2 . When people see machines that respond like humans, or computers that perform amazing functions, they sometimes joke about a future in which humanity will need to accept robot overlords(霸主). But buried in the joke is a seed of unease. Science-fiction movies have ever shown us about artificial intelligence (AI) that escapes its creators’ control.

Even in the real world, not everyone is ready to welcome AI with open arms. In recent years, as computer scientists have pushed the boundaries(界限) of what AI can accomplish, leading figures in technology and science have warned about the frightening dangers that artificial intelligence may pose to human beings, even suggesting that AI could destroy the human race. But why are people so frightened about the idea of AI?

Elon Musk is one of the famous voices that have raised red flags about AI. In July 2017, Musk told people at a meeting of the National Governors Association, “I have exposure to the very cutting-edge AI, and I think people should be really concerned about it. I keep sounding the alarm bell. But until people see robots going down the street killing people, they don’t know how to react, because it seems so impossible. ”

Earlier, in 2014, Musk had labeled AI “our biggest existential threat”, and in August 2017, he declared that humanity faced a great risk from AI.

Physicist Stephen Hawking, who died on March 14, also expressed concerns about AI, telling the BBC in 2014 that “the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

It’s also less than reassuring that some programmers—particularly those with MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts—seem determined to prove that AI can be terrifying.

1. What are top scientists in AI worried about?

A．It has wonderful functions.

B．It contributes too much to movies.

C．It may end the human race some day.

D．It’s ability to bury our seeds in jokes.

2. What is Elon Musk’s attitude toward AI?

A．Disapproving.	B．Ambiguous.
C．Understanding.	D．Supportive.

3. What could AI do in Stephen Hawking’s opinion?

A．Be a great threat to human beings.

B．Learn the human emotions like fear.

C．Predict the future of the human race.

D．Turn horrible tales into scary stories.

4. Which part of a newspaper is the text most probably taken from?

A．Technology.	B．Health.
C．Culture.	D．Nature.

3 . It is not rare in China that many seniors take advantage of their retirement years to please their grandchildren.

Some are good at sugar figure blowing art-the maker uses sugar as its basic material to boil and blow into various figures. Some can weave, using even the most unexpected materials such as leaves, and some excel in carpentry, using wood to carve lifelike dolls and toys.

Recently, in a small village in Fujian province, one — and — a — half — year — old Dandan became the most enviable child. His grandfather made a wooden " mantis cart （螳螂车）"for him. The wooden components on both sides of the cart would rise and fall with the metal wheels, resembling a mantis. This one-of-a-kind toy was filmed by the child's parents and posted online, immediately arousing curiosity.

The grandfather, Li Shishui, 70, who has been a carpenter for more than 50 years, retired in 2018. In his spare time, he picks up his old craftsmanship and uses the scrap （小块）wood from his old house to make the "mantis cart" with long legs. He also makes pure wooden toys such as robots , birds and even an   "Iron Man".

When Dandan goes out in the “ mantis cart"，   it never fails to turn heads and children of the neighbors next door shout and cry to their parents for one too.

Full of childlike fun, fatherly love and delicate design, the wooden toy, not merely catches the heart of children in his neighbourhood, some netizens also express their envy after watching online videos. "I want a grandpa like him too. " ^"Does grandpa want a granddaughter?" Some also recollect that although their grandfather is not a carpenter, these videos have brought back their fond memories when they were young — their grandfather also made some gadgets （小物件）for them.

Therefore, many believe, parents should stress the importance of the education of their children's interpersonal communication skills at an early age. Children who grow up in the love of their elders can expect to be more brave, positive, optimistic and confident than other children.

1. What does the author mean by the underlined part "This one-of-a-kind toy”?

A．The toy is hard-won.	B．The toy is specially made.
C．The toy is of high quality.	D．The toy is the only one made by Grandpa Li.

2. Which of the following is right about "mantis cart”?

A．All the components of it are made of wood.

