1 . Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate strength calculations for the predicted earthquakes.

The research team adopted a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.

This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earthquakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network Program (TexNet). “It’s a matter of milliseconds, and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70% accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”

While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other locations, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. The next step is to test artificial intelligence in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earthquake stations and over six years worth of continuous records, making it an ideal location for these purposes.

Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what moves science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.

1. How does the AI predict earthquakes?

A．By identifying data from the satellites.

B．By analyzing background sounds in the Earth.

C．By modeling data based on earthquake recordings.

D．By monitoring changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.

2. What does Alexandros Savvaidis intend to show in paragraph3?

A．The ways to reduce losses in earthquakes.

B．The importance of preparing for earthquakes.

C．The significance of developing the AI prediction.

D．The limitation of AI algorithms in earthquake prediction.

3. What does the follow-up research focus on?

A．Conducting tests in different locations.

B．Applying the AI approach to other fields.

C．Building more earthquake stations in Texas.

D．Enlarging the database to train the calculation accuracy.

4. Which words can best describe the earthquake-predicting technology?

A．Stable but outdated.	B．Effective but costly.
C．Potential and economical.	D．Advanced and promising.

2 . At the end of 2019,I learned that Here After AI, whose goal is to let the living communicate with the dead, was looking for applicants of its new AI project. Interested in what it was promising, I applied to experiment the software on my very-much-alive parents.

At first, I thought it would be just a fun project to see what was technologically possible. Then their health condition added some urgency to the experiment. I was frightened that my parents might die since my father had been diagnosed with cancer and my mother was recently developing symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease, and that with the distance between us, I might never have the chance to say goodbye.

The first step was an interview. My parents were asked questions by a techician for hours-about everything from their earliest memories to what they believe will happen after they die. Whether through illness-generated concerns or a willingness to humor their daughter, my parents put up zero resistance. The company then took their responses and started to create the voice assistants. A few months later, my virtual parents arrived via email attachment.

When I communicated with them through the app on my phone, my hands were shaking. I hadn’t seen my actual, real parents for six months. They told me personal stories I’d never heard. They gave me life advice and told me things about their childhoods, as well as my own. It was mesmerizing.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about my experiment. I’m glad to have my virtual parents. They’ve enabled me to learn new things about my parents, and it’s comforting to think that those softwares will be there even when my parents aren’t. On the other hand, I can’t help but find it sad that it took a stranger interviewing my parents for me to properly appreciate the complex people they are. But I feel lucky to have had the chance to grasp that-and to still have the precious opportunity to spend more time with them and learn more about them, face to face, no technology involved.

1. Why did the author initially join the AI project?

A．To test out the new technology.

B．To preserve her parents’ voice.

C．To learn more about her parents’ life.

D．To remove the worry about her parents’ health.

2. What can we learn about the author’s parents?

A．They liked talking a lot.

B．They died from the illnesses.

C．They opposed joining the project at first.

D．They provided data for the project.

3. What does the underlined word “mesmerizing" mean in paragraph 4?

A．Alarming.

B．Fascinating.

C．Inspiring.

D．Disgusting.

4. What does the author realize at last?

A．AI means never saying goodbye to our parents.

B．The advances in AI technology have pros and cons.

C．The real connection with our parents matters most.

D．AI allows us to learn more about our virtual parents.

5 . From the deserts of Southern California to the forests of Alaska, the U.S. possesses a diversity of nature. For most of her life, Joy Ryan never saw the scenery beyond her home state of Ohio. Then, when she was in her mid-eighties, her grandson Brad Ryan decided to take her on a journey to all of the U.S. National Parks, which took eight years to complete. At the age of 93, Grandma Joy has finally seen all 63 parks, ending her journey in the National Park of American Samoa.

“When I learned she had never seen the great wildernesses of America — deserts, mountains, oceans, I decided to intervene (干预) in some way,” Brad says. This idea sparked their first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. However, once they were on the road, Brad realised that they could visit more parks that were nearby. Over the years, they managed to see all of the famous sights at Yosemite, the Redwoods, and so on. But Brad values the time spent with his grandmother just as much as the breathtaking places they were able to visit.

Despite Grandma Joy’s older age, she was able to hike mountains. Brad regards her love for life as the key to her good health. She is grateful for each new day and is always Excited for the next journey. Finally, their long journey across the U.S. came to an end with American Samoa. “It’s about 6,700 miles from Ohio, where we live,” Brad explains. “We can enjoy the beach and the beautiful tropical paradise. But as we’ve learned from the rangers that work there, American Samoa is an island community firmly rooted in family. And I think that there’s a bit of a poetic beauty to ending it there, too.”

