1 . Overtourism Is For Real: How Can You Help?
Travel promotes understanding, expands our minds, makes us better people, and boosts local economies and communities, but the rapid growth of travel has led to overtourism in certain regions and destinations.
●Choose mindfully. Overvisited destinations are that way for a reason: they’re special. With so many online posts featuring the same places, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. Go somewhere only when the landscape, culture or food deeply draws you.
●Get creative. The best way to ease pressure on over-touristed destinations is to go somewhere else. Though overtourism is described as a problem affecting the entire world, it’s actually concentrated to a small number of extremely popular spots. That means you have tons of less-visited options to choose from.
●
Visiting a place that others call home is a privilege (荣幸). Do your part to preserve what makes a destination special in the first place.
| A．Visit during off-peak times. |
| B．So, should we stop traveling? |
| C．Travel for you and no one else. |
| D．Can overtourism be avoided then? |
| E．You can still find relatively undiscovered places. |
| F．You’ll find yourself virtually alone, or close to it. |
| G．Consider giving back to the communities you’re visiting. |
2 . Given the astonishing potential of AI to transform our lives, we all need to take action to deal with our AI-powered future, and this is where AI by Design: A Plan for Living with Artificial Intelligence comes in. This absorbing new book by Catriona Campbell is a practical roadmap addressing the challenges posed by the forthcoming AI revolution (变革).
In the wrong hands, such a book could prove as complicated to process as the computer code (代码) that powers AI but, thankfully, Campbell has more than two decades’ professional experience translating the heady into the understandable. She writes from the practical angle of a business person rather than as an academic, making for a guide which is highly accessible and informative and which, by the close, will make you feel almost as smart as AI.
As we soon come to learn from AI by Design, AI is already super-smart and will become more capable, moving from the current generation of “narrow-AI” to Artificial General Intelligence. From there, Campbell says, will come Artificial Dominant Intelligence. This is why Campbell has set out to raise awareness of AI and its future now — several decades before these developments are expected to take place. She says it is essential that we keep control of artificial intelligence, or risk being sidelined and perhaps even worse.
Campbell’s point is to wake up those responsible for AI-the technology companies and world leaders—so they are on the same page as all the experts currently developing it. She explains we are at a “tipping point” in history and must act now to prevent an extinction-level event for humanity. We need to consider how we want our future with AI to pan out. Such structured thinking, followed by global regulation, will enable us to achieve greatness rather than our downfall.
AI will affect us all, and if you only read one book on the subject, this is it.
1. What does the phrase “In the wrong hands” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．If read by someone poorly educated. | B．If reviewed by someone ill-intentioned. |
| C．If written by someone less competent. | D．If translated by someone unacademic. |
| A．It is packed with complex codes. | B．It adopts a down-to-earth writing style. |
| C．It provides step-by-step instructions. | D．It is intended for AI professionals. |
| A．Observe existing regulations on it. |
| B．Reconsider expert opinions about it. |
| C．Make joint efforts to keep it under control. |
| D．Learn from prior experience to slow it down. |
| A．To recommend a book on AI. | B．To give a brief account of AI history. |
| C．To clarify the definition of AI. | D．To honor an outstanding AI expert. |
3 . We all know fresh is best when it comes to food. However, most produce at the store went through weeks of travel and covered hundreds of miles before reaching the table. While farmer’s markets are a solid choice to reduce the journey, Babylon Micro-Farm (BMF) shortens it even more.
BMF is an indoor garden system. It can be set up for a family. Additionally, it could serve a larger audience such as a hospital, restaurant or school. The innovative design requires little effort to achieve a reliable weekly supply of fresh greens.
Specifically, it’s a farm that relies on new technology. By connecting through the Cloud, BMF is remotely monitored. Also, there is a convenient app that provides growing data in real time. Because the system is automated, it significantly reduces the amount of water needed to grow plants. Rather than watering rows of soil, the system provides just the right amount to each plant. After harvest, users simply replace the plants with a new pre-seeded pod (容器) to get the next growth cycle started.
Moreover, having a system in the same building where it’s eaten means zero emissions (排放) from transporting plants from soil to salad. In addition, there’s no need for pesticides and other chemicals that pollute traditional farms and the surrounding environment.
BMF employees live out sustainability in their everyday lives. About half of them walk or bike to work. Inside the office, they encourage recycling and waste reduction by limiting garbage cans and avoiding single-use plastic. “We are passionate about reducing waste, carbon and chemicals in our environment,” said a BMF employee.
