Figure skating (花样滑冰) is known for its graceful moves. There is one
Although no one skater
2 . In 2020, OpenAI, a research lab in San Francisco, revealed a system called GPT-3. It is what artificial intelligence researchers call a neural(神经系统的) network, after the web of neurons in the human brain. A neural network is really a mathematical system that learns skills by locating patterns in vast amounts of digital data. By analyzing thousands of cat photos, for instance, it can learn to recognize a cat. “We call it ‘artificial intelligence,’ but a better name might be ‘finding statistical patterns from large data sets’,” said Dr. Gopnik, the Berkeley professor.
More recently, researchers at places like Google and OpenAI began building neural networks that learned from enormous amounts of prose, including digital books and Wikipedia articles by the thousands. GPT-3 is an example. As it analyzed all that digital text, it built what you might call a mathematical map of human language — more than 175 billion data points that describe how we piece words together. Using this map, it can perform many different tasks, like penning speeches, writing computer programs and having a conversation.
But there are limitations. If you ask GPT-3 for 10 speeches in the voice of Mark Twain, it might give you five that sound remarkably like the famous writer — and five others that come nowhere close. Computer programmers use the technology to create small snippets(一小段) of code they can slip into larger programs, but more often than not they have to edit and adjust whatever it gives them.
Still, Dr. Gopnik described this kind of system as intelligent. “It is not intelligent in the way humans are. It is like an unfamiliar form of intelligence,” he said. “But it still counts.”
Dr. Gopnik and many others in the field are confident that they are on a path to building a machine that can do anything the human brain can do. This confidence shines through when they discuss current technologies. He admits that some A.I. researchers “struggle to differentiate between reality and science fiction.” But he believes these researchers still serve a valuable role. “They help us dream of the full range of the possible,” he said.
Perhaps they do. But for the rest of us, these dreams can get in the way of the issues that deserve our attention.
1. Which of the following statements correctly describes GPT-3?| A．It is meant to monitor human’s neuron webs. |
| B．It stores limitless data in its mathematical system. |
| C．It can identify images and employ human language. |
| D．It studies pictures and digital books to invent patterns. |
| A．illustrate GPT-3 is far from perfect |
| B．warn programmers against technology |
| C．show the process of slipping code into program |
| D．explain why GPT-3 fails to find Mark Twain’s speeches |
| A．He finds it valuable because it maximizes the current technologies. |
| B．He doubts its worth though it is remarkably similar to a human brain. |
| C．He thinks highly of it because it plays a valuable role in A.I. research. |
| D．He believes it will interrupt our thinking though it differs from science fiction. |
| A．Enthusiastic. | B．Opposed. | C．Supportive. | D．Unconcerned. |
3 . A recent study by a group of researchers found that there is a link between happiness and a term that the researchers coined called “relational diversity.”
Using public data from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the World Health Organization, the researchers were able to analyze data sets and survey responses from people who had shared their daily habits, schedules and interactions. They noticed a clear relationship between relational diversity and overall levels of satisfaction.
Hanne Collins, a Harvard Business School doctoral student who co-authored the study, says that relational diversity is composed of two elements: richness and evenness.
Richness measures relationship categories, or how many kinds of people you interact with in a day. That could be your romantic partner, a family member, a neighbor or a stranger. “The more relationship categories they talk to in a day and the more even their conversations are across those categories, the happier they are. And we find this in a large sample across many countries,” Collins said.
Evenness relates to the distribution of conversations among those different relationship categories. Some people may find themselves interacting with colleagues at work more than, say, their family members. “If you have a few conversations with colleagues, a few with friends, a few with a romantic partner or a couple chats with strangers, thats going to be more even across these categories,” Collins explained.
Ultimately, Collins says, the study gives insight to the idea that humans are social creatures at heart. Having a support system is important, but it goes beyond your inner circle. “Its about this mix. Its about connecting with people who are close to you, who are maybe less close to you, who connect you with other people, who provide different kinds of support,” she said. “Essentially, the idea is that the more diverse your social portfolio (社交档案), the happier you are and the higher your well-being.”
Next time you consider striking up a conversation with a stranger in line at the grocery store or while waiting at the coffee shop, keep in mind that it might be beneficial to your well-being.
