1 . It’s often said that we human beings can dream in a foreign language. Could dreaming in a foreign language improve our memory? Does dreaming in a foreign language mean we are making progress in learning that language?
Before we look at multilingual (多语言) dreams, first we need to look at sleep. The connection between sleep and language can be applied to how we learn any language, including our native language. Even adults still learn about one new word every two days in their first language. But, if we are going to remember that new word better, what matters is that we need to connect it with what we have learned. And in order to do that, we “need to have some sleep”, says Gareth Gaskell, a professor at the University of York.
It’s during sleep that the integration (整合) of old and new knowledge happens. At might, one part of our brain — the hippocampus — takes whatever new information it receives during the day and passes it on to other parts of the brain to be stored. The role that dreams play in this night-time learning process is still being studied, but “it’s entirely possible that during multilingual dreams, the brain is trying to connect the two languages”, says Marc, a researcher at a university in Bern, Switzerland.
So having multilingual dreams could mean that our brain is trying to remember a new word or phrase. However, it could also have an emotional (情感) significance. Danuta, a professor of psycholinguistics at the University of Silesia in Poland, suggests that multilingual dreams can express “fears or wishes” around learning a foreign language, including the wish to be a local speaker or to be accepted within a certain community.
We clearly still have a lot to learn about multilingual dreams, but one thing seems certain: if you’re trying to learn a new language, you can sleep on it.
1. Why does the author mention questions in paragraph 1?A.To compare different ideas. | B.To introduce the main topic. |
C.To present different types of dreams. | D.To discuss the human language ability. |
A.The other new words. | B.The native language. |
C.The gained knowledge. | D.The speaking practice. |
A.They may influence people’s sleep quality. | B.They can reflect language-learning feelings. |
C.They are the best option to learn a language. | D.They help to clear up the useless information. |
A.A novel. | B.A diary. | C.A guidebook. | D.A magazine. |
2 . While most musicians work with other artists when creating their music, Holly Herndon, an American musician and sound artist who is now based in Berlin, takes a different way, working with the machine learning software called Spawn. The software uses artificial neural networks modeled after the structure of the human brain. These networks learn patterns from datasets during the training process. Based on the data, the networks create new material that includes Herndon’s own voice.
When producing her album, PROTO, Holly trained datasets to write new music. The process requires the input data of music written by people or by artificial intelligence (AI). The neural networks then produce variations of that music. “Computers surprise you in a way that an instrument doesn’t,” Holly said. So what does music sound like when composed by what is essentially a robot? It sounds like music from the future!
But Holly Herndon isn’t the only one exploring AI in composition. Machines have played an increasingly important role in music over the last century. The godfather of computer science, Alan Turing, developed the first computer generated music in 1951. Then in 1980. David Cope from the University of California, Santa Cruz developed EMI — Experiments in Musical Intelligence, a system that analyzes existing music and produces new pieces based on it.
AI might not take over the job of the “pop star” anytime soon, or will it? Miquela Sousa is a computer-generated artist with over one million followers on Instagram. “I’m a model and singer. And I’m a robot,” Miquela said. This then raises the question: Can we reproduce creativity using a computer?
Though those questions are not easy to answer, I believe the next frontier of music lies somewhere in between. I can see the path forward with a new dawn of creativity that combines human inventiveness with AI. And the next chapter of music will certainly become wonderful as music and AI become even more closely connected.
1. What plays an important role in producing PROTO?A.Holly’s special voice. | B.The input of existing music. |
C.Holly’s rich knowledge. | D.The use of an instrument. |
A.To promote deep thinking on AI musicians. |
B.To show the popularity of smart robots. |
C.To explain the tasks of computer-generated artists. |
D.To make comparisons between human and robotic artists. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Surprised. | C.Confused. | D.Confident. |
A.The increasing diversity of AI music. | B.The development of musical composition. |
C.The history of computer-generated music. | D.The combination of AI and musical composition. |
3 . Plastics have been found from the top of Mount Qomolangma to newly-formed beaches in Hawaii. The amount of plastic in our environment is shocking. What can we do about it? I’m inspired by Kate Nelson, who has lived without using single-use plastic for over ten years. Kate is also the founder of Sea the Mermaids, an organization focusing on stopping human-sourced ocean pollution through education and community action.
She recently wrote an inspiring and practical guidebook I Quit Plastics: and you can too, which is full of information and tips on how to cook, clean, shop, wear and live plastic-free. Upon first opening, you will see a recipe for Cashew Cheese that looks amazing! Not only does this book provide many delicious recipes, but also explores interesting problems about plastic pollution.
For example, Kate explores the problems about plastics and social justice, including plastic privilege(特权). She points out that wealthier countries, such as the USA, export their plastic waste to Southeast Asia, but many of these countries cannot process their own waste. In addition, most of the affordable food, though processed and unhealthy, is heavily packaged in plastic. People that live in “food deserts” in cities and depend on corner stores have no choice when it comes to avoiding plastics. Kate writes in the book, “Not everyone will have bulk (散装) food stores or farmers’ markets near where they live.”
Kate’s writing is easy to read without sounding preachy (说教的). Her explanations and reasoning are clear. From food to beauty to cleaning, Kate’s practical recipes and tips make it easy for everyone to reduce their chances of using single-use plastic. She develops effective strategies that others can easily adopt and offers clear steps to help people improve on the plastic quifting journey.
1. Why does the author talk about plastic in the first paragraph?A.To lead to the topic. | B.To share an experience. |
C.To doubt serious pollution. | D.To explain plastic pollution. |
A.Famous persons. | B.The latest news. |
C.Classic music. | D.Reusable shopping bags. |
A.They eat too much unhealthy food. |
B.They can’t afford to buy enough food. |
C.They can’t avoid plastic-packaged food. |
D.They prefer bulk food to packaged food. |
A.An environment report. | B.A book review. |
C.An author’s introduction. | D.A scientific research. |
4 . Living a Balanced and Healthy Life
What are the most important steps to follow if you want to feel good from morning to night? Feeling good means that your body and mind are working at their peak level. And you have a general sense of well-being.
To feel good day after day, try the following tips:
Get sunlight during the day.
Sunlight stimulates the brain chemical serotonin (血清素), which plays a role in helping you feel happy. While you’re outdoors in the sun, use the time to exercise.
Set yourself up for good sleep.
In the evening as the sky grows darker, your brain makes a hormone called melatonin (褪黑素).
* Be sure to get that daily exercise in the sun, since it also helps you sleep at night.
*
Eat “ feel-good ” foods
* Focus on multicoloured whole foods that are recently alive. That means fresh vegetables, fruit, beans, and whole grains instead of processed foods.
* Make room for vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.
* Avoid foods that make your blood sugar soar like sweetened sodas and sugary baked goods. They aren’t good for your health, or your energy level.
A.Turn off the lights. |
B.Turn on the lights. |
C.This helps you get sleep. |
D.They’re super-foods for feeling good. |
E.Health depends on good food, fresh air and enough sleep. |
F.The way you eat makes a bit difference in whether you feel strong or weak. |
G.Research has found that physical activities can work well for treating depression. |