1. Where are the speakers?
A.At a travel agency. | B.At a train station. | C.At school. |
A.By car. | B.By plane. | C.By train. |
A.Italy. | B.Germany. | C.France. |
2 . Chaudhary weaves (编织) together lengths of rope and grass collected from the nearby riverbank in her village, skillfully shaping the materials into a gift box while instructing a group of women to follow suit.
The ropes being used were once the lifeline for mountain climbers tackling Nepal’s mountains and were then cast away. Diverse measures to remove such discarded materials have rocketed since 2019, when the government launched Clean Mountain Campaign.Around 140,000 tons of waste were collected on Mt. Everest alone, which were handled accordingly, either securely buried or recycled.
Some waste is now finding fresh life, transformed by skilled hands like Chaudhary’s into items to sell, thanks to an initiative led by Acharya, an owner of a waste processing business and an advocate for sustainable waste management. She has been working with the cleaning campaign, aiming at mountains like Mt. Everest.
“Metal waste goes through the recycling process, but we weren’t capable of recycling these ropes and cooking gas cans,” Acharya says. It didn’t occur to her that the waste which couldn’t be recycled could be reused until she met Rai at an art exhibition and a solution emerged.
Rai, a businessman dealing in craftworks, helped connect Acharya with Chaudhary and her team of craftswomen in hopes of unlocking the economic value of the mountain waste. With flexible hours, the project gives the craftswomen an opportunity to earn money even as they maintain their household responsibilities.
“While this seems insignificant compared to waste in the mountains, it’s a start. We can’t supply sufficient raw material with waste sorting and cleaning processes taking plenty of time and money,” Acharya says, desperate to expand the program to involve more women and treat more waste. But progress has been slow. “We need investment to mechanize the cleaning and processing of waste in the initial phase to provide the crafting team with enough materials to meet their demand,” she adds.
1. What were the ropes mentioned in paragraph 2 initially intended as?A.Tools for tying up weeds. | B.Villagers’ basic necessities of life. |
C.Raw materials tor unique artworks. | D.Life-saving devices for mountaineers. |
A.A journey to the rural area. | B.An encounter with a trader. |
C.Information from a product launch. | D.Attendance at an academic conference. |
A.Train more senior technicians. | B.Obtain a better reputation. |
C.Drop waste washing procedures. | D.Bring in advanced equipment. |
A.Chaudhary: An Eco-Minded Folk Artist |
B.Nepali Women Are Turning Garbage into Crafts |
C.Clean Mountain Campaign Has Already Taken Effect |
D.A Headache: Mt. Everest Is Heavily Littered with Waste |
3 . Just after hatching, many birds learn to identify and follow the first moving object they encounter—a process called imprinting, which can offer protection in the wild as it helps them stay near a parent. It doesn’t take much visual information for a bird to learn to prefer one object and follow it. Researchers wanted to know whether AI models called transformers could do a similar task with limited inputs.
Transformers are generic learning systems that can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, making them useful in both AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and in computer vision applications, such as autonomous car navigation.
“To directly compare learning algorithms (计算程序) to brains, we need to train them on the same experiences,” says Samantha Wood at Indiana University Bloomington. She first raised chicks in a box where the only visual stimulation came from a rotating 3D object presented on a screen. After the first week, she ran each chick through hundreds of test trials that showed that same object on one screen-presented from both familiar and unfamiliar perspectives-and displayed a second unfamiliar object on another screen. The chicks spent more of their time near the first object, suggesting they had imprinted on it.
The researcher then created a virtual simulation (仿造物) of the set-up and used a virtual agent to move through it while looking around and recording a first-person view. That provided tens of thousands of simulated images for training and evaluating four transformer models.
The AI models had just 300 milliseconds to learn from each simulated image-approximating (接近于) how long biological neurons (神经元) fire after being presented with an image. The researcher found that the AIs could learn to recognise a 3D object as quickly and accurately as the chicks.
