For most people, the thought of having to watch themselves work out is not an attractive one. Yet as any gym-goer knows, there are always some people who like to enjoy their reflection in the floor-length mirrors. It is perhaps these particular keep-fit lovers who are most excited about the latest trend in home exercise-smart fitness mirrors.
These are 180cm or so tall, high-tech mirrors that have a computer which is connected to the Internet, and also work as a video screen. The idea is that people contact an online trainer, who then appears in the mirror along with their reflection.
On the more advanced devices the mirror is equipped with cameras, speakers and numerous sensors (传感器) connected to AI, so the trainer can watch people’s movements, and provide improvements and changes. On the simpler mirrors the video and sound are just one-way- people can see and hear the trainer, but not the other way around. Lessons are typically not live; instead, people just get into a library of online workout videos.
But is there any actual advantage in being able to watch yourself work out? Colleen Logan, the US owner of both Nordic Track and ProForm, says, “Seeing themselves in the mirror allows the users to correct their form or position, so they get the best possible benefits of strength exercises and reduce mistakes that could lead to injuries”.
However, Dr Anthony Papathomas, a sports and fitness psychologist says there is value to this argument, but that he also has some concerns. He said,“How people who are not confident about their body image feel about the mirror gets me in a fret. It may be a problem for those new to exercise and looking to make a lifestyle change. Even for regular exercisers, there are many who experience body dysmorphia (变形) or eating disorders, and for them, seeing a reflection throughout their exercise might be troubling.”
1. What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us about smart fitness mirrors?| A．Their target users. |
| B．Their wide popularity. |
| C．Their basic functions. |
| D．Their complex structure. |
| A．Having live workout lessons. |
| B．Exercising with other partners. |
| C．Taking advantage of workout videos. |
| D．Learning from some trainers at once. |
| A．It makes mistakes sometimes. |
| B．It could bring injuries to its users. |
| C．It is necessary for strength exercises. |
| D．It helps users exercise more properly. |
| A．Excited. | B．Worried. | C．Satisfied. | D．Shocked. |
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【推荐1】A small device no bigger than a toaster has generated oxygen on the surface of Mars, bringing the chances of surviving on the red planet a step closer. The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilisation Experiment, better known as Moxie, has been generating oxygen from the atmosphere on Mars rich in carbon dioxide, as part of NASA’s Perseverance rover mission, which began in February last year.
Research published in the journal-Science-Advances reported that Moxie produced breathable oxygen in seven hour-long tests conducted in various weather and atmospheric conditions since landing last year. The research found that during each test and even in extreme temperatures or after a Martian dust storm, Moxie continued to produce high-purity oxygen.
The device uses pumps that suck in carbon dioxide. The gas is heated to 800℃ and separates the carbon and oxygen. Carbon monoxide is emitted as waste while the pure oxygen is left behind. “This is the first demonstration of actually using resources on the surface of Mars and transforming them chemically into something that would be useful for a human mission,” Jeffrey Hoffman said. Hoffman, a retired astronaut and a professor at MIT aeronautics department, also noted that the results were “groundbreaking and historic.”
NASA and the MIT team are planning to build a bigger version of Moxie. They hope advanced models will produce enough oxygen to support a crewed mission to Mars and generate the gas needed to send a rocket back to Earth. “To support a human mission to Mars we have to bring a lot of stuff from Earth.” Hoffman said. “But dumb old oxygen? If you can make it there, go for it. You’re way ahead of the game.”
The thin atmosphere on Mars is 96 percent carbon dioxide and much more mutable than on Earth. Hoffman said, “One objective now is to show we can run Moxie in all seasons.”
1. What can we learn about Moxie in this passage?| A．It fails in the seven-hour long test. |
| B．It performs worse in extreme weather. |
| C．It can improve the chance of survival on Moon. |
| D．It can produce oxygen from the atmosphere on Mars. |
| A．Negative. | B．Positive. |
| C．Indifferent. | D．Unclear. |
| A．To make Moxie more advanced. | B．To take a lead in this field. |
| C．To guarantee the need of oxygen. | D．To avoid bringing much stuff. |
| A．In a biography. | B．In a science fiction. |
| C．In a science magazine. | D．In chemistry textbooks. |
【推荐2】A gadget which makes water out of air could become the greatest household invention since the microwave.
