1 . Could the next Ernest Hemingway or Jane Austen be a well-engineered AI software program? It’s a question becoming increasingly pressing as machine language-learning software continues to evolve.
Much of this is just nerves. Today’s AI creative writing programs are not yet at a stage of development where they pose a serious threat to Colleen Hoover or Charles Dickens. But while attention continues to focus on the possibility of a blanket takeover of human literature by AI, far less consideration has been given to the prospect of AI co-working with humans.
Earlier this month, American sci-fi writer Ken Liu, who had been awarded Hugo and Nebula to his name, joined 12 other professional authors for a writing workshop on Google’s Wordcraft. This AI tool, a language generating model, is not yet publicly available but is advertised as an AI-powered writing assistant that can, when given the right instruction from the writer, provide helpful descriptions, create lists of objects or emotional states, and even brainstorm ideas.
The writers at the workshop, however, emerged with mixed reports. “Wordcraft is too sensible. Wow!” Robin Sloan wrote. “But ‘sensible’ is another word for predictable, overused and boring. My intention here is to produce something unexpected.”
I’m unconvinced that writers awarded the Nobel Prize have much to fear from AI. Their work, and that of countless other novelists, short story writers, dramatists and poets, is too particular, too beautifully unique. Even if a model learned what they had done in the past, it would not be able to predict where their creativity might take them in the future. But for authors who write following a pattern, AI might step in, first as assistants before some day to authorship.
Production-line novels are nothing new. In the 1970s, Barbara Cartland, who wrote more than 723 books in her lifetime, many of which are romance bestsellers, would read her novels for her secretary to type up at the remarkable rate of roughly seven chapters a week. But already machine has replaced the secretary’s role. Perhaps creative writing software isn’t that far from replacing the Mrs. Cartlands of today.
1. Which aspect of AI calls for more attention?A.Its damage to our nerves. |
B.Its progress in literary studies. |
C.Its cooperation with humans. |
D.Its influence on human literature. |
A.It generates novels automatically. |
B.It outperforms professional writers. |
C.Its works receive praises from the public. |
D.Its works bear similarity to existing ones. |
A.Increase writing speed. |
B.Use diverse resources. |
C.Produce creative works. |
D.Follow the latest patterns. |
A.Will AI Replace Human Writers? |
B.AI Warns Mrs. Cartlands of Today |
C.Is Writing Running into a New Era? |
D.Word craft Lies at the Center of Debate |
2 . On a bright sunny day, I stared my day off by volunteering at the L. A. Food Bank. My reason for volunteering at the food bank was to satisfy my need to help others and leave a
By helping pack food items. I was able to make as significant impact on my community by helping people fight
A.change | B.message | C.blank | D.chance |
A.established | B.examined | C.entered | D.equipped |
A.shabby | B.steady | C.tidy | D.noisy |
A.check in | B.give up | C.show off | D.move out |
A.aid | B.duties | C.awards | D.test |
A.appointed | B.begged | C.forced | D.persuaded |
A.consumed | B.inspected | C.searched | D.replaced |
A.abandoned | B.delivered | C.packed | D.explored |
A.represent | B.shelter | C.deserve | D.contain |
A.studio | B.factory | C.museum | D.theatre |
A.bank | B.list | C.step | D.row |
A.quickly | B.secretly | C.casually | D.anxiously |
A.burden | B.thought | C.regret | D.interest |
A.recognize | B.welcome | C.help | D.visit |
A.focus | B.respect | C.wisdom | D.ambition |
A.understood | B.counted | C.led | D.heard |
A.leadership | B.technical | C.social | D.business |
A.prove | B.discover | C.stress | D.guarantee |
A.fear | B.loneliness | C.hunger | D.doubt |
A.direction | B.identity | C.belonging | D.satisfaction |
3 . Choose Your One-Day-Tours!
Tour A - Bath &Stonehenge including entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge -£37 until 26 March and £39 thereafter. Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum, Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments dating back over 5,000 years.
Tour B - Oxford & Stratford including entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway’s -£32 until 12 March and £36 thereafter. Oxford: Includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires(尖顶)” from St Mary‘s Church Tower. Stratford: Includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.
Tour C - Windsor Castle &Hampton Court: including entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace -£34 until 11 March and £37 thereafter. Includes a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry VILL’s favorite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle(entrance fees not included).With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four Kings and one Queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze(迷宫) where it is easy to get lost!
Tour D –Cambridge including entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great -£33 until 18 March and £37 thereafter. Includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.
1. Which tour will you choose if you want to see England’s oldest university city?A.Tour A | B.Tour B |
C.Tour C | D.Tour D |
A.Windsor Castle & Hampton Court | B.Oxford & Stratford |
C.Bath & Stonehenge | D.Cambridge |
A.It used to be the home of royal families | B.It used to be a well-known maze |
C.It is the oldest palace in Britain | D.It is a world-famous castle |
4 . Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely considered a strong weapon in efforts against global warming. But are they like what people believe? The Radiant Energy Group (REG) stated effects of EVs vary with countries. In some nations, EVs lead to the release of more carbon gases than gasoline cars. The group reckoned gas emissions caused by a gasoline vehicle and from charging an EV. Countries where charging an EV is cleaner than driving a gasoline-powered car use a lot of nuclear or solar power.
