1 . Many of us already live with AI a series of unseen algorithms (算法) that controls our Internet-connected devices, from smartphones to security cameras and cars that heat the seats before you’ve even stepped out of the house on a freezing morning. But, while we’ve seen the AI sun, we have yet to see it truly shine.
Researchers compare the current state of the technology to cellphones of the1990s: useful but raw. They are working on applying the largest, most powerful machine-learning models to lightweight software that can run on “the edge,” meaning small devices such as kitchen appliances or wearable devices. Our lives will gradually witness AI is everywhere.
Our interactions with the technology will become increasingly personalized. Chat bots, for example, can be awkward and disappointing today, but they will eventually become truly conversational, learning our habits and personalities, and even develop personalities of their own.
But don’t worry, the fever dreams of super intelligent machines taking over, like HAL in “2001: A Space Odyssey”, will remain science fiction for a long time to come; self-awareness and free will in machines are far beyond the capabilities of science today.
The research institute Open AI has created Muse Net, which uses artificial intelligence to mix different styles of music to create new compositions. The institute also has Jukebox, which creates new songs when given a style, artist and lyrics, which in some cases are co-written by AI. These are early efforts, achieved by feeding millions of songs into networks of artificial neurons (人工神经元), made from strings of computer code, until they internalize patterns of tune and harmony, and can recreate the sound of instruments and voices.
There are seemingly endless ways in which Al is beginning to touch our lives. from discovering new materials to new drugs to picking the fruit we eat and sorting the garbage we throw away. Self-driving cars work—they’re just waiting for laws and regulations to catch up with them.
1. What do the researchers think of present AI technology?| A．It is still underdeveloped. | B．It disturbs people’s privacy. |
| C．It appears to be inefficient in devices. | D．It achieves a breakthrough in learning. |
| A．Produce some science fiction. | B．Think beyond humans’ control. |
| C．Talk with humans as friends do. | D．Help develop humans’ personalities. |
| A．By stating arguments. | B．By giving statistical data. |
| C．By providing research results. | D．By explaining the methods. |
| A．What is AI? | B．AI: here, there, everywhere |
| C．When can we bring in AI? | D．AI: yesterday, today, tomorrow |
2 . Rosalind Franklin, one of the most outstanding female scientists of the 20th century, was a remarkable British chemist and X-ray crystallographer (晶体学家). She made a great contribution to the discovery of the structure of DNA, which led to a revolution in modern biology and genetics (遗传学).
Born in London in 1920, Rosalind grew up in a family of scientists and mathematicians. She received her undergraduate degree in physical chemistry from the University of Cambridge and pursued her postgraduate degree in physical chemistry. at King’s College London. It was during this time that she developed a keen interest in DNA structure, which she explored through X-ray crystallography.
Rosalind’s contribution to the discovery of DNA structure was very important. Working alongside other scientists at the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, she used her skills in X-ray crystallography to produce high-resolution images of DNA molecules. Her images helped reveal the crucial helical (螺旋) structure of DNA, which was groundbreaking in the field of genetics.
Despite her achievements, Rosalind’s role in the discovery of DNA structure was not always acknowledged. She faced discrimination and sexism within the scientific community and was often overlooked for credit and recognition for her work.
James Watson and Francis Crick announced the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953, which they attributed to Rosalind and another scientist, Maurice Wilkins. However, it wasn’t until years later that Rosalind’s contribution was fully recognized.
Rosalind’s legacy continues to inspire scientists and researchers worldwide today. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of determination, hard work, and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of scientific advancement. Despite the challenges she faced, Rosalind persevered and made a significant impact in the field of chemistry. Her contributions to the scientific community will always be remembered, and she will remain an inspiration to generations of future scientists.
1. What can we know about Rosalind’s upbringing from the first two paragraphs?| A．She had a strong interest in science. | B．She came from a extremely rich family. |
| C．She was born in King’s College London | D．She got her postgraduate degree in Cambridge. |
| A．Discovering the double helix structure. |
| B．Conducting X-ray crystallography analysis. |
| C．Overcoming the discrimination and sexism. |
| D．Pursuing a postgraduate degree in chemistry. |
| A．Praise. | B．Support. | C．Neglect. | D．Prejudice |
| A．The value of determination, hard work, and risk-taking. |
| B．The importance of DNA structure in biology and genetics. |
| C．The challenges faced by female scientists in the 20th century. |
| D．The significance of X-ray crystallography in scientific research. |
3 . A curtain-making couple, Liao Peisheng, 41, and Liu Xiaohui, 39, from Linyi, Shandong province recently caught many viewers’ attention. They
Liu likes the works of Su Shi. Liao,
One of the couple’s longtime dreams was taking part in the Chinese Poetry Competition, a(n)
On stage, Liu introduced herself to the
After earning herself a participation medal, they returned to their
| A．entered | B．competed | C．participated | D．presented |
| A．love | B．pursue | C．stimulate | D．seize |
| A．Although | B．When | C．Whether | D．Because |
| A．awareness | B．problem | C．sense | D．interest |
| A．thus | B．otherwise | C．however | D．therefore |
| A．reflection | B．resolution | C．recognition | D．reputation |
| A．weaved | B．absorbed | C．composed | D．revolved |
| A．assignment | B．detail | C．campaign | D．enterprise |
| A．realistic | B．visual | C．influential | D．annual |
| A．turning | B．guaranteeing | C．making | D．sustaining |
| A．continuously | B．frequently | C．particularly | D．precisely |
| A．amateur | B．level | C．contest | D．round |
| A．candidates | B．participants | C．representatives | D．listeners |
| A．careful | B．sad | C．concerned | D．clear |
| A．formal | B．normal | C．primitive | D．real |
4 . Music is one of the most powerful forces in our lives. It can bring us joy, sorrow, or even inspiration. It can evoke emotions and memories that we didn’t even know we had.
