1 . Just how bad of a mother am I, I silently wondered, as I watched my 13-year-old son deep in conversation with Siri. Gus has autism (自闭症), and Siri, Apple's “intelligent personal assistant” on the iPhone, is currently his BFF(Best Friend Forever). Obsessed with weather formations, Gus had spent the past hour exploring the difference between isolated and scaltered thunderstorms—an hour during which, thank God, I didn't have to discuss with him myself. After a while I heard this:
Gus:“You're a really nice computer.”
Siri:“It's nice to be appreciated.”
Gus:“You're always asking if you can help me.Is there anything you want?” Siri: “Thank you, but I have very few wants.”
Gus: “OK. Well, good night!”
Siri: “See you later!”
That is Siri. She does not let my communicatively impaired son get away with anything. When Gus discovered there was someone who would not only find information for him related to his various obsessions but would also be willing to tirelessly discuss these subjects, he was hooked.
She is also wonderful for someone who does not pick up on social cues: Siri's responses are not entirely predictable, but they are predictably kind—even when Gus is rude. I heard him talking to Siri about music, and Siri offered some suggestions. “I don't like that kind of music.” Gus snapped(厉声说). Siri replied, “You're certainly entitled to your opinion.” Siri's politeness reminded Gus what he owed Siri. “Thank you for that music, though.” Gus said.
My son's practice conversations with Siri are starting to translate into increased facility with actual humans. Yesterday I had the longest ever conversation with him. Admittedly, it was about different species of turtles which might not have been my choice of topic, but it was back and forth, and followed a logic. For most of my son's 13 years of existence, this has not been the case.
Indeed, many of us wanted an imaginary friend when we were young, and now we can all have one not entirely imaginary anytime we wish to. In a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story.
The developers of intelligent assistants recognize their potential usefulness for those with speech and communication problems, and some are currently pondering new ways in which the assistants can help. “For example, the assistant would be able to track eye movements and help the autistic learn to look you in the eye while talking." said William Mark, vice president of the company from whom Apple purchased the technology behind Siri. “See, that's the wonderful thing about technology. Getting results requires a lot of repetition. Machines are very, very patient."
1. What did the author feel when she watched her son having a deep conversation with Siri about thunderstorms?A.Concerned but helpless. | B.Excited and overjoyed. |
C.Guilty but relieved | D.Hopeless and surprised. |
A.He had always dreamed of having an imaginary friend. |
B.He shows no interest in anything that is not related to weather. |
C.He has trouble communicating with others because of his illness. |
D.He has been friends with Siri since he was diagnosed with autism. |
A.setting a fixed bedtime routine |
B.exploring his special interests |
C.shaping his logic while talking |
D.improving his interaction with people |
A.Siri makes people feel much lonely in modern society. |
B.Siri sometimes provides better assistance than people. |
C.Siri has a better academic performance than the author. |
D.Siri is likely to be an effective cure for her son's autism. |
A.Intelligent assistants will be more widely employed in the future. |
B.The use of intelligent assistants will likely be limited to autistic people. |
C.Machines are more skilled and patient at communication than humans. |
D.William Mark was critical of the future development of intelligent assistants. |
2 . When I suggested my 13-year-old try tennis, she quickly shot me down. “I’m not
Still, I was undiscouraged. I was convinced that
Midway through summer, we stayed at home one afternoon, really bored. “Do you want to play tennis?” I asked. “Sure,” she said. Arriving at the
I started by hitting a ball over the net, and Julianna took a big swing and
Now we always find time to play tennis. We’re both eager for an activity that can
Playing tennis together has not only improved our
A.mindful | B.incredible | C.sporty | D.refreshed |
A.progression | B.commission | C.admission | D.diversion |
A.knock out | B.work out | C.figure out | D.leave out |
A.agreement | B.insight | C.resistance | D.isolation |
A.releasing | B.identifying | C.reproducing | D.nurturing |
A.emerged | B.shone | C.interfered | D.worked |
A.parking | B.court | C.source | D.milestone |
A.dragged | B.turned | C.inched | D.headed |
A.divide | B.hate | C.affection | D.objective |
A.acquired | B.fell | C.missed | D.grabbed |
A.imagination | B.alternative | C.urge | D.appeal |
A.holding | B.scratching | C.removing | D.charging |
A.illustration | B.pattern | C.measurement | D.frequency |
A.desperately | B.disappointedly | C.specifically | D.widely |
A.fuel | B.target | C.transmit | D.ease |
A.relevant | B.negative | C.prospective | D.personalized |
A.friendship | B.bond | C.rivalry | D.tension |
A.beyond | B.beneath | C.unlike | D.excluding |
A.individual | B.solitary | C.shared | D.separate |
A.worked through | B.set aside | C.got rid of | D.reflected upon |
3 . A friend and I were having lunch and I asked about her son who was getting professional help for some behavioral problems he was having. Our conversation went like this: “There’s a good change in his attitude. He’s staying out of trouble, but I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.” she said. “It’s hard to trust him yet. He is doing things that he’s never done before, which is great. But I still need to supervise him just in case.”
