3 . New Deal Design, one of the world’s leading tech design studios, has invented an artificial intelligence-quipped toy to fight the “distraction economy” by developing children’s attention spans.

Called Spot, the toy is aimed at learning and discovery. It functions primarily as a handheld scanner that kids can point at an object around them, such as a flower or a bird, to hear it talk back. Using its AI software, Spot recognizes the object and voices a little monologue (独白) from it, processing information to suit children aged five to nine.

There’s also a secondary function that comes into play at bedtime, when Spot uses its in-built projecto (投影仪) to present a story made up around the day’s discoveries.

Spot is a concept at this stage, one that grew, out of the research New Deal Design conducted into children’s development. The designers found that the right kind of toy could encourage focus, as opposed to instant satisfaction. They wanted to cultivate a kind of junior-level mindfulness that would set kids up with positive life skills.

In terms of appearance, Spot has a complicated look, with its 3D camera fixed in the head. The models are smooth, including a wooden handle, a button and a base. The choice of materials was inspired by traditional kids’ building blocks.

When Spot recognizes an object, it blinks to signal it has locked the target. Its head also locks into place to avoid any shaking. As an example, New Deal Design describes a girl called Max, who among other things, encounters a robin while out with the toy. Via Spot, the bird says, “Hi Max, my name is Robin! Did you know…”

At that night’s Story Time, Spot starts “Once upon a time there was a little girl named Max who met a robin. One day, Max asked the robin…” New Deal Design says that day summaries like this helps kids to relax and get better sleep. Seeing themselves at the centre of stories also helps to build self-confidence and self-awareness.

With its attractive charm and pleasing attractions, Harbin, the picturesque ice city of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China,     1     (become) a hit on social media since mid-January this year, leaving netizens fascinated by its abundant treasures.

Among these sights are a group of 11 adorable children from Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in South China,     2     fearlessly began an educational trip to Harbin, instantly winning the hearts of online communities.

    3     (dress) in energetic orange clothes, they are fondly referred to as the “little tangerines”. The nickname symbolizes both their cute orange clothes     4     Guangxi’s remarkable citrus (柑橘) production.

Each day, their attractive     5     (present) is popular on various social media platforms. Wherever they go, they were showered with affection by     6     (local).

Liang, the lead teacher of their tour, confirmed their arrival in Mohe, a key destination in their adventure.     7     their arrival, the tour group was     8     (warm) welcomed by a local travel agency working together with the city’s tourism bureau.

At the northernmost police outpost (前哨站) of China, they sang the national anthem and saluted the border guards,     9     (mark) an important part of their educational trip. Moreover, the police officers at the station prepared snow sculptures and snowmen     10     (treat) the “little tangerines”.

8 . Milo is a dog, adopted by 20-year-old Makayla Swift from an animal shelter. One morning in November 2021, Swift opened her front door in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Milo immediately ________ to the house across the street. Milo seemed ________, so he ran to the one next door, Swift on his tail. “He started scratching (抓) the front door,” Swift says. “I’m thinking, why is he insistently trying to ________ her house?” She was embarrassed for not everyone wants a(n) ________ dog to leave marks on their property. But as she tried to drag Milo away, she could hear a voice yelling “help” coming through an open upstairs window. Hours ________, around 4 a.m., Sherry Starr had risen from her bed. “All of a sudden, standing there between the toilet and the tub, I ________,” she says. “I slumped on the floor.” Starr is 85. “I could not move at all”, says Starr, who was ________ between the toilet and the tub. Starr was scared and thought she was going to die there. Her best ________, she decided, was to listen for the letter carrier in the afternoon and scream. For the next few hours, Starr practiced yelling: “Help! Help! Helllp!” “Her voice was very ________,” says Swift. “You had to be right at the front door to hear Mrs. Starr yell for help ________ you were Milo, the dog.” It ________ heard Starr the instant Swift opened her own front door. Swift called 911. Rescuers thought they’d have to break down the toilet to ________ Starr, but they gave one last pull — and out she popped. Though injured, Starr ________ a trip to the hospital.

Swift has known her share of ________ for living alone. Two years ago, her mother died. She says Milo has helped her with her grief too. “That dog is a ________,” she says.