1 . Tests have shown robots can diagnose heart problems in as little as four seconds, as a review of artificial intelligence （Al） finds machines are now as good at spotting illness as doctors.
Analyzing a patient's heart function on a cardiac MRI （心脏磁共振成像）scan currently takes doctors around 13 minutes. But a new trial by University College London （UCL） showed an Al program could read the scans in less time with equal accuracy. There are approximately 150,000 such scans performed in the UK each year, and researchers estimate that fully using Al to read them could save 54 clinician-days （临床天数）at each cardiac centre per year. So it can make up for the shortage of doctors.
It is hoped that Al where computer systems are able to learn from data to identify new patterns with minimal human intervention will transform medicine by helping doctors spot dis- eases such as heart disease and cancer faster and earlier. However, most scans are still read by specially trained doctors.
Dr Charlotte Manisty, who led the UCL research, said, "Cardiovascular MRI offers in- comparable image quality for assessing heart structure and function. However, current manual analysis remains basic and outdated. Automated machine techniques offer the potential to change this and completely improve efficiency and accuracy, and we look forward to further research that could confirm the superiority to human analysis."
She added, “Our dataset of patients with a range of heart disease who received scans enabled us to demonstrate that the greatest sources of measurement errors arise from human factors. This indicates that automated techniques are at least as good as humans, with the potential soon to be 'super-human'—transforming clinical and research measurement precision."
Professor Alastair Denniston said, "Within those handful of high-quality studies, we found that by deep learning Al could indeed detect disease ranging from cancer to eye disease as accurately as health professionals. But it's important to note that it did not absolutely exceed human professional diagnosis. ”
1. Which of the following can best describe this Al program?| A．Time-consuming. | B．Environmentally friendly. |
| C．Extremely unpractical. | D．Labor-saving. |
| A．To treat eye disease faster and earlier. |
| B．To analyze heart disease efficiently and accurately. |
| C．To combine manual with automated analysis. |
| D．To confirm heart structure and function. |
| A．It would be super-human soon. |
| B．It couldn't completely replace expert doctors. |
| C．It would correct professionals' measurement errors. |
| D．It couldn't detect cancer as accurately as health professionals. |
| A．Al has many shortcomings in practice. |
| B．Al totally shows its superiority to human analysis. |
| C．Al can reduce medical errors arising from human factors. |
| D．Al can diagnose heart disease as well as doctors in less time. |
2 . The Master Gardener Foundation
Aim
The Master Gardener Foundation provides free information to the public on environmentally safe gardening practices and water conservation. The information is research-based and encourages limited use of farm chemicals and fertilizers.
Donation Activities
The master gardeners here did much donation work. They donated over 35,000 volunteer hours, serving 40,000 adults and more than 5,200 children. They did this through about 35 plant clinics, 6 demonstration gardens, 4 youth gardens, as well as a classroom program and dozens of workshops. The Master Gardener Foundation provides roughly two-thirds of the financial support for all these valuable activities.
Washington State University currently provides the salary and benefits of the Master Gardener Program. The foundation funds office space and supplies, as well as a part-time program assistant.
The Master Gardener Program
Safe and green gardening and water use practices are vital to preserving our environment. The Master Gardener Program seeks to provide this kind of education and information to the citizens for free. It is a highly successful example of cooperation between a foundation and volunteers.
Waiting for Your Donations
The Master Gardener Foundation is a non-profit organization, and all donations are allowed by law and support the Master Gardener Program and activities.
Please consider a donation to the Master Gardener Foundation and help keep our environment green!
1. What does the underlined word "this" in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Science research. | B．Adopting children. |
| C．Donation work. | D．Sparing volunteer hours. |
| A．It's very expensive. |
| B．It proves to be unsuccessful. |
| C．It provides education just in producing farm chemicals. |
| D．It's a bridge between the foundation and volunteers. |
| A．To encourage donations. |
| B．To describe volunteer work. ' |
| C．To spread the agricultural knowledge. |
| D．To give some suggestions to gardeners. |
3 . Language learning apps are very popular now and offer opportunities to learn vocabulary and practice grammar. But there has been a discussion about just how effective such apps can be.
Among the most popular apps are Duolingo and Busuu. A former research found positive results on the use of them. But it mainly concentrated on studies with learners who had signed up for language courses and these apps worked as an after-class support, so the results were not always reliable. A recent study of 4,095 Busuu users has been carried out to find out if users can actually learn a language with an app.
Busuu provides learning materials for 12 different languages. It offers special models where some contents are ready for use for free while some contents are not. We find that its users are an even mix of men and women. More than half consider themselves to be at the beginner level because there is a reduction in users as their language levels go up. Most people use the app because of personal interest, or because they want to study or live abroad. Female users are likely to use it less often but for longer periods of time than male users.
