1 . Young children are significantly more likely than adults to have their opinions influenced by robots according to a new research. The study, conducted-at the-University of Plymouth, compared how adults and children respond to an identical (相同的) task when in the presence of both their peers (同龄人) and robots.
It showed that while adults regularly have their opinions influenced by peers, something also demonstrated in previous studies, they are largely able to resist being persuaded by robots. However, children aged between seven and nine were more likely to give the same responses as the robots, even if they were obviously incorrect.
The study asks people to look at a screen showing four lines and say which two match in length. When alone, people almost never make a mistake but when doing the experiment with others, they tend to follow what others are saying.
When children were alone in the room in this research, they scored 87%on the test, but when the robots join in their score drops to 75%. And of the wrong answers, 74% matched those of the robot.
Professor Belpaeme said, ”People often follow the opinions of others and we’ve known for a long time that it is hard to resist taking over views and opinions of people around-us. But as robots will soon be found in the home and the workplace, we were wondering if people would follow robots. What our results show is that adults do not follow what the robots are saying. But when we did the experiment with children, they did. It shows children can perhaps have more of an affinity (亲和力)with robots than adults, which does pose the question: What if robots were to suggest, for example, what products to buy or what to think?“?
1. What did the adults do when staying with robots?A.They generally refused the robots’ effects. |
B.They totally accepted the robots’ suggestions. |
C.They tried to persuade robots to resist them. |
D.They usually compared robots with their children. |
A.Because children were not as clever as the adults. |
B.Because robots reflected better than human beings. |
C.Because robots in the presence made mistakes. |
D.Because children wanted to affect the robots on purpose. |
A.He is optimistic about the result. | B.He is worried about the future. |
C.He doesn’t care about the result. | D.He doubts the result of the research. |
A.What is the meaning of the research? |
B.What should adults do to avoid the problem? |
C.Why are children more likely to be influenced? |
D.What will be done to solve the problem? |
2 . Here are some fantastic parks in San Antonio.
Brackenridge Park
The park was first established in 1899 and has been popular with both locals and visitors ever since. Towering trees and peaceful riverbanks will greet guests along the park’s paths, and the facilities include playgrounds, museums, a miniature train, a Japanese tea garden, and one of the oldest golf courses in the city.
Friedrich Wilderness Park
In the park, you’ll find about 10 miles of paved(铺过的)and unpaved trails(路线), with a little something for everyone. From rocky climbs to deep canyons, and enchanting forests to open views, there’s no shortage of natural beauty. The area is nationally famous for birdwatching.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The park is the state’s only one on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything. While the Alamo is a separate attraction, you will get to enjoy the architectural wonders of Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. They’re all connected by a hike and bike trail, with plenty of stops along the way to picnic, climb trees, and refill water. Admission is free!
Eisenhower Park
Just a 20-to 30-minute drive from the city center, the park puts the best landscapes in the Texas Hill Country on full display, holding 6 miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved. Explore dried creek beds, look out over plunging canyons, and enjoy full views of San Antonio down below. You can also find playgrounds for the little ones, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.
1. What is Friedrich Wilderness Park well-known for?A.Birdwatching. | B.Ancient buildings. |
C.A Japanese tea garden. | D.Unpaved hiking paths. |
A.Brackenridge Park. |
B.Friedrich Wilderness Park. |
C.San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. |
D.Eisenhower Park. |
A.Golf courses and bicycle trails. |
B.Museums and no entrance fee. |
C.Birdwatching and playgrounds. |
D.Hiking trails and barbecue facilities. |
3 . English Class 101
Are you looking for the best online English course to help improve your language skills? I will introduce one to you.
English Class 101 is a website that has been built for people looking to improve their English skills. There are over 1,000 lessons on the website, which include different levels to meet your need.
All English learners can find a level to suit them, as its courses range (涵盖) from complete beginner (Al) to advanced (C2). You have to take a placement test so that you can find the right level and get proper lessons.
The site helps English language learners with thousands of video lessons, words learning tools, lesson notes, and discussions, which provides a practical approach (方法) to learning. The lessons take you by the hand and guide you through real English conversations. The teachers slow down and explain every word and phrase. Just imagine that you’ll finally understand every English word you hear.
You can even get one-on-one support from your very own teacher! Your personal teacher will provide corrections and answers by messenger. They will also make sure you follow your individual plan and assign (布置) homework on a daily basis.