1. How does the author explain the term “relational diversity”?| A．By listing statistics. | B．By making comparison. |
| C．By giving definitions and examples. | D．By describing the process. |
| A．A person who interacts most with his family members. |
| B．A person who communicates frequently with his friends. |
| C．A person who seldom strikes up conversations with strangers. |
| D．A person who has ever conversations with many different people. |
| A．Researchers came up with a new concept. |
| B．It shows that a support system is not necessary. |
| C．Researchers collected data by conducting experiments. |
| D．It was led by a doctoral student from Harvard Business School. |
| A．Neutral. | B．Skeptical. |
| C．Opposed. | D．Approving. |
4 . Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day is observed to strengthen the health awareness and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. And a hand—shaped robot called “Pepe”, which encourages kids to wash their hands, has helped pupils at a remote Indian primary school to develop habits of personal hygiene (卫生).
Pepe was fixed on the wall above a hand—washing station at Wayanad Government Primary School in Kerala, which has about 100 pupils aged 5 and 10. A small video screen behind the green plastic Pepe acted as a “mouth”, allowing researchers to tele—operate the robot to speak to the pupils and draw their attention to the poster outlining the steps of effective hand—washing. A set of moving “eyes” helped Pepe pay attention to the children’s actions.
The robot helped pupils wash their hands more effectively, increasing their rates of hand—washing by 40 percent. Pupils spent twice as long washing their hands after Pepe’s arrival. And more than 95% of the students could correctly determine when hand—washing with soap has to be done—before a meal and after a visit to the toilet.
Hand—washing is one of the most effective ways against the spread of diarrhea and respiratory infections. Dr. Amol Deshmukh, from the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science, led the project in partnership with colleagues from Amrita University. He said, “We were delighted by the success of Pepe’s visit to this primary school. The children were excited to interact with this relatively simple machine, which was clearly good for keeping their hands clean. Dr. Bhavani from Amrita University said,” AMMACHI (Amrita Multi Modal Application and Computer Human Interaction) Labs have taken multi plans to address common challenges facing low—income rural communities in India and worldwide using technology.”
1. Why was “Pepe” fixed at the Primary School?| A．To watch on pupil’ actions. | B．To wash children’s hands. |
| C．To freshen the environment. | D．To develop children’s health habits. |
| A．By playing with pupils. | B．By providing knowledge. |
| C．By offering pupils soap. | D．By washing pupils’ hands. |
| A．It was a failure. | B．It had no effect. |
| C．It was a success. | D．It was a waste of time. |
| A．deal with. | B．write a place on. | C．make a speech to. | D．speak to. |
Two giant pandas “Sihai” and “Jingjing” left the Ya’an Bi Feng Xia Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan Province on Oct. 18, 2022,
To ensure that
The Chinese team has also sent several expert groups to Qatar for on-site guidance and assessment of the venues,
To help the giant pandas adapt to their new environment
In May 2020, China and Qatar signed a cooperation agreement
The 20th CPC National Congress was held from Oct 16 to 22 in Beijing. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a report. The document is divided into three parts and 15 sections and contains more than 30,000 Chinese characters.
In January,
A strong youth makes a strong country. At this time of their lives, contemporary Chinese youth have a very broad stage
Celebrate National Day
China’s National Day is celebrated on October 1st every year
The founding ceremony of New China
As a great day in China, it represents
On National Day, the national flag rises at 6:10 am in Tian’anmen Square. There are always people
8 . The word paradigm comes from the Greek. It was originally a scientific term, and is more commonly used today to mean a model or theory. In the more general sense, it’s the way we “see” the world — not in terms of our visual sense of sight, but in terms of perceiving, understanding, and interpreting.
A simple way to understand paradigms is to see them as maps. We all know that “the map is not the territory.” A map is simply an explanation of certain aspects of the territory. That’s exactly what a paradigm is. It is a theory, an explanation, or model of something else. You can never arrive at a specific location in a new city with a wrong map.
Each of us has many maps in our head, which can be divided into two main categories: maps of the way things are, or realities, and maps of the way things should be, or values. We interpret everything we experience through these mental maps. We seldom question their accuracy; we’re usually even unaware that we have them. We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of those assumptions. The way we see things is the source of the way we think and the way we act.
