The elderly residents (居民) in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity (慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people’s wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said: “I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school. ”
“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they’ve gone to bed.”
“It’s good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I’m enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful.”
There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.
Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said: “Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here.”
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Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said: “We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.”28. What is the purpose of the project?
A. To ensure harmony in care homes. B. To provide part-time jobs for the aged.
C. To raise money for medical research. D. To promote the elderly people’s welfare.
29. How has the project affected Ruth Xavier?
A. She has learned new life skills. B. She has gained a sense of achievement.
C. She has recovered her memory. D. She has developed a strong personality.
30. What do the underlined words “embark on” mean in paragraph 7?
A. Improve. B. Oppose. C. Begin. D. Evaluate.
31. What can we learn about the project from the last two paragraphs?
A. It is well received. B. It needs to be more creative.
C. It is highly profitable. D. It takes ages to see the results.
【分析】本文是一篇新闻报道。主要讲述了旨在减少孤独，改善老年人的健康状况的项目。
21. 【答案】D
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【解析】题干中的the project指第一段中提及的“伦敦养老院让老人们养母鸡来减轻孤独感”这一项目。文章第二段“The project was dreamed up by a local charity (慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people’s wellbeing (该项目由当地一家慈善机构构想，旨在减少孤独，改善老年人的健康状况)”可知，这个由当地慈善组织发起的项目旨在帮助老人们减少孤独感并改善他们的健康状况，提高老人们的福祉。故选D。
22. 【答案】B
【解析】推理判断题。RuthXavicr是一位参加了该项目的老人，本题考查该项目对这位老人的影响。第三段中Ruth Xavier说她以前养过母鸡并回忆了她如何养鸡，因此A、C项表述错误。根据第四段中的I like the project a lot和第五段中的I’m enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful可知，Ruth Xavier喜欢这个项目，也享受这些富有创意的活动，因为做有用的事情她感觉很好，很有成就感。因此B项正确。D项“她养成了坚强的个性”在文中没有提及。
23. 【答案】C
【解析】词义猜测题。根据文章倒数第二段“Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here. (居民们非常欢迎该项目的想法和创意会议。我们期待这个项目能给这里的人们带来好处和乐趣)”以及划线处前的“one of the first (第一批人之一)”可知Wendy Wilson是着手这项工程的人之一，划线处的含义与C项：“Begin (开始)”含义相近。故选C。
24.【答案】A
【解析】推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段“Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here. (居民们非常欢迎该项目的想法和创意会议。我们期待这个项目能给这里的人们带来好处和乐趣)”以及最后一段“Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said: “We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.” (“诺丁山路径”的负责人林恩·刘易斯说:我们很高兴能参与这个项目。它将通过共同的兴趣和创造性活动真正帮助我们与我们的居民建立良好关系)”可知，该项目的反响很好。故选A。
编辑：小徐