3 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It was 40 years ago. One day, Emma came back to their apartment from work and realized that her husband, David, was extremely ill. He was throwing up and slurring (发音不清) his words. Immediately, Emma grabbed her purse and took him by taxi to the nearest hospital, on the Lower East Side of New York City. The minutes slowly passed as they waited to see a doctor.

They sat there for a couple of hours, and it was pretty clear that nobody was going to pay attention to David. So they rushed to a second hospital, where they were also ignored. Emma knew something was very wrong with David, so they went to a third hospital. As she told the receptionist what was happening, Emma sensed the person wasn’t going to treat their case with urgency.

Emma was on the edge of a breakdown. After three failed attempts to get help, she had reached her limit. She started to shout in the lobby (大厅). That’s when her unsung hero appeared.

That person was a young man with dark hair and a white physician’s coat. He came to Emma and said, “How can I help you? What’s going on here?” Emma explained what was happening to David, and that she was afraid it was serious.

The young man said, “You know, I just got done with my neurological residency (神经系统的实习期) up at Lenox Hill Hospital. I’ll take him in the back and look.” Within two or three minutes, the young man came out and said, “You are absolutely right. Something is very seriously wrong with your husband.”

The man told Emma to take her husband to Lenox Hill Hospital, and that he had called the doctor with whom he had done his residency.

“He’ll be waiting for you,” said the young man.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

But Emma began to cry, realizing she had no way of getting there, because she didn’t have any more cash for a taxi.

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Soon Emma and her husband arrived at the hospital.

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4 . Learning often requires taking different risks, whether it’s the willingness to try something new or keep trying after a failed attempt. For children, it’s this process of learning how to take risks and becoming comfortable with failure that can help them grow and develop.     1     As research is showing, children’s willingness to take risks in learning can depend on their relationship with their parents.

According to the research, children who viewed their parents as being supportive and reliable were more willing to take risks while learning. “     2     When their parents support them and are trustworthy, the children get a sense of how things work,” said Seth Pollak, the lead researcher of the study.

Here is what you, as parents, should remember.

Creating a supportive learning environment for your children often includes identifying what they struggle with and what they need.     3     Your children can’t necessarily tell you what they need, but they are often showing you. For example, if your children are consistently having a meltdown (崩溃) after school, that could be a sign that they are overstimulated from the school day, and need some extra time to relieve pressure before starting their homework. Other behaviors could include refusing to do something, such as writing with a pencil or doing their math homework.

One way to create reliability is to develop routines with your children.     4     For example, it could be making the effort to give them 10 minutes of undivided attention when they come home from school, making it a habit to play LEGOs with them every Friday evening, or a predictable bedtime routine.     5    

A．That is what they expect from their children.

B．Those routines should be developed by children themselves.

C．That consistent and positive attention can make a big difference.

D．Children from more stable backgrounds perform better in learning.

E．One way to do that is to track certain behaviors over time, looking for patterns.

F．The routines are less about how big or time-consuming, and more about their predictability.

G．However, encouraging children to take these risks can be an extremely difficult task for parents.

5 . Researchers are training robots to perform an ever-growing number of tasks through trial-and-error reinforcement (强化) learning, which is often laborious and time-consuming. To help out, humans are now employing large language model (LLM) AI. A team at NVIDIA Research directed an AI protocol (协议) powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 to teach a simulation (模拟) of a robotic hand nearly 30 complex tasks, including throwing a ball, pushing blocks, pressing switches, and some other seriously impressive abilities.

NVIDIA’s new “AI agent” Eureka uses GPT-4 by asking the large language model to write its own reward-based reinforcement learning software code. According to the company, Eureka doesn’t need complicated reminders or even pre-written patterns; instead, it simply begins experimenting with a program, and then follows any external human feedback.

In the company’s announcement, Linxi “Jim” Fan, a senior research scientist at NVIDIA, described Eureka as a unique combination of LLMs and simulation programming. “We believe that Eureka will enable robots to control items flexibly and provide a new way to produce physically realistic animations for artists,” Fan added. After testing its training protocol within an advanced simulation program, Eureka then analyzes its collected data and directs the LLM to further improve upon its design. The result is a protocol capable of successfully numbering a variety of robotic hand designs to operate scissors, turn pens and open cupboards within a physics-accurate simulated environment.

