1 . Like many schools worldwide, the pandemic forced Safe Passage to address an issue it’s been debating for years: how to best integrate (使……完整，使……整体) online or remote learning into its education plans.
Holland says students will be at a disadvantage in today’s workplace if they don’t have access to digital tools.
“Blended learning is a combination between technology and face-to-face classroom learning,” says Holland. “It’s not a bolt-on solution. If you see technology as this cool thing you just bolt on to an existing curriculum, you are in big trouble.”
Jean-Francois agrees.
“A lot of grants will include purchasing laptops or tablets. But education is a lot more complex,” she says. “
“We need to figure it out, but figure it out one step at a time,” says Johnson. “You have to know what people are able to accept and use — cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Determine that, then move forward.”
| A．Most remote learning involves technology like tablets. |
| B．The Rotary clubs raise money to buy tablets and pack the items for delivery. |
| C．With the unpredictability of the pandemic, many schools will be making the same kind of decisions in the coming year. |
| D．At the same time, students benefit most when technology is integrated into the entire curriculum, not just provided through a mass distribution of laptops. |
| E．We need to use this time and lean into developing teachers in new ways we haven’t thought of before. |
| F．Students have formed small groups to share smartphones with others who don’t have one. |
2 . “Is data the new oil?” asked advocates of big data back in 2012 in Forbes magazine. By 2016, with the rise of big data’s fast-growing cousin deep learning, we had become more certain: “Data is the new oil,” stated Fortune magazine.
Amazon’s Neil Lawrence has a slightly different comparison: Data is coal. Not coal today, though, but coal in the early days of the 18th century, when Thomas Newcomen invented the steam engine. Newcomen built his device to pump water out of the southwest’s rich tin (锡) mines.
The problem, as Lawrence said, was that the pump was rather more useful to those who had a lot of coal than those who didn’t: it was good, but not good enough to be able to buy enough coal in to run it. That was so true that the first of Newcomen’s steam engines wasn’t built in a tin mine, but in coal works near Dudley.
So why is data coal? The problem is similar: there are a lot of Newcomen in the world of deep learning. New companies are coming up with revolutionary new ways to train machines to do impressive tasks, from reconstructing facial data from images to learning the writing style of an individual user to better predict which word they are going to type in a sentence. And yet, like Newcomen, their innovations are so much more useful to the people who actually have large amounts of raw material to work from.
But there is an ending to the story: 69 years later, James Watt made a nice change to the Newcomen steam engine, adding a condenser (冷凝器) to the design. That change, Lawrence said, “made the steam engine much more efficient, and that’s what triggered the industrial revolution.”
Whether data is oil or coal, then, there’s another way the comparison holds up: a lot of work is going into trying to make sure we can do more, with less.
“If you look at all the areas where deep learning is successful, they’re all areas where there’s lots of data,” points out Lawrence. That’s great if you want to classify images of cats, but less helpful if you want to use deep learning to diagnose rare illnesses. “It’s generally considered unacceptable to force people to become sick in order to acquire data.”
It’s not as impressive as teaching a computer to play a game better than any human alive, but “data efficiency” is a vital step if deep learning is to move away from simply taking in large amounts of data and giving out the best correlations (关联) possible.
1. The first of Newcomen’s steam engines wasn’t built in a tin mine because________.| A．its operation required a lot of coal | B．it would lose its function in a tin mine |
| C．it was in greater demand in coal works | D．the rich mines required more advanced aids |
| A．Reconstructing facial data. | B．Predicting a word in a sentence. |
| C．Classifying images of cats. | D．Diagnosing rare diseases. |
| A．Watt’s condenser helped the steam engine consume less coal. |
| B．Data involving patients is often collected through immoral ways. |
| C．Teaching machines to learn is a vital step towards data efficiency. |
| D．Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine had revolutionary applications. |
| A．acquiring data is as complex as mining for coal |
| B．a change is required to make more out of less data |
| C．data is the new fuel to start an information revolution |
| D．a larger amount of data is needed to accomplish something |
3 . Anne of Green Gables (1985)
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables, previously filmed in 1934, was afforded a TV-movie treatment in 1985. Anne Shirley is an orphan girl sent to live with a foster family on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Though she has great difficulty controlling her temper and vivid imagination, Anne eventually wins over her new guardians, bossy Marilla Cuthbert and Mailla’s shy brother Mathew. Anne’s journey is a happy one, but starts out difficult like those of many children adopted at an older age.
