1 . Engineers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a new way to program robots to help people with dementia (痴呆) locate medicine, glasses, phones and other objects they need but have lost.
While the initial focus is assisting a specific group of people, the technology could someday be used by anyone who has searched high and low for something they’ve misplaced.
“The long-term impact of this is really exciting.” said Dr. Ali Ayub, a post-doctoral fellow in electrical and computer engineering. “A user can be involved not just with a companion robot but a personalized companion robot that can give them more independence.”
Ayub and three colleagues were struck by the rapidly rising number of people coping with dementia. Many of these individuals repeatedly forget the location of everyday objects, which reduces their quality of life and places additional burdens on caregivers.
Engineers believed a companion robot with an occasional memory of its own could be a game-changer in such situations. And they succeeded in using artificial intelligence to create a new kind of artificial memory.
The research team began with a mobile user robot, which has a camera for feeling the world around it. Next, using an object-detection system, they programmed the robot to detect, track and keep a memory note of specific objects in its camera view through stored video. With the robot capable of distinguishing one object from another, it can record the time and date objects enter or leave its view. Researchers then developed a picture interface to enable users to choose objects they want to be tracked and, after typing the objects’ names, search for them on a smartphone app or computer. Once that happens, the robot can indicate when and where it last observed the specific object.
Tests have shown the system is highly accurate. And while some individuals with dementia might find the technology worrying, Ayub said caregivers could readily use it. Moving forward, researchers will conduct user studies with people without disabilities, and then people with dementia.
1. What can the robots do?A.Help make what people need. | B.Help look for what people have lost. |
C.Locate the lost people with dementia. | D.Play games with a specific group of people. |
A.A camera. | B.A research team. |
C.A mobile user robot. | D.A system. |
A.Routes. | B.Names. | C.Shape and color. | D.Place and time. |
A.Art. | B.Technology. | C.Travel. | D.Education. |
2 . Treatment of Motion Sickness
Whether you travel by plane, car, train or boat, if you’ve experienced motion sickness, you know how easily it can make your trip unpleasant. Motion sickness can cause dizziness, uneasiness or throwing up.
Eat small meals
Be aware of situations that cause symptoms (症状)
Do you get sick when you’re riding in the second or third row of an SUV? Are you OK on a train, but tend to feel sick on a bus?
Look at the horizon (地平线)
For travel by boat, car, train or bus, looking toward the horizon may help prevent motion sickness. People who have motion sickness tend to have more body sway (晃动) while standing.
It may be appealing to catch up on work or sink into a good book, but reading or using a device like a computer should be avoided, The balance center in your inner ear senses movement, but the words on the screen or page are still. These mixed messages can result in sickness.
A.Try to move your body lightly |
B.Do deep breathing exercises as often as possible |
C.Avoid reading or computer work during the journey |
D.Knowing what causes your sickness can help you avoid it |
E.In a study, looking at the horizon while at sea reduced body sway |
F.Here are simple strategies that may help to prevent or reduce these symptoms |
G.It can be appealing to fill up before you travel to avoid eating packaged food on board |
3 . A recent research suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could hold the potential for predicting sudden cardiac (心脏的) death and assessing an individual’s risk to potentially prevent future deaths. This development may mark a novel step towards prevention and global health strategies.
Professor Xavier Jouven, lead author of the study, said, “Sudden cardiac death, a public health burden, represents 10% to 20% of overall deaths. Predicting it is difficult, and the usual approaches fail to identify high-risk people, particularly at an individual level. We proposed a new approach.”
The scientific team employed AI to analyze medical data obtained from registries and databases in Paris, France and Seattle. They examined records of 25,000 individuals who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest and compared them with data from 70,000 people from the general population. The matching process involved age, sex and residential area. Using AI, the scientists created about 25,000 personalized health models to evaluate the data and identify individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac death. Additionally, they established a risk file for each participant in the study.