Price: Level 1, $50 per month; Level 2, $80 per month; Level 3, $ 100 per month; Advanced, $200 per month.
1. What are you required to do to attend the course?A.Prepare some notebooks. | B.Hand in an application. |
C.Talk about it with parents. | D.Have a placement test. |
A.A membership card. | B.An English dictionary. |
C.Some prize money. | D.Personalized guidance. |
A.$150. | B.$ 180. | C.$200. | D.$400. |
4 . With the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park to its east, Zhongnanhai to its south, Beihai Park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardenst (皇家花园) in China located in the center of Beijing.
Beihai Park is said to be built according to a traditional Chinese legend. The story is that once upon a time there were three magic mountains called “Penglai”, “Yingzhou” and “Fangzhang”. Gods in those mountains had a kind of medicine which would help humans gain immortality (永生). Consequently, many emperors constantly sought those mountains. I For example, Emperor Qin Shihuang had sent people to look for the magic mountains but they failed. Emperor Wudi, the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty did similar things.
It was believed that different mountain-water combinations in ancient Chinese architecture led to totally different effects. So from then on, almost every emperor during the succeeding dynasties would build a royal garden with one-pool-with-three-hill layout near his palace. Beihai Park was surely built after this traditional style: the water of Beihai with Zhongnanhai is the Taiye Pool; the Jade Flowery Islet, the island of the Circular City and the Xishantai Island represent the three magic mountains.
Actually, Beihai Park was initially built in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and was repaired and rebuilt in the following dynasties including Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The large-scale rebuilding in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) generally established the present scale and pattern. In 1925, it was first opened to the public, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
It is enjoyable to walk around the various scenic areas in Beihai Park. There are many places to visit, including the Bai Ta, Five-Dragon Pavilions, Nine-Dragon Wall, Yong’an Temple and so on. There is also a classy restaurant called Fangshan Restaurant where the Empress Cixi once dined.
1. Where is Beihai Park?A.Near the ocean. | B.In the south of Zhongnanhai. |
C.To the west side of Jingshan Park. | D.In the uptown area of Beijing City. |
A.They loved to listen to stories. | B.They both pursued immortality. |
C.They were mountain-climbing lovers. | D.They were the first emperor of their dynasties. |
A.Less than 100 years old. | B.About 500 years old. |
C.About 1, 000 years old. | D.Nearly 2, 000 years old. |
A.A famous park. | B.Historical palaces. |
C.An unforgettable legend. | D.Ancient architectural styles. |
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6 . There are a variety of free magazines that kids can receive in the mail. Kids love getting mail, so these magazines will bring double joy!
Animal Wellness Magazine
If your child loves animals, a free copy may provide him or her with hours of educational entertainment. This magazine is especially wonderful if you have a dog or a cat at home and want your child to learn about pet care.
Kids Discover Online
This is an excellent online resource (资源) where elementary school children can learn about different aspects of science and social studies topics. It gives you access (使用权) to 30 units with 200 topics.
National Geographic Kids
The content there is various. You can gain even more access by creating a free account. There are educational articles on dozens of countries around the world, as well as articles on animals, planets, and more. Aimed at children aged 8 to 14, this magazine is a great choice for learning and fun.
Sports Illustrated Kids
If you have children that are sports fans, look no further than the Sports Illustrated Kids. They can get analysis of recent games, forecasts about next season, and fun games. It’s all free, and your son or daughter will love getting to know the latest sports news.
1. Which will you choose if your son is fond of keeping a rabbit?A.National Geographic Kids. | B.Kids Discover Online. |
C.Animal Wellness Magazine. | D.Sports Illustrated Kids. |
A.It is a magazine designed for teens. |
B.It covers a variety of different topics. |
C.It is only meant for kids who like fun games. |
D.It helps kids know about over 200 countries. |
A.Kids who are big fans of physical exercise. |
B.Kids who are interested in insects. |
C.Kids who are curious about the universe. |
D.Kids who dream of being a weather forecaster. |
7 . Rome can be pricey for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社). The hostels in Rome offer a bed in a dorm room for around $25 a night, and for that, you’ll often get to stay in a central location (位置) with security and comfort.
Yellow HostelIf I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best-rated hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s got a fun atmosphere without being too noisy. As an added bonus, it’s close to the main train station.
Hostel Alessandro PalaceIf you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests like free shots, bar crawls and karaoke. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.