Using the same technology as a dehumidifier (除湿器), the Water Mill is able to create a ready supply of drinking water because it can always get it from an unlimited source — the air.
The company behind the machine says not only does it offer an alternative to bottled water in developed countries, but it is a solution for the millions who face a daily water shortage.
The machine works by drawing in wet air through a filter (过滤器) and over a cooling instrument which changes it into water droplets. It can produce up to 12 liters a day. The Water Mill will also produce more water when storms pass over, as the amount of water which is contained in the air increases. In keeping with its eco-development, the machine uses the same amount of electricity as three lights.
Inventor Jonathan Ritchey said: “The demand for water is off the chart. So people are looking for freedom from water distribution systems that are shaky and unreliable.”
The machine, which is about 3 feet wide, is likely to cost￡800 when it goes on sale here in the spring. Its maker, Canadian Firm Element Four, roughly calculates that a liter of water costs around 20p to produce.
Environmentalists state that half the world’s population will face water shortage because of climate change by 2080. One in five is said to lack access to safe drinking.
The Water Mill is not effective in areas where the amount of water contained in the air is below about 30 percent, but in Britain that won’t be much of a problem.
1. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Water Mill. | B．Invention. |
| C．Microwave. | D．Drinking water. |
| A．It absorbs steam and turns it into water. |
| B．It is very expensive for families to afford. |
| C．It works in the same way as microwaves. |
| D．It helps to make the water clean to drink. |
| A．A New Way to Solve Water Problem | B．A Dehumidifier to Produce Water |
| C．A Machine to Make Water out of Air | D．An Absolutely New Invention |
【推荐3】According to a report by the World Health Organization, there are currently 285 million people in the world who are visually disadvantaged. Among those, 39 million people are blind whereas 246 million people are living with low vision of some kind. Accessibility options can be improved with a simple walking stick, but life is still full of obstacles (障碍) for those people.
To help this visually-challenged population, Chandigarh University’s student Lovelesh Dutt has developed a smart stick which helps them with their day-to-day activities, ensuring that their visual problem doesn’t prevent them from living a life of joy.
Based on artificial intelligence, the smart stick has a number of features. For example, if any kind of object or animal or even human comes in the way of the user, then the stick. will generate a warning sound, besides producing vibrations (震动), making the user aware of the object coming in front of them.
Dutt explains that the AI-based smart stick is connected to the GPS system, which provides information about the location of the user to their family. Besides, the stick draws its power from the sun with the help of a solar panel mounted on it, thus removing the problem of charging it.
“The stick has an inbuilt emergency SOS network. In case of any emergency, the user can press the button on the stick, which will automatically send an SOS message to the police and family members along with the location of the user. Also, if anyone tries to harm the user, the inbuilt device at the bottom of the stick will give a shock of 400 kv to the offender, allowing the blind person to protect themselves,” he says.
There is more to Dutt than just the smart stick. With exceptional performance in the field of research and innovation, Dutt is providing free technology and research education to poor children. Furthermore, his work towards women’s safety and self-reliance is leading the charge for a safer society for women.
1. What does paragraph 1 intend to tell us about visually-challenged people?| A．Their global numbers. | B．Their levels of visibility. |
| C．The causes of their problem. | D．The need to improve their well-being. |
| A．Preventing them from running into barriers. | B．Planning a route for them to their destination. |
| C．Helping them call the doctor in emergencies. | D．Enabling them to talk with family members. |
| A．A self-defensive weapon. | B．A charging port. | C．An alarm network. | D．A GPS system. |
| A．Self-reliant. | B．Business-talented. | C．Socially responsible. | D．Environmentally focused. |
【推荐1】A man paralyzed (瘫痪的) in 2011 has regained the ability to stand and walk with the help of implants (植入物) placed in his brain and spinal cord (脊髓).
