1 . Bill Sumiel was having a tough Friday. The 71-year-old, who was
Uber driver Timothy Letts took Sumiel as his
As they neared Sumiel’s home, Letts
On Dec 7, 2021, they had their surgeries. It was a
A.dealing with | B.taking up | C.engaging in | D.crashing into |
A.drivers | B.matches | C.doctors | D.signs |
A.trial | B.meeting | C.trip | D.task |
A.colleague | B.friend | C.passenger | D.neighbor |
A.denied | B.kept | C.recorded | D.shared |
A.turning out | B.searching for | C.originating from | D.coexisting with |
A.confused | B.inspired | C.annoyed | D.surprised |
A.excited | B.proud | C.disappointed | D.embarrassed |
A.Therefore | B.However | C.Besides | D.Afterward |
A.touched | B.cheated | C.hurt | D.saddened |
A.word | B.name | C.action | D.vision |
A.months | B.weeks | C.hours | D.years |
A.ignored | B.promoted | C.contacted | D.launched |
A.unique | B.perfect | C.rare | D.weak |
A.test | B.challenge | C.risk | D.success |
2 . When you hear the word “artificial intelligence”, the first thing that comes to mind is robotics, but what truly is artificial intelligence and what does the future hold for it? Artificial intelligence is any device or machine that mimics cognitive (认知的) functions humans associate with the human mind, such as learning and problem solving. Examples of artificial intelligence in our day to day lives include: Siri, Google, advertising and so much more. Every industry is incorporating (吸收/包含) artificial intelligence into its back bone.
Currently, the effects of artificial intelligence seem all positive. Artificial intelligence will lead to more new and important discoveries in the future, through its predictive modelling. In 2017, NASA reported the discovery of an eight-planet solar system with the help of AI. It can also predict the emergence of any new virus, disease or epidemic and discover a corresponding drug to treat it by accessing and analyzing multiple sets of data. This in turn will help the healthcare industry develop Al programs that will improve longevity and predict the time of the first sign of diseases, improve drug research processes and assist doctors in diagnosis.
However, there are still a lot of public concerns. An article titled “The Future of Work” gives a practical view on the influence of artificial intelligence and automation in our job industry. It predicts that by 2030, job losses will reach a rate of twenty nine percent, with an even lesser job creation percentage of thirteen percent. In 2014, a chat bot known as Eugene Goostman passed the Turing test, making judges think it was a human and leading to a lot of raised concerns. Does this mean that with future research, robots can insert themselves smoothly into our environment? It gives people a lot of food for thought.
The future of artificial intelligence is both fascinating and alarming. Privacy laws and security guidelines should be reviewed to protect everyone from vulnerability (脆弱性). Still if researches continue to be done with exposure and responsibility, the balance would not tip in favor of the negative.
1. According to the passage, AI can be used ________.A.to reduce job creation |
B.to insert themselves smoothly into our lives |
C.to make scientific breakthrough |
D.to prevent the emergence of new virus, disease or epidemic |
A.to introduce a new way to cure any disease. |
B.to explain the value of artificial intelligence. |
C.to show the effectiveness of artificial intelligence treatment. |
D.to discuss the possibility of artificial intelligence replacing doctors. |
A.Currently, there are more negative effects caused by AI. |
B.More researches are needed in order to further develop AI. |
C.It’s very difficult to balance the exposure and responsibility in researches. |
D.It's possible to reduce the negative effects of AI in the future. |
A.Artificial Intelligence will change the future. |
B.The future needs regulation of Artificial Intelligence. |
C.Artificial Intelligence has made scientific breakthroughs. |
D.Artificial Intelligence does more harm than good to humans. |
3 . Salad is good for you, generally speaking, so growing fresh greens in orbit seems like a winning way for space workers to stay healthy. New research suggests that as nutritious as space salad might be, it could pose something of a risk to astronauts.
The problem is growing leafy plants like lettuce (生菜) in space can come with a side dish of bacteria (细菌), according to a new study from a team at the University of Delaware. In tests on plants grown in modeled micro-gravity, they were shown to actually be more sensitive than normal to the Salmonella enterica (SE) (沙门氏菌).
We know that the International Space Station (ISS) is home to a lot of aggressive bacteria, and if these space virus were to cause widespread sickness in an astronaut crew, it would mean lives were at risk. “You don’t want the whole mission to fail just because of a food safety outbreak,” says plant biologist Harsh Bais from the University of Delaware.