The study is “a great piece of work” in comparing machine performance with biological brains, says Antone Martinho-Truswell at the University of Sydney. But he also notes, “We might be able to say that the chick ‘saw’its imprinting object, but that will have a component (成分) of experience to it. Particularly as imprinting is to do with identifying its mother, it would be unsurprising if that visual experience were combined with a suite of other components of experience: fear yielding to comfort, for example, as the chick comes to regard the object as its imprinted ‘mother’.”
1. Why do newborn birds engage in imprinting?A.To enhance their navigation skills. |
B.To develop their social behaviour. |
C.To improve their communication with other birds. |
D.To establish a protective connection with a guardian. |
A.She raised them in an environment with a rotating visual element. |
B.She exposed them to various visual stimulations in the wild. |
C.She showed them various moving objects on screens. |
D.She observed their behaviour in a natural habitat. |
A.To imitate the natural behaviour of birds. |
B.To assess the effectiveness of virtual agents. |
C.To examine the Al models’ability to identify a 3D object. |
D.To create a visually diverse environment for the chicks. |
A.Rapid learning pace of AI models. |
B.Recreating real-world environments for experiments. |
C.The complexity and diversity of biological experiences. |
D.Conducting additional experiments with a range of animals. |
4 . Essay Contest
Imagine this: You’ve got all the power, money, and resources in the world to save the planet. What would you accomplish first, and how would you do it? In honor of Earth Day (April 22), we’re looking for creative and resourceful environmental solutions to save the Earth. As part of the most environmentally conscious generation in history, we know you’ve got ideas, and we’re looking forward to hearing them!
Deadline: April 1st, 2024Rules:
● You must be a teen (aged 13-19) with a Teen Ink account to enter.
● No inappropriate content.
● Submissions must relate to the topic.
Guidelines and Details:
● Try to keep your essay limited to 300-400 words.
● There is no limit to the number of solutions you can submit.
How to Submit:
● Submit entries through our website. All entries submitted to Teen Ink are automatically considered for the contest.
● Submit your work to the “Hot Topics-Environment” category of Teen Ink. You can find this selection after selecting the initial “Article / Poetry” submission type.
Prizes:
● All participants will receive a certificate.
● First prize winners will each have their essays published in Teen Ink magazine and get a free 6-month magazine subscription.
● Second prize winners will each get a free 3-month magazine subscription and receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
● Honorable mentions will each receive a T-shirt.
1. Which requirement should be met for a qualified entry?
A.It should be in the form of poetry. | B.It should be submitted on April 1st, 2024. |
C.It should be related to environmental solutions. | D.It should be a description of personal experience. |
A.They should have experience in nature conservation. | B.They should submit a recommendation letter. |
C.They should register on Teen Ink. | D.They should write in English. |
A.A gift card. | B.A T-shirt. | C.Their published essays. | D.Free magazines. |
China has nearly 5,000 years of
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, most of the furniture was hand-made using high-quality hardwood
Classical furniture is mostly made by hand. Modern machines cannot
The most delicate aspect of Chinese classical furniture is the structural part of the furniture-mountains-and-treetops (榫卯) work. Combining pieces of wood together,
Ancient Chinese
6 . Deepfake: synthetic (合成的) media, including images, videos, and audio, is generated by Al technology to show something that does not exist or events that have never occurred.
Examples of deepfakes have been widely spread, including a video of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg giving a speech about his company’s plan, and a video of Elon Musk dancing and talking about the power of dreams, etc.
It’s easy for AI to produce such deepfakes using two different deep-learning algorithms (算法): one that creates the best possible clone based on a real image or video and another that detects whether the copy is fake (伪造的) and, if it is, reports on the differences between it and the original. The first algorithm produces a synthetic image and receives feedback on it from the second algorithm and then adjusts it to make it appear more real; the loop is repeated as many times as it takes until the second algorithm does not detect any false imagery.
Deepfakers often have evil motives, including creating misinformation and generating confusion. They tend to demean, terrify, and annoy, and have targeted not only celebrities but ordinary citizens as well.