I asked a couple of questions: “Have you told him how proud you are of how far he’s come? Have you thanked him for the things he’s now doing but never did in the past?” She said no. And because she’s a very bright woman she followed it up with: “I really need to say those things because I am proud of him and I am grateful for what he’s doing now. All I keep doing is looking at what he’s still doing wrong and getting on him about that. How’s he ever going to feel good about himself and continue to improve if I don’t acknowledge him for all his improvements and growth?”
“If I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, it will!” I just smiled and told her I loved her and that she’s a great mom. The conversation moved on to a new topic. It’s worth taking a look at your close relationships, especially with your kids and asking yourself: Do I spend too much time letting them know what they’re doing wrong? Do I ignore their efforts toward positive change? Do I still find ways to be unsatisfied with their behavior?
If you answer yes to any of those questions, you’re now the one who needs to do some changing. Never forget that people love to be acknowledged — not just for the big things but the little things, too. Appreciation and love are the driving force that keeps them wanting to do well and do something nice for others.
1. The author’s friend ______.A.was already satisfied with her son’s behavior |
B.was particular about her son’s attitude |
C.was still worried about her son’s behavior |
D.already fully believed in her son |
A.favorable | B.negative |
C.unconcerned | D.doubtful |
A.If I keep waiting for kids to correct mistakes, they will. |
B.If I keep waiting for kids to change positively, they will. |
C.If I keep waiting for kids to wear the other shoe, they will. |
D.If I keep waiting for kids to make mistakes, they will. |
A.direct rejection and scolding |
B.proper affection and admiration |
C.blind love and appreciation |
D.strict requirements and standards |
A.A Dialogue Between Two Women |
B.Are You Proud of Your Child? |
C.Be Patient When You Are a Parent |
D.One Major Thing Most Parents Forget to Do |
4 . The pickle jar (腌菜罐子) as far back as I can remember sat on the floor in my parents’ bedroom.
The years passed, and I
When I got married, I told my wife Susan about the
The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Susan
“Look,” she said
A.While | B.If | C.When | D.Unless |
A.coins | B.wallet | C.money | D.bill |
A.emptied | B.filled | C.sold | D.broken |
A.relaxedly | B.strictly | C.proudly | D.anxiously |
A.still | B.also | C.always | D.never |
A.finished | B.started | C.entered | D.dropped |
A.no | B.many | C.few | D.big |
A.worth | B.values | C.use | D.differences |
A.money | B.words | C.books | D.actions |
A.coins | B.jar | C.determination | D.faith |
A.loved | B.treated | C.supported | D.encouraged |
A.hard | B.easy | C.smooth | D.wrong |
A.led | B.carried | C.brought | D.took |
A.body | B.head | C.arms | D.eyes |
A.happily | B.angrily | C.loudly | D.softly |
A.surprise | B.delight | C.comfort | D.satisfaction |
A.used | B.lost | C.removed | D.forgotten |
A.covered | B.filled | C.spread | D.supplied |
A.the pillow | B.the jar | C.my hand | D.my pocket |
A.separated | B.left | C.locked | D.ran |
My elder brother Steve, in the absence of my father who died when I was six, gave me important lessons in values that helped me grow into an adult.
For instance, Steve taught me to face the results of my behavior. Once when I returned in tears from a Saturday baseball game, it was Steve who took the time to ask me what happened. When I explained that my baseball had scared through Mrs. Holt’s basement window, breaking the glass with a crash, Steve encouraged me to confess (认罪) to her. After all, I should have been playing in the park down Fifth Street and not in the path between buildings. Although my knees knocked as I explained to Mrs. Holt, I offered to pay for the window from my pocket money if she would return my ball.
