1 . Scientists are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) — from developing “self-driving” laboratories to replacing human participants in social-science experiments with robots. Many disadvantages of AI systems have been discussed. In an article published in Nature this week, social scientists say that AI systems carry a further risk: that researchers perceive such tools as possessed of superhuman abilities when it comes to objectivity, productivity and understanding complex concepts.
Scientists planning to use AI “must evaluate these risks now”, write co-authors Lisa Messeri and Molly Crockett. The article is a warning about what could be lost if scientists embrace AI systems without thoroughly considering such risks.
Messeri and Crockett examined around 100 papers and books, published mainly over the past five years. From these,they put together a picture of the ways in which scientists see AI systems as enhancing human capabilities.
In one “vision”, which they call AI as Oracle, researchers see AI tools as able to tirelessly read and digest scientific papers. In another vision, called AI as Arbiter, systems are perceived as evaluating scientific findings more objectively than do people. In a third vision, AI as Quant, AI tools seem to perform better than the human mind in analyzing data sets.
Messeri and Crockett also predict risks that arise from these visions. One is the illusion (幻觉) of explanatory depth, in which people relying on another person-or，in this case，an algorithm (算法) — for knowledge are likely to mistake that knowledge for their own. Another risk is that research becomes skewed (偏颇的) towards studying the kinds of things that AI systems can test.
If you’re a scientist planning to use AI, you can reduce these dangers through a number of strategies.All members of the scientific community must view AI use not as unavoidable for any particular task, but rather as a choice with risks and benefits that must be carefully weighed.
1. What is a further risk that AI systems carry according to paragraph 1?| A．They perform better than humans. |
| B．Researchers overestimate their capabilities. |
| C．They are able to understand complex concepts. |
| D．Researchers use them in self-driving laboratories. |
| A．Its benefits in analyzing scientific data. |
| B．Its roles in helping doing scientific research. |
| C．Its strengths in digesting scientific papers. |
| D．Its advantages in evaluating scientific findings. |
| A．Finding the accuracy in algorithmic. |
| B．Denying the mistake of algorithmic. |
| C．Accepting the complexity of algorithmic. |
| D．Considering algorithmic insights as personal understanding. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Approving. |
| C．Unclear. | D．Intolerant. |
2 . On these dark winter evenings, I find myself daydreaming of summer. I think of the one activity and place that quiets my mind: clamming (挖蛤) on Cape Cod.
Before I had kids, it was a much-needed active outing after days of vacation-level eating. But when I went with kids, the experience took a turn from relaxation to devotion. The bay became part of the world I was trying to build for my children. The act of clamming became an unexpected escape,a moment when I wasn't thinking about 20 different things, when I wasn’t really thinking at all.
This year, for the first time, my children joined in the clamming. I kept yelping (尖叫) when my children almost raked (用耙子耙) my feet. But there was joy in having something to teach them, to connect them not only to a generational tradition but also to the history of the land. And when they raised their basket and it wasn’t a rock for the hundredth time, but rather a shining clam, it was a richer moment than if they had struck gold. Seeing a child holding up a clam with an expression of success on his face does more for the heart than any meditation (冥想) ever could.
I hope that one day my children will view clamming as the relaxation that I do. They are not there yet.At this point, it is more adventure than getaway. At the end of our clamming morning, my 6-year-old refused to leave, insisting she needed one more clam. When she finally caught one more clam, she laughed, pride written all over her face. To be fair, perhaps what she needed to get from clamming was not what I needed. Perhaps what she needed was to have a tiny bit of control over this wild world, one in which she has little say. In that moment, she was victorious, if not in calm, then in clam.
