1 . A few months ago, a friend gifted me a robot sweeper that’s programmed to move around a room and clean as it goes.
When the box arrived, I was afraid the device would detect me and suck up (汲取) data along with the dog hair and dust. But the instructions were easy, and I finally decided not to care.
I powered up the sweeper, watched it leave its docking station to work, and quickly fell in love with my newly shiny floors. I kept shooting its working videos. “I think you’re giving more attention to it than to us,” joked my son.
One day, I returned home and discovered that our front door had blown open and the robot rolled into the yard, trying to clean the flower beds. Even when its brushes were blocked with leaves, bugs and mud, its little wheels bravely kept turning.
The robot acted properly as it was programmed to clean “dirty” things. In a kitchen, dirt can be garden debris (碎片) such as leaves and mud. In a garden, this kind of dirt does not need to be removed. The context is important. The problem for robots is that reading this context is difficult.
This accident inspired me to think more about AI (artificial intelligence). As far as I am concerned, AI is simply well trained and reproduces what it has learned. And it is undeniable that robots are increasingly being given powerful intelligence. Some experts even predict that we will soon see not only AI-enabled robots designed to solve problems according to their instructions, but also those with the ability to judge how they should respond when they are in a different setting.
Maybe this will happen in the near future.
1. What was the author’s concern about the robot sweeper at first?| A．Its after-sales service. | B．Its working efficiency. |
| C．The privacy of her family. | D．The readability of its instructions. |
| A．Enthusiastic. | B．Regretful. | C．Uncertain. | D．Cautious. |
| A．Its program went wrong. | B．It lacked critical thinking. |
| C．Its wheels were badly designed. | D．It failed to work on rough surfaces. |
| A．The accident. | B．Some experts’ thinking. |
| C．Its appeal to the author. | D．The author’s opinion. |
2 . Public Speaking Courses
Complete Public Speaking Masterclass for Every Occasion (Udemy)
If you’re struggling to put yourself out in front of audiences, then joining this Udemy course will be a good decision. In this course, you will be instructed to feel calm and comfortable on stage in front of any number of people while speaking and conveying your message. The comprehensive guide by TJ Walker will help you impress your audience and influence them.
Dynamic Public Speaking Certification (证明) by University of Washington (Coursera)
Available on Coursera, this online course is perfect for people who want to be excellent dynamic speakers. You will be taught by Dr. Matt McGarrity - a principal lecturer at UW Department of Communication. Designed for beginners, it will help you gain many skills, for instance, public speaking, speech, presentation, and communication.
How to Become a World-class Speaker (Mindvalley)
This Mindvalley course is aimed at training people who have no experience of public speaking and just start to set foot in this area. It has already assisted a lot of people in becoming skillful at speaking and spreading their voice. Lisa Nicholas, your communication coach, is regarded as one of the best speechmakers in the world. Within less than two days, you will get insights into how she masters this art.
Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation (University of Colorado Boulder)
With the help of this course, you can get better at business communication, including presenting your ideas to your coworkers, handling client (客户) calls, and so on. You’ll also learn how to write effective business emails, along with reports and draft presentations. This course is very popular among people who want to quickly fit in with the workplace.
1. How can the Udemy course benefit learners?| A．Allowing them to study at their own pace. |
| B．Teaching them how to make good life decisions. |
| C．Helping them overcome the fear of public speaking. |
| D．Enabling them to hold comprehensive lectures with TJ Walker. |
| A．They both last for one month. |
| B．They are targeted at beginners. |
| C．They are offered by the same university. |
| D．They train people to be smart speech listeners. |
| A．Dynamic Public Speaking Certification. |
| B．How to Become a World-class Speaker. |
| C．Complete Public Speaking Masterclass for Every Occasion. |
| D．Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation. |
3 . For many of us, it is not easy to feel inspired by the artworks that we see at museums. Here are some tips on how to create that meaningful connection.
Keep an open mind
Once you are in an art museum, try not to have any ideas about what you’re about to see.
