1 . Greying Population Stays in the Pink
Elderly people are growing healthier, happier and more independent, say American scientists.
In the last 14 years, data have been gathered on the health and lifestyles of more than 20,000 people over 65. Researchers say high blood pressure and circulation problems and other diseases of old age are troubling a smaller proportion every year.
One interesting fact is that better-educated people are likely to live longer. For example, 65-year-old women with fewer than eight years of schooling are expected, on average, to live to 82. Those who continued their education live an extra seven years.
The survey also assessed how independent people over 65 were, and again found a striking trend. Their self-reliance is probably linked to an increasing use of home medical aids, such as raised toilet seats and bath seats.
A.But independence can have drawbacks. |
B.It is not surprising we see some effects. |
C.If the trends apparent in the United States continues, |
D.These developments also bring some health benefits. |
E.Clearly, certain diseases can be prevented or cured because of medical advances. |
F.And the rate at which these diseases are declining continues to increase. |
G.Researchers say it is because educated people seek more medical attention. |
2 . Facial recognition is a new technology built into all sorts of applications. It's also one of the more controversial technologies pioneered today, as it sets up deep questions regarding security versus privacy rights, and how these facial recognition applications can be safely and fairly applied.
Modern facial recognition is clearly dependent on specific technologies and algorithms (算法) that we've built during the machine learning and artificial intelligence era of the early 21st century. Specifically, most cutting-edge facial recognition programs feature a type of neural network called a convolutional (卷积) neural network (CNN). The system uses convolutions as well as other algorithm work in successive stages to do complex analysis of an image, and even identify people, animals, objects or settings through advanced analysis.
One primary piece of functionality in the CNN is feature detection. First, the face must be identified within the image context, so that the facial features can be analyzed. Methods such as the Viola-Jones are used to break down an image through color shift and local analysis of group pixels to find features like noses, ears, eyes, etc. The same facial recognition neural networks will often utilize ratios—such as the ratio from eyes to hairline, from ears to nose, or other stock facial ratios that can help with facial recognition. The image is then compared to all known faces to uniquely identify the identity of that person.
So, with all this winning technology the facial recognition engine can be surprisingly adept at learning how to recognize a particular individual’s face in a crowd. Facial recognition software is applied in payment processing to substitute cards with faces, for access and security purposes, and to identify criminals.
Primarily, companies that have used abundant public Internet images to pull together training sets for sophisticated facial recognition programs face blowback and resistance from some of their customers, including law enforcement departments, and from U.S. legislators, consumer advocates and citizens at large.
1. What are paragraphs 2 and 3 mainly about?A.How facial recognition works technically. |
B.How facial recognition is applied in society. |
C.When facial recognition gets increasingly significant. |
D.What the primary function of feature detection is. |
A.By comparing the image to all known faces. |
B.By learning how to recognize a particular face. |
C.By using convolutional neural network. |
D.By identifying face within context. |
A.Positive. | B.Negative. |
C.Ambiguous. | D.Indifferent. |
A.facial recognition is a new debatable world technology |
B.convolutional neural network is intended for feature detection |
C.facial recognition is mostly employed to identify criminals |
D.there’s still need for facial recognition to prove accuracy |
3 . We had to put our Belgian sheepdog Shadow to sleep yesterday. He was hands down the worst dog I have ever had—not so much a superdog as a superbad dog. For the first two years of his life, we worked relentlessly to train him to do the basic things. He balked at all of it. When made to lie down, he would roll his back and cry out as if he were being beaten. If pushed too hard, he would bite — never to draw blood, but enough to let you know who was in charge.
Frustrated, we sent him to a professional trainer, who took him into his home to work with him one-on-one. After the agreed-upon two weeks of training, the handler called and sheepishly asked for another two weeks with Shadow, free of charge, as he had been unable to make any progress. In another two weeks, we got the same phone call. So, after six weeks, the dog trainer returned our dog with apologies, stating that this was the first dog that he’d ever deemed untrainable. Shadow appeared quite pleased with himself.
For all of his 13 years, Shadow bested us, allowing us the privilege of living in his home. On his last day, my daughter commented, “Mom, I know he doesn’t feel good because he is not growling at me when I kiss his face.” That was him. Shadow was a genius. How else could he have compelled us to love the worst dog.