Eureka’s alternatives to human-written trial-and-error learning programs aren’t just effective—in most cases, they’re actually better than those authored by humans. In the team’s open-source research paper findings, Eureka-designed reward programs outperformed humans’ code in over 80 percent of the tasks—amounting to an average performance improvement of over 50 percent in the robotic simulations.

“Reinforcement learning has contributed to impressive wins over the last decade, yet many challenges still exist, such as reward design, which remains a trial-and-error process,” said Anima Anandkumar, an AI researcher. “Eureka is the first step toward developing new algorithms (算法) that integrate generative and reinforcement learning methods to solve hard tasks.”

1. Why is AI used for the training?

A．To simplify robots’ tasks.	B．To advertise OpenAI’s GPT-4.
C．To speed up the training process.	D．To recognize artists’ role in art creation.

2. What does Eureka need to do in the training?

A．Design reward programs.	B．Copy pre-written patterns.
C．Get complicated reminders.	D．Avoid human intervention.

3. How does Anima Anandkumar find Eureka?

A．It is still poor at the reward design.	B．It should learn from hard tasks.
C．It has few challenges to solve.	D．It is of pioneering significance.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Trial-and-error learning programs are promising.

B．Robots can finish complex tasks through learning.

C．Reinforcement learning improves robotic simulations.

D．AI can better teach a simulated robotic hand to perform tasks.

6 . In 1972, Barbara Rieco penned a heartfelt children’s book that held her dream within its pages. Despite her best efforts, the manuscript (手稿) faced repeated rejection from publishers, leading her to eventually set aside her dream of becoming a published author.

Little did she know that, decades later, her grandson would turn the dream into reality. Chad Cooper, a production professional, decided to give his grandmother the ultimate Christmas gift — the publication of her treasured book. Visiting her in Baltimore for the holidays, he secretly took her original manuscript, along with the drawings for the book she had obtained from an artist years ago, and transformed them into a beautifully printed book.

On Christmas morning, as Barbara unwrapped the carefully crafted gift, she was overcome with emotion as she realized what the surprise was. The moment, captured and posted online by Chad, quickly resonated (产生共鸣) with viewers, and the video became a hit.

“This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life,” Barbara said in the video, who also gave her grandson a big hug, with tears.

Chad’s thoughtful gesture didn’t just end with the surprise; he also included a link to the book on Amazon, making it available to the public. The response was nothing short of magic — within days, Barbara’s once-forgotten book skyrocketed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list, earning the coveted spot as a best seller.

Chad filmed the reaction to that news and shared more updates. Barbara said she had been reading every single comment online and wanted to respond to them all but there were thousands of them.

“I’ve bought Barbara Rieco’s book even though I’m 21 and don’t even have kids. I’ve read it and I really like it,” said one viewer.

“My children enjoy reading the book and they recommend me to read it as well,” another viewer commented.

Barbara Rieco’s book, now accepted by a new generation of readers, continues to spread joy and inspiration.

1. What did Chad Cooper do for his grandmother?

A．He had her book published.	B．He drew for her new book.
C．He arranged an artist to meet her.	D．He helped finish her manuscript.

2. How did Barbara Rieco feel when receiving her grandson’s Christmas gift?

A．Calm and proud.	B．Lucky but regretful.
C．Delighted but worried.	D．Excited and grateful.

3. What does the underlined word “coveted” in paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Dangerous.

B．Desired.

C．Empty.

D．Forgotten.

4. Why are the two viewers mentioned in the text?

A．To reveal Barbara’s gift for writing books.

B．To show the popularity of Barbara’s book.

C．To tell the influence of reading on the young.

D．To highlight the value of Chad’s Christmas gift.

7 . Getting third-party computer producers to add an AI button to laptops is the latest move by Microsoft to take most advantage of its close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and make itself a gateway for applications of generative AI technology.

Although most people now connect to the Internet — and many AI applications — by phone rather than computer, it’s a symbolic kickoff to what’s expected to be a competitive year as tech companies race to outdo each other in AI applications even as they haven’t yet settled all the moral and legal consequences. The New York Times last month charged both OpenAI and Microsoft that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot — formerly known as Bing Chat — are infringing (侵犯) on copyrighted news articles.