Martian Child (2007)
Martian Child tells the story of a widower, David, and his continuation of the adoption process he had started before his wife’s death. His new son, Dennis, believes that he is a Martian. David must contend with this belief and gain access into Dennis’s world. Both characters are born outsiders and they recognize their common sense of loss. Martian Child is a wonderful story for any adopted child, especially those who have created their own origin story to cope with the absence of their birth family.
Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me is championed for showing kids how much their presence impacts the lives of their adoptive parents. Gru is a super-bad guy until he meets orphans Margo, Edith and Agnes. They overturned his life and his evil plans as they work to warm his heart and home. Despicable Me is a funny kid movie on the surface, but truly has a lot to say about the love of a child and the effect of that love on their new parents and home.
Annie (2014)
In this remake of one of the most-beloved adoption stories, Annie’s positive attitude shines in the midst of incompetent social workers and greedy foster parents. The songs are cheerful and catchy and the film is happy. While this film could be very challenging for children who have experienced destructive placements, it is generally family-friendly. It also gets points for allowing Annie to exemplify several of the strengths of foster kids: hopeful, brave, tough and smart.
1. The films all deal with the theme of________.| A．family conflict | B．parenting | C．adoption | D．child care |
| A．Annie & Despicable Me | B．Annie & Anne of Green Gables |
| C．Martian Child & Anne of Green Gables | D．Despicable Me & Martian Child |
| A．Optimism sees Annie through her bad times. |
| B．David tries hard to help Dennis cope with his new life. |
| C．The films all have happy endings despite early difficulties. |
| D．Despicable Me illustrates the power of love in a serious way. |
| A. commercial | B. reducing | C. conduct | D. orbit | E. lunar | F. measures |
| G. unmanned | H. programme | I. powerful | J. potentially | K. range |
China’s new Long March-8 rocket makes first flight
China’s new carrier rocket, the Long March-8, made its maiden flight on Tuesday, the country’s space agency said, the first phase of a strategy to deploy launch vehicles that can be reused.
The Long March-8 series is part of China’s endeavours to develop reusable rockets,
The programme has drawn parallels to private US rocket firm SpaceX’s Falcon
The new medium-lift carrier rocket sent five satellites into planned
It
The rocket’s design was based on technologies developed for previous Long March editions, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
It is also expected to lay the foundation for development of large and heavy rockets, shortening development periods and
The five experimental satellites launched by the new rocket will
Beijing has invested heavily in its space
A(n)
The Long March 8 rocket will eventually help China replace its fleet of medium-lift launch vehicles, providing launch services for low Earth orbit satellite constellations and payloads bound for higher altitudes, such as geosynchronous orbit, CASC said.
5 . It seems to me that all writers, including those brilliant ones, need encouragement particularly in their early years. I always knew I could write,but that just meant I wrote a little better than my peers. I hope that I might one day write well enough to derive income from my efforts. Oddly enough,this never occurred to me until I met a special teacher in life.
There was a kind teacher at Hyde Park High School in Chicago,who simply by concentrating her attention on me, made me believe that I might be able to master the knack of writing well enough to consider the craft as a profession. Miss Marguerite Byme taught English,which of course, involved writing skills.Whatever instruction she shared with me was exactly the same as all her other students enjoyed, but the only difference was that she encouraged me to begin the process of submitting things I was writing, in those days, chiefly poems.
