Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills. With their shining brown eyes, wagging tails, and unconditional love, dogs can provide the nonjudgmental listeners needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence, according to Intermountain Therapy Animals （ITA） in Salt Lake City. The group says it is the first program in the country to use dogs to help develop literacy in children, with the introduction of Reading Education Assistance Dogs（READ）.
The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea. “Literacy specialists admit that children who read below the level of their fellow pupils are often afraid of reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-respect, and regard reading as a headache,” said Lisa Myron, manager of the children’s department.
Last November, the two groups started “Dog Day Afternoon” in the children's department of the main library. About 25 children attended each of the four Saturday-afternoon classes, reading for half an hour. Those who attended three of the four classes received a “paw graphed” book at the last class.
The program was so successful that the library plans to repeat it in April, according to Dana Thumpowsky, public relations manager.
【小题1】What is mainly discussed in the text?A．Children’s reading difficulties.B．Advantages of raising dogs. C．Service in public library.D．A special reading program.【小题2】 Specialists use dogs to listen to children reading because they think . A．dogs are young children's best friendsB．children can play with dogs while readingC．dogs can provide encouragement for shy childrenD．children and dogs understand each other【小题3】By saying “The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea”, the writer means the library .
A. uses dogs to attract children.
B. accepts the idea put forward by ITA.
C. has opened a children's department.
D. has decided to train some dogs.
【小题4】 A “paw graphed” book is most probably . A．a book used in Saturday classesB．a book written by the childrenC．a prize for the childrenD．a gift from parentsD
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(答案→)D
解析：本文主要介绍了一中独特的阅读计划：对着小狗阅读。在文章中作者详细解释了这个活动的具体内容。
【小题1】D 推理题。根据文章第一段前3行Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills. With their shining brown eyes, wagging tails, and unconditional love, dogs can provide the nonjudgmental listeners needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence, according to Intermountain Therapy Animals可知本文主要讲述的是一种新型的阅读计划—读给小狗听。故D正确。
【小题2】C 细节题。根据第一段第二行dogs can provide the nonjudgmental listeners needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence可知孩子们可以从这个活动中得到足够的自信。故C正确。
【小题3】B 推理题。根据The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea.以及接下来的内容，可知这家图书馆接受了这样的做法。故B正确。
【小题4】C 推理题。根据本句Those who attended three of the four classes received a “paw graphed” book at the last class. 可知参加了3次的孩子会得到奖励。故C正确。