Music can be a source of comfort. It can provide a refuge（避难所）from the troubles of the world and provide a sense of peace and solace.
Finally, music can be a source of joy and celebration.
Music has the power to change our lives in ways we may never have imagined. It can provide us with strength, courage, comfort, and joy. It can help us to find our inner voice and express ourselves in unique and creative ways.
| A．Poor people can live a happy life with music. |
| B．Music can also give us strength and courage. |
| C．Music can associate people with each other around the world. |
| D．Music can change a person’s life in ways that nothing else can. |
| E．Listening to music can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. |
| F．It can bring us closer together, helping us to appreciate and celebrate the beauty of life. |
| G．Music can truly be a life-changing force, and one that should never be underestimated. |
要求：
1. 说明写信的目的；
2. 讲述自己的困境及期盼心情；
3. 词数80左右。
Dear John,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
Puppies that mainly eat dog food are more likely to have problems with their gut (下消化道) health in later life compared with those
Anna Hielm-Björkman at
The researchers surveyed each dog owner multiple times in this period and also asked them whether their dog
The team wanted to determine the effect that a dog’s diet at an early age had
The researchers found that 22 per cent of dogs developed CE in adulthood,
Their diet as a puppy, aged between 2 months and 6 months,
7 . A curtain-making couple, Liao Peisheng, 41, and Liu Xiaohui, 39, from Linyi, Shandong province recently caught many viewers’ attention. They
Liu likes the works of Su Shi. Liao,
One of the couple’s longtime dreams was taking part in the Chinese Poetry Competition, a(n)
On stage, Liu introduced herself to the
After earning herself a participation medal, they returned to their
| A．entered | B．competed | C．participated | D．presented |
| A．love | B．pursue | C．stimulate | D．seize |
| A．Although | B．When | C．Whether | D．Because |
| A．awareness | B．problem | C．sense | D．interest |
| A．thus | B．otherwise | C．however | D．therefore |
| A．reflection | B．resolution | C．recognition | D．reputation |
| A．weaved | B．absorbed | C．composed | D．revolved |
| A．assignment | B．detail | C．campaign | D．enterprise |
| A．realistic | B．visual | C．influential | D．annual |
| A．turning | B．guaranteeing | C．making | D．sustaining |
| A．continuously | B．frequently | C．particularly | D．precisely |
| A．amateur | B．level | C．contest | D．round |
| A．candidates | B．participants | C．representatives | D．listeners |
| A．careful | B．sad | C．concerned | D．clear |
| A．formal | B．normal | C．primitive | D．real |
8 . It’s no secret that sleep is important to your overall health, but a lack of sleep could have great effects on your heart, a new study shows. The researchers said people with insomnia(失眠症)are more likely to have a heart attack.
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the US, the researchers wrote in their report, noting that 10% to 15% of people in the US struggle with it. The meta-analysis of previously published research suggests that the potential association between insomnia and heart attack risk is strongest in women.
Dr. Martha Gulati, director of prevention at the Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, said that most of her patients are women and that insomnia is a noted risk factor for women who have had any form of ischemic heart disease. “We see it probably in 1 in 10 patients in the United States,” said Gulati, who was not involved in the new research. “It is my impression that almost everyone experiences insomnia at some point in their life. The estimate is that 1 in 2 adults experience it at some point in their life, maybe in the short term because of stressful moments.”
For their analysis, the researchers defined insomnia as a sleep disorder with three main symptoms(症状): Difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep and waking early and being unable to fall back asleep.
The study also found an association between increased heart attack risk and how long a participant slept each night. Those who slept five hours or less had the highest association with heart attack risk and were 1.56 times more likely to have a heart attack than people who slept seven or eight hours. Longer sleep duration wasn’t always more protective. The study found that people who slept six hours a night had a lower risk of a heart attack than those who slept nine hours or more. “A lot of studies have pointed somewhere between seven and eight hours of sleep being the magic number for us,” another researcher said. “There is obviously variability for everyone, but too much sleep is rarely the issue.”