1. Why did the author go clamming before having children?| A．To get together with her friends. | B．To spend quality time with her family. |
| C．To escape the responsibility as an adult. | D．To enjoy relaxation after overeating. |
| A．The experience of clamming. | B．The benefits of meditation. |
| C．The change of a generational tradition. | D．The necessity of exploring the land. |
| A．Demanding and boring. | B．Complicated and tiring. |
| C．Adventurous and rewarding. | D．Painful and disappointing. |
| A．They are successful in removing stress. | B．Clamming is the most interesting to them. |
| C．They refused to leave the bay. | D．Clamming has different meanings to them. |
3 . For most of us, it's pretty easy to stand up for someone else.
·Define your boundaries
The definition of a boundary is a line that marks the limits of an area; it's both a line of containment (keeping you in) and a line of protection (keeping others out). Boundaries are not complaints, threats or demands.
The next time someone asks you for a favor, consider if you can afford to say yes. What I mean by this is, think about what this “yes” will cost you in terms of finances, energy, health and time. Do you have an excess of these resources that you can give after you've already cared for yourself?
·Stop people-pleasing
People-pleasing is often motivated by fear. It's easy to fall into the habit because you tend to get praised for it. People-pleasing pleases people. But its effects over a long period of time can be disastrous.
·Ask for what you want
It's not easy to figure out what you want. But the more time you spend getting clear on your own
desires, the easier it is to defend what you need. Your desires are the forces that lead you into life's unknown frontier.| A．Get comfortable saying no. |
| B．Think twice before refusing. |
| C．They deserve attention, energy and respect. |
| D．You will not end up exhausted and depressed. |
| E．To break this habit, start leaning toward courage and inner strength. |
| F．They are guidelines that help to clearly define what needs to be protected. |
| G．But when the tables are turned, we often feel guilty for giving priority to our own needs. |
4 . A man whose right hand was cut in an operation at the age of 20 is now able to feel the temperature of the objects he touches with his prosthetic (假体的) hand, thanks to a new device integrated in it.
The device, called MiniTouch, was developed last year. It is made by two components, an active thermal (热的) sensor which measures temperature and generates realistic signals which are then sent to the second component, a thermal stimulator (刺激器).
It was first tested as a standalone device at the prosthetic centre of the Italian Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) near Bologna. INAIL’ s engineers integrated the thermal sensor on the index finger (食指) of the prosthetic hand of one patient, and the thermal stimulator into the connection point that secures the robotic hand to the forearm, in such a way that it touched a point on the remaining arm that aroused thermal feelings in the person’s a prosthetic index finger-the typical feeling of still having the finger.
During eight experimental sessions over six months, the participant could identify objects with three different temperatures or made of different materials. He could also determine whether he was touching a prosthetic arm or a real arm while unable to see, and grasp and move blocks of different temperature in order to classify them from the hottest to the coldest.
“The richness and realism of the feelings provided to wearers is key to the effectiveness of a prosthetic hand in replacing a natural hand in daily activities,” says Emanuele Gruppioni, who led the clinical tests.
“As a next step we will work with a new prosthetic hand, developed in cooperation with the Italian Institute of Technology, to improve the MiniTouch integration and have a light and wearable thermal prosthetic hand,” Gruppioni concludes.
1. What’s the function of paragraph 1?| A．To present a problem. | B．To make a comparison. |
| C．To introduce the topic. | D．To clarify a concept. |
| A．The thermal stimulator. | B．The connection point. |
| C．The index finger. | D．The thermal sensor. |
| A．Change the materials of the objects. | B．Integrate a thermal sensor on his real arm. |
| C．Feel the temperature of the objects. | D．Send thermal information to engineers. |
| A．A man who has a prosthetic had | B．MiniTouch that consists of two components |
| C．A prosthetic hand that feels the heat | D．Engineers who made a wearable prosthetic hand |
5 . Culinary tourism in New Brunswick has grown dramatically and deliciously in recent years, offering up a variety of new adventures for the foodie explorers. Here’s a sampling of what’s on the menu.
Old-growth Forest Tour
Take a medicine walk with Cecelia Brooks and her son, Anthony Brooks. They guide you through the forest, teaching the history of local medicinal plants and trees along the way. Afterwards, they prepare wild rice and corn pancakes with ingredients straight from Cecelia’s garden.