Youth Station HostelIf you’re looking for cleanliness and a modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings and beds. There are plenty of other benefits, too; it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.
Hotel and Hostel Des ArtistesHotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing you with a map of the city when you arrive, and offering advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.
1. What is probably the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?A.Comfort. | B.Security. |
C.Price. | D.Location. |
A.Yellow Hostel. | B.Hostel Alessandro Palace. |
C.Youth Station Hostel. | D.Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes. |
A.It gets noisy at night. | B.Its staff is too talkative. |
C.It charges for Wi-Fi. | D.It’s inconveniently located. |
8 . As I stuck in the mud (泥), with my bike on top of me, I wondered what had forced me to come here. Madagascar is not a good place for a cycling holiday: one of the world's poorest countries, only 11 percent of roadway is paved (铺). South of the town of Antalaha, where I started, the road was in worse condition.
I appeared from a week in the wilderness and reached the start of the Route National 5 at Maroantsetra, but my dream of a smooth road and speed was suddenly destroyed by mud. The "worst road in the country" changed my bicycle into a burden (负担) for days. Finally, I was claimed by the road. Tired. Alone.
As I wiped (擦) the mud from my face and looked upwards, I was greeted by a Malagasy man. He helped me stand up and smiled playfully while he pointed to my bike, which sat next to his. I started again. But I fell again in the mud. Angrily, I told him to go on, but if he understood he showed no sign of it. His smile forced me back onto the bike. We continued like this for hours. But I fell less. Studying my quick guide, slowly I learned. As we passed through a village, a group of children saw me and shouted loudly. His only words were: "Their parents tell them while people steal and eat them. Funny, no?"
I tried to ask why, but he had already set off. I tried to catch up; as I got closer, he took it as a challenge and sped up. We raced along the road. I rode a little faster and I was just behind, about to catch up with him. With a smile, he sped up and was away, leaving me breathless.
1. What was in the author's mind when he was in the mud?A.He considered his experience a special pleasure. |
B.He made up his mind to continue challenging himself. |
C.He tried to think out a new road for cycling in Antalaha. |
D.He regretted having the cycling holiday in Madagascar. |
A.The author chose another road. |
B.The author decided to ask for help. |
C.The author lay on the road for a rest. |
D.The author had no confidence to ride on. |
A.By showing him the right way. |
B.By wiping the mud from his bike. |
C.By riding in front of him all the way. |
D.By teaching him how to ride in the mud. |
A.A lonely trip |
B.A bicycle race |
C.A lesson in cycling |
D.A road in Madagascar |
9 . In the summer between my first year and second year in college, I was invited to be an instructor at a high school camp. On the first day, when we were dancing and playing games, I noticed a boy under the tree who was small and thin. His shyness made him appear weak. I walked towards him, introduced myself and invited him to join in the activities and meet some new people. He quietly replied, "No, I really don't want to do this." I could understand that he was in a new world but I knew it wouldn't be right to force him, either. Actually, the boy didn't need a close talk but a friend.
At lunch the next day, I was leading camp songs when 1 saw the boy under the tree sitting alone. I tried again with the same invitation, but he refused once again. That evening I was told the boy's name was Tommy. Then I asked the campers to pay special attention to the boy and spend time with him when they could.
The days went by and the time came when we had to leave. We held a big, warm party to celebrate the closing of the camp. All the campers shared their wonderful moments. To my surprise. 1 found the boy from under the tree dancing joyfully with two girls. I couldn't believe it was the same person.
In October of my second year, I received a phone call from Tommy's mother. She told me that Tommy was hit by a car and killed. I offered my deep sadness. The mother said: “'Tommy mentioned you so many times. I want you to know that he went back to school and made new friends with confidence. You made a difference for Tommy during his last months.”
At that moment, I realized how easy it was to give a bit of yourself every day. You may never know how much each gesture may mean to someone else. I hope that everyone can pay attention to their own “boy under the tree”.
1. Before the writer came to the high school summer camp,he was a (n) _______.A.instructor | B.camper | C.student | D.reporter |
A.Once | B.Twice | C.Three times | D.Many times |
①The boy danced joyfully with two girls.
②The boy went back to school and made new friends.
③The boy refused to join in the activities.
④The boy's mother made a phone call to the writer.
A.①②③④ | B.②③①④ | C.③①②④ | D.④③②① |
A.thankful | B.helpful | C.faithful(忠实的) | D.harmful |