I also learned from Steve that personal property is a sacred (神圣的) thing. After I found a shiny silver pen in my fifth-grade classroom, I wanted to keep it, but Steve explained that it might be important to someone else in spite of the fact that it had little value. He reminded me of how much I’d hate to lose to someone else the small dog my father carved from a piece of cheap wood. I returned the pen to my teacher, Mrs. Davids, and still remembered the smell of her perfume as she patted me on my shoulder.
Yet of all the instructions Steve gave me, his respect for life is the most vivid in my mind. When I was twelve I killed an old brown sparrow in the yard with a BB gun. Excited with my accuracy. I screamed to Steve to come from the house to take a look. I shall never forget the way he stood for a long moment and stared at the bird on the ground. Then in a dead, quiet voice, he asked, “Did it hurt you first, Mark?” I didn’t know what to answer. He continued with his eyes firm,” The only time you should even think of hurting a living thing is when it hurts you first. And then you think a long. long time.” I really felt terrible then, but that moment stands out as the most important lesson my brother taught me.
1. Why did the author weep when returning from a baseball game? (no more than 12 words)2. The underlined part can be replaced by
3. How did the author kill the old brown sparrow? (no more than 5 words)
4. What important lessons did the author learn from Steve? (no more than 20 words)
5. How are you inspired by the lesson? Explain in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
6 . Many of our family traditions centered around food. We’d gather in the kitchen for every birthday and holiday and enjoy delicious food. My grandparents always held Christmas dinner, which included chicken cacciatore, sausage, meatballs and salad. But right before we sat down to eat, my grandmother would pull me aside to show me the dish she made just for me: fresh pasta (意大利面) with tomato sauce.
It was a simple dish, but to me it was warm food that filled me with happiness. But more than that, it made me feel like I belonged. I was a shy kid and, in many situations, I felt ignored. And here was my grandmother, showing me that I mattered.
Years went by; I moved away and got married. I’d visit throughout the years and my grandmother would serve up a plate of pasta.
When my daughter was born in 2020, for the first time in my life I wasn’t about to make the trip back home for Christmas. I cooked my family’s traditional foods and my husband and I had a big meal that included, of course, fresh pasta. I had a video call with my grandmother and showed her the pasta. Shortly after the holidays she passed away unexpectedly.
It seemed so unfair that my grandmother passed away soon after I became a parent. I’d hold my daughter and think about how I could tell her what an amazing great-grandmother she had.
In my sadness I came to an answer: food. Late at night after my daughter had gone to bed, I’d go to the kitchen and learn how to make fresh pasta, cooking my grandmother’s recipes. Before long I started experimenting, making a bit changes to classic recipes. When my daughter got a little older, I began making special dishes for her with my grandmother’s flavors in mind.
I know that no matter how hard I try, my daughter will never have a bowl pasta with sauce exactly like the ones my grandmother would make for me. While that makes me sad, she’ll still get to have my pasta sauce. I know there’re two things she’ll never lack for in this life: pasta and love.
1. What did the author say about her grandmother’s homemade pasta?A.It was a special birthday gift for her. | B.It brought her a sense of belonging. |
C.It was loved by every family member. | D.It took a lot of time and energy to prepare. |
A.She didn’t share pasta with her husband. |
B.She didn’t give her grandmother a call. |
C.She didn’t prepare many traditional family foods. |
D.She didn’t have a chance to eat her grandmother’s pasta. |
A.To honour her grandmother. | B.To give her daughter a surprise. |
C.To meet her grandmother’s wish. | D.To be a role model for her daughter. |
A.It isn’t easy to make. | B.It isn’t to her daughter’s liking. |
C.It tastes exactly the same as her grandmother’s. | D.It shows her love for her daughter. |
A.Different types of pasta | B.The origin of pasta |
C.Love through pasta | D.Pasta for Christmas |
Dear Max,
It must seem a little odd to get a letter from your own mother whom you see every day, but I hope you will read this and take what I have to say seriously.
I bought you a phone for your 12th birthday because you wanted one so much, and all your friends have one. I know you love your phone, but I wonder whether you are aware of just how much you use it.
From my perspective, it seems that you are constantly checking your phone for notifications (通知) or messages. You even do this when we’re having a family meal in a restaurant or when I’m talking to you. You may not realise this, but whenever you feel even slightly bored, you check your phone. You never seem to relax. You’re constantly on alert, and I don’t think this is very good for you. We all need to switch it off every now and then. And if I ask you to leave your phone at home when we go out, you sulk (生气) and get twitchy, almost as if you’re suffering withdrawal symptoms (戒断症状). It’s like your phone is a drug.