B．Its online videos were not immediately accepted.

C．Its insect-like features attract both children and adults.

D．It was hand-made by Grandpa Li, a craftsman of sugar figures.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Much importance should be attached to children's behavior.

B．Children under the care of their elders may have better personalities.

C．Some netizens envy Dandan as their grandparents are not carpenters.

D．Some children of the neighbors cry as Dandan doesn't share the toy with them.

4. Which section of a web page can this passage be taken from?

A．Fashion.	B．Entertainment・
C．Lifestyle.	D．Transportation.

4 . Beijing will provide COVID-19 vaccinations(接种疫苗）for certain groups in nursing homes, including the elderly and caregivers, on a voluntary basis to prevent a renewed outbreak at nursing homes during autumn and winter, the local government said.

Those who will receive the vaccines include nursing home kitchen workers, security guards and cleaners. Beijing Daily reported on Friday.

Xing Yinli ,director of Jingkangyuan, a nursing home in Fengtai district with about 290 elderly residents(居民），said they have received the document(文件）recently and will strictly follow its guidance.

It’s our top duty to strengthen prevention and control.,"Xing said,adding they have been using methods such as keeping detailed records of resident contacts outside the nursing home,and encouraging online visits for family members..

As to vaccinations, she said they will ask for permission from residents,their family members and workers before giving vaccines.

In late October,Shaoxing,Zhejiang province carried out an emergencyCOVTD-19 vaccine program,allowing the public to ask for injections(注射）in advance,with key groups first. A similar program was also organized in Jiaxing,Ningbo and Yiwu in Zhejiang.

Nationwide,emergency use of home grown COVID-19 vaccines was approved in June and launched in late July. China now has four coronavirus candidate vaccines in the third stage clinical trials(临床试验）.

The document from Beijing also said nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing(核酸检测） every month among kitchen workers and residents who leave the nursing homes to see a doctor. Tests will cover all people in nursing homes considered at high risk if new infections are reported in the city. Besides, routine disinfections (消毒） should be strengthened in kitchens, storerooms and restrooms, it said. The document also recommended noncontact visits from family members.

1. Where can you probably find this article?

A．In a newspaper.	B．In a fashion magazine.
C．In a book review.	D．In a travel journal.

2. What can we learn from Paragraphs 4 and 5?

A．The nursing home kept detailed records of residents,

B．All the members will make preparations for injections.

C．The nursing home takes prevention and control seriously.

D．Jiaxing is the first city to have carried out an emergency program.

3. How can we understand the underlined sentence in paragraph 7?

A．China is providing vaccinations nationwide.

B．China has made great progress in coronavirus vaccines.

C．Chain has taken the lead in coronavirus vaccines worldwide.

D．The four candidate vaccines have finished clinical trails

4. What's the main idea of this passage?

A．Nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing.

B．Beijing nursing homes are to be provided vaccines.

C．Certain groups will have vaccines first in late June.

D．Routine disinfections should be strengthened in kitchens.

5 . Tracking wildlife is a tough job. Take the case of a one-eared leopard named Pavarotti.

Kasim Rafiq, a wildlife biologist at Liverpool John Moores University. “So I used to get up at the crack of dawn, follow his tracks and try and find him. So one day, I went out, and I was looking for him. And his tracks took me off road through this woodland area...and...”

Before he knew it, the wheel of his Land Rover was stuck in a deep hole. He wasted several hours getting it out. And then, on the way back to camp, he came across some local tour guides and their safari (观赏野兽的旅行) guests, who’d had way better luck spotting Pavarotti. “Basically, they laughed and they talked to me that they’d seen him that morning.”

Rafiq then realized that tourist wildlife sightings might be an untapped source of information about wild animals.

So he and his team worked with a safari lodge in Botswana to analyze 25,000 tourist photographs of wildlife. They compared those data to the estimates they made with traditional wildlife biology methods.