“I am thankful every morning for giving me another day,” Grandma Joy shares. “And it is your choice whether you’re going to have a rainy day or a sunny day. So, smile at everybody, and let everybody know you’re having a whale of a time.” While her tour of the U.S. has come to a close, she and her grandson are not done traveling. Next up, they have their sights set on Kenya.

1. Why did Brad decide to travel across America with his grandma?

A．To celebrate Grandma Joy’s 93rd birthday.

B．To complete a task he promised Grandma Joy.

C．To enrich Grandma Joy’s travelling experiences.

D．To realise Grandma Joy’s dream of visiting parks.

2. Which of the following best describes their tour in Brad’s eyes?

A．Free and adventurous.	B．Tiring but educational.
C．Stressful but eye-opening.	D．Amazing and worthwhile.

3. What impressed Brad and Joy most about American Samoa?

A．The friendly locals.

B．The family bond.

C．The special culture.

D．The beautiful sights.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Stay Curious, Stay Young	B．It’s Never too Old to Hit the Road
C．Laughter is the Best Medicine	D．Travelling Contributes to Long Life

7 . As I look up at the hundreds of fireworks in the sky, I hear the bells ringing in a small temple suggesting the coming of the Chinese New Year. Though I may not believe in or understand many of the New Year traditions here, the similarities between the coming of this New Year and the beginning of my new life in China are not lost on me.

My first few days in China were a culture shock to say the least. Having arrived late in the term, I immediately had to start my beginners’ Chinese classes, along with the newest class of overseas students. Being surrounded by a language that is not your own is unbelievably frustrating and isolating（孤立的）. Due to the picture-based fashion of Chinese writing, it’s not like you can have a guess, or work it out through whatever little knowledge you have other Latin-originated languages. If you don’t know what it says, then that’s it.

However, with time passing, I have found myself progressing, though painfully slowly. The first time I directed a taxi by myself, the driver actually understood where I wanted to go, which was hugely rewarding. Still, it is never long until my lack of language skill is exposed and I come crashing back to earth, usually immediately upon leaving the taxi.

Gaining a language is a huge valuable skill. However, it is not the only thing I will gain in China. After this year of learning Chinese, I aim to gain my Master’s degree here at UJN. Opportunities do just pop up rather occasionally: from being offered jobs teaching English, to being asked to appear on game-shows for Shandong TV. So, for now, I am just looking forward to expanding my cultural horizons and enjoying my time here. Everything takes some time getting used to, but that’s part of the adventure and, most of all, employment. So, much like the Chinese New Year that I was lucky enough to be part of, I am just looking forward to a fresh start and a new journey in China.

1. Why couldn’t the author guess the meaning of the Chinese language?

A．Because of his late arrival.

B．Because of his experience of culture shock.

C．Because of the unique way of Chinese writing.

D．Because of his knowing little of the Latin language.

2. What does the author want to show through his taxi experience?

A．He is poor at using public transport.

B．He finds it easy to order a taxi in China.

C．He is good at chatting with the taxi driver.

D．He is pleased to have made progress in Chinese.

3. What is the author’s present expectation?

A．To settle down in China.

B．To become a host on TV.

C．To be a teaching assistant.

D．To take part in more cultural activities.

4. What can we learn from the author’s account?

A．Studying in China is challenging but rewarding.

B．Coming to China brings about more opportunities.

C．Learning Chinese is a good way to get valuable skills.

D．Communicating in Chinese is an enjoyable experience.

8 . Want a relaxing but fun challenge at home?     1     Puzzles have been around for more than 250 years and the challenge of working out where each piece goes and carefully recreating the scene on the box lid can keep you busy for hours, days or even weeks.

Puzzles come in a huge range of sizes and difficulty levels. For beginners, a 100-piece puzzle is usually a good starting point.     2     Try grouping pieces with the same colors or design because they will probably go in the same area once the puzzle takes shape.

    3     Those pieces are easier to find because they have a straight side. Stay patient as you search through and try to make it fit together. You may not find any connecting pieces for ages but then several may suddenly appear.

For a real test, puzzles that have 1,000 pieces or more are a tough task and it’s best to complete them with friends or family if you can. Choosing a scene that interests you, such as a favourite film, sport or location, can help keep you interested and determined to work to the final piece. You can get fun educational puzzles, too.     4    

Some of the best places to pick up puzzles are charity shops. They’re often on sale for less than £5. Once you have completed a puzzle, it’s nice to exchange it with a friend.     5     You just upload an image, such as a family scene, and they will make a puzzle from it and post it to you. It makes lovely and unusual present.

A．So others can have a go.

B．You can’t beat a good puzzle.

C．Some companies make personalized puzzles.

D．However, a good start doesn’t always lead to a good result.

E．Most people like to start by getting the four edges of a puzzle laid out.

F．It can get you used to sorting out how the shapes, patterns and colors go together.

G．For example, you may try a map of the world or historical timelines.