Draw personal connections to the art
When you see an artwork, just let your mind wander and follow your thought wherever it leads you.
You can increase the chances of finding an art piece you connect with by going to a museum that interests you. If you’re interested in climate change, for example, you may pick a museum that’s showing artworks inspired by Earth conservation.
Really “look at” the art
After you have found an artwork you like, take time to observe it closely. You can take a finger to the air and follow the outline of the figure or the movement of the brushstrokes.
Keep your museum visit short and focused
Art museums can be huge. So be realistic about how long you can spend at the museum.
| A．Reflect and appreciate |
| B．You don’t need more than an hour or two |
| C．Pick a museum that is related to your interests |
| D．Instead, allow yourself to feel how the art makes you feel |
| E．The free associations will help create emotional reactions in you |
| F．Such accompanying activities can help you more deeply appreciate the art |
| G．Study the subject of the art, which can affect on how you feel about the work |
4 . If you spend more than a couple of days in the country of Georgia, you are very likely to be invited to a Georgian feast even by complete strangers. The multi-hour, multi-course feast is one of the most important events in Georgian culture.
A popular Georgian story shows the importance of the feast in Georgian culture. When God created the world, He held a meeting to give the different regions of the world to different cultures. But the Georgians arrived late at the meeting. After they apologized and explained that they’d been holding a feast with a stranger the night before and slept later than they’d meant to, God was so touched and impressed by their honesty that He gave the Georgians the best land of all: the part of earth He was saving for himself.
In order to survive the feasts without offending (冒犯) the hosts, it’s important for you to know a few things about it in advance.
A Georgian feast will likely have a seemingly unlimited number of dishes. So avoid fully cleaning your plate unless you want more servings. Don’t fill up on khachapuri-Georgian cheese bread. There are numerous regional varieties of cheese bread, but khachapuri is the most delicious of all. The cheese bread is usually a heavy lunch on its own, but at feasts it’s often considered a side dish or an appetent. Don’t make the mistake of having more than a few bites—only to discover that the main meal is still coming.
When you drink, follow the lead of the toastmaster, who presents a scries of toasts throughout the evening. Traditionally, drinkers would dry their glass (or, if keeping with tradition, drain their deer’s horn) with every toast. This isn’t always done now. Just remember the important rule: say “cheers” after every toast.
Consider bringing a small gift, such as sweets or flowers, as a gesture of thanks. Avoid bringing more fond, however, which might imply that you don’t think there will be enough on offer.
1. What can be most probably inferred from the story?| A．Georgia is short of natural resources |
| B．Most of the Georgians are lazy and wasteful. |
| C．The Georgian people are very honest and friendly. |
| D．It is important to go to a meeting on time in Georgia. |
| A．It is not a main dish at feasts at all. |
| B．Georgians usually have it for breakfast. |
| C．It is one of the unique Georgian drinks. |
| D．Many regional varieties are based on it. |
| A．Drink all the wine every time. |
| B．Take some small gifts with them. |
| C．Clean the plate after each serving. |
| D．Bring some special food to the feast. |
| A．Amazing Food History in Georgia |
| B．Basic Rules of Being a Good Host |
| C．Bad Manners to Be Avoided at the Table |
| D．Things to Be Learned About Georgian Feasts |
Xu Xiake was born in 1587.
China has more famous explorers. There was: Zhang Qian, who traveled into Central Asia during the second century BC, opening a trade road that became
“On the surface, Xu’s travels can neither be classified as great affairs of state
Scholar Julian Ward agrees, describing the lonely Chinese wanderer like the Middle Kingdom’s version of John Muir: “Deep in love with nature and eager to find freedom
“The few coins
6 . A study published Tuesday in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that words expressing angry feelings sound alike in several unrelated languages. They’re less likely than other words to include the sounds L, R, W or Y. And more friendly versions of such words often have these sounds added. The finding suggests that certain rules may link the world’s languages, no matter how different they are.
