The relationship between human and dog dates back to at least
8,000 years ago. Different types of dogs were (47) for
different tasks: the ancient people in west Asia, for example, trained
greyhounds (灰狗)to (48) wild asses; in medieval
manuscripts, illustrations of hunting scenes show terriers(猎犬) (49)
rabbits. Recent research shows that dogs (50)
another useful function: they keep us healthy. People who have any
sort of pet are more likely to (51) heart attacks ( blood
pressure rises when we talk to one another whereas it drops when we pat a pet).
Dog owners in particular show considerably (52) self-esteem
and a 50% reduction in minor health problems only ten months after acquiring
their pet. In the UK, thousands of people visit the annual dog
show, "Crufts", held in London. This show receives wide national and
international media (53) . Fierce discussions rage when dog
liberty is threatened. There is no dog license in the UK because it was
(54) several years ago. A recent law, the Dangerous Dogs Act,
requires owners of especially vicious dogs, such as Pit Bull Terriers, to
(55) their dogs with the authorities and muzzle (戴口罩) them when
taking them outside. There was a great (56) from the public
when this law was introduced. A) abolished
F) protest
K) achieve B) developed
G) coverage
L) pursuing C) facilitated
H) approved
M) abandoned D) register
I) improved
N) survive E)
reporting J) perform
O) chase