1. Shadow would bite when we push him too hard ________.A.to make us bleed | B.to beat us | C.to train him | D.to show dissatisfaction |
A.Because he wanted to work with Shadow. |
B.Because he wanted to charge more money. |
C.Because he failed to train Shadow well within the agreed time. |
D.Because Shadow was quite pleased with himself. |
A.He didn’t like being trained. |
B.He spent twelve weeks altogether with the trainer. |
C.He became the first dog that the trainer failed to train. |
D.He would growl at our daughter when she kissed him. |
A.naughty and intelligent | B.friendly and trainable |
C.unkind and untrainable | D.superbad and disobedient |
The trade routes are of great importance. In march, the Suez Canal, one of the world's most important sea trade routes,
In early history, The Silk Road was the most important trade route,
Though the Silk Road was mainly a trading route, it was
5 . Introduction to Sanxingdui Museum
Situated in the northeast of the state-protected Sanxingdui Site by the bank of the Yazi River in Guanghan — a city famed for its long history and splendid culture, Sanxingdui Museum is a modern theme museum which is 40 kilometers to the north of Chengdu.
Covering a total area of 530 yields, Sanxingdui Museum had its foundation laid in August 1992, and opened to the public in October 1997. Featured for its relics, architecture, demonstration and gardens, the museum has become a place of cultural and tourist attractions enjoying prestige both at home and abroad and one of the three exquisite spots Sichuan has offered to the world tourism.
Notice to Sanxingdui Site Museum Travelers
Ⅰ. Opening & Booking Time
Opening time: Gallery One 8:30-18:00 Gallery Two 8:30-18:30
Booking time: 8:30-17:00
Ⅱ. Visiting Route
Gallery One→Gallery Two
Ⅲ . Ticket Price
(1) Gallery ticket ¥72 ¥36 (students)
(2) Garden ticket ¥5
The ticket is used on the sold day and each gallery once.
Admission free for children under 1.2 meters (including 1.2m), seniors aged 60 or above and the disabled.
Ⅴ. Guide Service&Price
(1) Guide Service
If you need a museum guide, please employ one at the reception desk in Gallery One.
Chinese, Cantonese, Tibetan: ¥80 (Group below 20 persons)
English, Japanese: ¥120 (Group below 20 persons)
(2) Guide Range: Gallery 1 & Gallery 2
(3) It takes about 80 minutes each guide service.
(4) We provide Chinese & English auto guiding device free of charge. Please deposit CNY ¥200 and your valid credential. If damaged or lost, you should compensate according to the cost price.
Ⅳ.Consulting telephone: 0838-5651526
Ⅵ. Complaint against the price telephone: 12358
1. What can we learn about Sanxingdui Museum?A.It’s located in the northeast of Chengdu. |
B.It’s an ancient theme museum. |
C.It’s a famous place of cultural and tourist attractions. |
D.It’s the only top tourist spots in Sichuan. |
A.¥154. | B.¥118. |
C.¥ 77. | D.¥ 41. |
A.pay CNY ¥200 for a museum guide |
B.first call the museum at 12358 for enquiry |
C.use Chinese & English auto guiding device for free |
D.deposit some money and provide her valid credential |
Do you know
Many reporters use portable computers which allow them
Next, an editor concentrates
The story is set in print. On most newspapers today, this
Miles of paper are turned into thousands of
These days, it is not unusual for 10-to 12-year-olds to publish their own websites or for second and third graders
The Digital World is a set of volumes
8 . China is determined to land its astronauts on the moon and set up a scientific station there,according to a project leader.
Zhou Yanfei,deputy chief designer of China's manned space program,said on Friday that China wishes to use the manned lunar missions to carry out scientific surveys and technology demonstrations,explore ways to develop lunar resources and strengthen the nation's space capabilities.
"A new wave of lunar explorations has been emerging in the world,with participants aiming to make sustainable missions to deepen knowledge of the moon and exploit resources there,"he said in a report delivered at the 2020 China Space Conference in Fuzhou,Fujian province."Unlike other nations,China must depend on its own science and technology to realize our goals."
The country is independently able to land its astronauts on the moon because it has the technologies,a group of well-trained,innovative professionals and high-efficiency research and management systems,Zhou said."However,our existing carrier rockets can't perform landing missions to the moon because they are not powerful enough.The Shenzhou- series manned spaceships are not suitable for lunar expeditions.We don't have a lunar landing capsule,"he said."Our ground support system was designed for operations in low-Earth orbit rather than on the lunar surface.