To my surprise, the Chicago Tribune not only thought enough of several of my verses to publish them, but also paid me, inadvertently, the highest compliment a fledgling author can receive. The editor wrote a confidential letter to Miss Byme, asking her to see, if by any chance, one of her students, a certain Stephen Allen, might be guilty of copying. The editor's suspicions had been aroused, because he was kind enough to say, he found it hard to believe that a seventeen-year-old student could create material on such a professional level.When Miss Byme shared the letter with me, I was overjoyed! It was wonderfully heartening.
Miss Byme made me realize that I should not hide my light. This made me collect my courage to enter a writing contest. The assignment was to write an essay titled "Rediscovering America". I was literally astonished when I received a letter saying that I was the winner of the contest.The prize was a thousand dollars. My mother, at the time, was not even aware that I was interested in writing, or if she had somehow found out about it, she took little notice.When I arrived home that evening with the letter, she was indifferent and did not ask how the evening had gone.
Without encouragement, even talented students will continue to perform below expectations. For example, at the same high school, there was a teacher whose Spanish language classes I attended but from whom I unfortunately learned very little simply because of the woman's cold sarcastically critical attitude. She seemed to know nothing about nurturing students. Soon, I withdrew from her classroom literacy instruction.
Years later, I was able to repay my debt to Marguerite Byme by dedicating one of my books, Wry on the Rocks------A collection of Poems.to her. I have enjoyed a lifetime writing books and television scripts because of her urge.
1. Miss Byme treated me differently from other students in that ________.| A．she encouraged the author to try to earn money from writing |
| B．she gave the author private instructions on writing skills |
| C．she advised the author to contribute his writing works |
| D．she taught the author the knack of writing as a profession |
| A．he regretted overpaying the author |
| B．he had doubts about the author's writing abilities |
| C．he wanted to inform her of the author's talent |
| D．he wanted to befriend a future star writer |
| A．The author had set the goal of writing professionally since childhood. |
| B．The share of the editor's letter made the author ashamed of his behavior. |
| C．The author won the writing contest which made his mother proud of him. |
| D．The author quitted Spanish course because of the teacher's negative attitude. |
| A．writing skills should be cultivated since high school years |
| B．it's easy for a writer like him to make a living by writing |
| C．parents should take kid's interests and talents seriously |
| D．development of skills and abilities require adequate encouragement |
6 . Why HS2 should go ahead
For the country that invented railways, Britain has shown remarkably little interest in them lately. New networks have been built around Europe in the past few decades, but the only significant stretch of
Britain's big
Rail is an increasingly significant part of the transport mix. Climate change is making carbon-efficiency even more important. At the same time, passenger numbers have gone beyond
The benefit-to-cost ratio(效益成本比率) calculated for HS2, at around one, is hardly acknowledged. But just as the costs of big transport projects are often
The main point of HS2, similarly, is its impact on the cities and towns along its
| A．land | B．track | C．highway | D．water |
| A．Besides | B．Indeed | C．Fortunately | D．Likewise |
| A．qualification | B．eagerness | C．reluctance | D．potential |
| A．theory | B．ambition | C．problem | D．solution |
| A．gaps | B．lists | C．lines | D．periods |
| A．highlights | B．increases | C．counts | D．limits |
| A．speed | B．length | C．quantity | D．quality |
| A．records | B．forecasts | C．averages | D．scopes |
| A．varying | B．declining | C．growing | D．remaining |
| A．shared | B．underestimated | C．overlooked | D．controlled |
| A．for instance | B．as a result | C．in addition | D．out of problem |
| A．political | B．cultural | C．economic | D．historic |
| A．extension | B．border | C．surface | D．route |
| A．settled down | B．put forward | C．taken over | D．left behind |
| A．tough | B．flexible | C．innovative | D．vacant |
Can Birdsong Make You Happier?
If you are able to step outside and hear many types of birds, you might also have a greater feeling of well-being. Two studies show that hearing diverse birdsongs may help increase our happiness.