Sales of electric cars are rising the fastest in Europe. Data from REG suggests EVs in Poland actually create more carbon emissions because their electrical systems depend so much on coal. In other European countries, however, EVs result in fewer emissions. The countries with the biggest carbon gas reduction use much clean power. The first was Switzerland at 100 percent carbon reductions over gasoline vehicles.
Germany and Spain create lots of electricity from the sun and wind. But the sun and wind don’t add to a country’s electrical system equally throughout the day. For this reason, carbon emissions saved by driving an EV aren’t fixed. Charging in the afternoon, when there’s more sun and wind, saves 16 to 18 percent more carbon than at night when electrical systems are more likely to be using gas or coal.
The gap in emissions between electric and gasoline-powered vehicles has narrowed in recent years. In Europe, carmakers have been required to meet EU CO2 emissions of performance standards. They’ve made their gasoline engines more fuel-efficient. As a result, carbon emissions of new gasoline-powered cars in Europe have fallen an average of 25 percent in the past years. But EV sales in Europe are backed by government spending and rules against new gasoline engine cars after 2035. Major automakers have set targets to sell mainly EVs in Europe in the coming years.
1. What does the underlined word “reckoned” mean in Paragraph 1?A.Increased. | B.Calculated. | C.Banned. | D.Prevented. |
A.The country where they’re made. | B.Facilities producing clean power. |
C.The time they are being charged. | D.Technology used by electrical systems. |
A.Support of official policies. | B.Concern about global warming. |
C.Standards of gasoline car. | D.Advertisements from carmakers. |
A.What Benefits Do EVs Bring? | B.Will EVs Replace Gasoline Cars in Europe? |
C.How Do EVs Affect Carbon Emissions? | D.Do Electric Cars Really Help the Environment? |
5 . Born in Russia and living in an orphanage (孤儿院) for the first 13 months of her life, Jessica Long had no idea what her future would hold. The little girl born with Fibular Hemimelia would not only go on to be a 13-time gold medal-winning Paralympic champion, but she would inspire others to chase their dreams.
Long was born in Russia, where she lived in an orphanage until her parents adopted her in 1993. Soon after being adopted, she had to have her legs amputated (截肢) at only a year and a half. “It gave me a lot of freedom and movement,” Long said. “But growing up was definitely really hard. From a very early age, I just decided that I was going to be unstoppable and I wasn’t going to let my legs hold me back.” From that point forward, she didn’t let anyone tell her what she was or wasn’t capable of doing. She started doing gymnastics as a kid. Then, in 2002, Long found her sport for life: swimming!
“I was the only girl with no legs on the swim team, ” she said. “There were moments I struggled, but my teammates treated me like a friend. When I look back on my life and I think about anyone on that team, no one made fun of me for having no legs and they were so kind.” Long defied (顶住) all odds and surprised everyone when she qualified at age only 12 for the Paralympics in 2004 in Athens. After four Paralympics, Long has won 13 gold, six silver, and four bronze medals. She has dozens of World Championship medals and has broken numerous world records throughout her career so far. But she didn’t concentrate on winning awards or being famous. “I really just love swimming. It’s important for any athlete to remember just why you started,” she said.
As one of the most decorated athletes in history, Long’s goal is to just keep competing as long as her body allows. “Dream big,” she said. “There are so many possibilities out there, so find your passion, be consistent and work hard. You define your own success.”
1. How old was Long when she found her life sport?A.11 | B.10. | C.12. | D.13. |
A.Her experience of winning 13 gold medals. |
B.Her parents’ support and teachers’ help. |
C.Her teammates’ understanding and kindness. |
D.Her focus on winning awards and fame. |
A.A poor orphanage and her close friends. |
B.A happy girl and her confusing childhood. |
C.An amazing illness and its terrible influence. |
D.An inspiring story about an unlucky person. |
A.If you can dream it, you can make it. |
B.If you want to succeed, learn to swim. |
C.A man never reaches success until disabled. |
D.A sportsman’s goal is winning gold medals. |
The Chinese folk dance is a microcosm (缩影) of the country’s rich culture. The peacock dance is a
The Dai people are known for their dancing and singing skills. It’s said that more
The dance movements are usually performed in a fixed order. The dance starts with a peacock flying out from
7 . Qatar, a tiny Middle East country, almost entirely surrounded by the turquoise warm waters, offers plenty of beaches to enjoy a refreshing dip. From family-friendly sands to an emerging kitesurfing destination, get ready to dive in.