Bais and his colleagues used a device to perform some clever rotation tricks in the lab, putting lettuce plants into a similar state as they would be in micro-gravity. They then added SE bacteria to the leaves. What was interesting — and surprising — was that the tiny stomata (气孔) in the lettuce opened up to allow the bacteria to get in. Ordinarily, the job of the stomata is to keep dangerous attackers out, while at the same time helping the plant to breathe.
The researchers then added a more helpful species of bacteria, one that typically protects plants from external stressors. Again, the defense didn’t work in micro-gravity — suggesting there’s something about this state that disables the chemical reactions that the lettuce would normally use to keep itself safe.
Add in what we know about space bacteria being particularly tricky, and this is a potential problem. The team behind the study wants to see a lot more research into making sure our foodstuffs are safe outside of orbit.
1. Why can’t lettuce be grown in ISS?A.Its leaves takes up too much space. | B.It brings in illness-causing bacteria. |
C.It is only a side dish to astronauts. | D.It can’t grow well in micro-gravity. |
A.Negative. | B.Sensitive. | C.Enthusiastic. | D.Unconcerned. |
A.They kept lettuce from breathing. | B.They ensure the safety of lettuce. |
C.They failed to function as expected. | D.They stopped all bacteria coming in. |
A.SE, the Worst Bacteria in Space | B.Greens for Salad, a Risk in Space |
C.Lettuce, Plant Samples Used in Space | D.Food Safety, a Key Problem in Space |
4 . At just a few inches long and living on an affordable diet of flakes, goldfish are often viewed as the world’s most unnoticeable pet — a kind of gateway animal to prepare new caregivers for cats and dogs to come. But their blank stare and expression cover up a little-known and somewhat horrifying fact: Released into the wild and upping their caloric count goldfish can develop into massive fish, damaging local ecosystems.
According to The New York Times, the Great Lakes are currently suffering from an inflow of goldfish. They eat everything from algae (海藻) to plants to animals without backbones and can reach 16 inches to 19 inches in length, weighing in at 4 pounds. And all that consumption is destructive. The goldfish swallow plants that native fish eat. They also consume algae, which promotes further algae growth. Because they’re resistant to changing water temperatures, they can be lasting trouble. They are also forcing native fish out of their natural habitat.
Researchers have observed a significant increase in the goldfish population over the past few decades, a likely consequence of people releasing pets that then reproduce. It’s possible that tens of millions of goldfish now live in the Great Lakes; similar goldfish problems have also been observed in Australia.
Possible interventions include electrical currents that would kill the fish and netting to capture them and control the population in breeding grounds identified by tracking.
Goldfish grew popular in the U.S. in the late 19th century,when the U.S. Commission on Fisheries gave away thousands of them in Washington D.C They’re fairly crafty fish with the capacity to learn some simple tricks. Advocates say the typical fishbowl is too small for them and recommend a tank of at least 20 gallons per fish so they have room to move.
With the right environment, goldfish can reproduce fast and live for decades. But if you’re not interested in keeping them, experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggest donating them to a school, pet store, or interested party — not a local pond.
1. How can goldfish grow super big?A.By growing uninterruptedly in a tank. | B.By staying together with other fish. |
C.By living with considerate caregivers. | D.By eating enough food in a big lake. |
A.They eat up local fish. | B.They help keep biodiversity. |
C.They occupy the habitat of native fish. | D.They promote the spread of algae. |
A.Goldfish population is increasing fast. | B.Capturing goldfish becomes very difficult. |
C.Goldfish are growing too big to live in a tank . | D.Tracking goldfish’s breeding grounds is impossible. |
A.Pitiable. | B.Foxy. | C.Cute. | D.Popular. |
5 . Introduction to Drama Exams
Our exams inspire and enable learners across the globe to be confident communicators. Exams are open to anyone looking to gain confidence and experience in speech, communication and performance. There are no age restrictions. As one of the UK’s oldest and most respected drama schools and awarding organizations, we examine over 100,000 candidates and deliver exams both online and in person in many countries across the globe.
Now we are pleased to offer free, online “Introduction to Examinations” information session. Booking is now opening for events until Summer 2024.
Session Information | |
Fee | There isn’t a fee for this session, but you are required to book in advance. |
Dates | 6 February 2024, 6:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m; 20 March 2024, 4:00 p.m. — 5:30 p.m; 15 May 2024, 12:00 p.m. — 13:30 p.m; 9 July 2024, 8:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m. |
How to register | Fill in the form to book your place, including your email address and phone number, where you’ll be able to select which date you’d like to attend. |
The 1.5-hour session will begin with an “Introduction to Examinations”, their history and the format of assessment. Work will then focus on the subjects available to take, and will end with a O&A phase when participants will be invited to write in their questions to the host organizer.
