1 . In the annals of human history, few subjects have generated as much excitement, debate, and guess as artificial intelligence (AI). This revolutionary technology, which enables machines to perform tasks that once required human intelligence, has the potential to transform every part of our society, from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment.
At its heart, AI is all about data. Massive amounts of data are fed into algorithms that learn from this data, allowing them to make predictions, recognize patterns, and even make decisions. This “machine learning” is the driving force behind many of the AI applications we see today, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to more advanced systems like IBM’s Watson, which can analyze vast amounts of information to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases.
The transformative potential of AI is undeniable. In the medical field, for instance, AI can assist in early detection of diseases, predict patient outcomes, and even suggest treatment options. In finance, algorithms can predict stock market trends, and provide personalized financial advice. In transportation, self-driving cars equipped with AI systems promise to reduce accidents, ease traffic jams, and transform urban landscapes.
However, with great potential comes great responsibility. The rise of AI has caused debates about is ethical implications (道德含义). The machines are only as good as the data they are fed, and there’s a growing concern about biases (偏见) being built into AI systems. For instance, facial recognition technologies, used in everything from unlocking phones to police monitoring cameras, have come under check for misidentifying individuals based on race or gender.
Moreover, the widespread adoption of AI could lead to significant job displacement. While new roles and industries might emerge as a result of AI, it is not sure that these will pay off the jobs lost. This could increase income inequalities and causes difficulties to social systems.
Another major concern is the “black box” nature of AI. Many AI systems operate in ways that even their creators don’t fully understand. This can be problematic, especially in critical applications like healthcare or criminal justice where understanding the logic behind a decision is important.
Then there’s the potential for AI to be weaponized. In the hands of evil actors, AI could be used to spread misinformation, control public opinion, or even engage in internet warfare. The global community must come together to set standards and regulations to prevent such misuse.
On the brighter side, many experts believe that by setting the right frameworks and investing in education and retraining, we can use the power of AI for the greater good. By fostering (促进) a culture of continuous learning and staying abreast (并排的，并肩的) of technological advancements, society can benefit from the promise of AI while avoiding its potential dangers.
In conclusion, artificial intelligence stands as one of the most profound inventions of our time. While it offers vast opportunities, it also poses significant challenges that we, as a society, must welcome. As we stand at this technological crossroads, our choices will determine whether AI serves as a benefit or a harm for humanity.
1. Which of the following best describes the method by which machines acquire the capability to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence?| A．By programming predefined rules. |
| B．Through user interactions every day. |
| C．By ingesting and processing vast amounts of data. |
| D．Via regular software updates from developers. |
| A．By citing numerous statistical data. |
| B．By presenting both the positive potential and the challenges of AI. |
| C．Through personal experiences. |
| D．By focusing on the negative effects of AI. |
| A．The Rise of Virtual Assistants: Siri and Alexa |
| B．Understanding the Mechanisms Behind AI Algorithms |
| C．Artificial Intelligence: Charting the Course for Tomorrow’s Tech |
| D．Balancing the Potential and challenges of AI in Modern Society |
| A．AI has already replaced most human jobs and is the leading cause of unemployment. |
| B．The global community has taken measures to prevent AI misuse. |
| C．The operation of many AI systems is easily understood by their creators. |
| D．The solving to the dilemma brought by AI needs collective efforts of our society. |
2 . The future is electric. That means it will need a lot of batteries, motors and wires. That, in turn, means a lot of minerals with which to build them. Great times, then, for prospectors (探矿者), and particularly for any who think they can increase the efficiency of their profession. Several firms are applying artificial intelligence to the process, both to improve the possibility of mining and to detect underground ore (矿石) bodies that are invisible to current techniques.
KoBold Metals in California, Earth Al in San Francisco and Verai in Boston are small fish at the moment But at least one bigger fish-Rio Tinto, an Australian-British firm-is also keen. They are gathering lots of geological (地质的), geochemical and geophysical data to feed software models. These, they hope, will spot patterns and draw inferences about where to sink new mines. Some of the data are new. But a lot were kept in the archives (档案室) of national geological surveys and journals of geology or sat in the form of rock cores in various sheds around the world.
KoBold has transformed archive data from around the world, many of which are on paper and some of which go back to the 19th century, into machine-usable form. That has permitted it to build maps of areas of interest all over Earth’s surface Some of those maps are used to train the company’s Al models. Others are used to test those Al models’ effectiveness by checking how good they are at predicting known ore deposits (矿藏) on maps that they have not previously seen. If they pass, they can be let loose on (放手做) under-explored places of interest and suggest the most effective places to drill. Thanks to that, last year KoBold announced its discovery of’ a rich copper deposit, in Zambia.
In spite of the success, Kurt House, KoBold’s boss, observes that many of the exploration projects fail to turn into actual mines. AI therefore has plenty of room to improve. However, by greatly expanding the volume of rock which can be searched, it will enable new mining in our own countries, lessening the need to rely on other countries for future supplies.