The patient, 40-year-old Gert-Jan Oskam of the Netherlands, was told he would never walk again after a biking accident. Now, using the implants, “we’ve read the thoughts of Oskam and translated these thoughts into stimulation of the spinal cord to reestablish voluntary movement,” said Gregoire Courtine, a neuroscientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
The technology “enables natural control over the movements of his legs to stand, walk, and climb stairs,” the study authors write. Oskam can walk more than 330 feet at once and stand for several minutes without using his hands for support. “A few months ago, I was able, for the first time after over ten years, to stand up and have a beer with my friends,” Oskam says. “That was pretty cool.”
The new technique involved placing two implants in Oskam’s brain. When he wants to move, the implants read his brain signals and send that information to sensors on a device on his head. A computer uses these signals to predict how Oskam intends to move, then turns his intentions into commands and sends these commands to another implant in the spinal cord. Finally, the spinal implant stimulates Oskam’s muscles according to his intended movement. Through this “digital bridge,” the researchers re-opened a line of communication between Oskam’s brain and spinal cord.
For now, the device is still at the experimental stage. Next, the researchers would like to be able to make the device’s hardware, which Oskam carries in a backpack, more compact (小巧的). They hope the technology can one day be used to help people regain the capacity for other movements and bodily functions. Harvey Sihota, CEO of the U.K. charity Spinal Research, says the technology still has a long way to go before becoming available to the public, but the results are “very encouraging.”
1. How might Oskam feel after the implants were put in?| A．Cheerful. | B．Secure. | C．Disappointed. | D．Uncomfortable. |
| A．The brain implants. | B．Sensors on his head. |
| C．A computer. | D．The spinal implant. |
| A．Mass-produce it. | B．Test it on a larger sample size. |
| C．Explore its other functions. | D．Improve its hardware. |
| A．Brain implants cure paralyzed man completely |
| B．Paralyzed man walks again using his thoughts |
| C．Digital bridge connects paralyzed men closely |
| D．New technology offers hope for biking accident victims |
【推荐2】Neurotech—new, potentially revolutionary technology—promises to transform our lives. With all the global challenges of today, we need revolutionary technology to help the world cope.
There are different types of neurotech some are invasive, some are not. Invasive brain-computer interfaces involve placing microelectrodes or other kinds of neurotech materials directly onto the brain or even embedding them into the neural tissue. Such technology has already improved the quality of life and abilities of people with different illnesses or impairments, from epilepsy to Parkinson's Disease to chronic pain.
There is also noninvasive neurotech that can be used for similar applications. For example, researchers have developed wearables to infer a person's intended speech or movement. These are already quite impressive, but there is also neurolech that really pushes the envelope. Not only can it sense or read neurodata but it can also modulate (调节)—invasively and noninvasively. This research is still in early stages, but it's advancing rapidly.
As neurotech becomes more commonplace, we must consider the risks it might present, the morals around it, and the necessary regulation. We have to anticipate and deal with the implications related to the development and use of this technology. Any neurotech applications should consider potential consequences for the autonomy, privacy, responsibility, consent, integrity and dignity of a person.
What if someone were to face employment discrimination because the algorithms (算法) that power a, neurotech application used for hiring misinterpret his or her neurodata? What if a criminal gets a hold of the previous or current neurodata of the secretary of defense and steals top secret information? Concerns increase when we are not just monitoring someone's neurodata but also interpreting it, decoding the person's thoughts- with implications for accuracy and mental privacy.
One tricky aspect is that most of the neurodata generated by the nervous systems is unconscious. It means it is very possible to unknowingly or unintentionally provide neurotech with information that one otherwise wouldn't. So, in some applications of neurotech, the presumption of privacy within one's own mind may simply no longer be a certainty.
As new, emerging technology, neurotech challenges corporations, researchers and individuals to reaffirm our
commitment to responsible innovation, it's essential to enforce guardrails (防护措施) so that they lead to beneficial long-term outcomes—on company, national and interactional levels. We need to ensure that researchers and manufacturers of neurotech as well as policymakers and consumers approach it responsibly. Let's act now to avoid any future risks as neurotech matures—for the benefit of humanity.
