In a first for Victoria, La Trobe University has teamed up with Waratah Special Developmental School to trial a robot called Matilda as a classroom companion (伙伴). Matilda has been working across four classrooms to assist teachers in     1     (create) positive social engagements and entertaining learning activities for students. Research project leader Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Khaksar said the robot is being personalised to empower (使更强大) teachers and enhance     2     (they) work.

“Matilda can recognise human voices and faces, detect emotions, read and recite text, dance and play music,” Dr Khaksar said. “This study is about assisting both teachers and students,     3     (particular) those with special educational needs,     4     face special challenges in learning environments. It will measure how social robots can motivate children with special needs     5     (learn) and engage in the classroom better.”

Dr Khaksar said feedback (反馈) from teachers —    6     (take) before, during and after classes — has been crucial in helping shape and develop a more effective companion robot. In addition to teacher feedback, student     7     (interact) has proved overwhelmingly positive.

Waratah Special Developmental School Principal, Jennifer Wallace, said     8     has been an increase in students' willingness to engage with the robot and they've seen an improvement in communication and social skills. Students are highly     9     (excite) and they actively participate     10     activities facilitated through the robot, and they are demonstrating an increased willingness to wait and take turns after spending time with the robot.

3 . Contemporary Art Fair

On July 18, 2024 the Artist Project will celebrate its 9th year with a three-day art fair at theBetter Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. From collectors to designers, visitors can explore and discover works of art from 250 contemporary artists from Canada and abroad—allowing guests the unique opportunity to communicate and buy art directly from the artists.

Highlights:

Art Chats: this popular conference series will offer a range of engaging talks hosted by leading art experts.

● Art Battle Canada and the Artist Project have teamed up to bring a 20-minute live artist competition right to the show floor. Members of the audience will vote for their favourite painting and later participate in a charity auction (拍卖) to take the work home.

Emerging Artists Competition: Devoted to the development of students, new graduates, and self-taught artists, the Artist Project will be giving recognition to 20 emerging artists through this competition that will aim to provide an opportunity for young artists to launch their artworks to a public audience.

When:

Early Access Preview: Thursday, July 18, 5:00 p. m.—10:00 p. m.

Opening Night Party: Thursday, July 18, 7:00 p. m.—10:00 p. m.

Artist Project Show: Friday & Saturday, July 19-20, 11:00 a. m.—8:00 p. m.

Artist Project Show: Sunday, July 21, 11:00 a. m.—6:00 p. m.

Where:

Better Living Centre

195 Princes’ Boulevard, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON

Ticket Information:

Adult admission: $ 15 Door, $ 14 Online

Group adult tickets: (10+people) $10 Each, online only

Youth admission: (13-17) $10

Children 12 or under: free

Website:www.theartistproject.com

Fenghuang Ancient Town in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture (辖区) in Hunan province has witnessed the revival of diverse customs and traditions in two typical festivals.

This year, the Flower-Jumping Festival kicked off on May 26 in Shanjiang township inFenghuang,     1     (attract) around 30,000 residents and tourists. The annual event,     2     (hold) on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is     3     major traditional festival celebrated by local Miao people.

It has been a national intangible cultural heritage event and illustrates the long history of Miao culture. During the festival, Miao residents in splendid costumes     4     (cheerful) sing folk songs and dance together to celebrate the most important day of their ethnic group.

The Ganqiu Festival, another traditional Miao festival celebrating the approaching autumn, is a time     5     local people stop working in the fields, dress up, gather on traditional autumn slopes, play Miao drums and engage     6     entertainment activities like swings, bamboo flute playing, singing and dancing. All the people immerse(使沉浸) themselves in the     7     (passion) atmosphere of the festival, which     8     (list) as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014.

The festivities are part of Xiangxi’s local culture, which expresses respect for the Miao     9    (ancestor). In recent years, relying on its unique tourism resources, Fenghuang county     10     (combine) these intangible cultural heritage projects with the tourism industry through performances, which helps protect ancient culture and art.

7 . I was walking back from class when I gave my first compliment (赞美) to a stranger. “I really ________ that sundress!” Although she seemed to be in a ________ , she suddenly stopped what she was doing, smiling ________, and said, “Thank you!” After a few moments of small talk, I walked away, feeling ________.

According to studies, receiving a compliment has psychological benefits, which the woman certainly ________. But what made me feel satisfied too? To confirm whether giving compliments has a similar positive effect on the ________, I decided to compliment strangers for one week.

At a drive-through restaurant, I was ________ by the employee’s friendliness and cheerfulness. “You are so ________!” I said as I was about to ________. She told me to wait and returned with a delicious cake.

At a ________, two children waved in my direction, and I returned their ________. I complimented their mother on their ________ . “Thank you” she responded warmly and then offered some valuable advice on my medicine.

I received a lot during the ________. Besides social connections, I got warm smiles, a free cake, helpful medical advice, and other ________.

At the end of the experiment, I got the simple ________: It was people’s positive response that made me feel good, too.