1 . Artificial Intelligence Professional Program
Stanford Online Artificial Intelligence courses let you virtually step into the classrooms of Stanford professors who lead the AI revolution. The courses, beginning on Wednesday May 1,2024, are based on Stanford graduate courses, but adapted for the needs of working professionals.
Before enrolling in your first course, you need to apply for an online interview with your professor (15-20 minutes). The interaction allows you to tell your professor about your interest in joining, as well as confirm that you meet the essential requirements (Proficiency in Python, College Calculus, Linear Algebra and Probability Theory).
The courses will equip you with the skills and confidence to:
Learn basic AI technologies to operate AI models and tools.
Evaluate performance of AI models accurately.
Carry out search algorithms (算法) to find the shortest paths and plan motions for the general-use robots.
Guard against various types of cyber crimes to keep information safe.
What you will earn:
You’ll earn a Stanford Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence when you successfully complete either three 10-week courses in the AI professional education program or two courses in the AI professional education program plus one course in the AI graduate program. All the courses in the program will be accessible through Wednesday July 31,2024.
1. What is necessary to enter for the program according to the text?| A．A graduate certificate. |
| B．A Stanford’s scholarship. |
| C．An interview on the Internet. |
| D．A professor’s recommendation. |
| A．Updating AI models. |
| B．Maintaining cyber security. |
| C．Predicting future accurately. |
| D．Inventing robots with new functions. |
| A．Four weeks. | B．Two months. | C．Ten weeks. | D．Three months. |
2 . A giant black bear is forcing himself out of a gap under an abandoned house in South Lake Tahoe, California. This is one of the pictures from the “Cities Gone Wild” project launched by photographer Corey Arnold. A series of more images show how the bear slowly but surely moves its big body out of the hole, off to seek for its dinner. Later that night, the camera recorded its returning and stuffing itself back into its home.
The bear’s size results from its diet of human garbage. In parts of the US, where black bears are living in and around cities, both their behaviors and shapes have changed. Urban bears are less active than those in the wilderness and live on a diet of human food rich in sugar. As a result, they are sometimes double in weight.
For three months in the field, Arnold photographed the animals in various cities across the US as they went about their daily life — tracking where they slept, how they found food, and their relationship with humans. It’s these animals that were the stars of his “Cities Gone Wild” series. Initially authorized by National Geographic, the project was recognized in the 2023 Sony World Photography Awards, winning first place in the wildlife and nature category.
The “Cities Gone Wild” project offers a fresh view on the wildlife that inhabits our cities. It demonstrates the potential dangers as cities grow, native habitats are destroyed, and humans and animals live in closer distance. It also throws lights on the life of these animals and hints that the more we understand them, the more likely we are to find ways to get along with them. “There’s always going to be a bit of conflict. We have to strike a middle ground where we’re not eliminating them, but we’re just learning to live with them and keep our distance,” says Arnold.
1. What makes urban bears over-sized according to the text?| A．Free movement in the city. | B．Unlimited amount of food. |
| C．Insufficient night-time sleep. | D．Intake of sugary human food. |
| A．The changes of cities. |
| B．The dangers people face. |
| C．The urban animals’ routines. |
| D．The conflicts among animals. |
| A．Black Bears: Our Friends Forever |
| B．Sony Awards: Lifelong Pursuit of Artists |
| C．Corey Arnold: An Influential Photographer |
| D．Cities Gone Wild: The Coexistence Promoter |
3 . My father was my hero and my inspiration. People in our town called him a
But his
As the days and years passed, he could
One day, he paused during his work. “I have so little to leave you with, Janet,” he said
| A．sports | B．muscle | C．fashion | D．miracle |
| A．honest | B．expert | C．adaptable | D．cautious |
| A．tackle | B．understand | C．supply | D．imagine |
| A．concern | B．attitude | C．impression | D．memory |
| A．illness | B．exploration | C．dedication | D．communication |
| A．suffering from | B．keeping on | C．relying on | D．giving up |
| A．detect | B．exchange | C．relieve | D．respect |
| A．pressed | B．pointed | C．bent | D．occupied |
| A．excited | B．surprised | C．inspired | D．focused |
| A．precisely | B．desperately | C．carefully | D．urgently |
| A．resist | B．capture | C．master | D．receive |
| A．full of | B．available to | C．free from | D．fit for |
| A．though | B．before | C．unless | D．whether |
| A．happily | B．bitterly | C．vividly | D．proudly |
| A．chance | B．blueprint | C．goal | D．wealth |
4 . The magic of baseball is its fluid connection between players, each in the right position at the right time, playing their part to perfection. When a team is on the site of competition, there is nothing more breathtaking than baseball. But it takes a lot of practice to look effortless.