If you have any questions regarding this, please email examscourses@lamda.ac.uk and we will be happy to help. Looking forward to seeing you online at this event.
1. What is an advantage of the drama exams?A.It is free of charge. | B.It offers flexible schedules. |
C.It puts restrictions on nationality. | D.It suits a wide range of people. |
A.Contact information. | B.Payment in advance. |
C.Education background. | D.Performance experience. |
A.By emailing it to the drama school. | B.By writing it down before the session. |
C.By proposing it at the beginning of the session. | D.By sending it to the host organizer in Q&A phase. |
6 . Artificial Intelligence (AI) has greatly sped up how long it takes to sort, label and analyze(分析) animal sounds—as well as to figure out which aspects of those sounds might carry meaning. One day we’ll be able to use AI to build a chat box that translates complex(复杂的) animal sounds into human language. Project CETI is just one organization working toward this goal.
“AI could eventually get us to the point where we understand animals, but that’s hard to deal with and long-term,” says Karen Bakker, a researcher at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. “Some species have been on the planet longer than humans. Some species could go extinct before we figure out their language,” Bakker adds. “Besides, the idea of walking around with an animal translator may seem cool, but many animals might not be interested in chatting.”
“Why would a bat want to speak to you?” she asks. What interests her is what we can learn from how bats and other creatures talk amongst each other.“We should listen to nature and ask the animals’ requirements in order to better protect them,” she argues. For example, a system set up to record whales or elephants can also track their locations. This can help our boats avoid whales or protect elephants from poachers (偷猎者).
Protection is one goal driving Project CETI. “If we understand sperm whales better, we will be better at understanding what’s troubling them,” says Gašper Beguš, a linguist at the University of California, Berkeley. Learning that a species has something very similar to language or culture could also inspire people to work harder to protect it.
When we protect an animal that has some version of language or culture, we’re not simply protecting nature and we’re also saving a way of life. Marine biologist Denise Herzing says that animals are supposed to have a healthy environment so that their cultures can develop well.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 1?A.We can tell the complex animal behavior. |
B.We will find ways to talk with animals. |
C.We can share our language with animals. |
D.We need conduct more research on animals. |
A.difficult. | B.costly. | C.harmful. | D.worthless. |
A.By learning about their needs. | B.By setting up shelters for them. |
C.By mapping out their locations. | D.By living peacefully with them. |
A.Animals’ culture should be given up. |
B.Saving nature means saving ourselves. |
C.Short-term and long-term goals need to be set. |
D.Animals should be in a healthy natural world. |
7 . What does Beijing’s Palace Museum look like at night? Many people don’t know the answer to this question, as it closes at around 4:30 p. m in winter and 5:00 p. m in summer. However, to celebrate the Lantern Festival, Beijing’s Palace Museum opened its door to the public after dark — for two nights only. That’s a first in 94 years!
Although people could get free tickets on the museum’s website, it was difficult to get a ticket. The website even stopped working for a while because too many people visited it at the same time. Zhang Zhifu, a 77-year-old woman, received a ticket from the museum as a gift. “I grew up in Beijing and I visited the Palace Museum every year, but I never got to see it at night, It is truly an honor.” She said.
In the past celebrating the Lantern Festival was a tradition for the imperial (皇帝的) family. “We want to pass the tradition on and give people more festival experience.” Sãid Shan Jixiong, the head of the Palace Museum. On the night of February 19th, 2019, about 3,000 visitors spent the Lantern Festival in the Palace Museum.
1. Beijing’s Palace Museum closes at around 4:30 p. m in ______.A.spring | B.summer | C.autumn | D.winter |
A.one night | B.two nights | C.three nights | D.four nights |
A.a huge number of visiters browse it at the same time |
B.there weren’t enough tickets |
C.too many people visited it at different time |
D.no body wanted to see the Palace Museum at night |
A.Because it has been a tradition for common people. |
B.Because the director of the Palace Museum allowed visitors to spend the festival there. |
C.Because 3,000 visitors got tickets online. |
D.Because the head of the Palace Museum gave them free tickets to celebrate the Lantern Festival in the Palace Museum. |
8 . A small group of brave and curious young Irish musicians have taken it upon themselves to save a tradition of songs. Their project aims to put the elders of a nearly-past generation in front of a microphone, to protect their songs and stories for musicians to hear and study for all time.
Some experts often pass warnings about how much oral tradition the human race loses to modernity every year. In Ireland, a country famous for its singers, the Song Collectors Collective (SCC) celebrates that history by honoring the people who have kept its roots alive. Most of them are from the reclusive (隐居的) traveler communities. Rather than simply collecting words, each song can be accessed only by exploring the life and story of the person who sang it for the SCC, or the so-called “Tradition Bearer”.
