Human memory is notoriously (众所周知地) unreliable. Even people with the sharpest facial recognition skills can only remember so much.
It’s tough to quantify how good a person is
Machines aren’t limited this way. Give the right computer a massive database of faces, and it can process what it sees – then recognize a face it
The thing is, machines still have limitations when it comes to facial recognition. And scientists are only just beginning to understand what those constraints are.
As the databases grew, machine accuracy dipped across the board. Algorithms
Machines also had difficulty adjusting for people who look a lot alike –either doppelgangers (长相极相似的人), whom the machine would have trouble
2 . A huge crowd has gathered to watch China’s new scientific research ship enter the water for the first time. This ship, equipped with on-board labs and the latest scientific kit, will eventually explore the world’s oceans. But it is also going to help China plunge beneath the waves: it will serve as a launch-pad for submarines that can dive to the deepest parts of the ocean. “Humans know much less about the deep oceans than we know about the surface of the Moon and Mars. That’s why I want to develop the facility for ocean scientists to reach the deep seas,” says Prof. Cui Weicheng.
He is the dean of deep sea science at Shanghai Ocean University but he has also set up a private company called Rainbow Fish, which built the new research ship and is busy developing submersibles. One of its unmanned subs reached a depth of 4,000m (13,000ft) in its most recent trial. But Rainbow Fish’s ultimate goal is manned exploration and it plans to take humans to the very bottom of the ocean the Mariana Trench, in the Pacific, at a depth of nearly 11,000m (36,000ft). He shows me around a life-size model of the submarine and explains that there is room inside for a crew of three, who will be protected by a thick metal sphere.”At the moment, we are in the design stage, so we are testing several extremely high-strength materials for it.” It will have to bear immense pressures from the crushing weight of water above. If there are any weaknesses, the submarine will implode. The deepest ocean is a place few people have ever experienced first-hand. The first dive to the Mariana Trench was carried out in 1960 by US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss engineer Jacques Picard. Their vessel, the Bathyscaphe Trieste, creaked and groaned as it made the descent, taking nearly five hours.
The only other manned expedition was carried out by Hollywood director James Cameron, who took a solo plunge in a bright green submarine in 2012. Rainbow Fish wants its sub to be next. The team insists its venture isn’t about politics and that it is looking to collaborate with American, Russian and European scientists. It is, though, a commercial operation. The company plans to charge people to use its research ship and submarines, and is targeting three groups, says managing director Dr. Wu Xin. “The first is definitely the scientists who are interested in studying deep-sea science and technology. The second group is offshore companies and oil companies. The last one is tourists and adventurers [who] want to go down themselves to have a look at what’s going on there,” he says. This kind of entrepreneurial approach may be a new model for science in China. Deep-sea research is a difficult, high-risk activity — and much of the ocean remains unexplored. But Cui, who hopes to be the first Chinese person to reach the Mariana Trench, believes that China could be the nation to truly open up this final frontier.
1. What function does the new scientific research ship serve?A.As a deep-sea facility for tourist adventures |
B.As a supply ship for scientific explorations. |
C.As a station for observing giant squid. |
D.As a launch-pad for submarines. |
A.Testing high-strength materials for building submarines. |
B.Designing a thick metal sphere for bearing space pressure. |
C.Charting the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. |
D.Making plans for his dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. |
A.Prof. Cui doesn’t rely on government funding. Instead he runs a for-profit business. |
B.Prof. Cui is bold in his submarine design. |
C.Prof. Cui, who started the company, is a professor-turned entrepreneur. |
D.Prof. Cui is the first to offer his ship for tourists. |
A.Deep-sea science and technology | B.Ocean exploration |
C.Race to the deep | D.The rising of Rainbow Fish |
3 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Perhaps even more incredible is that it’s smack bang in the middle of Kentucky.
Mammoth Cave National Park preserves this unique and historical natural wonder. As large as the limestone cave system is, park officials, estimate there
The incredible rock formations have resulted in the park
The caves were created naturally by the process of limestone erosion, which is known as “karst topography”. Rain and rivers slowly dissolve and shape soft limestone, which creates the vast underground network. The system is still being shaped and carved today. Not only are they a stunning destination to visit, but the system also provides drinking water for roughly 40% of the US population — and they’re
The caves act as a time capsule that preserve over 5,000 years of human history — and the caves’ first explorers were Native Americans, who
Mammoth Cave was established as a national park thanks to strong local support. Back in the 1920s, Secretary of the Interior Hubert Work created the Southern Appalachian National Park Commission in 1925 to survey
Pioneering African Americans were some of the first cave guides, and are responsible for some of the more recently discovered passageways. Stephen Bishop, who was a slave, worked in the cave from 1838 to 1856 and ventured beyond the tour routes that
The park now receives around 2 million visitors a year, with roughly a quarter taking a tour of the caves – everything from a cultural tour to the more adventurous scrambling tours on offer. The cave supports more than 130 wildlife species, such as the eyeless cavefish,
Mammoth Cave National Park is also much more than just a cave; its surrounding forest contains one of the
The Great Voice Actor
Since the creation of animated (动画的) motion pictures, the use of actors supplying voices
Mel Blanc, known as “The Man of Thousand Voices”,
Mel Blanc lent his voice to many classic characters, but the one he is best known for is Bugs Bunny. There is little that can be said about Bugs’ impact
Mel Blanc paved the way for voice acting as a true art, though it’s a skill that often goes unrecognized when praise is focused on movies and TV. The characters we all love wouldn’t be where they are in the public eye without
5 .