That’s what was happening —practice —one afternoon when the Valley High School team was distracted by a scream for help. Coach Brett Sawyer heard the noise and saw the en-tire team rushing towards the parking lot, jumping over fences.
One of their schoolmates was stuck under a car that had accidentally backed over her. One of the players, Chas Roberts, remembered afterward, “You had to do what you had to do to save someone’s life.” The players quickly surrounded the car, each taking a hold, and lifted the car. An assistant coach was then able to pull the girl out from underneath the car. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Maybe it’s the connection human beings have with each other, rushing in to help when it’s needed. And maybe playing together as a team became natural because each knew what to do. Or maybe it’s both. Maybe, deep inside, we all know that we are on the same team.
The next day, the varsity team lost their last game of the year. But winning was a little less important to them that day. The coach was proud of them for what they accomplished and said, “To be honest, we might not have the best baseball team around, but we do have a great group of guys.”
The magic of life is the fluid connection between people: how they love, how they share, how they help. There is nothing more breathtaking than the game of life well played.
1. What is the magic of baseball?| A．Right position and right time. |
| B．Strong team members and coaches. |
| C．Catching the ball wholly every time. |
| D．Collaboration among team members. |
| A．To save a girl’s life. | B．To solve the problem of noise. |
| C．To practice jumping over fences. | D．To run out and scream for help. |
| A．One schoolmate was stuck under a car. |
| B．Helping others is everyone’s born ability. |
| C．Lifting the car is not hard for their team. |
| D．An assistant coach led the whole process. |
| A．The magic of baseball | B．An unforgettable match |
| C．Teamwork that saves lives | D．Fluid connection between people |
5 . Problem-solving skills are increasingly valuable in the workplace and could help you achieve more in your personal life too. Mastering these skills involves adopting effective approaches that enhance your ability to face challenges and find solutions.
Develop analytical thinking
Analytical thinking is a very important skill. It breaks down big issues into smaller, more manageable components.
Clear and simple communication is the key to effective problem-solving. Effective communication begins with clearly defining the problem statement. This involves choosing the right words, structuring information, and being mindful of the audience to ensure that your message is broad. Also, active listening is the skill of receiving information with focus. It involves not just hearing words but understanding the differences, emotions and ultimate messages.
Promote cooperation.
Effective problem solving often develops rapidly in a cooperative environment, where diverse opinions fuel innovation.
Stay informed.
| A．Listen to others attentively. |
| B．Improve communication skills. |
| C．The following strategies are worth a try. |
| D．Improving this skill requires a structured approach. |
| E．Regularly updating your knowledge keeps you sharp. |
| F．The process will equip you with the skills to succeed. |
| G．It begins with recognizing the strengths of teammates. |
6 . A new study from a team at the University of Pittsburgh has discovered blood-based markers that can reveal someone’s biological age, which could help treat various health problems that can happen as our bodies get older.
We have our actual ages—the number of years we’ve been alive—and then we have biological ages, which is related to the wear and tear on cells and organs. Knowing this biological age can help us work out disease risk, tailor treatments, and better understand the different rates at which our bodies break down.
“Imagine two people aged 65,” says Aditi Gurkar, a scientist at the University of Pittsburgh. “One rides a bike to work and goes skiing on the weekends and the other can’t climb a flight of stairs.”
They have the same age, but different biological ages. Why do these two people age differently? To help answer this question, the researchers enlisted the help of 196 elderly adults, separated into two groups: one group of volunteers aged 75 or older who were classified as healthy agers, and the other group of volunteers aged 65-75 who were classified as rapid agers. The healthy agers were able to climb a flight of stairs or walk for 15 minutes without resting, while the rapid agers had to take breaks through each activity.
The distinction gave the study team the chance to look at differences between the groups in metabolites（代谢物）: small chemical substances left by biological processes in the body. They can be used as evidence for which processes are happening, and how well they’re running.
