1 . When people hear “artificial intelligence,” many envision “big data.” There’s a reason for that: some of the most important AI breakthroughs in the past decade have relied on enormous data sets. But AI is not only about large data sets, and research in “small data” approaches has grown extensively over the past decade—with so-called transfer learning as an especially promising example. Also known as “fine-tuning,” transfer learning is helpful in settings where you have little data on the task of interest but abundant data on a related problem. The way it works is that you first train a model using a big data set and then retrain slightly using a smaller data set related to your specific problem.
Research in transfer learning approaches has grown impressively over the past 10 years. In a new report for Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), we examined current and projected progress in scientific research across “small data” approaches. Our analysis found that transfer learning stands out as a category that has experienced the most consistent and highest research growth on average since 2010. This growth has even outpaced the larger and more established field of reinforcement learning, which in recent years has attracted widespread attention.
Small data approaches such as transfer learning offer numerous advantages over more data-intensive methods. By enabling the use of AI with less data, they can bolster progress in areas where little or no data exist, such as in forecasting natural disasters that occur relatively rarely or in predicting the risk of disease for a population set that does not have digital health records.
Another way of thinking about the value of transfer learning is in terms of generalization. A recurring challenge in the use of AI is that models need to “generalize” beyond their training data. Because transfer learning models work by transferring knowledge from one task to another, they are very helpful in improving generalization in the new task, even if only limited data were available.
Moreover, by using pretrained models, transfer learning can speed up training time and could also reduce the amount of computational resources needed to train algorithms (算法). This efficiency is significant, considering that the process of training one large neural (神经系统的) network requires considerable energy.
Despite the growth in research, transfer learning has received relatively little visibility. The existence of techniques such as transfer learning does not seem to have reached the awareness of the broader space of policy makers and business leaders in positions of making important decisions about AI funding and adoption. By acknowledging the success of small data techniques like transfer learning—and distributing resources to support their widespread use—we can help overcome some of the common misconceptions regarding the role of data in AI and facilitate innovation in new directions.
1. What does the underlined word “bolster” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?| A．Promote. | B．Seek. |
| C．Track. | D．Monitor. |
| A．Predicting the frequency of floods in Amazon rainforest. |
| B．Designing a program that can read handwritten documents. |
| C．Forecasting the number of people infected with an unknown illness. |
| D．Predicting house prices based on basic features like area and location. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Optimistic. |
| C．Critical. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．Transfer Learning: Where Does It Best Fit? |
| B．Small Data Are Also Crucial for Advancing AI |
| C．Transfer Learning Powers Technological Advances |
| D．Big Data vs. Small Data: Which Is the Future of AI? |
2 . Our recommended list of environmental books covers a broad range of topics. These must-read environmental books are sure to spark the interest of the greenest books.
Silent Spring
Written by Rachel Carson, Silent Spring highlights the effects of pesticides (杀虫剂) on the environment, especially DDT, which was a very popular insecticide until it was finally banned in 1972. The book eventually led to a change in the United States’ pesticide policy and contributed to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference.
This book collects 11 speeches made by climate activist Greta Thunberg, highlighting the issue of climate change and its impact on future generations. Greta Thunberg was 15 when she started the School Strike for Climate, also known as Fridays for Future. She inspired protests worldwide.
The Uninhabitable Earth
This book by David Wallace Wells examines the disasters that have already occurred and looks ahead to the year 2100 and what climate change will do if we continue on our current path. Its opening line is incredibly telling: “It is worse, much worse, than you think.”
The End of Nature
Published in 1989, the book describes the relationship between nature and humans. It expresses the idea that nature was previously independent of humans but has now been affected by them in every way. According to author Bill McKibben, the idea of wilderness is lost, and nature is no longer complete.
1. Which book brought the environment to the government’s attention?| A．Silent Spring. | B．The End of Nature. |
| C．The Uninhabitable Earth. | D．No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference. |
| A．Curiosity. | B．Concern. | C．Annoyance. | D．Disappointment. |
| A．Nature will not exist any longer. | B．Wild animals are disappearing fast. |
| C．Human activities are destroying nature. | D．Climate change affects future generations. |
1. For what did the man get his pet dog?
| A．His graduation. | B．His responsibility. | C．His academic performance. |
| A．Learning about its character. |
| B．Taking good care to keep it healthy. |
| C．Training it into a well-behaved one. |
4 . The teacher asked, “Is everybody ready?” I
I had taken it as a (n)
The teacher said, “Hands on home keys. Eyes on books. Ready, type!” Suddenly, the room was alive with 30 electric typewriters’ keys
Now years later, I’m a novelist. I’m so happy that I took that class and learned how to type. It has helped me write countless
| A．certainly | B．slightly | C．willingly | D．hardly |
| A．library | B．class | C．service | D．organization |
| A．psychological | B．legal | C．advertising | D．optional |
| A．Otherwise | B．Meanwhile | C．However | D．Therefore |
| A．edge | B．purpose | C．time | D．track |
| A．equal | B．senior | C．crucial | D．resistant |
| A．straightly | B．similarly | C．precisely | D．mindlessly |
| A．passed | B．fixed | C．taken | D．struck |
| A．keep up | B．turn up | C．back down | D．come down |
| A．admit | B．make | C．express | D．analyse |
| A．decision | B．profession | C．shelter | D．grade |
| A．enjoyed | B．suggested | C．avoided | D．regretted |
| A．plays | B．stories | C．sayings | D．poems |
| A．document | B．case | C．computer | D．room |
| A．exchange | B．sympathize | C．compare | D．fight |
5 . Here is something you need to know before your trip to Grenada.