1. What’s the function of the first paragraph?| A．To list a fact. | B．To warn the readers. |
| C．To introduce the topic. | D．To draw the readers’ interest. |
| A．Insomnia is unavoidable in the short term. |
| B．Insomnia is a common phenomenon in life. |
| C．Heart attack often happens during insomnia. |
| D．Women are less experienced in dealing with insomnia. |
| A．Put quality before quantity. | B．Too much is as bad as too little. |
| C．Bite off more than one can chew. | D．Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. |
| A．Pessimistic. | B．Indifferent. | C．Objective. | D．Positive. |
9 . A solar tree is a structure like a tree that generates solar energy using photovoltaic panels (太阳能光伏板). It helps solve an urgent global challenge: Replacing greenhouse gas-emitting energy sources like oil and gas with renewable energy. But the power generation potential of solar trees is relatively limited, and their primary purpose is to raise public awareness about renewable energy by getting people to notice and interact with solar energy in new ways.
Solar trees generally have a firm metal, plastic, or stone base that extends up and out into “branches” on which solar panels are mounted. Beyond this basic structure, there is great diversity in the design of solar tree units. The solar tree’s photovoltaic “leaves” absorb sunlight, converting it into electricity that is conducted down through the trunk-like central pillar of the structure to an inside battery. Many designs feature rotating (旋转的) panels that can move throughout the day in order to obtain the greatest amount of sunlight.
Solar trees help power homes, businesses, and public services. They can create shade to help reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shelter in severe weather such as rainstorms and heatwaves, creating greater urban adapting ability in the face of climate change. They also enhance public spaces, providing charging stations, and powering streetlights.
In comparison to other kinds of ground-mounted solar panel devices, solar trees don’t require much land. They make solar energy generation possible in areas with little land that can’t support vast solar arrays, as well as places that lack sufficient rooftop space for panels. However, solar panels are much cheaper than solar trees at present and have far greater energy generation capacity. Therefore, present solar tree designs often serve as a extra source rather than as a primary energy source.
At present, solar trees aren’t designed as large-scale solar projects, which limits their ability to contribute to the low-carbon energy transition. Still, their varied designs are appealing. This makes solar trees effective at displaying and thereby educating people about solar energy, and promoting a business or organization’s commitment to renewable energy.
1. What is the main purpose of building solar trees?| A．To beautify the urban environment. | B．To draw public attention to solar energy. |
| C．To replace non-renewable energy resources. | D．To provide charging services in emergencies. |
| A．It stores energy in its own battery. |
| B．It can adjust its height automatically. |
| C．It is made of environmentally friendly materials. |
| D．It transforms sunlight into electricity by its metal base. |
| A．The design features of solar trees. | B．The ways of saving energy in cities. |
| C．The benefits of solar trees to humans. | D．The difficulties of promoting solar trees. |
| A．They occupy much less land. | B．They are cheaper to manufacture. |
| C．They are more effective in generating energy. | D．They can work in various weather conditions. |
10 . A new form of real estate(不动产)is appearing along the beaches of South Africa and on the dry islands off its coast-tiny white beach huts. With good ventilation and a sea view, they are just big enough to fit a family of African penguins. Their unique selling point: a safe and cool place for penguins to breed.
African penguins, unlike their relatives that live in snow and ice, live well in the cold currents of the South Atlantic Ocean. But when they come to land, their thick black coat absorbs the heat, and they desperately look for cover-both for themselves and their fragile eggs.
Historically, the penguins dug burrows in layers of guano-accumulated seabird and bat feces- that lined Africa’s penguin colonies, but in the 19th century, traders started selling guano(鸟粪)as fertilizer, leaving the penguins and their eggs increasingly exposed to predators and the baking sun. This, combined with other threats such as egg poaching, overfishing and climate change, has caused African penguin populations to plummet. In 2019, they were thought to be less than 20,000 breeding pairs, down from an estimated 1.5 to 3 million birds in 1900.For more than a decade, the species has been listed as endangered by the IUCN.
To date, the African Penguin Nest Project has installed more than 1,500 nests across five of South Africa’s penguin colonies, and plans to expand into Namibia next year, the only other country with breeding populations of the species.
“This is still just a drop in the bucket,” says Graham, who anticipates they will need to deploy at least 4,500 more ceramic homes to protect penguins currently nesting in exposed areas. “The goal is that every penguin that needs a nest will get one.”
1. What is the reason for building the beach huts?| A．To beautify the beach. | B．To conduct research. |
| C．To house the penguins. | D．To balance the ecology. |
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
| A．Innovate. | B．Increase. | C．Swing. | D．Decline. |
| A．Culture. | B．Environment. | C．Technology. | D．Art. |
