A
Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cats are worried that they will fight.Recent research has found a new recipe of success.According to the study，if the cat is adopted before the dog，and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats，a year for dogs)，it is highly probable that the two pets will get along swimmingly.Twothirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.
However，it wasn't all sweetness and light.There was a reported coldness between the cat and the dog in 25% of the homes，while aggression and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes.One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals were just opposite.For example，when a cat turns its head away it signals aggression，while a dog doing the same signals submission (投降)．
In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully，researchers observed a surprising behaviour.They are learning how to talk each other's language.It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk “dog”，and dogs can learn how to talk “cat”．
What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence.They can learn to read each other's body signals，suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously suspected.Once familiar with each other's presence and body language，cats and dogs can play together，greet each other nose to nose，and enjoy sleeping together in the sofa.They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳毛) each other.
The significance of this research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets—to people who don't get along，including neighbors，colleagues at work，and even world superpowers.If cats and dogs can learn to get along，surely people have a good chance.
[语篇解读] 本文是一篇说明文。猫和狗是宿敌，但科学研究表明猫和狗在一定的情况下是能够和平相处的。
21．The underlined word “swimmingly” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to “ ．”
A．early B．sweetly
C．quickly D．smoothly
解析：词义猜测题。根据画线词前的内容可知，如果满足一定的条件，猫和狗就能顺利地和平相处。画线词后的“a positive relationship”也表明这样的结果。故选D项。
答案：D
22．What is found surprising about cats and dogs?
A．They eat and sleep together.
B．They observe each other's behaviors.
C．They learn to speak each other's language.
D．They know something from each other's voice.
解析：细节理解题。根据文章第三段中的“In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully，researchers observed a surprising behaviour.They are learning how to talk each other's language.”可知，C项正确。
答案：C
23．It is suggested in Paragraph 4 that cats and dogs .
A．have common interests
B．are less different than was thought
C．have a common body language
D．are less intelligent than was expected
解析：细节理解题。根据文章第四段中的“They can learn to read each other's body signals，suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously suspected.”可知，B项正确。
答案：B
24．What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?
A．We should learn to live in harmony.
B．We should know more about animals.
C．We should live in peace with animals.
D．We should learn more body language.
解析：推理判断题。根据文章的最后一段可知，作者由动物之间的和平相处引发对人类社会的思考。作者认为人类也应和谐相处。
答案：A
