D
It used to be common to think of robots as just machines designed to do dirty, boring and dangerous work. In recent years, companies has begun to design robots as toys for children. These have become so popular that experts and parents are worried about the effects of friendships between robots and children.
In 1940, Isaac Asimov wrote a story called *Robbie*. In the story, a girl made friends with a robot and her mother was worried about their friendship. At the end of the story, the robot saved the girl's life and her mother changed her opinions on the robot. In real life, there are also different opinions about humans "hanging out" with robots.
Experts are worried because children might believe that robots are human beings, not machines. It may seem strange that we can feel a connection with a machine, but just think of the friendly robots in science fiction, from WALL-E to R2-D2. Could close relationships with a robot confuse children?
Some people think it's possible. In the past, children would play with lifeless toys. But today's robots are designed to express feelings in a human way, and some are able to interact(互动) with children. When children say they don't want to play, the robots will show their disappointment. Also, they are designed to show sadness if they lose in games.
In fact, there's a real danger that humans forget that robots are not human beings. In an experiment, researchers from different universities in Germany invited 89 people to interact with a robot and then turn it off. However, when they finished the interaction, the robot asked half of the people not to turn it off. These people hesitated(犹豫) before they did so and 13 of them actually refused to turn it off!
Sometimes robots may make good companions for us. But let's not forget—they aren't living beings and they don't have feelings. At least, not yet.
()37. Why did the mother change her opinions about Robbie?
A. Because Robbie wrote a story.
B. Because Robbie played with her.
C. Because Robbie expressed feelings.
D. Because Robbie saved her child.
()38. What does the underlined word "confuse" mean in Paragraph 3?
A. Make something clear.
B. Mistake one thing for another.
C. Make somebody excited.
D. Help somebody solve the problem.
()39. What does the underlined word "they" in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. The children.
B. The robots.
C. The companies.
D. The researchers.
()40. What is the writer's purpose in writing the passage?
A. To tell us not to treat robots as human beings.
B. To warn us not to let robots do dangerous work.
C. To ask us to read science fiction about robots.
D. To advise us to create friendships with robots.

D
文章大意:本文主要探讨了儿童与机器人建立友谊可能带来的影响,以及人们对这一现象的不同看法。
37. D 解析:细节理解题。根据第二段中“At the end of the story, the robot saved the girl's life and her mother changed her opinions on the robot.”可知,在故事的结尾,机器人救了女孩的命,她的母亲因此改变了对机器人的看法。故选D。
38. B 解析:词义猜测题。根据第三段中“Could close relationships with a robot confuse children?”可知,与机器人建立亲密关系会让孩子混淆吗?结合上下文,机器人被设计得像人类一样表达情感,可能导致孩子误以为机器人是人类。因此“confuse”意为“将某物误认为另一物”。故选B。
39. B 解析:词义猜测题。根据第四段中“When children say they don't want to play, the robots will show their disappointment. Also, they are designed to show sadness if they lose in games.”可知,当孩子们说不想玩时,机器人就会表现出他们的失望。如果机器人在游戏中输掉了比赛,他们也会表现出悲伤的情绪。这里的“they”指代前文提到的“robots”。故选B。
40. A 解析:推理判断题。根据第六段中“But let's not forget—they aren't living beings and they don't have feelings. At least, not yet.”可推知,作者的写作目的是提醒人们不要将机器人当作人类对待。故选A。