Kings Landing Tour
Wandering through the open-air museum’s historic buildings and chatting with interpreters dressed in period clothing about life in the Saint John River valley in the 19th century is an immersive cultural experience, but eating history is next level. Tasting a meal in the King Head Inn’s attractive dining room, where traditional pub food evokes (唤起) an immediate journey back in time.
Paddle (划桨) Tour
Second Nature Outdoors offers a sunrise paddle tour on the Saint John River that starts with a canoe (独木舟) out to Hartt Island, where guides teach how to roast coffee over a campfire. Drinking coffee and eating local cheese with river views is the perfect way to begin the day.
Ganong Chocolate Museum Tour
The museum tour includes everything from the early methods of chocolate making to the story behind the Ganong candy dynasty’s famous Pal-o-Mine bar. The highlight must go to the hands-on activity where you participate in the complicated process of hand-dipping chocolates and taste the fruit of your labor!
1. Which tour will most probably make you feel transported to the past?| A．Paddle Tour. | B．Kings Landing Tour. |
| C．Old-growth Forest Tour. | D．Ganong Chocolate Museum Tour. |
| A．Make local cheese. | B．Enjoy an amazing canoe journey. |
| C．Learn the history of herbs. | D．Take part in a paddle competition. |
| A．They provide walks in the forest. | B．They require professional interpreters. |
| C．They offer immersive cultural experiences. | D．They involve trying tasty cuisine or snacks. |
6 . Valencia lives, for the time being, in a mobile home park.
He greeted me when I arrived and poured me a cup of coffee. He told me that his dad had worked at a brick-manufacturing plant. His mother worked at home. Most of his seven brothers and sisters didn’t go to college.
Valencia was determined to be the first, despite his late start. He said he was an average student struggling with math and went to community college a year after graduating from high school but decided quickly it was not for him.
He got into construction and then the insurance industry, but he’d always liked to write and do crossword puzzles. “And I loved to read. A lot,” he said. And he joked with his mother that if he won the lottery, he’d use the winnings for college.
It was around 2007. Valencia got tired of telling himself he was going to go back to school. He told his mother it was finally for real. She said, “I hope you make it, Jerry.” And I told her, “I’m going to make it, Mom. Surely!”
The plan was to capitalize on his former construction experience to study civil engineering—the design, building and repair of roads, bridges, etc. But he discovered other interests.
“He was not the youngest student,” says Grant Tovmasian, coach of the forensics debate team Valencia joined. “But he was the most motivated and dedicated, encouraging fellow students and inspiring them to live a more satisfying life?”
Valencia’s sister Sindi Majors says her brother was always bright, but he went through a couple of rough experiences in his life.
Because Valencia has nearly always been homeless, she bought him a motor home, where he lived from 2009 to 2018.
There is something splendidly irrational about Valencia’s determination to get a four-year degree and then a master’s. At his current pace, he’ll be 90 when he finally achieves his goals.
But that doesn’t influence him. He’s found all the youthful energy and academic opportunity stimulating.
“Valencia’s grade in my class this semester will not show up on his transcripts (大学生的成绩单). But I’m giving him an A and in the most important ways, it counts.” says Tovmasian.
1. What does the underlined phrase “capitalize on” in paragraph 6 probably mean?| A．Make use of. | B．Get rid of. | C．Break down. | D．Appeal to. |
a. Valencia joined the debate team.
b. He went to a community college.
c. He got into construction industry.
d. He planned to study civil engineering.
| A．b-d-c-a | B．b-c-d-a. | C．c-a-d-b | D．d-c-b-a |
| A．Caring and ambitious. | B．Devoted and modest. |
| C．Positive and generous. | D．Determined and motivated. |
| A．Because he hopes to see Valencia graduate as soon as possible. |
| B．Because he admires Valencia for his good quality and performance. |
| C． Because Valencia has done extra work to perform the best in the class. |
| D．Because Valencia has reached his goals earlier inspired by Tovmasian |
7 . A television writer is responsible for writing scripts (剧本) for television shows. There are numerous types of shows to which a TV writer can contribute his or her talents.
