Guide dogs are going to be available for the children who are unable to see normally in the UK for the first time, as the age limit is to be removed. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is to begin training dogs to help blind people under the age of 16.
The association says too many youngsters with impaired eyesight are lacking in independence. They have only a limited social life because of their disability. Giving some of them guide dogs at a younger age is intended to help them to widen their range of activities and to improve their sense of self-confidence and independence. Guide dogs for these teenagers will begin to be provided from next year. There has been an experimental project to test the use of guide dogs with younger people.
Charlotte, aged 14, was among the youngest guide dog owners. She had been gradually losing her eyesight since the age of eight, and lost her eyesight completely this year. She has been assisted by a two-year-old guide dog. Charlotte used to have a long stick to help her move around, but having a guide dog allows her much more freedom and makes her feel safer.
However, the association says there is a worryingly patchy supply of services for the young blind people across the UK, and it calls for national standards to be introduced. As with adult blind people, only a small number of them are likely to be considered suitable for a guide dog. Most will continue to rely on extra help and training from education and social services.
小题1:We can learn from the text that owning guide dogs .
A．may meet with difficulties sometimes
B．is beneficial to blind children’s development
C．became possible in the UK recently
D．is quite universal in the UK小题2:According to the text, Charlotte’s example proves that .
A．it is necessary to carry out the experimental project
B．guide dogs can get along well with disabled people
C．the association’s opinion is not quite right
D．youngsters need companions and friends小题3:What does the underlined word “patchy” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A．Endless.
B．Perfect.
C．Inadequate.
D．Diverse.小题4:What is the main idea of the text?
A．Blind people need guide dogs’ assistance in their daily life.
B．Age limit for the blind to have guide dogs is to be removed.
C．More guide dogs will be trained in the UK.
D．The project of using guide dogs is to begin.
