says psychiatrist Dr. Lewey. The body is programmed to start the day with sunrise, he explains, and this gets later as the days get shorter. But why such subtle shifts make some people depressed and not others is a mystery.
That hasn’t stopped thousands of winter depressives from trying to heal themselves. Light boxes for that purpose are available without a doctor’s prescription. That bothers psychologist Michael Terman of Columbia University. He is worried that the boxes may be tried by patients who suffer from mental illness that can’t be treated with light. Terman has developed a questionnaire to help determine whether expert care is needed.
In any event, you should choose a reputable manufacturer. Whatever product you use should give off only visible light, because ultraviolet light damages the eyes. If you are photosensitive (对光敏感的), you may develop a rash. Otherwise, the main drawback is having to sit in front of the light for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning. That’s an inconvenience many winter depressives can live with.
1. What is the probable cause of Krentz’s problem?| A．An unexpected gain in body weight. |
| B．Unexplained impairment of her nervous system. |
| C．Weakening of her eyesight with the setting in of winter. |
| D．Poor adjustment of her body clock to seasonal changes. |
| A．There is definitive proof of its effect. |
| B．It serves as a kind of placebo. |
| C．It is considered as a relatively effective therapy. |
| D．It hardly produces any effects. |
| A．Winter depressives will be addicted to using light boxes. |
| B．No mental patients would bother to consult psychiatrists. |
| C．Inferior light boxes will give off harmful ultraviolet lights. |
| D．Light therapy could be misused by certain mental patients. |
| A．Winter depressives prefer light therapy in spite of its inconvenience. |
| B．Light therapy increases the patient’s photosensitivity. |
| C．Eye damage is a side effect of light therapy. |
| D．Light boxes can be programmed to correspond to shifts in the body clock. |
【推荐3】Close your eyes for a minute and imagine what life would be like if you had a hundred dollars less. Also imagine what it would be like spending the rest of your life with your eyes closed. Imagine having to read this page, not with your eyes but with your finger-tips.
With existing medical knowledge and skills, two-thirds of the world's 42 million, blind should not have to suffer. Unfortunately, rich countries possess most of this knowledge, while developing countries do not.
ORBIS is an international non-profit organization which operates the world's only flying teaching eye hospital. ORBIS intends to help fight blindness worldwide. Inside a DC-8 aircraft, there is a fully-equipped teaching hospital with television studio and classroom. Doctors are taught the latest techniques of bringing sight back to people there. Project ORBIS also aims at promoting peaceful cooperation among countries.
ORBIS tries to help developing countries by providing training during three-week medical programs. ORBIS has taught sight-saving techniques to over 3,000 doctors and nurses, who continue to cure tens of thousands of blind people every year. ORBIS has conducted 17 plan programs in China so far. For the seven to ten million blind in China ORBIS is planning to do more for them. At the moment an ORBIS is working on a long-term plan to develop a training center and to provide eye care service to Shanxi Province. ORBIS needs your help to continue their work and free people from blindness.
For just US$38, you can help one person see; for $380 you can bring sight to 10 people; $1,300 helps teach a doctor new skills; and for $13,000 you can provide a training program for a group of doctors who can make thousands of blind people see again. Your money can open their eyes to the world. Please help ORBIS improve the quality of life for so many people less fortunate than ourselves.
1. The first paragraph is intended to ________.| A．direct the public's attention to the blind |
| B．advise the public to lead a simple life |
| C．introduce a new way of reading |
| D．encourage the public to use imagination |
| A．They are adequate. |
| B．They have not been updated. |
| C．They are not equally distributed. |
| D．They have benefited most of the blind. |
| A．teaching medical students |
| B．training doctors and nurses |
| C．running flying hospitals globally |
| D．setting up non-profit organization |
| A．ORBIS Flying Hospital | B．Fighting Blindness |
| C．ORBIS in China | D．Sight-seeing Techniques |
【推荐1】Life is full of struggles. Sometimes, we simply want to avoid them. But even when our minds are constantly telling us that we should call it a day, we can still keep on going. The solution is the Cookie Jar.
The Cookie Jar method was created by one of the toughest men alive, David Goggins. Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, who has competed in more than sixty ultra-marathons triathlon.
To raise money for a non-profit organization for orphans, Goggins decided to run Badwater 135. Badwater is the world’s hardest foot race. To qualify for Badwater, one has to run 100 miles in 3 days, that is, 4 marathons in one go. With zero preparation and training, Goggins decided to have a try.
For the first few miles of the race, he felt fine and had no trouble running. But at mile 50, his legs felt like they were loaded with lead. Still he ran. Then at mile 70, he couldn’t take another step forward. Exhausted and feeling beaten down, he sat down to rest. He kept on asking himself, “Why? Why are you still doing this to yourself?” He then remembered this wasn’t the first time he’d taken on an impossible task. And he suddenly felt some energy build up. He started walking slowly, step by step. He kept on digging in his past while remembering all his previous victories (胜利), making him get the energy he needed to keep on going. His feet were still a bloody mess, full of blisters. But it gave him just enough drive to sustain him, until the 100-mile mark. And that’s what the Cookie Jar is.