The AI analysis was able to identify people who had more than 90% of risk dying suddenly, and it can predict about more than one-fourth of all cases of sudden cardiac death. “We have been working for almost 30 years in the field of sudden cardiac death prediction. However, we did not expect to reach such a high level of accuracy,” said Jouven, who is the founder of the Paris Sudden Death Expertise Center.
Jouven added. “While doctors have efficient treatments, the use of AI is necessary to detect in a given subject a succession of medical information registered over the years. We hope that with a personalized list of risk factors, patients will be able to work with their clinicians to reduce those risk factors and ultimately decrease the potential for sudden cardiac death.”
1. What can be known about sudden cardiac death?A.It is hard to predict and prevent. |
B.Researchers still can do nothing about it. |
C.It accounts for the highest percentage of all deaths. |
D.Old approaches can effectively identify its high-risk people. |
A.Its result. | B.Its process. | C.Its purpose. | D.Its participants. |
A.Worried. | B.Amazed. | C.Annoyed. | D.Disappointed. |
A.The Biggest AI Development in 2024 | B.Using AI to Stop Future Cardiac Attack |
C.Improved Prediction of Death in Patients | D.Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death Using Al |
4 . Jack Prelutsky is an American poet. He is known for his humorous and fantastic poetry for children, which has earned him numerous awards.
Jack Prelutsky was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1940. As a child, he did not enjoy poetry, finding it boring and pointless. Instead, Prelutsky expressed his artistry through music, taking voice and piano lessons. While Prelutsky claims he got into poetry almost by accident, he also states that he was always a poet. It just took him some time to realize his love for poetry.
Prelutsky explored quite a few options before he found his niche in poetry. He was a folk singer and guitar teacher in Greenwich Village in his late teens and early twenties. Prelutsky also held a variety of odd jobs. He worked as a furniture mover, piano mover, taxicab driver, coal shoveler, fruit picker, truck driver and photographer, among other jobs.
At the age of 23, Prelutsky decided to try illustrating. Just before presenting his illustrations to a children’s book editor, he added a few lines of poetry to the pictures. The editor told him that the illustrations were not publishable but the poems showed the talent. Over the next months and years, Prelutsky worked with the editor to create a collection of animal poems inspired by his love of the Bronx Zoo. His first book, entitled A Gopher in the Garden and Other Animal Poems, was published in 1967.
In addition to writing, Prelutsky has edited various poetry collections and translated poetry from German and Swedish into English. He currently resides in Seattle, where he writes and performs his work. Prelutsky is considered one of the most popular children’s poets. His work pioneered a new era of children’s poetry. In 2006, the Poetry Foundation named Jack Prelutsky the first Children’s Poet Laureate, a position designed to promote poetry for children and raise awareness of the power and relevance of poetry for young people.
1. Why did Prelutsky dislike poetry in his early years?A.It was too difficult. | B.He wasn’t good at it. |
C.He thought it meaningless. | D.It took up too much of his time. |
A.Mistake. | B.Dream | C.Comprehension. | D.Interest. |
A.23. | B.27. | C.40. | D.66. |
A.To introduce a poet. | B.To attract poetry lovers. |
C.To display some excellent poems. | D.To encourage readers to write poems. |
5 . As modern cars continue to add new features, the dashboard can become more and more confusing. A variety of lights, buttons, symbols, and switches aren’t easily decoded without referencing the operating manual (手册): Pressing something as harmless as the air recirculation control can become an exercise in suspense.
Then there’s the “A” button. A relatively new option, its purpose is complex, and you might be worried about activating it. So what does it do?
The A button controls the automatic start-stop system in vehicles. Automatic start-stop functionality was designed for fuel economy and cuts the engine when a car comes to a complete stop. If your vehicle is equipped, you’ll likely notice the engine stopping at red lights or in traffic jams and then revving back up again once you begin to accelerate (加速). Depending on how often you drive, the technology might save you anywhere from 3 percent to 12 percent in fuel costs.
