Some people take lots of exercise. Others keep strict diets. But according to   recent research, the
best way to live a long and happy life is simple. Get a dog.  
     "We have known for many years that the company of a pet can increase  
well-being in a number of ways. " says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, an animal behavior  
specialist at Texas University.  
     "For example, the survival rates of heart attack victims with pets are much greater than those of
people without pets."  
     According to Dr. Beaver, pet owners are less likely to need a doctor. They recover more quickly
when they do get ill. They have lower blood pressure,take more exercise and are more socially active.  
     Above all, they are happier. Seventy percent of the families Dr. Beaver surveyed said that their family
environment was happier after they got a pet. And this is what Dr. Beaver and other researchers are
trying to achieve. They want to find a scientific link between human happiness and a long life.  
     There is no final answer to this question yet, but it seems to be something to do withemotional ties.
People with someone or something to love live longer. "There are many forms of animal-human
relationship and some are very helpful." says Dr Beaver. It seems that the more lovely an animal is, the
more it benefits our health.  As the saying goes, "If you want to be loved, get a dog."  
     Pet ownership benefits men and women equally. Other life experiences divide the sexes. Women
are more sensitive to bad marriages than their husbands because they work harder at their relationship,
says Dr. Janice Glaser of Ohio State University.
     The message seems to be that a woman is better off with a good dog than a bad husband. Yet in
some ways, men are similar to dogs. They like getting dirty and making a mess. They forget birthdays.
They can disappear for days. How can they be better trained?  

1. According to the author, the companyofa pet does good to a person in the  
    following ways except __________.  
     A. having less chance of dying of heart attacks  
     B. being more active in society  
     C. having their familyliving environment improved  
     D. being better off than others  

2. It can be inferred from the article that _______.  
     A. a woman may prefer to have the company of a good dog than that of a bad husband  
     B. scientists are sure about the relationship between happiness and a long life  
     C. all life experience has a different effect onmen and women  
     D. women can benefit more from owning a pet than men can  

3. In what kind of tone do you think the author write the passage?  
     A. Realistic and serious.            
     B. Delighted and hopeful.  
     C. Angry and pitiful.                
     D. Light and humorous.  

4. Which ofthe following do you think would be the best title of the passage?  
     A. Relation between Humans and Pets  
     B. Four legs Good, Two Legs Bad  
     C. Love me, love my dog.  
     D. Pets and Family Life