【推荐2】Apps to Help in a Disaster

Disasters almost always arrive unexpectedly. But there are computer apps to help people prepare for disasters. Some apps alert users when a disaster has taken place.

1. Siren GPS Mobile

The free Siren GPS Mobile app connects users to emergency services at the tap of the screen. The app will let emergency workers know where the person in need is.

The app works over cellphone networks. But it also works on Wi-Fi if cellphone networks are down after an emergency.

Users can create a personal health report on the app to share with emergency services. This will provide information about medicines that users take, allergies they might have and other medical information important to treatment decisions.

2. Life360

The Life360 app provides a service to keep the loved ones connected. Users can set up a network of people to share their location, chat and get alerts when they are near someone in their network. People in the same network can use the app on iPhone and Android devices.

The app helps users communicate when they are in danger. The location sharing function can be suspended（暂停）when desired.

The Life360 app is free, with some services available for a fee.

3. Red Panic Button

When a person is in danger, the Red Panic Button app might help. This app can send a text message to chosen contacts providing the user's location. You can also add a voice or video message or photo to your text and email.

This app can also be used to contact emergency services.

Red Panic Button is free, but extra features are available for a fee.

4. First Aid by American Red Cross

The free First Aid app by the American Red Cross helps guide users in giving first aid to the injured people. The app can also help with information to help plan for droughts, floods, storms and more.

Watch videos and take quizzes within the app. Users can switch the app from English to Spanish.

1. All of the following are features of the Siren GPS Mobile app EXCEPT.

A．it connects users to emergency services

B．it is useless if your cellphone network is down

C．rescuers can get your health information through it

D．rescue workers can know where the injured person is

2. If you have the Life360 app, you can.

A．share your health information with doctors directly

B．get hospital information immediately when in danger

C．keep connected with those in your network

D．watch over your loved ones' movements

3. What may be the best choice if you want to get information about disasters in advance?

A．Siren GPS Mobile.

B．Life360.

C．Red Panic Button.

D．First Aid by American Red Cross.

【推荐3】Ever called a movie theater to find out showtime? Or called a customer service center for help? Chances are you didn't speak to a human being. You probably gave commands to an Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) system. These types of systems are efficient money-saving tools that allow companies to address many customer concerns with minimum human intervention.

The technology for such a system has advanced greatly since its appearance in the 1950s. One significant recent achievement is the launching of virtual personal assistants (VPAs) on mobile phones. The most well-known of these is Apple’s iPhone VPA, Siri. If you tell Siri that you want to schedule lunch with a friend, “she” can set the appointment on your phone in seconds. The VPA can also hold a basic “conversation” with a sense of humor. However, it can only be set off when the human user speaks certain key phrases or words.

While the potential for communication between a human and a machine may seem exciting, this possibility concerns some people. Some experts worry about people’s attachment to these machines and fear that the art of successful human-to-human conversation will be undeveloped in younger generations. They worry that people won’t be able to display the right emotion or tone in conversations because they haven’t been practicing those skills. Others fear that machines will take over functions that were traditionally performed by humans, such as customer service.

Another concern often associated with the development of new technology is the invasion of privacy. When people use certain speech recognition applications, they leave behind an audio track of their speech. When you ask a VPA for directions, your speech is often sent and saved to a remote server for processing. This digital information may lead to data mining, or the collection of large quantities of personal data.

For now, however, the continuing evolution of ASR software is thrilling to behold. Asking for and acquiring information from an automated source has never been easier. Leading companies in the speech recognition world will make human communication with machines as seamless as possible - in other words, just like communicating with another human.

1. What can we say about Apple’s Siri?

A．It’s a helpful VPA.	B．It first appeared in the 1950s.
C．It’s the most advanced ASR system.	D．It has the same sense of humor as humans.

2. What are Paragraphs 3 and 4 mainly about?

A．The broad definition of ASR.	B．Potential problems with ASR.
C．The fast development of ASR.	D．Movements against using ASR.

3. What is the author's attitude towards the future of ASR?

A．Worried.

B．Doubtful.

C．Hopeful.

D．Indifferent.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Talking to Technology	B．The Application of Siri
C．The Art of Conversation	D．VPAs on Mobile Phones

【推荐1】Festivals to Attend in Tennessee This Year

Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival

Music fans come from all over the world to experience the songs and stories about their favorite hits straight from the incredibly talented songwriters that penned them,

Over the 5 days, 10 venues host two music shows a night, bringing an experience like no other.

Dates: March 28—April 1

Tickets: To Be Determined

The Homestead Festival

Combining music and meaning, the two-day outdoor affair features award-winning live music as well as masterclass lectures.

Speakers will share their vast experience of learning to be more self-sustaining. You can learn not only how to start learning skills such as growing your own food, building a fire and raising chickens, but also how to grow a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Dates: May 2—May 3

Tickets: Child Admission: $25;

Adult Admission: $ 145

Americanafest

Americanafest brings together legendary artists, fans, and industry professionals for five days of live music shows and Nashville’s most educational music industry forum.

Dates: September 19—September 23

Tickets: Conference+Festival Pass: $249;

Festival Pass ONLY:  $125

Please note: A Conference+Festival Pass allows you access to all events in our schedule. A Festival Pass gets you into all nights of performances.

Hazzard Fest

The event features concerts from some of the top names in country, along with comedy shows, a car show and wrestling matches. Come and meet the original Dukes of Hazzard cast and several other celebrities we all know and love!

Dates: October 6—October 7

Tickets: 2-Day Pass: $50;

Single Day Pass: $ 30

1. What can be learned at the Homestead Festival?

A．Songwriting tricks.	B．Live performance tips.
C．Leadership strategies.	D．Basic survival skills.

2. If you want other entertainment activities, you will go to _________.

A．Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival	B．The Homestead Festival
C．Americanafest	D．Hazzard Fest

3. What do the listed festivals have in common?

A．They appear to families.	B．They feature music shows.
C．They take place in springtime.	D．They offer professional lectures.