1. What can be learned about BMF from paragraph 1?| A．It guarantees the variety of food. | B．It requires day-to-day care. |
| C．It cuts the farm-to-table distance. | D．It relies on farmer’s markets. |
| A．Real-time weather changes. | B．Current condition of the plants. |
| C．Chemical pollutants in the soil. | D．Availability of pre-seeded pods. |
| A．They have a great passion for sports. |
| B．They are devoted to community service. |
| C．They are fond of sharing daily experiences. |
| D．They have a strong environmental awareness. |
| A．BMF’s major strengths. | B．BMF’s general management. |
| C．BMF’s global influence. | D．BMF’s technical standards. |
4 . Choice of Walks for Beginner and Experienced Walkers
The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival is a great opportunity for the beginner, experienced or advanced walker to enjoy the challenges of Carlow’s mountain hikes or the peace of its woodland walks.
Walk 1 — The Natural WorldWith environmentalist Éanna Lamhna as the guide, this walk promises to be an informative tour. Walkers are sure to learn lots about the habitats and natural world of the Blackstairs.
Date and Time: Saturday, 1st October, at 09:00
Start Point: Scratoes Bridge
Walk Duration: 6 hours
Walk 2 — Introduction to HillwalkingEmmanuel Chappard, an experienced guide, has a passion for making the great outdoors accessible to all. This mountain walk provides an insight into the skills required for hillwalking to ensure you get the most from future walking trips.
Date and Time: Sunday, 2nd October, at 09:00
Start Point: Deerpark Car Park
Walk Duration: 5 hours
Walk 3 — Moonlight Under the StarsWalking at night-time is a great way to step out of your comfort zone. Breathtaking views of the lowlands of Carlow can be enjoyed in the presence of welcoming guides from local walking clubs. A torch (手电筒) along with suitable clothing is essential for walking in the dark. Those who are dressed inappropriately will be refused permission to participate.
Date and Time: Saturday, 1st October, at 18:30
Start Point: The Town Hall
Walk Duration: 3 hours
Walk 4 — Photographic Walk in Kilbrannish ForestThis informative walk led by Richard Smyth introduces you to the basic principles of photography in the wild. Bring along your camera and enjoy the wonderful views along this well-surfaced forest path.
Date and Time: Sunday, 2nd October, at 11:45
Start Point: Kilbrannish Forest Recreation Area
Walk Duration: 1.5 hours
1. Which walk takes the shortest time?| A．The Natural World. | B．Introduction to Hillwalking. |
| C．Moonlight Under the Stars. | D．Photographic Walk in Kilbrannish Forest. |
| A．Wear proper clothes. | B．Join a walking club. |
| C．Get special permits. | D．Bring a survival guide. |
| A．They involve difficult climbing. | B．They are for experienced walkers. |
| C．They share the same start point. | D．They are scheduled for the weekend. |
5 . Twelve-year-old Catherine has a lot of friends—632, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.
But is it possible that Catherine’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.
Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not words with friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.
Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platform.
In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger. “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.
Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual world, we will have little time for our real-world friendships,” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need anyone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To tell about true friends. | B．To start a discussion. |
| C．To encourage online friendships. | D．To summarize(总结) the text. |
| A．In any case. | B．In public. | C．In person. | D．In advance. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Positive. | C．Worried. | D．Confused. |
| A．Teenagers need to focus on real-world friendships. | B．It’s easier to develop friendships in real life. |
| C．It’s wise to turn to friends online. | D．Social media help people stay closely connected. |
6 . China has long been considered as a revolutionary (改革者) when it comes to wind power. Earlier this year, it was reported that the country had begun construction of a wind farm using what were then regarded as the largest turbines (涡轮) ever seen, each with a capacity of 16 megawatts (兆瓦). Now, a new important stage has been reached with the successful switch-on of a turbine.
China Three Gorges Corporation announced that the MySE 16-260 turbine had been successfully fixed at the company’s offshore wind farm near Fujian Province on July 19. Just one of these turbines should be able to produce enough electricity to power 36,000 families of three people each for one year. They claim that wind-powered domestic electricity could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 54,000 tons compared with using coal-fired power stations.