But not everyone is a fan of the feature. When it’s engaged and the engine is off, drivers may have trouble maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature or lose the ability to quickly accelerate when coming onto a highway.
If a vehicle operator wants to disable it, they press the A button. Once the button is engaged, the vehicle’s engine will run uninterrupted. Often, the A button will light up, meaning you’ve elected to disable the function.
The catch? The A button is typically only good for each ride. Every time you start the car, you’ll have to press it to suppress the automatic start-stop function.
Some drivers get into the habit of pushing the A button every time they get in their car; others opt for an aftermarket solution to permanently disable the feature without having to do it during every drive. If you find it disconcerting to have the engine stop every time you're at a light, the A button is the solution.
1. What can be learned from paragraph 1?A.Cars are becoming more difficult to drive. |
B.People can do exercises in cars nowadays. |
C.The operating manual is a must for driving. |
D.Many new functions are being added to cars. |
A.To save fuel. |
B.To help stop the car. |
C.To accelerate the car quickly. |
D.To react to traffic lights smartly. |
A.The engine is stopped. |
B.The A button light is on. |
C.The car keeps a constant temperature. |
D.The car needs an aftermarket solution. |
A.A social survey. | B.A science report. |
C.A manual to a car. | D.A magazine about cars. |
When I was a young girl, I used to love going adventuring. My dad always took me down to the bush every weekend and we collected many sticks and stones to add to our collection. I wasn’t like any ordinary girl as I loved the outdoors even as a young toddler. I was never into dolls and tea parties.
Soon I became old enough to venture out on my own. When I ventured forth through the Australian bush land, I felt as if I was in heaven. There was nothing more beautiful than feeling the cool air brushing across my back. The leaves crushed beneath my feet at every step. I felt as if I was home.
As the sun dipped down beyond the horizon, there was nothing more to do than to head back home. On my way I heard a screeching(尖叫声). It was the most horrible sound I had ever heard in my life. Sure enough, I just had to investigate. In the dead of night, I headed towards the screech and came across a lake or river of some sort. Looking up and down the river, I couldn’t find a way to cross it. In much shame I decided to give up. It was about one o’ clock in the morning and I thought my dad must be getting worried.
As I moved away from the lake, there was only one problem that I did not remember which direction I came from. My brain told me left but my instinct (直觉) told me right. In my past experiences I had always gone with my instinct. So of course I went with my instinct. As I walked off into the distance, I could see the sun breaking out in my distant view.
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。
After what seemed like hours, I felt a sigh of relief rush through my body.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“You are alive!” my dad shouted, “You are alive!”
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For 27 years, Mao Shihua
Mao’s “day” began at 2 am,
However, Mao didn’t care. The hours she spent serving food to the children living in the mountainous area was the
When 90-year-old Mao died on December 18, 2023, netizens from around the country expressed their
In 2019, inspired by Mao, the public service center established the “1-yuan caring breakfast” store. From 7 to 8:30 am every day, the store provides 20 to 30 breakfast sets
8 . I was waiting in line at the gas bar when two small white cars drove in out of nowhere and
I got my tank filled up and drove
Suddenly I remembered something. I was in line at a grocery checkout and my items had been rung up
I went into the parking lot to see if I could find my
“I heard you were looking for me,” he smiled. “I paid your bill.” I thanked him greatly and apologized for not having any cash on me.
He more than
A.broke | B.exploded | C.joined | D.cut |
A.cancel | B.accept | C.reject | D.track |
A.at random | B.in particular | C.straight | D.slow |
A.consuming | B.enjoying | C.buying | D.making |
A.until | B.unless | C.before | D.when |
A.car | B.line | C.gas bar | D.parking lot |
A.purchase | B.reality | C.order | D.place |
A.sorrow | B.patience | C.panic | D.curiosity |
A.burger | B.fiend | C.cashier | D.donor |
A.pulled up | B.passed by | C.drove away | D.pulled out |
A.Besides | B.However | C.Therefore | D.Instead |
A.expensive | B.insignificant | C.worn-out | D.good-looking |
A.met with | B.made up for | C.picked out | D.fit in with |
A.memory | B.admiration | C.apology | D.experiment |
A.occasionally | B.desperately | C.purposely | D.selflessly |
9 . If you’re starting construction on the home of your dreams, consider the benefits of building with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Here are a few tips to follow.