Some television writers start out as assistants before working their way up to filling writing positions on shows.
A television writer might develop their material using a variety of methods. This involves researching and gathering information to ensure the show is accurate and true. A piece of advice given by professionals is to watch all kinds of TV shows. TV writers should note which ones are successful.
A formal college degree is usually not required to be a television writer as educational requirements vary by positions. Writing talent and practical work experience are generally considered just as valuable as a college degree. There are numerous opportunities to learn how to be a TV writer.
| A．Job titles of a TV writer can change. |
| B．The workplace of a TV writer can vary. |
| C．So they learn from them and accept suggestions to create better work. |
| D．It’s helpful to be located in cities known for their television production. |
| E．Many TV writers read books and begin self-study to improve their skills. |
| F．For instance, a TV writer can be a journalist, focusing on news programs. |
| G．Others may work in other areas, such as film or theater, before turning to television. |
8 . Help us create an eco-paradise
We are Ami + Elise. We live in a little corner of paradise, deep in the forest. We are seeking folks who would like to get involved and help us regenerate this small area of land (19 acres) to support a biodiverse ecosystem, grow food and help people rewild themselves. This project will need lots of help from both “skilled” and “unskilled” lovely people.
Help needed·Gardening ·Building ·General maintenance
·Farming ·Help with the eco-project
·Help in the house ·Animal care
Working Time & Meals
We ask for a minimum of 4 hours per day of your time in return for free stay and breakfast. We can also offer full board (膳食) for those who want to work a full day. We are very flexible and can adapt days/times for each helper as people will be coming for various amounts of time. We will host you at no cost and provide breakfast (at a minimum) and some vegetables from the garden when available.
AccommodationWe have a few different options for accommodation. Where you will stay will depend on availability at the time as we may have others here. In warm weather, we have a very basic outdoor shower and for the cooler months the shower in our home can be used. We will share some meals together and hope to make new friends and connect with like-minded people in the process, sharing our stories and skills with each other (probably round the campfire when the weather permits).
Getting hereThe closest airport is the Birmingham airport.
If you take public transport, our closest train station is Cynghordy (10 mins drive from us) or Llandovery (20 mins drive from us). We are happy to pick you up and drop you off at the station and shops when needed.
If you drive yourself, we’ll provide you with detailed directions as we are deep in the forest.
1. What kind of helpers does the project need?| A．People with various skills. |
| B．People good at training wild animals. |
| C．People fond of agricultural work. |
| D．People aiming to set up eco-projects. |
| A．By working 4 hours at least. |
| B．By putting in a full day’s work. |
| C．By helping with the gardening. |
| D．By setting flexible working hours. |
| A．They can be dropped off at the airport. |
| B．They can choose where they like to live. |
| C．They can share a room with like-minded people. |
| D．They can be picked up at the train station. |
9 . Electric vehicles are the eco-friendly choice for many people when purchasing a new car. But not everyone is in the market for a new automobile. Faced with this choice, many people have started looking for ways to convert (转变) their gas-powered cars and trucks into EVs. This makes sense since gas-powered cars contribute to climate change. But there’s concern about what will happen to all the gas-powered cars already on the road once car companies go fully electric, reported EcoWatch.
Converting gas vehicles to electricity isn’t yet common; however, it can be done, according to the US Department of Energy. It would require removing the entire combustion (燃烧) engine entirely, and replacing it with a battery pack, one or more electric engines, wiring, and more. So, as you can see, it isn’t an easy job. Luckily, according to Ecowatch, there’re companies that specialize in EV conversion, such as Zelectric Motors. The problem is that these companies can charge a lot for their services. EcoWatch reports that conversions can cost more than the price of a new electric car.