To solve the problem, we set out to produce a powerful launch vehicle. Zhou said researchers thought about two approaches-making a new heavy-lift rocket,or adjusting the next-generation rocket designed to carry astronauts,which is under development.Researchers prefer the latter approach because it would be easier to design and make and would become operational earlier.
The new rocket is being designed at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.Its main body will be 87 meters tall,with a diameter of 5 meters,which would make it almost twice as tall as the Long March 5,currently the biggest of China's rockets.
1. Which is NOT the goal of the manned lunar mission?A.To explore lunar resources. |
B.To perform scientific experiments. |
C.To set up a scientific station. |
D.To strengthen the national space power. |
A.China is not capable of pursuing the manned lunar program. |
B.There are still difficulties in pursuing the manned lunar program. |
C.There are a series of steps in the Manned Lunar program. |
D.It is manageable to carry out the Manned Lunar program. |
A.Nations must depend on themselves to explore the moon. |
B.The Long March 5 is the biggest of China's rocket. |
C.The newly-designed rocket will not carry astronauts. |
D.Producing a powerful launch vehicle is the most difficult part in the program. |
A.The new rocket is big enough to perform landing missions. |
B.The new rocket is being made to launch lunar spaceship. |
C.China's scientific power has improved. |
D.The new rocket will be put into use soon. |
9 . Slow Walking and Ageing
Getting old might not be something that’s yet to cross your mind.
According to the result of those tested, slower walkers tended to show signs of “accelerated ageing”. Their lungs, teeth and immune systems were in worse shape than those who walked faster.
This might be seen as a wake-up call for people with a slower gait who might feel it’s time to work out and get fitter. But it might be too late; researchers predict the walking speed of 45-year-olds using the results of intelligence, language and motor skills tests from when they were aged three.
So, what’s the point of knowing that a slower walking pace might mean a smaller brain? Well, researchers say measuring walking speed at a younger age, and understanding what this might mean, could be a way of testing treatments to slow human ageing.
A.Everyone wishes to keep young |
B.There are various ways to exercise |
C.We all know that regular exercise is good for us |
D.But ageing is unavoidably going to get the better of us one day |
E.This might help us make lifestyle changes while we’re still young and healthy |
F.In other words, some signs even in early life will show who will live younger and healthier |
G.To add insult to injury, the result also indicates the faces of slower walkers usually look older and they have smaller brains |
10 . Exercise could not only benefit your body, but also improve your memory, researchers found recently. In their paper published on Monday, researchers from the University of California, Irvine in the United States and the University of Tsukuba in Japan introduced their experiment and conclusion.
Scientists invited 36 volunteers who were in their early 20s to do 10 minutes of light exercise before taking a memory test in which they were shown pictures like broccoli(西兰花)or picnic baskets and asked to recall them later. The same experiment was repeated with the same group of volunteers without exercising. u The memory task was really quite challenging , " said Michael Yassa,co-author of the study and a neuroscientist (神经科学家)at the University of California, Irvine. "We used very tricky similar items to see if they would remember whether it was this exact picnic basket versus (对抗)that picnic basket. "
Researchers also scanned brains of some, of the participants during the experiment. They found strengthened communication between regions involved in the storage and recollection of memories in brains of those who had exercised. This suggested that just 10 minutes of light exercise like walking,yoga or Tai Chi might increase memory power.
As all the volunteers in the experiment were relatively young, researchers are still working to look at the effects of light exercise on older people. "Our future goal is to try to develop an exercise prescription(处方) that can be used by older adults who might have disabilities or mobility impairments,but can still adopt very simple exercise rules of life and be able to,perhaps,delay cognitive decline temporarily," said Yassa.
1. What did the researchers find from the experiment mentioned in the text?A.Regular exercise is of benefit to the memory of all people. |
B.Just a short period of exercise better young people's memory power. |
C.Older people can also improve their cognitive power by exercising regularly. |
D.All the volunteers in the experiment improved their memory through exercise. |
A.The time to solve the questions was too limited. |
B.The people in the experiment were disabled. |
C.The items to be distinguished were extremely similar. |
D.The questions asked by the scientists were too complicated. |
A..To solve a problem. | B.To give practical advice. |
C.To present a research result. | D.To tell an interesting story. |
A.Advantages of Exercising Regularly |
B.Exercise Is Beneficial to Both Young and Old |
C.Exercise Can Improve Older People's Cognitive Power |
D.Ten Minutes of Exercise a Day Might Improve Memory |