Hire the right construction professionals.
Even if you consider yourself handy or a DIY pro, new construction isn’t a project to go at alone. Do your research on local professionals like architects, contractors and others who are experienced in sustainable construction.
Start with a sustainable foundation.
While installing energy-efficient appliances and high-quality windows and doors are obvious examples of eco-friendly materials, there are other solutions to help you go green in your new home. Consider options like countertops made from recycled glass or reclaimed bricks for fireplaces and accent pieces.
Power your home with renewable energy.
If it’s within your budget, you can take your new home to the next level by powering it with renewable energy like solar or wind. Typically installed on the roof, solar panels stop the sun’s rays and convert that energy to power your home.
Prepare for the unexpected.
Project delays, fluctuating costs and more can turn building a new house into an unpredictable process.
A.Select eco-friendly materials. |
B.Create a reasonable and flexible budget. |
C.Contact trusted friends, family and neighbors for references. |
D.Constructing a sustainable home starts with the foundation. |
E.You may save money in the long-run on electricity bills. |
F.Don’t let potential surprises stop you seeking your dream space or forever home. |
G.They even provide architects greater design flexibility to build your dream home. |
10 . At age 10, McCullough got a glimpse of her dream job. It sparkled in the eyes of the Packard Children’s nurses who cared for her brother Matthew, who had brain cancer. As a child, McCullough spent hours at her brother’s bedside. “I looked up to the nurses. I found their unconditional commitment to my brother’s care remarkable,” McCullough says.
As a young girl, McCullough practiced nursing by caring for her brother, a desire born out of her intense love for him. She would rub his back, bring him drinks, and even help adjust his lines. She was a natural. Her parents said that she was very caring and always put people first from a young age.
When Matthew passed away, McCullough became even more committed to becoming a nurse. She took steps through the years to make her dream come true. In high school, she volunteered at cancer centers and hospitals. “My becoming a nurse is 100% in honor of Matt. I felt the need to channel my grief and turn that tragic moment into something positive,” McCullough says.
Over time, McCullough realized that she didn’t just want to be a nurse. She wanted to be a pediatric oncology (儿科肿瘤) nurse at Packard Children’s. McCullough wanted to give back to the hospital that had done so much for her brother.
Despite feeling like school never came easy, McCullough persisted (坚持) and got into a respected nursing school. She feels like she worked 10 times harder than other nursing students at the university. She traded going out and spending time with friends for the library.
In college, each step brought McCullough closer to her dream. She worked as a nursing assistant at Stanford Health Care for adults with cancer. Then, she transferred to Packard Children’s and worked as a nursing assistant in the Pediatric Transplant Center.
Today, She’s a nurse on the same unit that cared for her brother years ago. She is one of those nurses she admired so much as a child. She finds the time, even on very busy days, to truly be there for patients and families to make them feel loved and welcomed.
1. What makes McCullough want to be a nurse?A.Her love for her brother. |
B.The pain of cancer patients. |
C.Her natural ability of nursing. |
D.The desire to give back to society. |
A.She began to work for her dream. |
B.She volunteered at cancer centers. |
C.She became a nursing assistant for children. |
D.She spent much time with friends in the library. |
A.Changeable and respectable. |
B.Hardworking and demanding. |
C.Professional and adventurous. |
D.Considerate and persistent. |
A.God helps those who help themselves. |
B.Where there is a will there is a way. |
C.Behind bad luck comes good luck. |
D.He who laughs last laughs best. |