Feedback in the app is highly thought of. More than 92% of the users say that the app has met their expectations and 86% consider the app as very good or good. In fact, more than 80% of the users surveyed strongly agree that using the app has helped them improve their knowledge of the language they are learning.
Besides, language learning apps also create an environment where mistakes are only known to the users, and this can address the performance nervousness that many learners suffer from when asked to speak a foreign language. So language teachers should encourage their students to use them to do the grammar work, leaving precious class time for more language communication.
1. What's the reason why the results of the former research weren't always reliable?| A．It was only carried out before class. |
| B．It only considered users of a limited（有限的）kind. |
| C．It just focused on positive results. |
| D．It used out-of-date methods. |
| A．All the contents are free to use. |
| B．Most users consider it satisfying. |
| C．It's used by more advanced learners. |
| D．It's more popular with female learners. |
| A．Deal with. | B．Write down. |
| C．Turn to. | D．Speak of. |
| A．Students won't suffer nervousness in learning languages by using Busuu. |
| B．Language learning apps are effective and satisfactory to language learners. |
| C．Language learning apps are very popular with most language teachers. |
| D．Students should be required to use apps for homework after class. |
4 . World’s Best Summer Festivals
The Governors Music Festival
A relative newcomer to the summer music festival scene, the Governors Ball offers a variety of performers and a taste of New York culture. Visitors can catch sets from rock, electronic, and performers, all while tasting food from popular New York City restaurants. To take a break from the music, festival goers can participate in activities such as Silent Disco or lawn(草坪)games.
WHERE: New York City
WHEN: June 3-5
Roskilde
Created by two Danish college students, Roskilde has developed from a hippie gathering ground to a mainstream music festival. The festival attracts an international following and features performances from more than watch their favorite artists perform inside large tents.
WHERE: Roskilde, Denmark
WHEN: June 25-July 2
Montreux Jazz Festival
Set on Lake Geneva’s beautiful shoreline, the Montreux Jazz Festival attracts a global audience. Founded in 1967 as a jazz-only festival, Montreux has since evolved into a two-week-long showcase that attracts more than 200,000 music enthusiasts. Performances don’t end on the shore; visitors can catch themed shows from boats and train cars.
WHERE: Montreux, Switzerland
WHEN: July 1-16
Rock al Parque
Rock al Parque is proud of an attendance of 88,600 visitors a day. Most music festivals require tickets, but the participation in the three-day festival is free of charge. Festival-goers line up to watch performances from some of Latin America’s most popular artists, but the festival also offers sets from international bands.
WHERE: Bogota, Colombia
WHEN: July 2-4
1. What will you do at the Governors Ball Festival?| A．Dance in local restaurants | B．Take part in relaxing activities. |
| C．Watch performances from boats. | D．Enjoy food from the whole country. |
| A．It lasts the longest time |
| B．Its contemporary Jazz is popular |
| C．It provides themed shows to visitors |
| D．Its foundation originates with two college students. |
| A．Roskilde | B．Rock al Parque |
| C．Montreux Jazz Festival | D．The Governors Music Festival |
5 . Artificial intelligence (Al) is practically everywhere today. There are so many products out there which use Al. Some are being developed, some are already in use, and some failed and are being improved, so it’s very difficult to name a few of them and regard them as the best.
Vi
It is an Al personal trainer which is mainly concerned with fitness and coaching. It, however, requires the use of bio-sensing earphones and other fitness tracking equipment! It can play your favourite music while you work out and all you have to worry about is the exercise you're doing.
Deep Text
Do you ever wonder how an ad appears suddenly just when you are looking for something similar? This is because of Deep Text. It uses real-time consumer information to produce data which in turn is used to target consumers. Thus, if you search online for flight tickets from Bangalore to Delhi, it is very likely that an ad relating to hotels in Delhi will soon follow.
Hello Egg
If you live alone and miss your mother because you always miss your breakfast or don’t know what to eat for dinner, then Hello Egg is exactly what you are looking for. A very healthy choice of the 2-minute noodles and oats, Hello Egg provides you with a detailed weekly meal plan about the needs of your body. It is truly a modern AI-powered home cooking tool for the young.
Wordsmith
You can put Mr. Smith into your Microsoft Excel using their free API, and let it write up detailed analysis of the stories behind your numbers. It can produce detailed reports on thousands of pages of spreadsheets in seconds.
