7 . Is it time to put the brakes on the development of artificial intelligence? If you've quietly asked yourself that question, you're not alone. In late March, a group of AI experts signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on the development of more powerful models than GPT-4; European researchers called for tighter AI regulations; and long-time AI researcher Yudkowsky demanded a complete shutdown of AI development.
Meanwhile, the industry shows no sign of slowing down. In March, a senior AI executive at Microsoft spoke of “very, very high” pressure from chief executive to get GPT-4 and other new models to the public “at a very high speed ”. GPT-4 is much larger and has been trained on significantly more data. Like other large language models, GPT-4 works by guessing the next word in response to prompts(提示). In tests, it passed legal and medical exams, and can write software better than professionals in many cases. And its full range of abilities is yet to be discovered.
GPT-4 and models like it are likely to have huge effects across many layers of society. They could facilitate personalized phishing(网络钓鱼) attacks, produce disinformation at scale, and be used to hack through the net -work security around computer systems. Open AI's own research suggests models like GPT-4 are “general-purpose technologies” which will influence 80 percent of the US workforce. Professions such as customer services, primary translations and editing, and security guard will be greatly impacted. Moreover, technology is accelerating much faster than our ability to understand and regulate it. If we're not careful, it will also drive changes that are too fast for safety. The US sociologist E. O. Wilson described the dangers of change like so: “The real problem of humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic(旧石器时代的) emotions, medieval(中世纪的) institutions and god-like technology.”
I believe a wise course of action is to slow down and think about where we want to take these technologies. It is not about stopping, but rather moving at a sustainable pace of progress. We can choose to steer this technology, rather than assume it has a life of its own we can't control.
1. How is the first paragraph mainly developed?| A．By listing reasons. |
| B．By giving examples. |
| C．By making comparisons. |
| D．By analyzing cause and effect. |
| A．It has no match in software writing. |
| B．AI experts have stopped its development. |
| C．We don't have a clear picture of what it can do. |
| D．It works by creating the next word with no need for prompts. |
| A．We manage to keep up with AI Technology. |
| B．We can be taken back to ancient times by AI Technology. |
| C．AI Technology is developing too fast and beyond our control. |
| D．AI Technology has a minor impact on different fields of society. |
| A．Time to Adjust to AI | B．Time to Go Slow on AI |
| C．An Urgent Stop to AI | D．A Significant Progress of AI |
8 . Microplastics, as the name implies, are tiny plastic particles found in the environment. Any plastic particle that has a diameter of less than 5 mm is considered to be microplastic. For a long time, a majority of people were unaware of the presence of microplastics and their effects on the environment. However, these particles have become a significant topic of debate in recent times after researchers noted their presence in almost every corner of the globe. from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench.
There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are tiny particles meant for external commercial use such as cosmetics, as well as microfibers to make other textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles.
There are various sources of microplastics. Wastewater treatment plants and sewage treatment plants are the major sources of primary microplastics, most of which are residues (残留物) of cosmetics, paint, household and industrial waste. Single-use plastics plastic items meant to be used just once and then discarded, such as a straw — are the main source of secondary plastics in the environment.
The problem with microplastics is that like plastic items of any size they do not readily break down into harmless molecules. Plastics can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose (降解). That means once produced, we cannot get rid of them. Microplastics exist on beaches and deeper waters, and have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water. They are mistaken for food by marine animals and some plastics are so tiny that they end up in the animal tissues. They are passed across the food chain, and some find their way to humans.
Scientists are still unsure whether consumed microplastics are harmful to human or animal health and if so, what specific dangers they may pose. Even so, many countries are taking action to reduce microplastics in the environment. The best approaches to controlling microplastics include proper handling of plastics and thorough treatment of wastewater.
1. According to the first two paragraphs, microplastics are_________| A．common in our daily life |
| B．used to make glass bottles |
| C．found in all the uninhabited areas |
| D．tiny plastic particles with a diameter of 5mm |
| A．The use of straws should be forbidden. |
| B．Household waste contains microplastics. |
| C．Industrial waste is a source of secondary plastics |
| D．Wastewater and sewage treatment plants are useless. |
| A．Because they’re consumed as food. |
| B．Because they exist on the beaches. |
| C．Because they easily break down. |
| D．Because they’re left out in the food chain. |
| A．To analyze the sources of microplastics. |
| B．To warn people of the danger of microplastics. |
| C．To give an overall introduction to microplastics. |
| D．To persuade people to give up the use of microplastics. |
9 . Many guests have had the pleasure of observing the magnificent cheetahs (猎豹) that find shelter on the Tswalu Private Reserve, but they might not be aware of the work to make these wild cats feel comfortable in the presence of humans. As a conservation photographer, I spent a day with conservator Clement Motau to understand what it takes to habituate cheetahs.