When to Go
With an average annual temperature of around 25°C, the year in Grenada is divided into two seasons. The dry season is from January to May, and the rainy season is from June to December. The weather is hotter from June to November and cooler from December to March. Hurricanes occur during the rainy season.
What You Need
●A valid passport book and evidence of return/onward travel arrangements are required to enter Grenada.
●A valid passport means it doesn’t expire within 6 months after your return date.
What You Can Do in Grenada
There are so many fun and amazing things to do in Grenada. If you love beaches, you can find your joy in the Grand Anse Beach and the Levera Beach. And for nature lovers, Mount Qua Qua, Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls and La Sagesse Nature Center are places you are sure to visit. You can’t miss Fort George and Fort Frederick built long ago, which have been standing for centuries. What’s more, if you like eating chocolate a lot, you can also come here in May to be part of the Grenada Chocolate Festival.
Safety & Security
Grenada is very safe but it’s always sensible to exercise caution regardless of where you’re traveling. Exercise these precautions while in Grenada.
●Stay in well-lit and populated areas after dark.
●Don’t leave money, credit cards, cameras and other electronic devices unattended, especially on the beaches or in vehicles.
●Most hotels provide a safe in the room. Lock important things, like your jewellery and passport in it.
1. In which month can you go to Grenada if you want to avoid hurricanes?| A．In December. | B．In November. | C．In June. | D．In March. |
| A．Fort Frederick. | B．Grand Anse Beach. |
| C．La Sagesse Nature Center. | D．Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls. |
| A．Leave your passport on the bus. | B．Avoid using cameras in the hotels. |
| C．Keep your valuables in a hotel safe. | D．Stay in less crowded outdoor areas at night. |
6 . Thanks to artificial intelligence, education is more accessible and efficient than ever. To give you an overview of the industry, we round up some AI technology applied in education.
Duolingo
Duolingo provides listening, reading and speaking exercises in dozens of global languages, all the while providing aspects of gamification to keep users coming back. By applying AI, Duolingo’s lessons are paced and leveled specifically for each student according to their performance. It also uses data and machine learning to make course improvements, taking into consideration the differences of various languages.
Amira Learning
Amira Learning is a virtual learning application created to accelerate young students’ reading comprehension. Using AI technology, Amira has students read stories aloud and can assess oral reading fluency as well as identify areas for improvement. For teachers and parents, Amira also provides services such as student progress reports and dyslexia (阅读障碍) risk screening.
Blippar
Blippar’s products combine computer vision intelligence technology and augmented reality to enhance the way students learn in the classroom. The interactive materials bring subjects like geography, biology and physics to a visual space. For example, instead of reading about a volcanic eruption, the system shows students a virtual 3D model of the eruption process.
Nuance
Nuance makes speech-to-text software used by students and faculty to transcribe (转成) up to 160 words per minute. The technology is especially helpful for students who struggle with writing or have limited mobility. It also enhances spelling ability and word identification. Instructors use the software to dictate lectures for later use or quicken repetitive tasks like document and email creation.
1. Which platform uses gamification to engage users in language learning?| A．Amira Learning. | B．Blippar. |
| C．Nuance. | D．Duolingo. |
| A．Speech-to-text software. |
| B．Reading comprehension. |
| C．Computer vision intelligence technology. |
| D．Personalized language learning with gamification. |
| A．They focus on language learning. |
| B．They specialize in science subjects. |
| C．They use technology to aid learning. |
| D．They offer computer programming courses. |
| A．The evening tour. | B．The half-day tour. | C．The full-day tour. |
8 . Getting Around Montreal
Montreal is a city for fun and festivals as dozens of summer celebrations highlight everything. Your best bet for getting around Montreal can be on foot, but there are other options if this isn’t the best mode of transport for you.
The Montreal subway is the best way to get about town quickly. It’s easy to navigate because there are only four color-coded lines: green, blue, orange, and yellow. The subway does not operate around the clock. It stops running from about 1:00 am to 5:30 am.
The bus system is even more extensive and equally recommended. A one-way fare costs $2.50. A strip of six tickets costs $11.50. A one-day tourist card, good for unlimited use, costs $9; a three-day tourist card costs $17. If you’re staying longer, purchase a regular weekly pass for $18.50.
A number of taxis are lined up on the airport’s ground level. Payment must be made in Canadian funds, but some drivers will make exceptions and accept US currency. It costs a minimum of $3.15 for the taxi ride and an additional $1.45 per kilometer. There’s a wait time charge of 55 cents per minute as well before you are picked up.