Katara Beach
If you want to swim in the ocean but don’t want to adventure beyond the capital of Doha, Katara Beach is the place to go. It is a pleasant sandy stretch with lounge chairs, shaded areas ideal for sheltering kids from the hot sun, water sports ground and a wide children’s play area. With food vans and restaurants just steps from the sand, you don’t need to go far to find lunch.
Fuwairit Beach
The soft white sands of Fuwairit Beach on Qatar’s northeast coast, about an hour’s drive north of Doha, are surrounded by shallow, crystal-blue waters appropriate for diving. The kitesurfing season runs from January to June, and with a kitesurfing resort due to open in late 2022 on this undeveloped beach, it’ll be easier than ever to arrange relevant lessons and transport.
AI Shamal Beach
For constant views of the sun setting over the ocean, head to Qatar’s north coast. The super shallow and rocky beaches up here aren’t the best for swimming, but when the sun goes down, AI Shamal Beach is a fine spot to take in the scenery. You’ll find public bathrooms and seats along the Corniche. Several simple dining options can be found in the neighboring villages.
Simaisma Beach
North of Doha, Simaisma Beach is Qatar’s most developed public beach after Katara Beach, with plenty of family-friendly facilities. With calm, shallow waters and mangroves to explore at the northern end of the beach, it’s great for kids, but the soft, muddy sand may be imperfect for building sandcastles.
1. What can visitors do on Fuwairit Beach at present?A.Dive in the shallow sea. | B.Participate in surf courses. |
C.Fly kites along the coast. | D.Sunbathe on a lounge chair. |
A.Rock-climbing athlete. | B.Environment protector. |
C.Professor of astronomy. | D.Amateur photographer. |
A.They both provide lunch convenient to get. | B.They both welcome households with children. |
C.They both have special water sports venues. | D.They are both suitable for outdoor adventure. |
8 . With thrill-seeking spots from north to south, there are various of theme parks in California for every taste and style. Different parks offer unique experiences and I’m here to help you decide which is best for you! Here are the top 3 California theme parks that shouldn’t be missed.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Cinema lovers delight as they visit Universal Studios Hollywood. Experience the movie magic and behind-the-scenes Hollywood studio tours at this Southern California theme park. This is one of the best theme parks in California that doesn’t break the bank. There are always discounts available online and with a good search, you may end up paying next to nothing for a trip to Universal Studios with the whole family.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the most popular theme parks in California and it is also known as “America’s first theme park, “ for it is over 100 years old. Its wild west theme is seen throughout the park with cowboy characters striding (阔步)along in the western-themed live entertainment. After you go on roller coasters, check out Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Some guests visit the theme park for that restaurant alone. Work up your appetite from walking around the park all day for a delicious chicken dinner.
Legoland California
Legoland California is a children's paradise (乐园). Kids are excited when they see their favorite toys come to life at a whole amusement park. There are also kid-themed shows for children to watch throughout the park so your children never grow bored. Don’t forget to try all the delicious food around Legoland like fried apples.
1. Who will make Universal Studios Hollywood their first choice?A.Lego lovers. | B.Movie lovers. |
C.Thrill seekers. | D.Bargain traders. |
A.Fish. | B.Beef. | C.Mutton. | D.Chicken. |
A.They can eat the delicious food free of charge. |
B.They can play a part in the kid-themed shows. |
C.They can experience their favorite toys vividly. |
D.They can make fried apples when feeling bored. |
Daily activities and
Families will take seniors to climb up the mountains
This year, Chongyang Festival fell on Oct 4. China Traditional Cultural Museum mounted a series of public programs to
Experienced handicrafts(手工艺人)were at the site to show skills
The museum hoped the programs not only brightened up the life of old people but also pass on the qualities to the
10 . My kids and I were heading into the supermarket over the weekend. On the way, we spotted a man holding a piece of paper that said, “
At this store, a
In the store, I asked each of my kids to
When we handed him the bag of
This has been a wonderful
A.Lost | B.Changed | C.Quit | D.Finished |
A.condition | B.place | C.sight | D.show |
A.suggestion | B.comment | C.decision | D.call |
A.outside | B.proudly | C.by | D.angrily |
A.draw | B.say | C.arrange | D.pick |
A.order | B.supply | C.appreciate | D.discover |
A.dollar | B.job | C.hot meal | D.gift card |
A.easy | B.low | C.soft | D.loose |
A.giving | B.saving | C.spending | D.begging |
A.yet | B.even | C.still | D.just |
A.declared | B.shared | C.ignored | D.expected |
A.toys | B.medicine | C.food | D.clothes |
A.sleepy | B.watery | C.curious | D.sharp |
A.whoever | B.whatever | C.whichever | D.whenever |
A.experience | B.example | C.message | D.adventure |
A.rely on | B.respect | C.learn from | D.help |
A.suddenly | B.vividly | C.differently | D.perfectly |
A.time | B.power | C.patience | D.money |
A.fear | B.love | C.need | D.memory |
A.strong | B.sweet | C.strange | D.simple |