The keyboard redesign will be Microsoft’s biggest change to PC keyboards since it introduced a special Windows key in the 1990s. Microsoft’s four-squared logo design on it has evolved, but the key has been a fixture on Windows-oriented keyboards for about three decades.

The newest AI button is marked by the ribbon-like Copilot logo and is located near the space bar. On some computers it will replace the fight “CTRL” key, while on others it will replace a menu key.

Microsoft is not the only company with customized (订制的) keys. Apple pioneered the concept in the 1980s with its “Command” key marked by a looped square design(it also sported an Apple logo for a time). Google has a search button on its Chromebooks and was first to experiment with an AI-specific key to launch its voice assistant on its now-discontinued Pixelbook.

But Microsoft has a much stronger hold on the broader PC market through its licensing agreements with third-party producers like Lenovo, Dell and HP. About 82% of all desktop computers, laptops and workstations run Windows, compared to 9%for Apple’s in-house operating system and just over 6% for Google’s.

Microsoft hasn’t yet said which computer-makers are installing the Copilot button beyond Microsoft’s own in-house line of high-end Surface equipment. It said some of the companies are expected to unveil (公布) their new models at next week’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

1. Why does Microsoft add an AI button to laptops?

A．To improve the partnership with OpenAI.

B．To help third-party computer producers.

C．To establish its favorable position in AI applications.

D．To change people’s habit to connect to the Internet.

2. What can we infer about AI from Paragraph 2?

A．People will connect to AI applications by PC.

B．The appearance of AI button leads to competition.

C．Competition in AI areas is fierce and unregulated.

D．The New York Times violated copyrighted news articles.

3. What kept changing in Microsoft keyboards over the past 30 years?

A．The space bar.	B．The Windows key.
C．The “Command” key.	D．The “CTRL” key.

4. What is Microsoft’s advantage in changing keyboard keys?

A．It can influence many more computer producers.

B．It is further ahead in AI application technology.

C．It has the patent for customized keyboard keys.

D．It controls the IT world with the CES gadget show.

8 . I sat at the corner of the living room, staring at the Christmas tree. It was the best tree we had had. My husband ________ it immediately we found it among the rows of pre-cut trees. We ________ that it was a real beauty. We thought it was the ________ tree even though it was not. Like most Christmas trees, it has a good ________, which was facing out toward the living room. Seen from every angle, the tree is the most ________ one. But if you stood where I was ________, you would see that this tree has its ________. One side wasn’t shaped quite as ________ as the other. So we put this side around to the corner because none wanted to see that ________ side.

Upon hearing about the tree, my eight-year-old daughter, Kaylyn, ________, “Christmas is ruined!” Christmas wasn’t mined, Kaylyn. Like most things, Christmas is all about what you ________. And many of us are wishing that Christmas should be perfection which we can only achieve in our ________, like everything is right in the world.

So there’s ________ for us that perfection could be found in the least perfect world. ________, you don’t have to face the world with your “good side” and push your “bad side” of you into the corner, in hopes that no one will ________ it.

1.

A．offered

B．selected

C．cut

D．ignored

2.

A．joked

B．pretended

C．proved

D．imagined

3.

A．perfect

B．necessary

C．right

D．free

4.

A．function

B．meaning

C．value

D．side

5.

A．worthwhile

B．available

C．beautiful

D．special

6.

A．standing

B．lying

C．sitting

D．talking

7.

A．similarity

B．secret

C．difference

D．character

8.

A．skillfully

B．formally

C．normally

D．cleanly

9.

A．ugly

B．pretty

C．excellent

D．strange

10.

A．cried

B．cheered

C．applauded

D．apologized

11.

A．decide

B．expect

C．promise

D．choose

12.

A．reality

B．world

C．minds

D．homes

13.

A．fact

B．wonder

C．doubt

D．hope

14.

A．In another word

B．In addition

C．By all means

D．In that case

15.

A．admit

B．recognize

C．notice

D．appreciate

9 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Spreading Joy

This past Christmas season began for me as usual on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. My mom, sister, and I had gotten up early to go shopping. As we were driving out of a store parking lot, we caught sight of a dreadfully thin woman sitting on a walker. She was clearly homeless, with bird feathers stuck into her gray hair, and a dirty yellow raincoat.