One study was done by the researchers at California Polytechnic State University. The team studied the effects of birdsong on people walking through a park in the U.S. state of Colorado. Danielle Ferraro, who led the Cal Poly study, says that there could be an evolutionary reason why we like birdsong. The idea is that when we hear birdsong it could signal safety to us. There could be many other reasons too Ferraro states that in some areas around the world birdsong can also signal the arrival of spring and nice weather. Bird diversity, she adds, can also mean a healthy environment.
Similarly, scientists in Germany examined for the first time whether a diverse nature also increases human well-being across Europe. The researchers looked at the European Quality of Life Survey to study the connection between the different kinds of birds in their surroundings and life satisfaction. They looked at more than 26,000 adults from 26 European countries. “Europeans are particularly satisfied with their lives if their surroundings have a high species diversity,” explains the study’s lead author, Joel Methorst, a researcher at the Goethe University in Frankfurt. He and his team found that the happiest Europeans are those who can experience many different kinds of birds in their daily life, or who live in near-natural surroundings that are home to many species.
So, if birdsong is good for our mental health, how can we increase the different types of birdsongs we hear? Scientists also mentioned, “We would recommend planting native trees and flowers because we have a lot of pretty decorative plants in our cities. And they might look nice to us, but birds can’t necessarily use them. So, we think it important to have species that are native to the area to increase bird diversity.”
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8 . Motivating Employees under Unfavourable Conditions
It is a great deal easier to motivate employees in a growing organization than a declining one. When organizations are expanding, promotional opportunities, pay rises, and the excitement of being associated with a dynamic organization create feelings of optimism. When an organization is shrinking, the best and mobile workers are likely to leave voluntarily.
Morale (士气) also suffers during decline. People fear they may be the next to be made unnecessary. Productivity often Suffers, as employees spend their time sharing rumours and providing one another with moral support rather than focusing on their jobs.
The literature on goal-setting theory suggests that managers should ensure that all employees have specific goals and receive comments on how well they are doing in those goals. Regardless of whether goals are achievable or well within management’s perceptions of the employee’s ability, if employees see them as unachievable they will reduce their effort.
Since employees have different needs, managers should use their knowledge of each employee to personalize the rewards over which they have control. Some of the more obvious rewards that managers allocate include pay, promotions and the opportunity to participate in goal-setting and decision-making.
| A．There is enough evidence to support the motivational benefits that result from carefully matching people to jobs. |
| B．For those whose jobs are secure, pay increases are rarely possible. |
| C．High achievers are motivated by jobs that are high in independence and responsibility. |
| D．Unfortunately, they are the ones the organization can least afford to lose—those with the highest skills and experience. |
| E．The answer to that depends on perceptions of goal acceptance and the organization’s culture. |
| F．Managers must be sure, therefore, that employees feel confident that their efforts can lead to performance goals. |
9 . A few years ago, Charles Barkley got into a lot of trouble for making the observation that sports figures didn't need to be role models. Thousands of fans and professional journalists were cross at this attack on the fundamental principle that the person who jumps highest must aim highest and the person who handles the running back must also be able to deal with life's problems with grace as well.
The problem is not that we look to these people for perfection when they take off their uniforms. It's that we expect anyone to be our representatives for perfection. That's stupid and it makes the rest of us down here lazy.
I get the importance of having heroes, the people who inspire us to cultivate the best potential within us and nurture our better angels. I personally have many heroes, from my mother, Lucy, to my favorite law professor, Howard. But these are personal contacts, people who have-actually touched my hand and my heart, and who occupy a pedestal（基座）built of my own experiences and aspirations. To look at an athlete or an actress with high salary and demand that he or she match our dreams is not only a waste of time, but it's dangerous. The danger comes in how this type of hero worship dehumanizes both the object of affection and the person who blindly adores. That was Barkley's point, not that we should give public figures a pass for being faulty but that we shouldn't abandon our own moral compasses and look to them for true north.