We see the world, not as it is, but as we are or, as we are conditioned to see it. Clearheaded people see things differently, each looking through the unique lens of experience. But this does not mean that there are no facts. Instead, each person’s interpretation of these facts represents prior experiences.
The more aware we are of our basic paradigms, maps, or assumptions, and the extent to which we have been influenced by our experience, the more we can take responsibility for those paradigms, examine them, test them against reality, listen to others and be open to their perceptions, thereby getting a larger picture and a far more objective view.
1. How does the author illustrate the concept of “paradigm”?| A．By comparing it to an everyday object. | B．By sorting it into different categories. |
| C．By presenting personal examples. | D．By highlighting a sharp contrast. |
| A．They fail to escape our attention. | B．They may be lacking in accuracy. |
| C．They prove wrong and unreliable. | D．They have little influence on behavior. |
| A．Great minds think alike. | B．All men have opinions, but few think. |
| C．Where we stand depends on where we sit. | D．The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinions. |
| A．A better understanding of our paradigms. | B．A stronger sense of responsibility for others. |
| C．A more objective view of others’ perceptions. | D．A more positive attitude toward life experience. |
9 . Reading can make you feel less alone and more connected with the world at large. It can open your eyes to issues, successes and challenges that you never dreamed of, and take you to faraway places. Here are the top books all teens should read before they turn 18.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Though this book recently became popular again due to the release of the movie version, the movie is not a substitute for this beautiful story about family and the process of becoming who you truly are through the angle of space and time exploration.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Auggie was born with a facial difference that kept him out of school for years. In fifth grade, he discovers what it’s like to long for normalcy and also that difference can be the most meaningful teacher.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
The author shares beautiful poetry that will speak to teenagers about her experience of growing up in the South as an African-American in the 1960s and 1970s. The poems are charged with the themes of self-awareness and identity.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The attractive advice given in this book is perfect for teens going off to college or beginning a new stage of independence. It is a book that can be reread all throughout life without losing its power.
1. What is special about A Wrinkle in Time?| A．It shows a teen’s difference. | B．It’s about space exploration. |
| C．It has been adapted for film. | D．It has opened teenagers’ eyes. |
| A．Jacqueline Woodson’s. | B．R. J. Palacio’s. |
| C．Madeleine L’ Engle’s. | D．Don Miguel Ruiz’s. |
| A．A Wrinkle in Time. | B．Wonder. |
| C．Brown Girl Dreaming. | D．The Four Agreements. |
10 . A lot of your childhood was probably spent in an ordinary classroom with old desks and chairs. That's because you went to an average school. So whether you loved your school or wished you went to one of the following now, you'll never think of schooling the same way again.
Train Platforms as School Rooms
Now, most children have to take a bus or train to school. However, they don't usually stop on the platform and learn maths. In Orissa, India, in order to try to lower the chances of children quitting school, one woman decided that she would bring the school to the kids and it certainly worked!
Floating School
Each year in summer, the rivers in Bangladesh flood. And kids are left without a way to school. However, one clever town decided to have lessons on 100 boats instead as well as health care centre and homes. With the internet access, computers and a library it's a pretty high tech school!
Elf School
In Iceland there are a lot of stories about elves. According to the school there are different types of elves that have a variety of uses. The school generally trains people in the practice of elves in the hope they can somehow help the government. The Icelandic police have been known to ask for an elf's help when meeting trouble.
Real Life Clown School
The Ringling Brothers set up a number of courses and schools around the United States to teach the students the art of clowning around. Imagine wearing a bright red nose while kids are laughing around you for a balloon animal.
1. Who was Train Platform School built for?| A．The students willing to learn the art of clowning |
| B．The students who cannot pay their high education. |
| C．The children who cannot catch the train to school. |
| D．The young children who are forced to quit school. |
| A．Elf School. | B．The Floating School. |
| C．Real Life Clown School. | D．The Train Platform School. |
| A．The students can have classes on trains. | B．The school trains people to help society. |
| C．The students use computers and a library. | D．The students learn to entertain children. |