The Fuijian offshore wind farm sits in the Taiwan Strait. Winds of force 7 are a regular occurrence in these waters, which is obviously perfect for producing wind power. Mingyang Smart Energy, who designed the MySE 16-260, was up to the challenge, stating in a LinkedIn post that it could handle “extreme wind speeds of 79.8 meters per second”. Still, it wasn’t very long at all before these claims were put to the test, following the disastrous typhoon Talim that hit East Asia earlier this month. The typhoon threat is ever-present in this region, and the new giant turbine has stood up to the impact.
Buoyed by the success of this installation (安装), China Three Gorges Corporation is already looking to the future. “In the next step, the 16 megawatt unit will be applied in the second phase of the Zhangpu Liuao Offshore Wind Farm Project constructed by China Three Gorges Corporation,” said Lei Zengjuan.
1. Why are the statistics listed in Paragraph 2?| A．To discuss the possibility of further threat. |
| B．To emphasize the advantages of the turbines. |
| C．To present the consequence of producing electricity. |
| D．To stress the urgency of spreading turbines nationwide. |
| A．The new giant turbines are worth trusting, |
| B．The new giant turbines are still faced with doubts. |
| C．Typhoon Talim has damaged the new giant turbines severely. |
| D．Typhoon Talim has been one of the worst typhoons ever since. |
| A．Linked. | B．Rewarded. | C．Inquired. | D．Inspired. |
| A．China takes the lead in developing turbines. |
| B．China values the development of wind turbines. |
| C．World’s largest wind turbine has been switched on. |
| D．World’s largest wind turbine makes the media shocked. |
7 . Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has celebrated one of his toughest victories, channelling (贯注) all his fighting spirit to claim a second round French Open win over a former champion.
Kokkinakis beat 2015 Roland Garros champion, Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, in a five-set marathon to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3. Kokkinakis, 27, was left to regret a slow start to the fourth set tie-break (决胜局) as Wawrinka raced to a 5-0 lead to force a deciding set. But Kokkinakis opened the fifth set with a 4-0 run. Wawrinka then saved four match points, but couldn’t stop Aussie, who won in four hours and 38 minutes. It was a huge relief for Kokkinakis to win, having lost previous five sets, second round epic to British champion Andy Murray at the Australian Open in January.
“I think the first set and a half he was playing was the best tennis he can play,” said Kokkinakis. “I was just trying to hang in there. I lost a match in a Grand Slam (大赛) earlier this year against Murray; I didn’t want to do it against another legend. He never went away. It seemed like when he was down, he was playing better tennis, but I just trusted myself and I’m so happy.”
“Back in the third round on clay, who would have thought it for an Australian, but my game suits it here, I love it.2015 was the last time I won a match at Roland Garros and I made the third round...”
Kokkinakis will now face Karen Khachanov, the big hitting Russian who ended Kokkinakis’ childhood friend and doubles partner (双打搭档) Nick Kyrgios’ golden run at the US Open last year.
1. How did Kokkinakis feel after becoming champion?| A．Worried. | B．Relieved. | C．Shocked. | D．Worn. |
| A．He placed a trust in his power. | B．He was content with the first set. |
| C．He was inspired by opponent’s spirits. | D．He resolved to be a legend in his field. |
| A．Stan Wawrinka. | B．Andy Murray. |
| C．Karen Khachanov. | D．Nick Kyrgios. |
| A．A news report. | B．A short story. |
| C．A diary, | D．A research article. |
8 . Family-Friendly Outdoor Festivals
Here are some of the best outdoor festivals for families.Strawberry Music Festival: Groveland, CA
When: May and August
Held in Yosemite National Park, the Strawberry Music Festival, held twice a summer, is famous for its programming, swimming, and hiking at Birch Lake, superb arts and crafts, and more. The program offers activities like arts and crafts, nature programs, dance and music workshops, and storytelling. Free for kids aged 6 and under.
Lake Eden Arts Festival: Black Mountain, NCWhen: May and October
Just 20 minutes outside of Asheville, LEAF is an arts festival that’s super kid-friendly. Families can camp out, go canoeing (划独木舟) and swimming in Lake Eden, and create crafts, and enjoy music and poetry performed on seven stages. Free for kids aged 9and under.
Joshua Tree Music Festival: Joshua Tree, CAWhen: May and October
Twice a year, this kid-friendly global music festival draws thousands of families to the Mojave Desert at the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. There are performances from dozens of musical artists from around the world, while Kidsville is filled with arts and crafts, yoga, dance parties, music workshops, and circus shows. Free for kids aged 10 and under.