1. What can we learn about Vi from the text?| A．It is an AI music player. |
| B．It is a bio-sensing earphone. |
| C．It doesn't work without bio-sensing earphones. |
| D．It can make you more energetic while you work out. |
| A．Deep Text. | B．Vi. |
| C．Wordsmith. | D．Hello Egg. |
| A．Produce a detailed report. | B．Provide us with a detailed meal plan. |
| C．Book a ticket ahead of time. | D．Offer us information on hotels for traveling. |
6 . Companies that employ workers have an interest in keeping the workplace safe.Job-related injuries are something that responsible employers avoid.They take the time and use company resources to make sure that the people who come to work each day are safe.
Not only does this make good sense from a moral standpoint,but it also makes good financial sense.If a worker is injured on the job,it costs the company in terms of lost mam tours,increased insurance costs,worker’s compensation premiums（赔偿金）,and legal posts.
Productivity is lost when other workers have to stop doing their jobs to deal with the situation.Even after the injured worker has been sent home or taken to hospital,other employees may be unfocused or need to take time off from work in the result of the incident.
When a workplace is safe,workers feel more comfortable and confident when they are in that environment. Productivity gets a promotion,and profits follow suit.Absence also drops when employers take steps to carry out an effective safety program.
Investing in a good safety program brings with it other benefits too.When employees feel safe in the workplace and absence rates are kept down,they can focus on serving the company’s customers properly.Many companies offer produces or services that are similar to those that other companies carry or provide.Customers will decide which companies they want to deal with based on which one they feel provides the best customer service.Increased absence means longer wait times and customers are quite prepared to move on to another company they feel will be able to help them in a more timely manner if they are not getting the level of attention that they deserve.
Everyone in the workplace has a duty and a responsibility to do whatever they can to keep the working environment safe.Managers should deal with employee concerns about safely issues in an appropriate manner.
1. What bad effect does an incident have according to the text?| A．Workers may refuse to work again. |
| B．The quality of products may decline. |
| C．Workers may be hard to concentrate. |
| D．The company may close down. |
| A．It can inspire workers’ creativity. |
| B．It can bring workers a higher pay. |
| C．It can put an end to worker’ absence. |
| D．It can bring the employer more money. |
| A．If they can’t get a safer product. |
| B．If they have to wait for a long time to get deserved attention. |
| C．If they feel the company can’t provide a safer workplace for them. |
| D．If they find the company provides the some products as others offer. |
| A．How Employees Can Protect Themselves |
| B．Companies Are Ensuring Employees’ Safety |
| C．Why Safety Is Important in the Workplace |
| D．How to Create a Safer Workplace |
The people who built the pyramids made lots of secret doors and rooms to stop robbers from finding the treasures inside. However, there always have been some smart thieves in history. Now, almost all of Egypt’s pyramids have been robbed, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest pyramid in the world. It is the only one of the ancient wonders of the world that is still standing.
In AD 820, an Arab king named Abdullah AL Manum got a group of workers to dig their way into the Great Pyramid and have a look. Inside the pyramid, they found three rooms --- the Queen’s Chamber, the Grand Gallery and the King’s Chamber. But to their surprise, the men didn’t find the treasures they wanted. The Queen’s and King’s Chambers were both empty! Where were the King’s mummy and his treasures? Had someone already taken them away? The huge stone doors at the pyramid’s entrance were still closed when AL Manum’s men went inside. How had the thieves got in and out?
Since then, many people have gone inside the Great Pyramid to have a look or to try to take things. But still, no other chambers or walkways have been found.
In 2002, an American team made the most recent visit to the Great Pyramid. Scientists sent a robot into the pyramid, but they only found a mysterious locked stone door.
1. The first two paragraphs were written to show that ________.
| A．the Pyramid of the Sun is an unusual historic building |
| B．ancient Egyptian emperors were cruel |
| C．construction workers led a hard life in ancient Egypt |
| D．the secrets of the pyramids remain to be uncovered |
| A．It is the largest pyramid in the world. |
| B．It is the only one of the ancient wonders that is still standing. |
| C．Abdullah AL Manum took the King’s mummy and his treasures away. |
| D．Scientists found a mysterious locked stone door to the Great Pyramid. |
| A．The Pyramid of the Sun |
| B．The Great Pyramid of Khufu |
| C．A Mysterious Locked Stone Door |
| D．Unlocking the Doors of History |
What is an Oyster card?
Oyster is the easiest way to pay for journeys on the bus，Tube，tram，Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and National Rail journeys in London You can store your travel cards, Bus & Tram Pass, season tickets and credit to pay for journeys as you go.
Where to get an Oyster card?
There are a number of ways for you to get an Oyster card:
• At over 3,900 Oyster Ticket stops
• At Tube and London Overground station ticket offices
• At some National Rail stations
• At London Travel information Centres
• Online at tfl. gov. uk/oyster
How to use an Oyster card?
To pay the correct fare on the Tube , DLR, London Overground and National Rail services, you must always touch in on the yellow Oyster card reader at the start of your journey, and touch out at the end. If you don’t, a maximum cash Oyster fare will be charged. When using the bus or tram, you must only touch in at the start, but not at the end of your journey.