Like any other major city, Montreal’s rush hour ranks with the best or worst of them. Driving through city traffic is an art because there are a maze of one-way streets and lots of pedestrians (行人). In addition, a summer festival means the closing of some of the busiest streets in the city. Your biggest driving challenge may be when it comes time to park the car, as there are daily parking restrictions for street cleaning, rush hour, and residential parking.
Other ways to travel in Montreal are on foot or by bike. Montreal boasts hundreds of miles of walk and bike paths throughout the region.
1. How many transportation means are mentioned in the text?| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Five. | D．Six. |
| A．Increase your wait time for the taxi. |
| B．Avoid ordering the taxi much earlier. |
| C．Take US currency whenever possible. |
| D．Pay an extra tip of $1.45 to the driver. |
| A．A guide of ways of traveling. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A survey on ways of traveling. | D．A travel schedule. |
9 . I grew up in a three-bedroom brick house in the Park Hill section of North Little Rock, Ark. It was a sweet, ordinary little home but reminded me of so much love.
I’ve always felt I was raised by a beautiful fairy. My mom, Nellie, was soft-spoken and had an extraordinary smile. My father, Maurice, was a train conductor and his declining health was the most defining aspect of my childhood. When I was 8, the doctors told us that Dad had a severe heart condition and we needed to care for him. I developed magical thinking, which was vital to my later acting. I’d say to myself that if I did this and that, my daddy would live.
After high school, I attended Hendrix College in Arkansas. When I was a freshman, they cast me in a school’s big play. At the end, one of the drama professors said, “You don’t really belong here. You belong in New York. They’d know what to do with you.” He gave me a list of schools. He pointed to the Neighborhood Playhouse and said it was small but Sandy Meisner, the man who ran it was great. I auditioned (试镜) and a month later, I was accepted. Mom and I started crying.
After moving to New York, my big break came six years later, in 1977. I took a meeting about a movie called “Goin’ South,” with Jack Nicholson. After the audition, they said I wasn’t quite right. Back in reception, I wanted to apologize for being stubborn. Jack was standing there. He said, “Are you waiting to see me?” I told him I was but I didn’t have a script. He gave me one and told me I’d have 10 minutes with him the next day. I made it to a screen test in L. A. Later, I was in Jack’s office and asked if someone could approve my hotel expenses. Jack was smoking a cigar. He said, “Don’t worry about it, kid. You’ re on the payroll.”
Today, my husband, actor Ted Danson, and I spend most of our time in Ojai, Calif. I also love the wildness of the mountains. I still own my childhood home in Arkansas. I haven’t been able to part with it. Emotionally, the love from our parents is still there.
1. What motivated the author to develop her ability to acting?| A．Her family’s poor housing. | B．Her father’s serious disease. |
| C．Her mother’s gift for acting. | D．Her confidence in learning subjects. |
| A．Her mother refused her to become an actress. |
| B．Her performance was common in high school. |
| C．She was declined by manager Sandy Meisner. |
| D．She was highly praised by the drama professor. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Critic. | C．Impressive. | D．Neutral. |
| A．To prove the excellent environment she lives. |
| B．To stress the beautiful scenery of her hometown. |
| C．To show her gratitude to her beloved parents. |
| D．To attract more people to enjoy the mountains. |
10 . Writing groups support successful academic writing for students and visiting scholars whose first language is not English or whose educational culture is not North American. Registration for Summer Writing Groups is open. Groups will begin meeting in mid-May.
What happens in a writing group?
Small groups (4-6 writers) meet for a hour every week with an English Language Specialist who guides the group. Each week: one or more members share a draft of something they are writing. They ask group members for feedback. Group members ask questions, respond to the text, make suggestions for clarification or revision. The specialist teaches writing techniques, strategies, and grammar points where appropriate.
Who can join a writing group?
Our writing group welcome the students across the world who speak English as an additional language, including graduate students and visiting scholars working on any kind of English teaching or translating!We also provide the great chance to the students and scholars whose educational culture is not North American, regardless of first language.
When can I join a writing group?
There’s no limit on the number of semesters you can participate in writing groups. Some students participate in writing groups from their first semester of course work until they complete their dissertations (学位论文). Some join for a while, take a break, and then rejoin in a following semester. Some groups work together for several semesters or even years! Groups are scheduled every semester according to the participants’ availability.
How do I join a writing group?
Register now for Summer Writing Groups! We will send you a link to a Doodle poll in early May, so you can tell us what times will work for you during the Summer. Group members will begin meeting in mid-May.
1. Who can join the writing groups?| A．A Chinese exchange student. | B．An American scholar. |
| C．A Japanese chemistry teacher. | D．An Indian bridge engineer. |
| A．By learning in a writing class. | B．By discussing typical works. |
| C．By establishing principles. | D．By being taught by specialists. |
| A．About two weeks. | B．About three weeks. | C．About four weeks. | D．About five weeks. |