Recently on a television program I participated in, the discussion turned to Kathleen Kane. Someone suggested that the fact that the first female attorney general（首席检察官）in Pennsylvania was really messing things up could have unfortunate consequences for women seeking elected office. I offered the opinion that Kane was unquestionably criticized and that it was not hatred towards woman but incompetence at the root of the attacks. After the show aired, I had people emailing to tell me that I was either a traitor（叛徒）for publicly attacking a fellow female when we need to stand together behind this "role model", or a fool for not going a step further to say that this incompetent lawyer had made it harder for all women to move to the next level.
How depressing! Why should the inferior performance of one woman lead to such diverse but passionate views in people? The answer is obvious: Kane has stopped being an attorney general but has instead become The First Female Attorney General. She can't just make a mistake and pay the normal consequences.
If we stopped trying to live our lives through the accomplishments of public figures, many of whom look and sound like us, we'd learn how to recognize the heroic character of those we might actually know, and the heroic potential within ourselves. Or, perhaps, the honesty to accept our ordinary humanity.
1. Many people were angry with Charles Barkley mainly because________.| A．he broke fundamental principles in life | B．he was not good enough to be a role model |
| C．he doubted the perfection of some sports figures | D．he thought sports figures could have weaknesses |
| A．Because we may let go of our own moral standards. |
| B．Because an athlete or actress cannot match our dreams. |
| C．Because we blindly admire public figures for their faults. |
| D．Because we shouldn't waste time imitating public figures. |
| A．unfairly criticized due to being female | B．the first female attorney general in the US |
| C．less qualified than the public had expected | D．a role model for women seeking elected office |
| A．Be Our Representatives for Perfection | B．Exploration of Our Own Heroic Potential |
| C．Our Unrealistic Expectation of Public Figures | D．Our Conventional Views of Female Politician |
10 . Aussie Walkabout Experience
| Go behind the scenes at Auckland Zoo and come eye to eye with some of our Australian neighbours. Come to the zoo before opening hours and experience the morning sights and sounds. Help the keepers feed the kangaroos and koala in the Aussie Walkabout and take breakfast to a wide variety of birds. | |
| Tour features ●A small group fully accompanied by an experienced guide. ●Your guide will photograph you immersed in your tour. The photos will be recorded onto a complimentary CD, which you will receive at the tour conclusion. A fantastic visual record of your unforgettable experience. | |
| Pricing Family: $220（2 adults, 2 minors） Adult: $80 Minor（6-15years）: $40 | Tour dates and times The Aussie Walkabout tour runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday—departing from the Information Centre at 8:00 am. This tour is approximately an hour and a half in duration—finishing at 9:30. |
| Important things to know: ◆Group sizes vary from two to four people. ◆The minimum age for this tour is six years old and if you are under fifteen years of age you must be accompanied by a paying adult. ◆You may leave your kids under six with the babysitters at Aussie Fun Nursery next to the Information Center. There is a $10 charge for the service*.（Parental Consent Form required） ◆Wear flat, enclosed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. ◆Please do not wear any loose jewellery or red clothing. *This service is only for those guests the have booked the Aussie Walkabout tour. | |
| Arrival details Participants must arrive at the zoo by 8:00 am. If you arrive after this time there will be no opportunity to join the group, so please ensure you allow enough time for travelling and parking in the car park near the entrance. Your guide will give the group an initial personal safety briefing before the tour starts. Participants should note this is compulsory. | |
| A．pay for the photos recorded onto a CD | B．attend a talk on security before the tour |
| C．pick up the guide in the car park near the entrance | D．assist in the feeding of different species during the tour |
| A．$220. | B．$230. | C．$260. | D．$270. |
| A．There is a free car park for visitors to the zoo. |
| B．Latecomers will be granted entry to the next tour. |
| C．A minimum of four people are permitted on each tour. |
| D．The tour takes place when the zoo is closed to the public |