1. The first two paragraphs mainly ________.| A．stress the originality of neurotech |
| B．compare the functions of neurotech |
| C．prove the effectiveness of neurotech |
| D．introduce the development of neurotech |
| A．Noninvasive neurotech is much better than invasive one. |
| B．Messages within one's mind can be safer with neurotech. |
| C．Having neurodata analyzed brings about risks to privacy. |
| D．Proper rules have already been set to deal with neurodata. |
| A．use neurotechnology in a responsible way |
| B．avoid neurotech for the benefit of mankind |
| C．interpret all neurodata to improve accuracy |
| D．help develop more noninvasive applications |
| A．Neurotech Has Long-term Benefits |
| B．Neurotech Meets Moral Challenges |
| C．Neurotech Becomes Commonplace |
| D．Neurotech Transforms Human Lives |
【推荐3】Wouldn’t it be wonderful to travel to a foreign country without having to worry about the headache of communicating in a different language?
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, technology policy expert Alec Ross argued that, within ten years or so, we would be able to communicate with one another through small earpieces with built-in microphones. That’s because technological progress is extremely fast. It’s only a matter of time. Such is the belief among certain parents that the technology is imminent and they’re wondering if their kids should learn a second language.
It’s true that an increase in the quantity and accuracy of the data loaded into computers will make them cleverer at translating “Noes Bueno dormer mucho” into “It’s not good to sleep too much”. Replacing a word with its equivalent (对等词) in the target language is actually the easy part of a translator’s job. But even this seems to be a difficult job for computers.
It’s so hard for computers because translation doesn’t — or shouldn’t — involve simply translating words, sentences or paragraphs. Rather, it’s about translating meaning. And in order to infer meaning from a specific expression, people need to understand a lot of information all at once. Think about all the related clues that help us understand what someone is trying to say: volume, gesture, situations, and even your culture. All are likely to convey as much meaning as the words you use.
Therefore, we should doubt a machine that can’t understand our world like we do. If people from different cultures can upset each other without realizing it, how can we expect a machine to do better? Unless engineers actually find a way to breathe a soul into a computer, undoubtedly when it comes to conveying and interpreting meaning using a natural language, a machine will never fully take our place.
1. What does the underlined word “imminent” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Ready. | B．Confusing. | C．Unpractical. | D．Coming. |
| A．The real meaning of words can vary. |
| B．Their data is not rich enough. |
| C．Their accuracy needs big improvement. |
| D．A man’s soul hasn’t been breathed in them. |
| A．Proper translation can be difficult for computers. |
| B．Slight differences doesn’t matter in translation. |
| C．Machines will translate our world properly. |
| D．Cultures need more attention than words used. |
| A．An Expert’s Prediction. | B．Travel without Headache. |
| C．The Pleasure of Translation. | D．Will the Language Barrier (障碍) Actually Fall? |
【推荐1】The National Gallery
Description:
The National Gallery is the British national art museum built on the north side of Trafalgar Square in London. It houses a diverse collection of more than 2,300 examples of European art ranging from 13th-century religious paintings to more modern ones by Renoir and Van Gogh. The older collections of the gallery are reached through the main entrance while the more modern works in the East Wing are most easily reached from Trafalgar Square by a ground floor entrance.
Layout:
The modern Sainsbury Wing on the western side of the building houses 13th- to 15th-century paintings, and artists include Duccio, Uccello, Van Eyck, Lippi, Mantegna, Botticelli and Memling.
The main West Wing houses 16th-century paintings, and artists include Leonardo da Vinci , Cranach, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bruegel, Bronzino, Titian and Veronese.
The North Wing houses 17th-century paintings, and artists include Caravaggio, Rubens, Poussin, Van de Dyck, Velázquez, Claude and Vermeer.
The East Wing houses 18th- to early 20th-century paintings, and artists include Canaletto, Goya, Turner, Constable, Renoir and Van Gogh.
Opening Hours:
The Gallery is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm (Fridays 10 am to 9 pm ) and is free, but charges apply to some special exhibitions.
Getting There:
Nearest underground stations: Charing Cross (2-minute walk), Leicester Square (3-minute walk), Embankment (7-minute walk), and Piccadilly Circus (8-minute walk).