Most of the academic research surrounding deepfakes focuses on the detection of huge amount of deepfake videos emerging online. One detection approach is to use algorithms to identify inconsistencies in deepfake videos. For example, an automatic system can examine videos for errors such as irregular blinking patterns of lighting. However, these approaches have been criticized because deepfake detection is characterized by a “moving goal post” where the production of deepfakes is changing and improving while detection tools are always on the way of catching them up.
However, education and medicine are two of the fields that may benefit from deepfake technology. In the classroom, historical speeches could be deepfaked to offer immersive and engaging lessons. In health care, it can improve the accuracy with which tumors (肿瘤) are spotted, making them easier to treat. Its use also permits using synthesized data instead of that from real patients to avoid privacy concerns.
1. How does AI create a deepfake video according to the passage?A.By copying and combining the fake images. |
B.By constantly teaching itself to perfect the output. |
C.By acquiring feedback from multiple sources. |
D.By repeatedly generating realistic images from scratch. |
A.Ever-evolving deepfake techniques. | B.Insufficient academic basis on detection solutions. |
C.A massive number of false videos online. | D.Limited availability of detection tools. |
A.Supportive. | B.Critical. | C.Objective. | D.Unconcerned. |
A.Potential threats: AI’s new playground | B.Deepfake: Human’s another helping hand |
C.Artificial Intelligence: A piece of fake | D.Detecting deepfake: An ongoing battle |
Have you ever been so depressed that you can’t sleep? You also can’t eat. You can’t read. You have no friends to call up and nothing is good on TV. So you sigh, press your face down harder into your pillow, and shed a few tears.
This was my life two years ago. I had just turned 14 but already found life a struggle. As I lay in my bed one Saturday, Mom peeked (瞄) into my room to make her regular “Is Emily still alive” check. I knew that if I spent more time like this, she would begin dusting me. After suggesting a few things for me to do that I immediately rejected, Mom made her move, “Emily! Get dressed! I’m taking the dog out for a walk, and you’re coming with me!” “Why?” I protested. “Because it’ll make you feel better.”
The thought of moving was unbearable. I felt as if all of my body parts were weighed down by tons of bricks I couldn’t remember the last time I had gone outside. Somehow I found the strength to slip on a pair of jeans and a black sweatshirt. Mom was waiting at the door, leash (狗绳) in hand and dog at her side.
Then, we stepped outside. It was a warm March day and it had been a long time since the warmth of the sun had touched my cheeks. Mom led the dog and me down some dirt paths, through a big field and reached Halsey Pond. But the signs of spring had yet to appear and the scene was rather colorless throughout the entire journey.
“I’m tired! It’s boring, Mom! When can we go home?” “Not yet,” she’d say. Mom stopped to say hi to every jogger, dog walker, runner, and bicyclist who passed us. Sometimes she would get into a conversation. They would talk about weather, dogs, and all small talk topics. She seemed happy, and was literally glowing (容光焕发). After walking for what seemed an age, Mom finally said it was time to go back.
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: When I got home, a new feeling seemed to be awakened.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2: A new Saturday found me asking Mom if I could take the dog out.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8 . My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things. She’s had her ups and downs but has always
One day, my little sister fell and hurt her ankle, desperately needing a
While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother
Realizing that the phone was
I’ve often thought about her
A.tolerated | B.anticipated | C.maintained | D.expressed |
A.patient | B.helpful | C.honest | D.polite |
A.rest | B.stay | C.lift | D.visit |
A.cut | B.shifted | C.looked | D.stuck |
A.rush | B.way | C.relief | D.process |
A.come along | B.keep in line | C.make up | D.get in touch |
A.made | B.felt | C.picked | D.gave |
A.found | B.returned | C.collected | D.charged |
A.smart | B.ready | C.convenient | D.broken |
A.different | B.ancient | C.extra | D.rare |
A.luck | B.phones | C.change | D.chances |
A.opportunity | B.decision | C.appointment | D.encounter |
A.simply | B.suddenly | C.obviously | D.gradually |
A.thoughtful | B.grateful | C.hopeful | D.successful |
A.hard-won | B.newly-built | C.well-placed | D.deeply-rooted |
9 . Many economists predict 2024 will be the time shoppers tighten their belts. That doesn’t mean people will stop spending, say retail (零售) analysts. But it will change what they choose to buy. With a slowing job market, global consumers are likely to move away from more high-priced purchases and focus instead on smaller, less expensive treats.