We all have a cookie jar inside us. Whenever you face a challenge, whenever you want to give up, you open the cookie jar and pick a cookie. The cookie reminds you of something you’ve overcome and how far you’ve come. Eventually, you’ll slowly build up your mind to be more mentally tough. Impossible, will turn into, I can do this.
1. What does the underlined phrase “call it a day” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Stop and give up. | B．Celebrate a day. |
| C．Name a day. | D．Have a new start. |
| A．He is a member of Navy SEAL now. |
| B．He got injured halfway through the race. |
| C．He is a determined man with public spirit. |
| D．He was informed of the Cookie Jar method. |
| A．The happy memory. | B．The past achievement. |
| C．The container for cookies. | D．The challenge to face. |
| A．Find the Cookie Jar inside Us. |
| B．The Advantages of Cookie Jar. |
| C．The World’s Hardest Foot Race. |
| D．How to Create Your Cookie Jar. |
【推荐2】Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 and Asian Para Games. AI usually refers to the advanced technologies, such as the naked-eye 3D, VR, AR and so on. These terms might sound familiar, but how smart are they when applied to the 56 Asian Games venues (场地)?
Their smartness can be found in running the venues with less human labor forces and with more connections between man and machines. At the Huanglong Sports Center, a system called Smart Stadium Brain is built. The Brain, a 25-square-meter high-definition (高清晰度) screen in the venue’s information center, displays the entire venue in 3D visualization to keep an eye on the temperature, the lighting, the energy consumption, and the facilities to guarantee a friendly environment for the athletes and audiences. For the benefit of audiences, a small screen on each seat is designed to be at the audience’s service. By finger touching, the audience can control it from three parts — angle, speed, and size to watch and keep in contact with the event. What’s more, supported by the 5G technology, a 360° playback function is fixed.
AI also means further protection on environment. At the Fuyang sports Center, although it has been raining for days, the roof of the venue still remains dry. And the secret lies in its attractive sky garden. The garden, covering the roof, is not only eye-catching but also useful. It allows the greening rate of the entire stadium to reach as high as 45%, being energy-saving. Under the cobblestones (鹅卵石) of the sky garden, a recovery system is filtering (过滤) and collecting rainwater for the venue’s water system, fountain, and irrigation water.
Smart devices are employed both inside and outside the venues. For example, the Tonglu sports Center starts a WeChat mini-program for any follower to learn about the venue through VR games and videos before the Hangzhou Asian Games. During the Games, the program will allow the athletes and audiences to place orders online, waiting in the venue for a robot waiter to deliver and serve their food.
1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “guarantee” in Para 2?| A．Make sure of. | B．Take advantage of. |
| C．Get used to. | D．Keep up with. |
| A．The audience can’t see the whole venue on the large screen. |
| B．The stadium is environmentally friendly and advanced but costly. |
| C．The audience can control small screens on their seats as they wish. |
| D．Small screens make the game watching enjoyable and convenient. |
| A．By saving energy. | B．By using the cobblestone of the sky garden. |
| C．By recycling the rainwater. | D．By improving the greening rate. |
| A．Asian Games with Artificial Intelligence. |
| B．A Sports Center with Smart Stadium Brain. |
| C．More Connections with Smart Devices. |
| D．Smart Asian Games with High-tech Venues. |
The African Development Bank says. "Aging is highly linked with long-term physical and mental disability and a number of long-term chronic (慢性的) conditions."
"Africa is not well prepared to care for its aging population right now. And it needs to prepare for this fact." said Professor Mthuli Ncube. the African Development Bank's chief economist. African nations spend far less on healthcare than developed nations do___ about $26per person per year. Not so many countries have well developed medical aid plans for the elderly, whether they are privately provided plans or indeed government plans. If you look at the pension plans, you will find the pension industries are not well developed in some of the countries.
Professor Mthuli Ncube said African governments failed to take action on health insurance
and pensions because they were busy with economic reforms.
Another challenge for Africa is the worsening of informal systems of social protection. That is cash and support from both the extended family and community sources.
. The African Development Bank recommends governments help carry out health insurance and pension plans. Ncube said African governments didn't have to handle the health insurance burden alone. "It is not only a must but also an opportunity for private companies to add their bit in this regard", he said. The report also recommends that African governments consider providing ways of free health services. medications and long-term health care facilities for the elderly.
1. From the first paragraph we know the facts except that ____
| A．the speed of people aging is becoming quicker |
| B．Africa has the largest aging population |
| C．African governments are not well prepared to deal with the aging population |
| D．the shortage of health insurance and pensions adds to African governments' difficulty in dealing With the aging population |
| A．Long-term physical disability. |
| B．Long-term mental disability. |
| C．Long-term chronic illnesses. |
| D．Long-term shortage of care and love. |
| A．The economic reforms. |
| B．Too many old people. |
| C．The shortage of land. |
| D．The development of the economy. |
| A．African governments should spend as much money on healthcare as developed countries |
| B．African people should save enough money to insure their health. |
| C．African governments should combine with private companies to finish health insurance and pension pains. |
| D．Private sources should take the main responsibility to help the elderly. |
| A．in a story book | B．in a newspaper | C．on a TV program | D．in a textbook |