It turned out that the estimates from tourists’ photos were just as good as those gleaned (四处搜集) from traditional methods. And the tourists were actually the only ones to see elusive (难以捉摸的) leopards — the researchers would have missed the cats without the citizen science data. The results are in the journal Current Biology.

The idea is not to put wildlife researchers out of a job. “The reality is there are so many interesting things we still have to find out about these large carnivores (食肉动物) and so many conservation (保护) projects that need to be carried out that we don’t have the time or resources to do them all.” And tourist photos might help make sure that all the local carnivores are spotted.

Thanks for listening for Scientific American-60-Second Science. I’m Christopher Intagliata.

1. What happened to Rafiq when he tracked Pavarotti?

A．He was lost in the woods.

B．He was trapped in a deep hole.

C．He found Pavarotti with tourists’ help.

D．He met Pavarotti on the way back to camp.

2. Why can biologists track animals from tourists’ photographs?

A．The photos are sources of information about wildlife.

B．The photos are mirrors of the wildlife researchers’ life.

C．The photos taken by tourists are of high quality.

D．The photos taken by tourists are especially beautiful.

3. What can we infer from paragraph 6?

A．The researchers have missed the data of cats.

B．The information from tourists’ photos was equally good.

C．The value of tourist photos hasn’t been proven.

D．Only the traditional methods can track wildlife.

4. Where can we find the article?

A．On TV.

B．In a magazine.

C．On a radio.

D．In a book.

6 . Maybe you are familiar with scenes in movies where a pilot has got into an emergency mid-flight and you hear him shout "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!". But what does “Mayday" mean? Mayday is an internationally recognized distress call（求救信号）,mostly used by pilots and boat captains. The signal can be sent out on any channel by radio communication.

This emergency call originated in the 1920s. At that time, the standard distress call was "SOS" and was typically used by navy captains. The message was sent in Morse code by telegraph. In Morse code, “SOS” is three dots, three dashes and three dots. The signal was unmistakable. However, aircraft pilots use radio calls, so sending out “SOS” could be misheard as other letters, such as “F”.

Frederick Stanley Mockford, a radio officer at Croydon Airport in London, was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress. Because of the number of flights that flew between Croydon and Paris, he chose Mayday, as it sounds similar to the French word aider", which means “help me”.

Facing a threatening situation, pilots are required to repeat the signal three times in case of radio interference（干扰）or loud background noise. If the pilots don't get a reply within two minutes, they should repeat it. Once they receive a reply, more information including the code of the flight, their current situation and the number of people on board should be reported. Sometimes pilots are directed to a nearby airport or location where they can make an emergency landing. While Mayday signals indicate a life-threatening situation, they do not always end in deaths.

Despite dangers, air travel is still the safest means of transport.

1. How did navy captains call for help before the 1920s?

A．By sending "Mayday" by telegraph.	B．By calling "Mayday" by radio.
C．By sending “SOS” by telegraph.	D．By calling "SOS" by radio.

2. What does the text tell us about “Mayday"？

A．It is a signal mainly used in European countries.

B．It is only used by pilots and boat captains.

C．It was sent by telegraph in the beginning.

D．It was invented by a radio officer in the 1920s.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．When to use Mayday signals.	B．How to use Mayday signals to call for help,
C．How Mayday signals were recognized.	D．What makes Mayday signals useful.

4. In which section of a newspaper can we find this article?

A．Sports.

B．Fashion.

C．Art.

D．Science.

7 . By now, most of us have picked up at least one pandemic hobby. And there's a seemingly common pandemic hobby trend: People who haven't been able to go anywhere are making imaginary travel plans. Maybe you're among those who have spent hours researching locations-even though you're not actually planning to travel.

It turns out that you aren't alone. People who seem to be sticking to public safety recommendations are still planning trips they don't intend to book. And, when I suddenly found myself addicted to an imaginary girls' trip to Joshua Tree, I wondered whether this was a healthy distraction.

