A
For years，the U．S.has experienced a shortage of registered nurses.The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that while the number of nurses will increase by 19 percent by 2022，demand will grow faster than supply，and that there will be over one million unfilled nursing jobs by then.
So what's the solution？Robots.
Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to this trend.Toyohashi University of Technology has developed Terapio，a robotic medical cart that can make hospital rounds，deliver medications and other items.It follows a specific individual，such as a doctor or nurse，who can use it to record and access patient data.This type of robot will likely be one of the first to be implemented in hospitals because it has fairly minimal patient contact.
A robot's appearance affects its ability to successfully interact with humans，which is why the RIKENTRI Collaboration Center for HumanInteractive Robot Research decided to develop a robotic nurse called Actroid F．It is so humanlike that some patients may not know the difference.This conversational robot companion has cameras in its eyes，which allow it to track patients and use appropriate facial expressions and body language in its interactions.During a monthlong hospital trial，researchers asked 70 patients how they felt being around the robot and “only three or four said they didn't like having it around.”
It's important to note that robotic nurses don't decide courses of treatment or make diagnoses，though robot doctors and surgeons may not be far off.Instead，they perform routine and laborious tasks，freeing nurses up to attend to patients with immediate needs.This is one industry where it seems the interaction of robots will lead to collaboration，not replacement.
【语篇解读】 这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了日本几款可以充当某些看护工作的“机器人护士”，但也指出机器人不会取代护士，他们是合作而非替代关系。
1．What does the author say about Japan?
A．It ranks top in future robotics technology.
B．It takes the lead in offering robotic nursing.
C．It is in desperate need of registered nurses.
D．It provides the best medication for the elderly.
B [细节理解题。根据二三段的So what's the solution？Robots.Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to this trend.(那么解决方案是什么呢？机器人。在这一趋势方面，日本走在了前面)可知，日本在提供机器人护理方面是领先的。故选B。]
2．Which of the following best explains “implemented” underlined in Paragraph 3?
A．Cancelled. B．Constructed.
C．Improved. D．Applied.
D [词义猜测题。根据第三段的第二、三句可知，丰桥科技大学开发了机器人医疗推车Terapio，它可以在医院巡视、运送药物和其他物品。它跟着特定的人，例如医生或者护士，他们可以使用它来记录以及使用病人的数据。再结合画线词所在的句子，可推测，画线词的意思是“应用的”，因为上文所提到的内容，就是它在医院的应用情况。故选D。]
3．What do we know about the robot Actroid F?
A．It has no difference from a human nurse.
B．It gets favorable remarks from all the patients.
C．It interacts with patients like a human companion.
D．It uses body language even more effectively than words.
C [细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的第三句可知，这个可以交流的机器人同伴眼睛里有摄像机，这使得它可以跟踪病人，并用适当的面部表情和肢体语言进行互动，Actroid F最大的特点是它可以像人类同伴一样和病人进行互动。故选C。]
4．What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A．Cooperation will not be replaced.
B．Nurses will still play their roles.
C．The robotics industry will be promising.
D．Robots can meet patients' immediate needs.
B [推理判断题。根据最后一段的第一句可知，机器人护士不会决定治疗的过程或者做出诊断；再结合最后一句，This is one industry where it seems the interaction of robots will lead to collaboration，not replacement.可推测，护士会继续履行自己的工作，因为机器人护士和人类是合作关系，也不会决定治疗过程或做出诊断，故选B。]
