Dogs are often referred to as man's best friend, but they can do more than just play fetch with balls or Frisbees. Many of the dog breeds we keep as pets today were originally bred to perform specific tasks. From search-and-rescue to guarding flocks of sheep, working dogs have assistedhumans in some amazing ways throughout history.
One of the most recognizablecategories of working dogs is the service dog, which includes guide dogs for the blind, mobility-assistance dogs, and seizure-detecting dogs. Service dogs are trained to keep their handlers safe and behavewell in all kinds of situations, both in public and at home. Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are two breeds well-suited forthis type of work.
Search-and-rescue dogs are employed to locatepeople who have gone missing in different situations. Whether it's skiers buried by avalanches or hikers disappearing in natural areas, these dogs use their acute sense of smell and hearing to track down humans in need. Saint Bernards, Leonbergers, and bloodhounds are several breeds whose keennoses make them excellent search-and-rescue dogs.
Herding dogs are perfect for the job of controlling livestock. Any breed with “shepherd” or “collie” in their name, like the Australian shepherd dog or Border Collie, is bred to be alert, energetic, and agile enough to keep animals like sheep and cattle safe from threats. They also work closely with their handlers to keep herds moving in an organized fashion.
These few jobs only scratch the surface of dogs' true capabilities. There are other dogs suited for therapy jobs, hunting, military and police work, or guarding homes. Whatever their job, though, one thing all dogs have in common is their unbreakablebond with humans.
1. What is the main purpose of this passage?
(A) To introduce the history of how humans bred working dogs.
(B) To list which dog breeds are the best ones at doing work.
(C) To tell readers how to train dogs for certain jobs.
(D) To explain several types of working dogs.
2. According to the passage, which characteristic is most important in a search-and-rescue dog?
(A) Its speed and intelligence.
(B) Its ability to stay focused.
(C) Its highly tuned sense of smell.
(D) Its willingness to listen to humans.
3. What does the last paragraph imply about working dogs?
(A) Dogs cooperate well with people.
(B) Not all dogs are suited to do a job.
(C) Most dogs are kept as family pets.
(D) Only a few breeds can still work today
4. The following are two posts stating their need for a working dog. What breed of dog should they get, according to the passage?
Environment: Farm
Responsibilities:
- guide and control sheep
- protect sheep from other wild animals
Environment: Home Responsibilities:
- assist my dad in walking
- help fetch objects for my dad
_(a)_
_(b)_
(A) (a) a Golden retriever / (b) a Rough Collie
(B) (a) a bloodhound / (b) a Labrador retriever
(C) (a) a German shepherd / (b) a Saint Bernard
(D) (a) a Smooth Collie / (b) a Golden retriever
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
fashion
[ˋfæʃən]
n. 流行；方式
vt. 塑造
Miniskirts used to be in fashion, but they’re out of fashion now.
迷你裙以前很流行，但現在退燒了。
Austin always does things in that fashion.
奧斯汀總是以那種方式行事。
The old man fashioned a pipe out of clay.
這老人用陶土捏出一根菸管。
多益棕色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
scratch the surface
僅觸及問題表面
The money you gave us doesn't even scratch the surface of the amount we need.
你給的錢和我們所需的金額比起來不過是九牛一毛。
●
mobility
[moˋbɪlətɪ]
n. 機動性，靈活性
Motorcycles give you greater mobility in this city.
在這個城市裡，機車給你較高的機動性。
●
seizure
[ˋsiʒɚ]
n. （疾病）突然發作（導致失去意識、身體 不受控的劇烈抽搐）
●
handler
[ˋhændlɚ]
n. （尤指）馴狗師
●
avalanche
[ˋæv!͵æntʃ]
n. 雪崩
●
livestock
[ˋlaɪv͵stɑk]
n. （統指馴養的牛、羊、馬等）牲口（為複數）
The farmer gave his livestock injections to prevent
them from getting infections.
農夫替牲口打針以防感染。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
collie
[ˋkɑlɪ]
n. 牧羊犬
●
agile
[ˋædʒaɪl]
a. 敏捷的，靈活的
●
guard
[gɑrd]
vt. 守衛，保護
n. 警衛；警戒（不可數），（籃球）後衛
The guard stopped us from going inside. 警衛不讓我們進去。
George was on guard at the front gate last night.
喬治昨晚在大門口守衛。
Bill kept a dog to guard his house.
比爾養了一隻狗看家。
Guard against pickpockets when you are shopping
in the mall.
在商場購物時，要謹防扒手。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
assist
[əˋsɪst]
vt. & vi. 幫助
I assist Mom in doing the housework on weekends.
每逢週末我都會幫老媽做家事。
I help Mom do the housework on weekends.
每逢週末我都會幫老媽做家事。
If everybody assists, the job will get done quickly.
如果大家都能來幫忙，我們很快就能完工。
高中 Level 3
●
recognizable
[ˋrɛkəg͵naɪzəb!]
a. 可分辨的，認得出的
Born in Italy more than four centuries ago, opera is one of the most recognizable and influential art forms in the world.
歌劇創於義大利已超過四個世紀之久，它是世界上最具辨識性且最具影響力的藝術類型之一。
●
detect
[dɪˋtɛkt]
vt. 發現，查出
This dog detected drugs in the man’s baggage.