Take Freda Black, for example, a great-grandmother in her mid-eighties. She kept so many songs that she admitted she couldn’t possibly count them. She would go on to feature in the recently released album by a modern folk singer and SCC member, Sam Lee. “I love spending time at the knee of these elders,” Lee said. “I am very lucky. I catch an end of an era.”
“It is a common request for the songs and stories to be recorded and shared as the old ways are not being passed on and this huge store of knowledge of an ancient way of life is forgotten. In the current era of accessible recording technology, there is no excuse for not documenting and sharing this rich but fragile (脆弱的) tradition,” wrote the SCC.Having collected hundreds of recordings from dozens of singers, the SCC is beginning to host educational events, sharing the stories and singing voices for those interested in hearing them, as well as how people can become collectors in their own way.
1. How do those young Irish musicians save the tradition of songs?A.By spreading their new music styles. |
B.By recording old folk songs and related stories. |
C.By teaching young people to learn traditional songs. |
D.By improving the living conditions of elderly musicians. |
A.He is glad to keep a valuable tradition of music. |
B.His latest album carries the memory of his grandma. |
C.He is lucky to have got some help in learning music. |
D.His music is inspired by conversations with Freda Black. |
A.Market demand. | B.The support of famous musicians. |
C.High praise from the elderly. | D.Technological progress. |
A.Effective and interesting. | B.Successful but confusing. |
C.Necessary and meaningful. | D.Professional but dangerous. |
9 . Are you a fan of birds? If so, you may have admired their beautiful colors and sweet songs. But do you know these feathered friends can actually do more than that?
A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports finds that exposure to birds, either in the home or outdoors, can boost people’s moods.
Researchers at King’s College London used a smartphone app built by the school’s Urban Mind project to collect the real-time feelings of study participants upon seeing or hearing a bird. A total of 1,292 people living in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States participated in the study which was conducted between April 2018 and October 2021.
The app asked participants three times a day whether they could see or hear a bird followed by a series of questions on their mental well-being. Participants were also asked questions about whether they could see trees, plants or hear any water to see if people were experiencing better mental well-being due to being in or seeing nature, and not just because of exposure to birds.
According to the study, the mental well-being of study participants with and without depression was significantly improved after seeing a bird or hearing birdsong compared to not seeing or hearing a bird.
There is a growing number of studies that link spending time outdoors (either in green leafy places or next to bodies of water) to improved mental health. But there are few studies that look at how different aspects of nature can play into humans’ mental well-being.
And while the study adds to the small pile of research on birds and mental health, the report marks the first time researchers have studied the responses to birds and mental well-being in real-time, according to Ryan Hammoud, lead author of the study.
“They kind of examine nature as a single object when nature includes many different characteristics and features like trees, plants, water, birds,” said Hammoud, “We choose to focus on bird life to try and understand which specific characteristics of nature benefit mental well-being.”
1. What is the purpose of paragraph 1?A.To introduce a phenomenon. | B.To bring in the topic. |
C.To ask an interesting question. | D.To provide background information. |
A.By analyzing previous studies. | B.By observing the behavior of birds. |
C.By gathering feelings of participants. | D.By studying people’s effect on birds. |
A.Pioneering. | B.Interesting. | C.Conventional. | D.Practical. |
A.Bird watching has become a popular hobby. |
B.Exposure to birds can improve mental well-being. |
C.Nature is the best medicine for mental health issues. |
D.Spending time outdoors can impact mental health positively. |
10 . At time of crisis, we tend to turn inward. It seems like feeling better and
Research shows that we get
But do be
The tips won’t make the
A.avoids | B.allows | C.risks | D.requires |
A.wrong | B.secret | C.natural | D.scientific |
A.value | B.regard | C.promote | D.review |
A.freedom | B.wealth | C.assistance | D.happiness |
A.agree with | B.focus on | C.come across | D.stand for |
A.refer to | B.engage in | C.turn down | D.cut off |
A.activity | B.process | C.health | D.attention |
A.originally | B.previously | C.daily | D.remotely |
A.struggling | B.attacking | C.whispering | D.complaining |
A.honest | B.clear | C.polite | D.kind |
A.protect | B.express | C.shame | D.train |
A.expectations | B.forecasts | C.presentations | D.opportunities |
A.freedom | B.choice | C.occasion | D.damage |
A.ignoring | B.remembering | C.suggesting | D.reporting |
A.decisions | B.benefits | C.challenges | D.differences |