Bumbershoot: Seattle: WAWhen: September
Since 1971, Bumbershoot has been one of Seattle’s premier culture and arts festivals, drawing families from all over the Pacific Northwest. The program shows the best of comedy, dance, film, literary arts, performing arts, and theater, but it’s the strong music al program of top act s that makes this festival a must. Free for kids aged 7 and under.
1. When can visitors admire Strawberry Music Festival?| A．In April. | B．In May. | C．In September. | D．In October. |
| A．Bumbershoot. | B．Strawberry Music Festival. |
| C．Lake Eden Arts Festival. | D．Joshua Tree Music Festival. |
| A．See a movie. | B．Create crafts. |
| C．Go swimming. | D．Perform comedy themselves. |
9 . A work of art created by artificial intelligence (AI) has been sold by a major art seller for the first time. The print sold for an unexpectedly large amount of money, $432,500. The artwork was bought during an auction (拍卖) Thursday at Christie’s, an art auction house, in New York City. Officials had predicted it would sell for between $7,000 and $10,000.
In a website post, Christie’s said the AI-created work was the first ever sold by a major auction house. It praised the sale as a signal of “the arrival of AI art on the world auction stage”.
The artwork, called “Portrait (肖像) of Edmond Belamy”, was made by a machine having learnt the algorithm (算法). The AI system was created by members of an art group called “Obvious” in Paris, France. It shows the portrait of a man, looking similar to subjects shown in historical paintings. Christie’s described some differences between the AI-created work and other artworks it had sold. For example, it said some parts of the face were not drawn as clearly as those painted by artists. Also, some parts of the print were left empty. However, the sales organizer of Christie’s, Richard Lloyd, said the piece was very similar to many others sold over many years.
Three creators from the art group Obvious cooperated in the process of making the print. First, they put a collection of 15,000 portraits into a machine learning system. The portraits were painted by artists from the time period between the 14th and 20th centuries. Then a tool called the “Generator” made a new image based on the information entered into the system. After that, another tool, called the “Discriminator”, attempted to find differences between the human-made image and the one created by the Generator. Then the image was improved. “The aim is to fool the Discriminator into thinking that the new images are real-life portraits. Then we have a result,” Hugo Caselles-Dupré, a member of the Obvious group, said in a statement.
1. What can be inferred from the text?| A．The AI portrait received much recognition. |
| B．There is little true artistic value in the AI artwork. |
| C．Technology will one day replace human artists. |
| D．There is no similar AI system for art nowadays. |
| A．Artists. | B．Machines. | C．Figures. | D．Techniques. |
| A．To select useful information from real-life portraits. |
| B．To help the portrait look more like a human-made one. |
| C．To put human portraits into the machine learning system. |
| D．To create a portrait based on paintings by artists. |
| A．The Secrets of AI |
| B．An AI Portrait |
| C．Artworks and AI |
| D．AI Art at Christie's |
10 . Do you ever get to the train station and realize you forgot to bring something to read? Yes, we all have our phones, but many of us still like to go old school and read something printed.
Well, there’s a kiosk (小亭) for that. In the San Francisco Bay Area, at least.
“You enter the fare gates (检票口) and you’ll see a kiosk that is lit up and it tells you can get a one-minute, a three-minute, or a five-minute story,” says Alicia Trost, the chief communications officer for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit — known as BART. “You choose which length you want and it gives you a receipt-like short story.”
It’s that simple. Riders have printed nearly 20,000 short stories and poems since the program was launched last March. Some are classic short stories, and some are new original works.
Trost also wants to introduce local writers to local riders. “We wanted to do something where we do a call to artists in the Bay Area to submit stories for a contest,” Trost says. “And as of right now, we’ve received about 120 submissions. The winning stories would go into our kiosk and then you would be a published artist.”
Ridership on transit (交通) systems across the country has been down the past half century, so could short stories save transit?
Trost thinks so.
“At the end of the day all transit agencies right now are doing everything they can to improve the rider experience. So I absolutely think we will get more riders just because of short stories,” she says.
And you’ll never be without something to read.
1. Why did BART start the kiosk program?| A．To promote the local culture. | B．To discourage phone use. |
| C．To meet passengers’ needs. | D．To reduce its running costs. |
| A．By popularity. | B．By length. |
| C．By theme. | D．By language. |
| A．Organizing a story contest. | B．Doing a survey of customers. |
| C．Choosing a print publisher. | D．Conducting interviews with artists. |
| A．It will close down. | B．Its profits will decline. |
| C．It will expand nationwide. | D．Its ridership will increase. |