"It's an escapist imagination," said Regine Galanti, a psychologist, adding that there's nothing wrong with escapism during a global pandemic.

On the one hand, distractions are often beneficial right now. We are a full year into living with COVID-19 as a pandemic, and that means you've probably had to navigate a range of emotions like discomfort, sadness, or even boredom. So any hobby that doesn't harm anyone or endanger your well-being is probably a worthy attempt.

Even if vacation planning is your happy place, Dr. Galanti suggests you "actually think about what you're trying to achieve." Why? "Maybe what you're saying is, I need a vacation from work," Dr. Galanti explains. "Then take three days off even if you are not going anywhere. "When you figure out what you're looking for, you might be able to find a small socially distanced adventure in your backyard or a quiet place. Vacation planning is a good way to spend some time, but there might be an even better way to get what you're desiring.

Anyway, when uncertainty is all around us, creating things to look forward to isn't a terrible idea. And when things are safer, you'll have all your plans in place.

1. Why do people make imaginary travel plans during the pandemic?

A．To develop a new hobby.	B．To stay safe and sound.
C．To be distracted from reality.	D．To get ready for future travel.

2. Which of the following can replace the word "navigate" underlined in paragraph 4?

A．Express.

B．Balance.

C．Adapt to.

D．Deal with.

3. What is the writer's attitude towards imaginary travel plans?

A．Objective.

B．Negative.

C．Supportive.

D．Unclear.

4. Which section of the newspaper does the text probably come from?

A．Figures.	B．Lifestyle.
C．Food and recipe.	D．Science and technology.

8 . Tourist Guide to the National Gallery

Opening hours: Daily 10: 00 am- -6: 00 pm; Friday 10: 00 am- 9: 00 pm

Closed: 2426 December

Reasons to visit:

With over 2, 300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the Gallery. Here are some to get you started...

Get into great art. From Leonardo da Vinci to Vincent van Gogh: See priceless works of art for free.

Get creative. Brush up your skills, and create your own great works of art...

Learn about art. Discover more about paintings...

Regulations:

Talk in a low voice when you use your cellphone in the gallery

Please do not touch the paintings or other exhibits. Do not take pets in or cross the barriers.

Consume food and drink in designated areas only i.e. not in rooms that contain paintings.

Follow our no smoking policy in any part of the building.

Follow our no photograph policy in exhibitions where a sign is displayed.

Access:

The National Gallery aims to make access to the paintings enjoyable and welcoming to the widest possible public. There are a range of facilities to help you see the collection, visit exhibitions and come to events.

The Gallery offers British Sign Language-interpreted talks on paintings for visitors who are deaf, and special art sessions(展期) for visitors who can't see.

Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN

Click here to find more information.

1. What are visitors allowed to do in the National Gallery?

A．Make a phone call.	B．Take a dog in.
C．Smoke a cigarette.	D．Take photos.

2. Who are the special art sessions intended for?

A．Young visitors.	B．Deaf visitors.
C．Blind visitors.	D．Old visitors.

3. Where can we read the tourist guide?

A．In a newspaper.	B．On a poster.
C．In a magazine.	D．On the Internet.

9 . The Theragun mini is your pocket-sized partner, giving you quality muscle treatment with unparalleled portability. Small-sized but powerful, the mini is the most suitable massage device that goes wherever you do. Tension can strike at the most inconvenient times, and the mini is right there with you.

3 Scientifically Adjusted Speeds

When it comes to speed, faster isn’t always better. The mini lets you choose between three speeds, each scientifically adjusted to deliver greater benefits for the body.

Ergonomic (人体工程学的) Grip

We adapted our patented Threagun Triangle ergonomic design to Mini’s unique shape, resulting in a smooth, ergonomic grip that is easy to hold while reducing stress on your hands and wrists.