I have tried to talk to you about this, but whenever I ask you to put down your phone and look at me, you say “in a minute”. Unfortunately, “in a minute” never comes, and we never talk. I can’t actually remember the last time we had a proper face-to-face conversation. I even have to message you to let you know dinner is on the table! That’s why I decided to put my concerns in a letter to you.
Please don’t think I am writing this letter to punish you or to nag (唠叨) you. I know you are a good boy. I don’t think you want to hurt me or be rude intentionally. However, I recently heard about something called “nomophobia”—the fear of being without a phone. It’s a real illness and I’m worried whether you have it. I really think it would be a good idea if we all went to see an addiction expert together so we can all have a discussion about this serious problem. I know you won’t want to, but I’m very concerned about you. Please take some time to think about what I have written. Then let’s talk.
Mum,
1. What’s Max’s mum worried about?(no more than 10 words)2. Why did Max’s mum have to message him that dinner was ready?(no more than 6 words)
3. What does the underlined word mean in Paragraph 5?(no more than 2 word)
4. What is mum’s suggestion to solve this problem?(no more than 15 words)
5. What do you think of Max’s problem? Please explain.(no more than 20 words)
8 . As an insurance(保险)agent, I have to visit clients(客户)at their homes. I had a(n)
One day when I knew she had a(n)
The next time I visited her home, she asked if I knew anything about the
As I was about to leave I
A.elderly | B.honest | C.embarrassed | D.annoying |
A.upset | B.worried | C.helpless | D.lonely |
A.forgot | B.mentioned | C.referred | D.watched |
A.beautiful | B.expensive | C.only | D.unusual |
A.described | B.written | C.stuck | D.pictured |
A.price | B.shape | C.size | D.color |
A.important | B.favorite | C.suitable | D.special |
A.quarrel | B.discussion | C.appointment | D.lesson |
A.planted | B.dropped | C.buried | D.hung |
A.in fear that | B.so that | C.in case that | D.even though |
A.see | B.search | C.touch | D.smell |
A.trees | B.lawns | C.gardens | D.flowers |
A.mysteriously | B.satisfyingly | C.knowingly | D.unnaturally |
A.destroy | B.find | C.visit | D.appreciate |
A.new | B.common | C.noisy | D.huge |
A.heard | B.noticed | C.told | D.judged |
A.carefully | B.quickly | C.unconcernedly | D.peacefully |
A.enjoying | B.entering | C.exploring | D.leaving |
A.illness | B.loneliness | C.weakness | D.headaches |
A.darkness | B.calm | C.joy | D.sadness |
1. When will the speakers meet Howard?
A.Before 1:00. | B.At 1:00. | C.After 1:00. |
A.He is a man of fun. | B.He is the hotel manager. | C.He is leaving the town soon. |
A.Have lunch with Howard. | B.Call their friend. | C.Walk around the town. |
10 . It was never a question whether or not my mother loved me. However, I’m not
At some point during my first year of school, I peed(小便) my pants
I was in terror
I carefully planned to avoid his notice,
Then my father did something very kind but
A.anxious | B.hopeful | C.sure | D.thrilled |
A.photographs | B.questions | C.comments | D.conditions |
A.warming up | B.breaking up | C.checking up | D.lining up |
A.shock | B.delight | C.patience | D.curiosity |
A.sake | B.fear | C.right | D.proof |
A.in silence | B.in winter | C.in class | D.in bed |
A.change | B.exchange | C.display | D.return |
A.wonder | B.remember | C.believe | D.judge |
A.challenges | B.demands | C.errors | D.worries |
A.at the thought | B.by the means | C.to the end | D.with the hope |
A.unless | B.since | C.before | D.after |
A.the joke | B.the performance | C.the lesson | D.the plan |
A.arouse | B.escape | C.occupy | D.shift |
A.pausing | B.staying | C.gathering | D.considering |
A.easy-going | B.ever-changing | C.ill-fitting | D.long-standing |
A.familiar | B.impersonal | C.remarkable | D.unexpected |
A.causal | B.dirty | C.fancy | D.unspotted |
A.time | B.generation | C.school | D.history |
A.feeling | B.lying | C.settling | D.staring |
A.check out | B.lift up | C.look into | D.see through |