Treehugger recently published some guidelines for buying an EV conversion kit and converting your car yourself. According to the guidelines, the best types of cars to convert with electricity are those that are relatively light and use a manual transmission (手动变速器). Heavier cars can make the electric engine less efficient, and automatic cars use up too much power. Additionally, you also need a car that can stand the weight of the electric battery packs.
Some cars that are mentioned as good candidates are Nissan Sentra, Ford Escort, and Honda Civic. While conversion kits can also be costly, if you have a newer vehicle you want to keep, it’s a viable solution.
Still, perhaps the best thing the world can do to create less environmentally harmful transportation is to move away from cars to begin with. EcoWatch reports that Mark Watts, the director of C40 Cities, a group of city mayors trying to make their cities more eco-friendly, said that active travel, walking, biking, etc. is the way to go. So, the next time you turn the key on your gas-powered car, consider the fact that one day you could be pressing a button on a clean, electric-powered vehicle or walking instead.
1. What does the author think of the practice of changing gas-powered cars into electric ones?| A．It is urgent but successful. | B．It is hard and labor-consuming. |
| C．It is expensive and unnecessary. | D．It is meaningful but complicated. |
| A．Temporary | B．Practical. | C．Universal. | D．Unique. |
| A．Maintaining electric vehicles regularly. |
| B．Prohibiting the use of gas-powered cars. |
| C．Replacing a trip by car with active travel. |
| D．Reducing the fuel consumption of vehicles. |
| A．Will electric cars be available to most people globally? |
| B．Will conventional cars be replaced by electric vehicles? |
| C．Can conventional cars be converted into electric vehicles? |
| D．Can electric cars make eco-friendly transportation possible? |
10 . Street lights can change the amount and quality of sleep that pigeons (鸽子) get at night, affecting their energy in the morning. “More and more studies show how light pollution is affecting animal behavior,” said Anne Aulsebrook, a researcher from the University of Melbourne. “One of the most common and well-documented things light pollution seems to do is cause animals, particularly birds, to change the timing of their behavior.”
Aulsebrook said she chose pigeons because so much was already known about their sleep compared to other birds’, and plenty of them were in captivity (圈养) to study. They set up experiments exposing the birds to darkness one night, switching on the lights the next night and turning them off the following night.
Using sensors that recorded brain and muscle activity, the team found that the pigeons slept for about 10 hours with the lights off. With the lights on, their sleep dropped to about six hours. Quality of sleep was also affected. The pigeons didn’t seem to recover from the loss of rapid-eye movement sleep the night before, slept less intensely the following night and woke up more often. Comparing amber (琥珀色) light to white light, the team found the tone made no difference in sleep patterns.
“If we had to choose, I’d still go with warmer, amber colors,” she said. “The other simpler solution is to turn the lights off.” Other efforts to reduce light pollution include shielding (给……加防护罩) lights, directing them, dimming them or using sensors to turn them on only when people are around.
“More research needs to be done to understand the effects of sleep loss on birds,” Aulsebrook said. “We know that sleep is really important to humans. We experience how important sleep is when we don’t get enough of it,” she said. But there hasn’t been much research in this area on birds. “I think the next big step is looking at whether we can measure these costs of reproduction (繁殖) in these birds if they’re not getting enough sleep,” she said.
1. Which is a proven influence of light pollution on birds?| A．Making them more active. |
| B．Changing their biological clock. |
| C．Increasing their tendency to attack. |
| D．Improving their environmental adaptability. |
| A．There is a personal preference for them. |
| B．There’ll be easily available data on them. |
| C．They are the most commonly seen birds in life. |
| D．They have typical sleep patterns for research. |
| A．Lights’ influence on birds’ sleep varies from color to color. |
| B．Birds tend to be more nervous in the light conditions. |
| C．Lights do great harm to pigeons’ sleep. |
| D．Pigeons have an irregular sleeping habit. |
| A．Objective. | B．Doubtful. | C．Optimistic. | D．Subjective. |
