L4　嗅出的不只是骨頭

Dogs are known for having excellent sense of smell, making them wonderful at detecting just about anything. __(26)__ this reason, they are often kept as sniffer dogs. These superb smellers aid police or airport staff in locating dangerous items like drugs or weapons. Sniffer dogs are often seen sniffing at travelers' belongings. If such dogs pick up any strange smell coming from someone's suitcase, they simply sit down __(27)__ it. They're so well trained that they __(28)__ move __(28)__ their trainer or owner allows them to. Sniffer dogs have even been used in this way to detect disease in plants. By sniffing out trees __(29)__ root rot disease, they are actually saving numerous forests and parks across Taiwan. In some cases, man's best friend's nose can even save lives. 58-year-old Maria Tello, for example, suffers from diabetes. One night, her dog Malachi noticed that the __(30)__ of her blood sugar was too low. __(31)__ he picked up chemical changes in her body, he knew she was in danger. He woke her up right away and even helped her fetch the medicine! It seems that dogs and their amazing noses will be doing us good for many more years to come.

Dogs possess a remarkable sense ___(21)___ smell that is far more sensitive than humans', which enables some dogs to be specially trained as "sniffer dogs." In Pingtung, trained dogs are used to detect trees affected by "brown root rot" disease. When these dogs locate an infected tree, they sit beside it until rewarded by their trainer. This method helps workers remove sick trees before they pose a danger. Beyond identifying sick trees, sniffer dogs can predict certain diseases ___(22)___ humans. For instance, a dog named Malachi alerted his owner, Maria, to a dangerous drop in her blood sugar level ___(23)___ his keen sense of smell, ultimately saving her life multiple times. The effectiveness of sniffer dogs stems from their ability to ___(24)___ chemical changes in living beings caused by disease, which emit specific odors. Through extensive training, these dogs learn to signal their trainers when they encounter these scents. As our understanding of these amazing animals grows, sniffer dogs continue to assist humans ___(25)___ various significant ways.

A digital nomad is someone who works remotely and travels to different places. This lifestyle became more popular after the pandemic: with proper devices and a reliable internet ___(19)___, people can work from anywhere. However, being a digital nomad isn't just about working from exotic places. It ___(20)___ careful organizing and planning. Digital nomads need to consider many things, ___(21)___ insurance and health care. They also need strong budgeting skills, as traveling and living in different places can be costly. ___(22)___ working on a laptop in a Paris café may sound amazing, there are some drawbacks to this lifestyle. A major challenge is feeling apart from friends and family. Those ___(23)___ want to be digital nomads might need to deal with the loneliness that often comes with this lifestyle. For instance, they can make video calls to ___(24)___ connected with family and friends. While it's not the same as being together, it does help.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, allowing them to help us in many ways. Some dogs, known as "sniffer dogs," are specially trained to ___(22)___ things like hidden drugs or sick trees. In Taiwan, for example, trained dogs are used to locate trees with an infection called brown root rot. When they ___(23)___ the smell of an infected tree, they sit to alert their trainer, who then removes the tree to keep people safe. There are also ___(24)___ other types of working dogs that serve important roles. Guide dogs, which help people ___(25)___ have poor eyesight, safely lead their owners through crowded places. Some dogs are even trained to sense illnesses in humans. ___(26)___, a diabetic woman's dog, Malachi, saved her life by waking her up when her blood sugar dropped dangerously low. Thanks to training, these dogs learn to recognize special smells and respond in helpful ways. Working dogs truly make our lives ___(27)___ better. It is believed that they will continue to find new ways to assist us in the future.

Dogs are often our best friends and companions, and they have superpowers too. With more than 100 million olfactory receptors in their noses, they ___(11)___ amazing tasks such as detecting hidden drugs and sickness. Everyone has heard about drug-sniffing dogs ___(12)___ illegal drugs in airports and cars. A drug-sniffing dog isn't ___(13)___ that way. They have to undergo specialized training, and not all dogs pass the test. ___(14)___ sniff dogs locate illegal drugs, they sit down beside it until their trainer hands them a treat as a reward. Even if the illegal drugs ___(15)___ by other smells, such as coffee grounds or other strong odors, the noses and brains of sniffer dogs can detect each distinct smell independently. Dogs also know human scents well. They can detect minor changes in our scents ___(16)___ we cannot pick up with our noses. For example, the changes in hormones a woman experiences during pregnancy do not escape the attention of a dog's nose. Also, ___(17)___ can change many things about us, including all the chemical processes in our bodies, namely our metabolism, which in turn changes our scent. That is ___(18)___ a dog detects these changes.

Dogs are special animals because they can be useful to humans in many ways. Their sense of smell is ___(11)___ more powerful than humans'. ___(12)___ this reason, they are often kept as sniffer dogs. People will use specially ___(13)___ dogs to detect drugs in airport luggage. They can even sense diseases ___(14)___ plants or people. For example, dogs can recognize trees ___(15)___ root rot disease and help to save forests and parks across Taiwan. In ___(16)___ cases, a dog's sense of smell can even save a person's life. For instance, Maria Tello, ___(17)___ was a 58-year-old woman with diabetes, was asleep one night. Suddenly, her dog Malachi noticed that the ___(18)___ of her blood sugar was too low. He then rushed off to find her medicine. This ability to sense chemical changes in people's bodies shows how ___(19)___. It's thus no wonder that they help us out ___(20)___ so many different ways. Dogs truly are our best friends. With further training, dogs could no doubt prove to be even more helpful to humans in the future.