這隻狗在該男子的行李中發現毒品。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
behave
[bɪˋhev]
vi. 守規矩；表現
Mother told us to behave ourselves while she was away.
媽媽告訴我們她不在時我們要好好守規矩。
Alice behaves well only when her father is around.
愛麗絲只有在她爸爸在的時候，她才會表現得很乖巧。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
locate
[loˋket]
vt. 位於（用於被動語態）；找到……的位置；設置
Our school is located in that area.
我們學校位在那個區域。
The leader was unable to locate the meeting point on the map.
隊長在地圖上找不到會合點。
They located their new store on Second Avenue.
他們把新的商店設在第二大道上。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
acute
[əˋkjut]
a. 敏銳的 ; 急性的 ; 嚴重的
Dogs have an acute sense of smell.
狗兒有敏銳的嗅覺。
Mark s daughter developed acute appendicitis last week.
馬克的女兒上星期患了急性闌尾炎。
The long drought caused an acute shortage of water in West Africa.
長期乾旱造成西非地區嚴重缺水。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
keen
[kin]
a. 激烈的；敏銳的；渴望的
Though the competition was keen, we kept going and finally succeeded.
雖然這場比賽競爭很激烈，但是我們不斷努力終於獲得成功。
Marcie has a keen eye for beauty.
瑪西很有審美觀念。
Sandy is keen on studying abroad someday.
珊蒂巴不得有一天能出國深造。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
herd
[hɝd]
n. 一群
vt. 放牧
A herd of cattle was quietly grazing on the grass. 一群牛在草地上正安靜地吃草。
The cowboys herded the cows with the help of their horses.
牛仔們的馬協助他們來放牧牛群。
高中 Level 4
●
alert
[əˋlɝt]
n. 警戒
a. 警戒的
vt. 提醒
On Christmas Eve, the children were on the alert for any sign of Santa Claus.
在耶誕夜，孩子們隨時注意聖誕老人出現的蛛絲馬跡。
Police officers are always alert to possible danger.
警察對可能發生的危險隨時保持警覺。
We should alert everyone to the dangers of smoking.
我們應該提醒每個人警覺抽菸的危險。
We should awaken everyone to the dangers of smoking.
我們應該提醒每個人警覺抽菸的危險。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
capability
[͵kepəˋbɪlətɪ]
n. 能力；軍事武力
With his background in Latin, John has the capability to learn Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
With his background in Latin, John has the capability of learning Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
I can understand German in daily conversations, but understanding technical discussions is beyond my capability.
我可以聽得懂德文的日常會話，但是若要聽懂專業的對話對我來說就太難了。
It is reported that the nation is trying to develop its nuclear capability.
據報導該國正在發展核子武力。
高中 Level 5
●
unbreakable
[ʌnˋbrekəb!]
a. 牢不可破的
Practical Phrases
●
be referred to as...
被稱作⋯⋯
The president of the US is sometimes referred to as the chief executive.
美國總統有時被稱作最高行政首長。
●
be well-suited for
相當適合⋯⋯
The flexible scheduling options of online courses are well-suited for individuals with busy lifestyles.
線上課程彈性的日程選擇相當適合生活忙碌的人。
●
track down... / track... down
追蹤查 / 到……
The police finally tracked down the place where the robbers were hiding.
警方終於找到了那些搶匪的藏身處。
●
in a(n) + adj. + fashion
以……的方式
Austin always does things in that fashion.
奧斯汀總是以那種方式行事。
Whatever their job, though, one thing all dogs have in common is their unbreakable bond with humans.
介紹 whatever 的三種用法：
whatever
副詞連接詞
複合關係代名詞
複合關係形容詞
功 用
引導副詞子句
引導名詞子句
引導名詞子句
譯 為
不論什麼
所⋯的任何東西
所⋯的任何⋯
等 於
no matter what
anything that
any + N + that
※ whatever 作副詞連接詞時，表「不論／不管什麼」，引導副詞子句修飾主要子句，等於 no matter what。
a. what 是疑問代名詞，因此在 no matter what 引導的副詞子句中可作主詞、受詞，或在 be 動詞後作主詞補語。 • Whatever you do, you should be careful.
不管你做什麼事，都應該要小心。
b. 副詞子句的句構若為「主詞 + be 動詞」，且主詞為一般名詞時，be 動詞可省略（如本文用法）。 • Whatever the cause (is), the best way to deal with insomnia is to go see a doctor.
不管原因為何，對付失眠最好的方式就是去看醫生。
※ whatever 作複合關係代名詞時，表「所⋯⋯的任何東西」，引導名詞子句，等於 anything that。先行詞anything 在主要子句中可作主詞或受詞，關係代名詞that 在所引導的形容詞子句中亦可作主詞或受詞。 • Patty will do whatever (= anything that) it takes to fulfill her dreams.
佩蒂會竭盡所能達成自己的夢想。
※ whatever 作複合關係形容詞時，其後接名詞，引導名詞子句，表「所⋯⋯的任何⋯⋯」，等於「any + N + that」。“any + N” 為先行詞，在主要子句中可作主詞或受詞，that 為關係代名詞，在所引導的形容詞子句中亦可作主詞或受詞。 • Whatever mistakes you make can help you grow stronger.
你所犯的任何錯誤都能幫助你變得更強大。
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精選試題
You can almost always find _____ you need at this grocery store.
(A) no matter (B) any that (C) no matter any (D) whatever