150-Minute Total Battery Life

On-the-go relief means that your device needs to be ready for you right when you need it. With up to 150 minutes of sustained run time, Mini sets the standard for true portability.

QuietForce Technology

We were able to reduce its size while maintaining our treatment quality. Experience distinct, near-silent operation while you melt away your tension at a moment’s notice, whether you’re working or in the comfort of home. That’s the power of QuietForce Technology.

Using the mini

1. To turn on the Theragun mini, firmly press and hold for 2 seconds the multi-functional power/speed button on the right side of the device.

2. Float the device across areas in need of treatment, gradually applying light to moderate pressure as needed.

3. Press the power/speed button again to switch between 3 speeds.

4. To turn off the Theragun mini, firmly press and hold the power/speed button until the device shuts off.

Battery level on the mini is indicated with the following colors:

Flashing red: Low charge

Flashing blue: Half-way charged

Flashing green: High charge

Solid green: Fully charged

Warranty (保修)

To have the Theragun device or a part repaired or replaced under warranty, it must be returned to Therabody. This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or abuse, accident, liquids, including but not limited to, water or lotions, improper use, or unauthorized repairs. For any warranty issues, please emailinfo@therabody.com.

1. The Theragun mini is designed to ________.

A．treat muscle disease	B．prevent muscle injury
C．relieve muscle tension	D．strengthen one’s muscle

2. According to the passage, the mini can ________.

A．adapt its speed automatically

B．last for more than three hours

C．be used either at office or at home

D．be repaired for free if dropped in water

3. The passage is mostly likely taken from ________.

A．a research report	B．a product brochure
C．an art magazine	D．an academic journal

10 . It is a bright morning in the Ethiopian countryside. Yohannes walks beside a pair of donkeys that are pulling a two-wheeled cart. They arrive at the agricultural town of Awassa where Yohannes opens the sides of the cart to display, not the usual vegetables or tools, but children’s books. This is the Donkey Mobile Library, the first of its kind in Ethiopia and one of only a few in the world.

Yohannes was born in Ethiopia, North Africa, but trained to be a librarian in the USA and returned to Ethiopia years ago. The cart is full of picture books donated by American libraries, teachers and school children.

Yohannes arranges small painted benches in the shade of the trees, and suddenly Ethiopian children come shouting and racing down every road and path. It’s mobile library day! They circle the bookshelves with great excitement. Until the Donkey Mobile Library began its regular two-monthly visits, many of these children had never seen a book.

“Without books, education is very dull, like food without salt. You can survive but you can’t really come alive,” says Yohannes. “The ability to read is the basis for greater productivity, better health and longer life. Even though the children lack material goods, with books they can imagine a world of possibilities.”

Yohannes first worked in the children’s section of the main library in America. Surrounded by books he had never seen before, he realized how joyful and imaginative children’s literature is. He says, “I always thought of Ethiopia. But how could I bring children’s books to my home country when it had almost no libraries to keep the books in?”

He contacted Jane Kurtz, a writer born in America but brought up in Ethiopia, and together they created the Donkey Mobile Library. The children say that the Library has given them ideas about what they might do in the future. A child called Dareje wants to be a scientist and find a cure for life-threatening diseases. An eleven year-old girl, Fikerte, wants to do research about the moon and discover new facts about outer space. Tamrat, aged 10, comes every time.

“What brings you back here time and time again?” the librarian asks him.

“The stories,” Tamrat replies instantly.

1. How do the children feel when they see the donkey mobile Library ______.

A．Curious.	B．Surprised.
C．Interested.	D．Excited.

2. We can conclude from the passage that ______.

A．Ethiopian children have no idea about their future.

B．Yohannes and Kurtz share similar life experiences.

C．donkey carts in Awassa usually carry vegetables and tools.

D．most books in the donkey mobile library were brought in America.

3. Where is the passage most likely to have been taken from?

A．A news report.	B．a book review.
C．A historical story.	D．An advertisement.