That homeless woman got us thinking about what Christmas would be like for some one who has no place to call home. With no family to turn to and certainly no presents to open on Christmas morning, these people have nothing to look forward to but the cold and lonely place where they choose to camp. Even though we live in sunny California, the temperature can still fall below freezing on winter nights. Where would this woman sleep when the sun went down?

Sadly, homeless people are a common sight in our town. On our way home, we passed countless people pushing shopping carts overflowing with their belongings and people standing in the center dividers of roads holding cardboard signs with “Just Hungry” written on them.

The next day, my mom had a great idea. While we were out Christmas shopping, we purchased some blue tins (罐) of sugar cookies and a few boxes of candy canes. When we got home, I helped my mom carefully ti e each tin with a red ribbon and tape a candy cane on top. Next, we wrote “Call 211 for Help” on notes and taped them to the bottoms of the tins. “Not only will we be spreading Christmas cheer, but now the homeless people will have a number to call and get the help they need,” my mom explained as we worked.

We put all the tins in the car and, whenever we went for a drive, we searched the streets for individuals down on their luck. Usually, the streets are crowded with people carrying sleeping bags, but somehow when you are looking for something, it always seems to disappear.

注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。

Eventually, we found a young man sleeping in the Lowe’s parking lot.

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The day before Christmas, we drove around the streets again with our final tin.

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10 . I’ve gotten deep into rhythm games that I simply don’t typically have access to from the US. And a playlist of songs can only take you so far. When Arcaea released on the Nintendo Switch I though, “Eventually, my time is here.” Originally released for mobile phones in 2017, Arcaea is an incredibly full rhythm game from lowiro. The Switch version alone comes with over 150 songs, multiple game modes and two distinct ways to play.

Song choice is the most important part of any rhythm game in my opinion. That, and variety, which Arcaea has plenty of. The game has the usual modes. World Mode, Music Play and Story are all available. It’s all par for the course and not really worth explaining.

Going back to the Story mode though, I know unlocking and reading little tidbits (花絮) about the characters in rhythm games is a big deal for a lot of people. The story is incredibly basic and the characters don’t really differ that much in my opinion. It’s frankly dismissible. I never found myself eager to spend currency and unlock new information regarding people or even the world.

The only aspect of the game that Arcaea excels in is its song choice. Like I said earlier, it has over 150 songs, with a few new original ones added. There’s an amazing mix of genre and sound. Arcaea doesn’t give players five versions of the same song with different vocalists or only include songs with different, but still connected, genres. In the grand scheme of things, 150 tracks may not seem like a large number to boast. Still, I genuinely felt as though the Switch versions song library was just as good as any mobile rhythm games’. Especially since all are included with your base purchase.

One of the only questions I really wanted answered when I first opened up Arcaea was, “How does this play with Nintendo Switch controls?” The game is especially keen to let players know it has two vastly different game options. Naturally, my expectations were high. I’ve had bad luck with rhythm games on the Switch. Unfortunately, Arcaea falls into the same issue I’ve found with similar games.

……

Overall, I think Arcaea is a good game, but the problem with the Nintendo Switch port is that a lot of its benefits are found in the mobile version. I didn’t really enjoy playing this on my Switch. It wasn’t fun on the hands or wrists. If your phone can’t handle more games space-wise or isn’t built for rhythm games, I would say get this. Playing with the touch screen requires a little maneuvering, but eventually works. Plus, the music is just amazing.

1. Why does the author say the game is “all par for the course and not really worth explaining”?

A．It is boring so it’s no value explaining.	B．It has a very large number of varieties.
C．It contains uncommon modes as well.	D．It does not go beyond our imagination.

2. What is the author’s attitude to the song choice about the game?

A．Indifferent.

B．Favourable.

C．Doubtful.

D．Ambiguous.

3. What may the author write in the “……” part?

A．The problems he found when playing Arcaea on his switch.

B．The drawbacks about playing rhythm games on a switch.

C．His positive comments about the rhythm game from lowiro.

D．His brilliant experience when playing Arcaea on his switch.

4. Where does the passage probably come from?

A．An online forum.	B．A daily newspaper.
C．An investigation report.	D．An autobiography.