Zion National Park in Utah has plenty of trails, but Angels Landing may be the most breathtaking. Picture this. You begin the hike on the wide and well-maintained West Rim Trail. It follows the river and then crosses the bottom of the canyon, surrounded by 270-million-year-old layers of rock. Relaxing, right? Just wait for it. The trail then starts to climb via a series of switchbacks (急转弯) leading up the side of the mountain. Then more switchbacks: 21 tighter turns, called “Walter’s Wiggles,” where elevation levels rapidly increase. Your heartbeat is probably rapidly increasing at this point, too.
On top of Walter’s Wiggles, you can stop for a stunning view (perhaps with a marriage proposal) and a restroom stop while you contemplate (仔细考虑) the final stretch of the hike. If you’re afraid of heights, it’s best to turn back now. The last stretch is the real test of bravery.
The last half mile of the hike is what really ranks it as one of the nation’s most dangerous. Angels Landing itself is a fin-like formation jutting (突出) 1,500 feet out of the canyon, and this is where you make the final 500-foot climb. Guardrails and chains bolted (拴住) into the cliff help you keep from tumbling over the extremely steep ledge. You’re literally living on the edge, and you don’t want to trust the “angels” down there to catch you. Once you reach the top, however, it’ll all be worth it: 360-degree views of the canyon make a great backdrop for kicking back and having a meal before you come back down the way you came.
Angels Landing might be dangerous, but thankfully, not too many people have had fatal falls. According to the park website, seven people have died in the 100 years the park has existed. Still, this is a very vigorous hike. If you’re out of shape, bringing young children along, feel ill or prone to fainting, or are just plain afraid of heights, opt for an easier trail.
Angel’s Landing is a great hike for most of the year, besides the cold winter months when the trails could become dangerously slippery. Summer is the most popular time of year — and therefore the most crowded — but it can also get extremely hot, so opt for an early morning hike while the temperatures are still mild.
Sure, it’s dangerous, but there’s a reason this is one of Zion ‘s most popular hikes. If you’re up for the challenge, Angels Landing will definitely deliver rewards.
This article first appeared on Curiosity.com.
1. What geological feature surrounds the hiker during the initial part of the hike?A.Plenty of trails in the park. | B.Mountain Peaks. |
C.270-million-year-old layers of rock. | D.Grass Meadows. |
A.The challenging hike with switchbacks. |
B.The 360-degree views of the canyon. |
C.The well-maintained West Rim Trail. |
D.The river crossing and rock formations. |
A.If a tourist is afraid of heights, it’s best to turn back onto Angels Landing. |
B.Seven people have died so far due to slippery trails in winter. |
C.Bringing young kids along to climb onto Angels Landing will be appreciated. |
D.Taking a break with the views of the canyon as background is absolutely worth the trip. |
A.Unveiling the Hidden Beauty: Exploring Zion National Park’s Trails |
B.Zion’s Ultimate Thrill: The Adrenaline-Pumping Angels Landing Expedition |
C.Chasing Heights: Angels Landing Adventure in Utah’s Zion National Park |
D.Angels Landing: Conquering Utah’s Breathtaking and Daring Hike in Zion National Park |
6 . Acupuncture(针灸), an ancient Chinese medical practice, has been the remedy for countless patients for thousands of years. Before modern medicine came to life, ancient Chinese used stone tools to
Acupuncture is a treatment that aims to
Practices can
Looking beyond China, acupuncture has become a global
As an ancient Chinese medical
A.relieve | B.resume | C.release | D.rebel |
A.radically | B.gradually | C.reluctantly | D.randomly |
A.cultivated | B.evaluated | C.shaped | D.eliminated |
A.promote | B.reflect | C.alternate | D.perform |
A.occasional | B.philosophical | C.considerable | D.mechanical |
A.arise | B.heal | C.vary | D.survive |
A.taken over | B.ended up | C.figured out | D.carried out |
A.or | B.and | C.while | D.with |
A.block | B.generate | C.motivate | D.channel |
A.terrify | B.stimulate | C.reserve | D.restore |
A.willingness | B.instinct | C.potential | D.nutrient |
A.liberty | B.therapy | C.curiosity | D.wonderland |
A.proportion | B.alternative | C.procedure | D.affection |
A.illustrating | B.predicting | C.featuring | D.nominating |
A.assessment | B.occupation | C.practice | D.obedience |
假如你是明启中学的李平。你的朋友Jenny来信说:随着大学申请和期末考试的临近,她十分忙碌,经常熬夜,没有时间参加喜欢的社团活动和社交生活,她感到难以平衡学业、课外活动和社会生活。请你写封邮件给她,内容包括:
1. 分析她面临的主要问题;
2. 提出相应的建议和理由。
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8 . Have you ever had a song stuck in your head and, no matter how hard you tried, you could not get rid of it? The song played on and on, whether you were loading the dishwasher, weaving in and out of traffic, or attempting to
Having a song stuck in one’s head, known as an earworm, is an experience that over 90% of us have on a
Certain songs are