Dogs have a keen ___1.___ of smell, far more sensitive than humans'. This ___2.___ allows them to become "sniffer dogs," trained to uncover specific items like hidden drugs. However, sniffer dogs can help in many other ways. In Pingtung, Taiwan, park officials use trained dogs to locate trees ___3.___ "brown root rot" disease. The dogs sit ___4.___ a diseased tree to signal their discovery ___5.___ their trainer hands them a treat. Workers then take the tree away to prevent potential harm. Recognizing their effectiveness, other parks ___6.___ Taiwan are also inviting sniffer dogs to help find infected trees. Sniffer dogs can even sense illness ___7.___ humans. For example, a dog, Malachi, saved its diabetic owner, Maria Tello, by ___8.___ her up and rushing to get her medicine when her blood sugar dropped ___9.___ low. Dogs detect these changes through odors ___10.___ caused by chemical shifts in plants, animals, and even the human body. Trainers expose dogs ___11.___ these smells several times, giving them incentives for a certain kind of conduct as an alert. Once their training is finished, sniffer dogs ___12.___ specific duties.

In the heart of Taipei City's Zhongzheng District is an important monument that was originally constructed in 1980 in memory of Taiwan's late president, Chiang Kai-shek. Its name is the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and it's a one of the most famous tourist ___(39)___ now. The memorial hall is ___(40)___ by a park that contains two other important structures. In the northwest corner of the park ___(41)___ the National Concert Hall, while in the southwest corner is the National Theater. These two buildings often host concerts, plays, and other cultural events, making the area a center for the arts. As for the memorial hall itself, it takes up the entire ___(42)___ side of the park. Each part of the hall's construction has several ___(43)___ features. For example, the hall's roof has eight sides, a number that often ___(44)___ good fortune and wealth in Chinese culture. Additionally, there are eighty-nine steps leading up to the central room of the hall. It was at this age ___(45)___ Chiang Kai-shek passed away. Moreover, the white and blue colors of the hall stand for the blue sky and white sun on the Republic of China's flag. Finally, in the middle of the park lies "Freedom Square," ___(46)___ is a public space for everyone to enjoy. Students, athletes, and soldiers often go there to practice for many different ___(47)___. Also, the annual Lantern Festival celebrations are often ___(48)___ there. In this way, the park and the memorial hall together create a space that honors history, celebrates art, and brings people together. (A) that (B) attractions (C) performances (D) eastern (E) symbolizes (AB) meaningful (AC) which (AD) surrounded (AE) held (BC) stands

A recent study published in PLOS ONE has provided scientific evidence that dogs can distinguish between the odors of humans who are stressed and those who are calm. Earlier research indicated that dogs might also detect emotions like happiness and fear, but this study focused on minimizing competing scents and accurately measuring human stress levels. Researchers collected breath and sweat samples from participants as a baseline, then had them perform a mentally taxing task—counting backward from 9,000 by 17s—while monitoring their stress responses. Following this task, additional breath and sweat samples were collected, along with heart rate and blood pressure data. Thirty-six participants who reported feeling stressed had their samples presented to dogs. In the experiment, 20 dogs were tasked with identifying the correct post-task samples, and they needed to select the right one at least seven out of ten times to progress. In the final phase, the four dogs that succeeded in the first phase were again tested and needed to identify the stress scent at least 80% of the time for conclusive results. The dogs correctly identified the stress odor in 93.8% of trials, highlighting their remarkable ability to differentiate between these scents linked to psychological stress responses.

Many of us may think that our pets have it easy. They just sleep, play, and eat. They don't have to worry about getting bad grades or not making enough money. In fact, some animals, especially dogs, work for a living. Here are some careers they can have. To begin with, service dogs are helpful in many ways, such as guiding the blind and calming people who have experienced severe trauma. They can also be trained to carry items, fetch medicines, and even contact emergency services, such as finding someone nearby to get help if their owners are in danger. Only the smartest pups get picked for these jobs, and they're required to pass a special test in order to start working. Next, we have detection dogs. If you have ever traveled by airplane, you've probably seen special dogs in the airport. Known as detection dogs, they're trained to locate things people shouldn't be traveling with, like drugs or rare foods and plants. Training them takes about six to eighteen months before they are fully prepared to work. Additionally, there are search and rescue (SAR) dogs. Their keen sense of smell is used to find missing people at avalanche or earthquake scenes. It's like a giant game for them because the best SAR dogs can "play" for hours. Training for them begins as early as eight to ten weeks of age. Dogs have amazing skills that help people. But even if your family's furry friend isn't a powerful one like those mentioned above, its love and friendship still can't be replaced.