1. In which wing can you see religious paintings?| A．In the West Wing | B．In the North Wing |
| C．In the East Wing | D．In the Sainsbury Wing |
| A．The National Gallery is the biggest British national art museum. |
| B．The Gallery is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. |
| C．The Gallery is completely free. |
| D．There are four exhibition areas in the National Gallery. |
| A．A museum guide. | B．An artist magazine. |
| C．A news report. | D．A tourist map. |
【推荐2】When you’ve finished your studies at school and college, do you feel like a well-earned rest? If you’re about to embark on a course at university, you’ll want to recharge your batteries and have some fun. But how long should you do that for? Now the idea of taking a year off before you move into further education seems to be the thing to do.
A year off—also called a gap year—is not a new concept, but there’s now a focus on making the most of this break from academic life. Long gone are the days of just hanging out on a beach or backpacking round the world. While that is still an option, a gap year is now more about gaining skills that will help you in later life. The BBC’s Smart Consumer podcast spoke to a student called Meg, who said “I just always had in the back of my mind I’d spend a year doing something productive and something that would just be good fun.”
Doing something productive is exactly what students are being encouraged to do because doing more purposeful things like work experience or charity work helps them acquire skills to use when competing for a place at university. It looks good on their CV and ultimately makes them more employable.
While the benefits of taking a gap year are clear to see, some students worry they can’t afford it. Another student, Tom, told the BBC that to him, a gap year was an ‘alien concept’. He said “it would have been far too expensive and it’s not something that I would have been able to rely on my parents or family members for.” But some experts say that it needn’t burn a hole in your pocket; you don’t need to travel far and you can even earn money by doing paid work.
For those who do have the funds, a combination of working, volunteering and travelling is undoubtedly an amazing opportunity. It increases confidence and independence, gives you a chance to learn new crafts, and gives you time to contemplate whether university is right for you.
1. What is the new focus of “taking a gap year”?| A．Hanging out on a beach. |
| B．Backpacking round the world. |
| C．Spending time trying challenges. |
| D．Gaining useful skills for future life. |
| A．To make them capable in later life. |
| B．To get the best result in the competition. |
| C．To enrich the experience of doing voluntary work. |
| D．To gain the sense of achievement during the participation. |
| A．They approve of it. | B．They are against it. |
| C．They are indifferent to it. | D．They think it unworthy. |
| A．You must go to university after taking a gap year. |
| B．A gap year makes sense if you have the fund to take. |
| C．All students can afford a gap year if they prefer to. |
| D．Fund is the most important factor for taking a gap year. |
【推荐3】Some large American companies, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, are experimenting with cutting pay for employees working from home in less costly areas.
The experiment could set a direction for other large companies after the pandemic. A Google pay calculator shows that Google employees could see changes in their pay if they go from working in the office to working from home permanently. Those who move farther away from the office could be hit harder.
Facebook and Twitter have also cut pay for work-from-home, or remote employees who move to less costly areas. Google offers a pay calculator—a device that permits them to see the effects of a move. But some remote employees, especially those who commute from long distances, could experience pay cuts without changing their address. A Google spokesperson said that pay will differ from city to city and state to state, adding that Google always pays at the top of the local market based on where an employee works from.
One Google employee travels to the Seattle office from a nearby area. The employee was considering remote work but decided to keep going to the office-despite the two-hour trip. The employee would likely see their pay cut by about 10 percent by working from home full time. "It's as high of a pay cut as I got for my most recent promotion. I didn't do all that hard work to get promoted to then take a pay cut," he said.
Jake Rosenfeld of Washington University researches pay structures. He said Google's pay structure worries employees about the effects on their families. "What's clear is that Google doesn't have to do this," He said. "It's not like they can't afford to pay their workers who choose to work remotely the same that they are used to receiving."
1. Who would be likely to get their pay cut mostly?| A．Employees working in the office. | B．Employees living in less costly areas. |
| C．Employees commuting from long distances. | D．Employees working at home temporarily. |
| A．Working places. | B．Living places. | C．Contributions. | D．Working hours. |
| A．He wants another promotion. | B．He keeps working at the office. |
| C．He will see his pay cut soon. | D．He prefers working at home |
| A．He is for Google's pay structure | B．He is against Google's pay structure. |
| C．He encourages home working. | D．He advocates working remotely |