Habituating wildlife is an on-going process —slowly getting wild animals used to the presence of vehicles and people. Animals like cheetahs receive regular visits from the wildlife conservation team. That way they learn that in this privately protected area, humans pose no threat to.
Clement, now 29 years old, spent his early childhood in Middelburg, but he would go to the rural area every chance he got, including most school holidays. “I enjoyed climbing mountains and being outdoors. I always knew I wanted to work with wild animals.” He decided to study nature conservation rather than become a tour guide because “dealing with people all the time is not my strongest point.” After three years of studies, he came to Tswalu in 2016 and was offered a position on the conservation team. Though one day rarely looks the same as another, with tasks ranging from collaring wild dogs to mending fences, the chance to spend time with cheetahs is an experience he particularly enjoys.
An hour after we first spotted Artemis, Clement's favorite cheetah, she is still on the move, clearly looking for a meal. She is a beautiful animal, and I am in no hurry to leave. Though she seems unbothered by our presence, we don't want to negatively impact her chances of feeding. Wildlife tourism is an essential conservation tool, both to raise awareness and to pay for all the costs. But the wellbeing of the animals always comes first. “She is very obliging with us today,” he says. “So relaxed. The guides and our guests will love her. She'll be a future star.”
1. What do we know about habituating wild animals?| A．It's a process to get wild animals used to humans. |
| B．It's done by paying random visits to wild animals. |
| C．Wild animals will benefit from this practice. |
| D．Such practice is limited to private reserves. |
| A．Because he liked a job with various tasks... |
| B．Because being a tour guide was not his dream. |
| C．Because he enjoyed spending time with wild animals. |
| D．Because working with animals was his strongest point. |
| A．Artemis is responding to our request. |
| B．Artemis is warning us to keep a distance. |
| C．Artemis is inviting us to enter her territory. |
| D．Artemis is feeling comfortable with our presence. |
| A．A remarkable cheetah conservator. | B．A reserve for cheetahs. |
| C．A cheetah conservation program. | D．A tour with a cheetah conservator. |
10 . Mental-health podcasts(播客) are no replacement for therapy, but they can be an excellent resource for information and reflection. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety or depression, these are an uplifting reminder that you’re not alone.
The Happiness Lab
Laurie Santos teaches a course at Yale University called Psychology and the Good Life, where she lectures on the science of happiness. Santos brings that material to a broader audience with her podcast, in which she invites mental health experts to discuss the science behind everyday emotions.
Inappropriate Questions
This podcast approaches mental health from a uniquely empathetic angle. In each episode, hosts Elena Lyle and Harvinder Wadhwa explore how a certain question can unintentionally make the answerer uncomfortable. For example, is it proper to offer the blind help if you don’t know whether they need it? Listeners get personal insights into discrimination, which may help them become more thoughtful communicators.
Disability After Dark
In his podcast, disability rights consultant Andrew Gurza has friendly chats with people about what it’s really like to live with disabilities. The host and his guests discuss their struggles in a world that doesn’t provide enough accessibility, why that impacts their mental health and how they’ve come to find pride in their disability.
Not Another Anxiety Show
Health and wellness coach Kelli Walker uses her podcast to explain to listeners that, although it can be scary, anxiety is a normal part of the human experience. Walker and expert guests describe why anxiety occurs in our brains and bodies and provide information about how it’s possible to live a fulfilled life while dealing with anxiety.
1. Which might be a better choice for worried listeners?| A．Disability After Dark | B．The Happiness Lab |
| C．Inappropriate Questions | D．Not Another Anxiety Show |
| A．They provide information on mental issues. | B．They make listeners proud and considerate. |
| C．They can take the place of therapy | D．They invite mental health experts. |
| A．Music. | B．Health. | C．Society. | D．Technology. |