The economic uncertainty means that consumers are becoming more discriminating about their purchases, says Ethan Chermofsky, senior vice president of marketing at intelligence platform Placer. ai. “There are the things we decide are necessary, and then there’s another category of things that aren’t necessary but that we consider affordable luxuries, he says. This desire for these “affordable luxuries” is common in difficult economic times. Some economists refer to the phenomenon as the “lipstick index”: a small economic increase led by budget-minded consumers seeking out relatively affordable splurges (挥霍), like small cosmetics (化妆品).
Analysts at Deloitte say consumers will spend on little luxuries like specialty coffees and snacks as well. Additionally, stressed-out shoppers are prioritizing small splurge purchases for wellness and personal care.
As retailers see shoppers turning to little luxuries, they’re offering more and more of them. Target, for example, has staked a flag in what they refer to as “affordable joy”, which includes a selection of self-care and cosmetic products, along with wellness-centric beauty products. Beyond diversifying their offerings, stores are also bringing in luxury-feeling products at lower price points to appeal to more consumers.
Ethan says not every shopper will shift their spending to little luxuries-but even those who are still longing for the “must-haves” of social media will also look to get a deal. They want the feeling of purchasing lower-priced affordable treats. To get these goods, shoppers are likely to tap into the re-sale market for designer items at a more reasonable price. They want things that make them feel good about themselves-they just want to do it without breaking the bank.
1. What can affordable luxuries be?A.Inexpensive daily necessities. | B.High-end products. |
C.Reasonably-priced designer items. | D.High-priced purchases. |
A.The strategies retailers use. | B.The joy businesses offer. |
C.The competition stores face. | D.The products consumers buy. |
A.Social-media deals. | B.World-famous brands. |
C.Second-hand bargains. | D.Budget-friendly pleasures. |
A.Lipstick Index: Where Does It Lead Us? | B.Must-have Treats: A Future Spending Trend |
C.Affordable Joy: Will We Fall Into The Trap? | D.Little Luxuries: A Driving Force Behind Consumption |
10 . Filming in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest
The Kamas Ranger District handles film permits for the Kamas district of the Wasatch- Cache National Forest.
To ensure that permits are issued in time for filming, the Forest Service requests that application form be handed in three to four weeks prior to filming.
The fee structure for filming in the National Forest is as follows:
Filming Special Use Fee1 to 10 people-$150 per day
11 to 30 people-$200 per day
31 to 60 people-$500 per day
Over 61 people-$600 per day
Film Monitoring Fee
1 day filming-FREE
Extra days-$200 per day
Additional FeesAdditional fees will be charged in the following situations:
Large production (greater than 100 people), multiple site filming that may require additional film monitoring to protect natural resources and a performance agreement in the form of a deposited check.
Upon approval, a Special Use Permit will be issued with a bill for collection. Checks should be made payable to “USDA Forest Service, ” and payment must be received before filming.
NoteSome areas of the forest are especially sensitive to impacts from vehicles, domestic animals, and people. These areas include wetlands, streams, lake shorelines, and most meadow areas. Filming requests in these sensitive areas will require special surveys to determine possible environmental impacts. The request may be denied.
1. What is one expected to do for filming?A.Issue the permit weeks before filming. | B.Submit the application form in advance. |
C.Give top priority to time arrangement. | D.Outline the fee structure in the forest. |
A.$1200. | B.$200. | C.$1400. | D.$600. |
A.Paying the bill in cash. | B.Entry into the sensitive areas. |
C.Production with over 61 people. | D.Filming in different sites. |