“We chose to look at metabolites because they are dynamic,” says Gurkar. “They change in real time to reflect our current health and how we feel, and we have the power to influence them through our lifestyle, diet and environment.”
With more research, it might be possible to develop a blood test for quick and easy biological age judgment. That test could then be run on people at earlier ages, when changes to molecular processes are easier to edit.
1. What do the underlined words “the wear and tear” mean in paragraph 2?| A．The damage. | B．The repair. | C．The examination. | D．The decrease. |
| A．By analysing some figures. | B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By giving an example. | D．By grouping volunteers randomly. |
| A．They can affect our lifestyle and diet. | B．They can reflect our current thoughts. |
| C．They can be taken out and tested easily. | D．They can show the present body conditions. |
| A．A Rare Disease Resulted from Blood |
| B．A Better Way to Keep Us Younger |
| C．A Blood Test Indicating Health Problems |
| D．An Approach to Becoming Stronger |
7 . I’ve been a healthcare assistant with Marie Curie for four years. What led me to join this remarkable organization was a deeply personal experience.
Seven years ago, my father was in the end-of-life stage. He had wanted to be at home during his final moments, so I arranged for him to return home. He spent only one more night there, but he wasn’t alone. A Marie Curie nurse was by our side.
Facing the emotions that come with knowing a loved one is at the end of their life can be difficult. Having a nurse with us made it easier to deal with these feelings. That’s when I made the decision to join Marie Curie.
You might assume that being with family members during the end of one’s life would be a sad experience. But what may surprise you is that it’s not. The family, in my experience, make the most of the time they have and understand that their loved one is dying, but it’s not a time for sorrow; it’s a time of togetherness and warmth.
I remember one particular family—three sisters—and the fourth was in the end-of-life stage. When I arrived, she was unaware, and I knew she might not make it through the night.
But sitting with the sisters, talking about their childhood, and sharing photos. I felt it was a special time. They mentioned that their sister had asked for peaches ‘n’ cream earlier that day, and they made sure she got it.
We lost her that night. The sisters expected it, they thanked me, and it was a comforting experience. Our role is to support families and the individuals who are dying. We can’t change the matter of necessity, but we can make-a difference. We provide support through the early stages of sorrow.
1. Why did the author join Marie Curie?| A．To memorize her father. | B．To deal with her sad feelings. |
| C．To provide help and services. | D．To express her thanks to nurses. |
| A．She accompanied her family. | B．She took photos for her. |
| C．She told stories to her sisters. | D．She comforted her parents. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Rewarding. | C．Eye-opening. | D．Time-consuming. |
| A．The support of family counts. | B．Helping others is helping yourself. |
| C．It’s never late to change ourselves. | D．End-of-life company means a lot. |
8 . In a heart-pounding display of courage and quick thinking, a 65-year-old crane operator became an unexpected hero as he rescued a man trapped on top of a towering building engulfed in flames.
Glen Edwards, a crane operator from Egham, was expressing his gratitude after a tense rescue operation in Reading last Thursday. Edwards found himself in a challenging situation as he navigated circling winds to save a man trapped by smoke and flames on a building. The dramatic rescue unfolded amid thick black smoke, making visibility nearly impossible
When the alarm sounded, Edwards, who had a concrete skip on his crane, wasted no time the moment he spotted the distressed man waving his coat. Employing his experience and knowledge of the area, Edwards attached a metal cage to the crane, carefully considering his options for the rescue. However, the challenging conditions, with smoke sheltering his view, added an extra layer of difficulty to the operation.
With a colleague providing guidance and a concerned crowd watching from below, Edwards skillfully operated the crane to rescue the man. The onlookers erupted in cheers and applause as the man was safely lifted to the ground.
Reflecting on the intense experience, Edwards remarked, “It seemed to pass a long time until the man got inside. The adrenaline (肾上腺素) was pumping.” He admitted to experiencing shaking after the rescue, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Despite the successful operation, Edwards is yet to meet the man he saved, humorously noting, “He’s got to take me across the road for a drink!”
The heartwarming part of this story is the overwhelming support Edwards has received from well-wishers. A fund-raising page was set up to “buy Edwards a beer as a sign of gratitude,” initially aiming for £5,000 but now standing at an impressive ₤9,100. The community’s response has left Edwards deeply moved. He stated, “It means a lot; some of the comments have been absolutely fantastic.”