Ryan McKay, co-author of the paper, happened to discover that some of the English curses (诅咒语) seem to have something in common; They’re often short and include the sounds B, P, T or K. Then Dr. McKay teamed up with his colleague Shiri Lev-Ari to learn whether these rules went beyond English.
During the experiment, they asked fluent speakers of Arabic, Korean, German and Spanish to list the worst words they could think of. Once they’d made a list of each language’s most commonly used curses, the researchers compared these with neutral (中性的) words from the same language. To their surprise, the rules still apply.
Next, the scientists asked the same people to listen to pairs of invented words, such as “yog” and “tsog” and guess which word in each pair was a curse. The subjects were more likely to guess that words without L, R. W and Y, such as “tsog”, were curses. Finally, the researchers looked through the dictionary for English curses and their cleaned-up versions. Once again, the cleaned-up versions included more of the sounds L, R, W and Y.
“Most 20th-century language scientists held that any word could have any meaning,” said Dr. McKay. “With curses, though, the sounds themselves seem to carry meaning. This can shape and change our understanding of how languages are formed.”
“It is the first time for researchers to study curses across languages and the finding is very interesting,” said Benjamin Bergen, a language scientist at the University of California, who was not involved in the study. “But it is just another case of what’s called sound symbolism in the language study: A word sounds like what it means.”
1. Which word is most probably not a leaned-up curse according to the text?| A．Rucy. |
| B．Buk |
| C．Yayad. |
| D．Walawah. |
| A．Applying their study to more unrelated languages. |
| B．Studying the neutral words and curses side by side. |
| C．Asking people to listen to pairs of non-existing words. |
| D．Comparing English curses with their friendly versions. |
| A．The study method is really unscientific. |
| B．It will change our understanding in a way. |
| C．It is not a totally new discovery at all. |
| D．The selected languages are too limited. |
| A．To introduce a newly published study. |
| B．To prove the unique rules in English. |
| C．To tell another way of memorizing words. |
| D．To show how to use more friendly curses. |
7 . The first wave of concerns over artificial intelligence(AI)in 2023 appeared soon after New Year’s Day when classrooms reopened and schools from Seattle to Paris started blocking ChatGPT, a powerful software based on AI large language models, because teenagers were using it to do their homework.
The AI large language models behind such products as ChatGPT work by repeatedly guessing the next word in a sentence after having “learned” the rules from a huge amount of/human-written works. Although they often get facts wrong, their answers appear so natural that Keven, their inventors begin to worry about their possible use for spreading false information.
People became more worried when various AI products started to create not just texts but novel images, music and human voices, which threatened the livelihoods of anyone who writes, draws or sings for a living. It led to strikes by Hollywood writers and actors and legal challenges from artists and bestselling authors. Some of the most respected scientists even warned that the technology’s unchecked progress was possibly threatening human existence. “In the longer term, they might manage our attention,” pioneering AI scientist Fei Fei Lisaid. “They would tell us which video to watch, which book to read or whose communication to respond as AI technology’s abilities improve rapidly. They could be a very good assistant, but also with really big risks.”
Li hoped that 2023 is going to be a year for people to think about what Al is, how to use it and what the effects are — all the good, the bad and the ugly.
“It’s easy to forget that they are not the first wave of AI products. Computer vision techniques developed by Li and other scientists have helped sort through a huge database of photos to recognize objects and individual faces and guide self-driving cars. Speech recognition advances have made voice assistants like Siri and Alexa a normal thing in many people’s lives,” said Tom Gruber, co-founder of Siri Inc.