If you’ve had enough of your earworm and need to stop it in its tracks, you would be well warned not to try to block the song out, but rather to
Some people try to
A.burden | B.clear | C.alter | D.exploit |
A.trial | B.solid | C.voluntary | D.regular |
A.inactive | B.complicated | C.dynamic | D.uncertain |
A.catchier | B.slower | C.harsher | D.louder |
A.phases | B.intervals | C.rhythms | D.sessions |
A.Instead | B.Therefore | C.Otherwise | D.Additionally |
A.alert | B.pleased | C.remote | D.rigid |
A.criterion | B.consequence | C.concept | D.contributor |
A.readily | B.constantly | C.passively | D.critically |
A.opposite | B.fantasy | C.emphasised | D.equivalent |
A.integrating | B.converting | C.resisting | D.tolerating |
A.interrupting | B.acknowledging | C.stimulating | D.facilitating |
A.perceive | B.isolate | C.distract | D.identify |
A.seek out | B.act out | C.cast out | D.knock out |
A.proportion | B.intensity | C.integrity | D.preference |
A.However a serious problem | B.What a serious problem |
C.However serious a problem | D.What serious a problem |
10 . Types of Social Groups
Life places us in a complex web of relationships with other people. Our humanness arises out of these relationships in the course of social interaction. Moreover, our humanness must be sustained through social interaction -- and fairly constantly so. When an association continues long enough for two people to become linked together by a relatively stable set of expectations, it is called a relationship.
People are bound within relationships by two types of bonds: expressive ties and instrumental ties. Expressive ties are social links formed when we emotionally invest ourselves in and commit ourselves to other people. Through association with people who are meaningful to us, we achieve a sense of security, love, acceptance, companionship, and personal worth. Instrumental ties are social links focused when we cooperate with other people to achieve some goal.
Occasionally, this may mean working with, instead of against, competitors. More often, we simply cooperate with others to reach some end without endowing the relationship with any larger significance.
Sociologists have built on the distinction between expressive and instrumental ties to distinguish between two types of groups: primary and secondary. A primary group involves two or more people who enjoy a direct, intimate, cohesive relationship with one another. Expressive ties predominate in primary groups: we view the people as ends in themselves and valuable in their own right. A secondary group entails two or more people who are involved in an impersonal relationship and have come together for a specific, practical purpose. Instrumental ties predominate in secondary groups ; we perceive people as means to ends rather than as ends in their own right. sometimes primary group relationships evolve out of secondary group relationships. This happens in many work settings. People on the job often develop close relationships with coworkers as they come to share gripes, jokes, gossip, and satisfactions.
A number of conditions enhance the likelihood that primary groups will arise. First, group size is important. We find it difficult to get to know people personally when they are milling about and dispersed in large groups. In small groups we have a better chance to initiate contact and establish rapport with them. Second, face - to - face contact allows us to size up others. Seeing and talking with one another in close physical proximity makes possible a subtle exchange of ideas and feelings. And third, the probability that we will develop primary group bonds increases as we have frequent and continuous contact. Our ties with people often deepen as we interact with them across time and gradually evolve interlocking habits and interests.
Primary groups are fundamental to us and to society. Sociologists view primary groups as bridges between individuals and the larger society because they transmit, mediate, and interpret a society’s cultural patterns and provide the sense of oneness so critical for social solidarity. Primary groups, then serve both as carriers of social norms and as enforcers of them.
1. According to Paragraph 1, which of the following statements is true of a relationship?A.It is a structure of associations with many people. |
B.It should be studied in the course of social interaction. |
C.It places great demands on people. |
D.It develops gradually over time. |
A.Secondary group relationships begin by being primary group relationships. |
B.A secondary group relationship that is highly visible quickly becomes a primary group relationship. |
C.Sociologists believe that only primary group relationships are important to society. |
D.Even in secondary groups, frequent communication serves to bring people into close relationships. |
A.enlarge | B.evaluate |
C.impress | D.accept |
A.drawing comparisons between theory and practice |
B.presenting two opposing theories |
C.defining important concepts |
D.discussing causes and their effects |