1. What does the underlined word “distressed” in paragraph 3 probably mean?| A．Brave. |
| B．Painful. |
| C．Enthusiastic. |
| D．Disappointed. |
| A．Warm and Curious. | B．Caring and ambitious. |
| C．Professional and humorous. | D．Gifted and generous. |
| A．Sharp tools make good work. |
| B．One good turn descries another. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. |
| D．Hope for the best,but prepare for the worst. |
| A．A diary entry. |
| B．A medical magazine. |
| C．A news report. |
| D．A first-aid essay. |
9 . One e-toy for every person on Earth — that’s the surprising amount of electric trains, talking dolls, and other children’s devices thrown away every year. People usually consider electronic waste from computers, smartphones, and TVs to be e-waste, but they may not realize that “nontraditional” e-waste materials like power tools, LED lights, USB cables and countless other similar, also need special recycling. In all, people across the world throw out about 9 billion kilograms of e-waste commonly not recognized as such by people.
This “invisible e-waste” is the main focus of the sixth annual International E-Waste Day on October 14, organized by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum. According to the findings, for example, the total weight of all USB cables thrown away every year equals 6 Eiffel Towers. Meanwhile, if all this invisible electronic waste were packed into trucks, it could fill half a million 40-ton trucks, enough to cause a long traffic jam covering about 3,504 miles.
“People are familiar with common e-waste. But many invisible e-waste are ignored. How to have them recycled remains a big problem.” Pascal Leroy, Director-General of the WEEE Forum, said in a statement. Pascal Leroy asks that instead of throwing them away, people should take it to the local recycling facility. He says that a lot of electronic waste is right around us, and we need to raise awareness about this issue. He also refers to past campaigns that successfully made people more aware of plastic pollution and believes the same can happen with e-waste awareness.
1. Which of the following belongs to the "invisible e-waste"?| A．Smartphones. | B．Computers. | C．Talking toys. | D．USB cables. |
| A．To make the number exaggerated. | B．To show the destination of the wastes. |
| C．To prove it also has the same problems. | D．To give a vivid description of the large amount. |
| A．Hopeful. | B．Unclear. | C．Doubtful. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．Recycle or Not? That’s a Problem |
| B．New Electrical Wastes that Go Unnoticed |
| C．The Shocking Amount of Electronic Products |
| D．The Focus of the Sixth International E-waste Day |
10 . It wasn’t until Yash Gupta broke his glasses in taekwondo practice that he realized just how much he depended on them. He had to wait a week to get a new pair.
“I couldn’t see clearly in the classroom,” said Gupta, now 17. However, Gupta’s eyes were opened to a much larger problem. He saw on the Internet that more than 12 million children worldwide don’t have the corrective eyewear they need.
“It’s just a total disadvantage for them, because if you can’t see anything, you definitely can’t make the most of the education you’re being given,” Gupta said. “It would be impossible for them to fully achieve their potential (潜力). I had this problem for one week, but these kids have these problems for their whole lives.”
So at just 14, Gupta started Sight Learning, an organization that collects used eyeglasses from optometrists (验光师) and donates them to organizations that can deliver them to children in need.
For Gupta, who has worn glasses since he was 5 years old, the idea of repurposing old eyewear made sense. Most of his family members wear glasses, and just searching his own home yielded positive results. “I found 10 to 15 pairs just lying around the house in the drawers,” Gupta said.
With the help from his father, Gupta approached local optometrists, who agreed to put out drop boxes where patients could donate their used eyeglasses after getting a new pair.
Since 2011, Gupta has donated 9,500 pairs of glasses, worth nearly $500,000, to young people in Haiti, Honduras, India and Mexico. Gupta knows that the glasses he’s providing can make a big impact. “A lot of times, these families are in poverty (贫困),” he said. “With a good education, they can get a good job. Right now, we partner with international organizations. I’d like to bring this service to more countries.”
1. What led Gupta to start Sight Learning?| A．A local organization. | B．His failure in a test. |
| C．A nearsighted student. | D．His broken glasses. |
| A．Reduced. | B．Missed. | C．Produced. | D．Reused. |
| A．Benefit more children in need. | B．Donate money to poor families. |
| C．Create jobs in his home country. | D．Sell new glasses at a lower price. |
| A．Turn Weaknesses into Strengths | B．Help Children See Clearly |
| C．Bring Kindness to the Classroom | D．Protect Eyesight Properly |