What happens if I don’t visit London very often?
Don’t worry. Any pay as you go credit on your card will not expire (过期)，so you can keep it for your next visit or lend it to a friend.
Fares
Traveling by Tube from Central London (Zone l)to Heathrow (Zone 6)
Adult Oyster single fare
£ 4. 20 Monday to Friday 06:30 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 19:00
£ 2. 70 at all other times including public holidays
Adult single cash fare £ 5.00
For further information，visit tfl.gov. uk /fares.
1. You can get an Oyster card at the following places EXCEPT ________.
| A．on the website | B．at an Oyster Ticket stop |
| C．at a post office | D．at a Tube station |
| A．They are limited in use to the owners themselves. |
| B．On National Rail services you must touch them on the reader twice. |
| C．They are not suitable for those who don’t visit London often. |
| D．Oyster card Tube fares cost more on public holidays than on weekdays. |
| A．£ 18.90 | B．£ 29.40 | C．£21.90 | D．£ 26.40 |
| A．magazine | B．travel brochure |
| C．textbook | D．novel |
Changing fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste.Many women spend vast sums of money each year to replace clothes that have hardly been worn. Women who cannot afford to throw away clothing in this way, waste hours of their time altering the dresses they have. Skirts are lengthened or shortened; necklines are lowered or raised, and so on.
No one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society. Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth, comfort and durability(耐用). They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort, as long as they look right. There can hardly be a man who hasn't at some time in his life smiled at the sight of a woman shaking in a thin dress on a winter day, or delicately picking her way through deep snow in high-heeled shoes.
When comparing men and women in the matter of fashion,
1. To the writer, the fact that women alter their old-fashioned dresses is seen as______.
| A．a waste of money | B．a waste of time |
| C．an expression of taste | D．an expression of creativity |
| A．cost | B．appearance |
| C．comfort | D．suitability |
| A．New fashions in clothing are created for the commercial exploitation of women. |
| B．The constant changes in women's clothing reflect their strength of character. |
| C．The fashion industry makes an important contribution to society. |
| D．Fashion designs should not be encouraged since they are only welcomed by women. |
| A．women's inconstancy in their choice of clothing is often laughed at |
| B．women are better able to put up with discomfort |
| C．men are also exploited greatly by fashion designers |
| D．men are more stable and reliable in character |
Ebola is both rare and very deadly. Since the first outbreak in 1976, Ebola viruses have infected thousands of people and killed roughly killed 60 percent of them. Symptoms can come on quickly and kill fast.
The current outbreak started in Guinea sometime in late 2013 or early 2014. It has since spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia, including some capital cities. And one infected patient traveled on a plane to Nigeria, where he spread the disease to several others and then died. Cases have also popped up in various other countries throughout the world, including in Dallas and New York City in the United States.
The Ebola virus has now hit many countries, including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, and the United States. The virus, which starts off with flu-like symptoms and sometimes ends with bleeding, has infected about 6,500 people and killed more than 3,000 since this winter, according to the World Health Organization on September 30, 2014.
There are some social and political factors contributing to the current disaster. Because this is the first major Ebola outbreak in West Africa, many of the region’s health workers didn’t have experience or training in how to protect themselves or care for patients with this disease.
Journalist David Quammen put it well in a recent New York Times article, “Ebola is more dangerous to humans than perhaps any known virus on Earth, except rabies(狂犬病) and HIV. And it does its damage much faster than either.”
Hopefully, researchers are working to find drugs, including a recent $50 million push at the National Institutes of Health. And scientists are working on vaccines(疫苗), including looking into ones that might be able to help wild chimpanzees, which are also susceptible to the disease. The first human Ebola vaccine trial is scheduled to start in the spring of 2015.
1. According to the passage, which of the following about Ebola is true?
| A．The Ebola outbreak now is the biggest one in history. |
| B．Ebola breaks out quickly but it is under control now. |
| C．Ebola is deadly and common so it kills a lot of people. |
| D．Ebola killed about 60 thousand people quickly in 1976. |
| A．a flying bird | B．an infected passenger |
| C．hot African weather | D．a health organization |
| A．it will be a huge waste when researchers spend lots of money finding a cure |
| B．the vaccines can be effective to wild chimpanzees but not to the humans |
| C．there will be an optimistic future in which we can defeat the disease |
| D．we can use the vaccine to cure the patients completely in 2015’s spring |
| A．Ebola ---- The African Local Disaster |
| B．Ebola ---- The Newly-Found Disease |
| C．Ebola ---- A More Effective Vaccine |
| D．Ebola ---- The Deadly Virus Outbreak |
