As an animal welfare researcher, Rault is concerned about how robotic pets could affect our attitudes towards live animals. "If we become used to a robotic companion that doesn't need food, water or exercises, perhaps it will change how humans care about other living beings," he said.

　　So are dogs and cats a thing of the past, as Rault predicts? For those who grew up with living and breathing pets, the mechanical kind might not do. But for our next generation who are in constant touch with smart technology, a future in which lovely pets needn't have a heartbeat might not be a far-fetched dream.

24. What does the underlined phrase "sit well with" means?

　A. be refused by B. be beneficial to

　C. make a difference to D. receive support from

25. What are the advantages of robot pets?

　a. They are plastic and feel smooth. c. They can help cure allergies(过敏).

　b. Owners needn't worry about them when going out. d. They save space and costs

　A. ab B. bc C. bd D. cd

26. We can learn from the passage that___________.

　A. Sony is the first company to produce robot pets Aibo.

　B. People can develop strong bond with their robot pets.

　C. Rault thinks robot pets still have a long way to go.

　D. Robot toys may help people care more about living beings.

27.The passage mainly tells us___________.

　A. the advantages of robot toys B. the popularity of robot pets

　C. living pets are dying out D. robot pets are coming

　C

　　Do you love Beats headphones, True Religion jeans, and UGG shoes? These are some of the most popular brandsaround. They are also expensive. But some experts say they are not much better than cheaper brands.

　　For example, Jim Wilcox works for Consumer Reports. He tested all kinds of headphones. He says that $80 Koss Pro headphones provide basically the same quality and comfort as Beats. So why do people pay twice or even 10 times as much for the hottest brands?

　　Experts say it's because fashionable, expensive brands send a message. Brands say "I belong" or "I can afford it."

　　Some people think that expensive brand names are worth the price. They say that some designer clothes really are top quality and that they last longer than cheaper brands. Some teenagers choose to wear popular brands because these brands make them feel good about themselves.

Alexandra Allam, 17, likes to buy brand-name products. "I'd rather spend the extra money to get something I know I'll be satisfied with," she says. Her friend Emmy Swan agrees, saying"As long as you can afford it, it seems reasonable to buy what you want." But not all teenagers agree. "Spending hundreds of dollars for designer sunglasses is stupid and unreasonable," says Daniel Steinbrecher, 16. "It's fake happiness."