1. Why did schools try to stop their students from using ChatGPT?| A．ChatGPT often got facts wrong in the class. |
| B．Students spent too much time on the software. |
| C．ChatGPT helped students spread false information. |
| D．Students used the software to cheat at their homework. |
| A．AI’s training costs. | B．ATs amazing abilities. |
| C．AI’s possible threats. | D．AI’s fast developments. |
| A．Think carefully about AI’s impact. | B．Welcome AI technology |
| C．Do use ChatGPT more carefully. | D．Upgrade ChatGPT in time. |
| A．A news report. | B．A guide book to a software. |
| C．A product review. | D．An introduction to a person. |
8 . Via Rail
Train Tickets from New York to Washington
Station | Departure | Arrival | Price |
Penn Station—Union Station | 12:20 am | 3:57 am | $19 |
Penn Station Union Station | 4:20 am | 8:33 am | $29 |
Penn Station—Union Station | 6:02 am | 10:14 pm | $60 |
Penn Station—Union Station | 8:00 am | 10:58 am | $70 |
Discount Policies
Seniors (above 60 years old) can benefit from a 20% discount offered by Via Rail, making it a cost-effective choice for their travel needs.
Luggage(行李) Allowance and Restriction
Via Rail allows passengers to bring up to four pieces of luggage. Carry-on items must not exceed (超过) 50 pounds and checked luggage must not weigh more than 50 pounds per item.
Passengers are allowed to bring bicycles and sports equipment on Via Rail trains.
Food and Drink Service
Via Rail provides food and drink service for purchase, offering a variety of dining options to passengers.
Payment
Via Rail accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, Interac Online, and pre-paid credit cards. It is advisable to check the website for the most up-to-date information on accept able payment methods.
Facilities for Passengers with Special Needs
Via Rail is committed to providing accessibility for all passengers. The trains are equipped with accessible restrooms, seating areas, and boarding assistance for passengers with mobility issues. Additionally, staff members are trained to assist passengers with disabilities to ensure a comfortable travel experience.
E-ticketing
Via Rail offers the option to use the e-ticketing system, allowing passengers to present their ticket on a mobile device without the need for printing.
1. Which train takes the least time?| A．The 12:20 am one. | B．The 4:20 am one. | C．The 6:02 am one. | D．The 8:00 am one. |
| A．$60. | B．$96. | C．$112. | D．$120. |
| A．It serves food and drink for free. | B．It is developing a new e-ticketing system. |
| C．It doesn’t allow sports equipment on board. | D．It provides convenient access to the disabled. |
Beth brought Louis to me when she came to visit me again.
I had to quit school and stay in the recovery center because of a rare disease. Beth was my best friend in the writing workshop. We just clicked. We both dreamed of taking writing as our career. So we often wrote about our life and shared it with each other. We even promised each other to co-author a book, a book of our own. But now ...
“I’m applying for my college this term. So I’ll be very busy in the following days. Please help me look after Louis, please ... Just drop me a quick note about it when it’s convenient for you.” She pressed her hands tightly together and looked at me anxiously. I stared at Louis, feeling bitter but hard to refuse. Beth kissed me goodbye.
That evening, I was left alone in the room, with the dog. Louis looked at me, shaking his tail. But I felt uninterested, so I lay on the bed, closing my eyes. Then some noises woke me up.
It was Louis, of course. This six-month-old puppy was laboriously(费力地) dragging his. large, hard-sided carrier. I watched in amazement. Then Louis dragged his worldly possessions, one by one: first, his bowl, then his ball and sweater. This project took most of the evening.
What happened next made me realize that not only did this dog have a mission but he obviously put thought and reasoning into each move. He took each of the personal items and put them in the carrier. After Louis finished packing his “suitcase”, he attempted to jump inside.
The message was quite clear. He wanted to go see his “mommy”—Beth. He must have seen her pack her suitcase and go away. He must do the same so he could find her.
It was so interesting that I couldn’t help taking out a pen and beginning to describe the whole thing in great detail and then emailed it to Beth. I almost got Beth’s reply immediately.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“Tell me more about Louis.” Beth begged at the end of her email.
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That summer, Beth gave me a special gift—a book of Louis’ daily journal.
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Xixi, located less than five kilometers from the West Lake in the west of Hangzhou, is China’s first national wetland park. The area covers about 10 square kilometers and it
Wetlands themselves are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems,
Xixi’s native vegetation,
