Directions:In this section, you will hear
a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should
listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second
time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the
exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46you are
required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either
use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your
own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should
check what you have written.
Dogs were first domesticated from wolves at least 17,000 years
ago, but perhaps as early as 150,000 years ago based upon recent genetic fossil
and DNA evidence. In this time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds
with a great degree of (36) . For example, heights at the
(37) range from just a few inches to roughly three feet, and
colors range from white to black, with reds, grays, and browns (38)
in tremendous patterns. Dogs are highly social
animals and this similarity in their (39) behavioral system
accounts for their trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human
(40) and social situations. This has earned dogs a unique
position in the (41) of interspecies relationships. The
loyalty and (42) that dogs demonstrate as a part of their
natural instincts are (43) to be reflections of the human
idea of love and friendship, leading many dog owners to view their pets as
full-fledged family members. (44) . Dogs play a variety of
roles in society and are often trained as working dogs. (45)
. In many countries, the most common and perhaps most important role
of dogs is as a companion. (46) .