1. Why is it great times for prospectors?| A．There is a high demand for plenty of minerals. |
| B．They want to increase their working efficiency. |
| C．There are many invisible underground ore bodies. |
| D．They can use AI to improve the possibility of mining. |
| A．Newly collected geological data. | B．Geological data in the archives. |
| C．Data in the form of rock cores. | D．Data about the software models. |
| A．By transforming machine-usable archive data. |
| B．By building maps of all the known ore deposits. |
| C．By using AI models trained with maps of’ mines. |
| D．By drilling the under-explored places of interest. |
| A．We can fully rely on AI to locate actual mines. |
| B．AI could help improve mineral exploration. |
| C．Al will help increase the number of ore deposits. |
| D．We should join other countries on new mining. |
Science fiction, or sci-fi, has
Before the 2000s, Chinese science fiction was a lesser-known and community-oriented genre. Few works were translated, and the western world took no interest
Writing in Chinese is, of course, different from writing in English. The meanings and references used in Chinese sci-fi are unique to the genre. In the works Liu translated, multiple footnotes are used
The use of traditional and cultural objects, words and places in Chinese science fiction makes the genre a cultural and
4 . Eva, the Belgian Malinois, is home now, getting a well-deserved rest surrounded by new toys after nearly dying while protecting her human from a mountain lion.
The attack happened on May 16 in northern California when 24-year-old Erin Wilson headed down a path toward the Trinity River before she found herself cornered by a mountain lion. “I was just walking down the slope with the dog running ahead of’ me. I turned around and there was this cat just growling at me and it attacked me, ”Wilson told NPR. “I screamed for Eva and she came running. ”
Mountain lion attacks on humans are incredibly rare. Since 1890, California has recorded only six fatal mountain lion attacks because of the animal’s generally shy, reclusive (独处的) nature. Their preferred prey is deer, which are normally in abundance in their forested habitat, but recent drought conditions have made food scarce in some areas. Wilson thought that these conditions made the sudden appearance of a slim woman look like an attractive option.
To protect her human, Eva leapt between Wilson and the lion, tackling the wild cat and embarked on a life-and-death struggle between the two animals. After a short fight, the mountain lion got its jaws around Eva’s head and Wilson fought to free her dog. hitting the lion with rocks in an attempt to break its grip. Eventually, Wilson ran back to her truck and flagged down passing motorist Sharon Houston Fetching an iron bar from her truck. Wilson and Houston ran back down the trail and their combined efforts managed to frighten the big cat off.
Wounded herself and shaken by the experience, Wilson still managed to carry Eva back to the Animal Hospital. The 2-year-old dog didn’t need surgery, but her wounds were still extensive. Eva left the animal hospital on May 19 with surgical tape wrapped around both her front paws, and the veterinarian said she might lose sight in her left eye.
1. What made Erin Wilson the target of the mountain lion?| A．The abundant deer in their forested habitat. |
| B．The lack of prey due to extreme conditions. |
| C．The mountain lion’s shy and reclusive nature. |
| D．The slim and attractive appearance of Wilson. |
| A．Proceeded with. | B．Dawned on. | C．Wrapped up. | D．Kicked off |
| A．She freed a dog and threw rocks at it fiercely. |
| B．She stopped a passing driver and broke its grip. |
| C．She gathered local people and shouted loudly at it. |
| D．She used a tool and scared it away with another driver. |
| A．Heroic and loyal. | B．Obedient and adorable. |
| C．Friendly and dependable. | D．Courageous and naughty. |
5 . Frozen in time, a 125-million-year-old mammal attacking a dinosaur. A 39-million-year-old whale, the heaviest animal that ever lived. The oldest known jellyfish, from 505 million years ago. Paleontology (古生物学) produces newsworthy discoveries.
Fossils (化石), moreover, provide direct evidence for the long history of life, allowing paleontologists to test hypotheses (假设) about evolution with data only they provide. They allow investigation of present and past life on Earth. Flows of biological diversity, appearances of new life forms and the extinctions of long existing ones, would go undiscovered without these efforts. But the headlines over exciting new fossils greatly underestimate the true importance of paleontology. Its real significance lies in how such discoveries brighten the grand history of life on Earth. From its beginnings, more than three billion years ago, to the present day, fossils record how life adapted or disappeared in the face of major environmental challenges.
Paleontologists provide us with a unique vantage on modern climate change. They play an essential role in interpreting ancient environments, in reconstructing ancient oceans, continents and climates. Fossils provide key limitation on the climate models that are essential for predicting future climate change. And the fossil record gives important insights into how life will respond to predicted future climate conditions, because these have occurred before in Earth’s history.
In addition, paleontology has provided a fundamental contribution to human thought: the reality of species extinction and thus of a world that has dramatically changed over time. In documenting the history of life, paleontologists recognized that many extinction episodes could occur suddenly, such as the event 66 million years ago that ended the dinosaurs. The search for the causes of past mass extinctions started pioneering studies from across the scientific spectrum (科学界), focusing on potential future threats to humanity.
Not only do paleontologists know what happens to life when things go bad, they also know how long it takes for ecosystems and biodiversity to recover from these disasters, which can take far longer than modern humans have existed.
Paleontologists thus provide a unique perspective on the nature and future long-term ecological impact of the current human-produced biodiversity crisis, the so-called Sixth Extinction, and therefore the importance of protecting modern biodiversity. The very concept of a Sixth Extinction would not exist without paleontologists documenting the first five.
Paleontologists know that understanding life’s past is critical to anticipating and adapting to life’s and humanity’s future. Paleontology is important because it brings its unique and critical perspective to current challenges in climate change, biodiversity loss and the environment. Paleontologists can predict the future because they know the past.
1. The first two paragraphs are written to _______.| A．describe an event | B．raise a question |
| C．present an opinion | D．make a comparison |
| A．A positive effect. | B．A valuable suggestion. |
| C．A quick decision. | D．A comprehensive view. |
| A．Ecological recovery takes shorter than imagined. |
| B．Past lessons can help to predict the future threats. |
| C．Paleontologists can handle the biodiversity crisis. |
| D．Fossil studies focus on the causes of mass extinctions. |
| A．Paleontology: A Pioneering Study |
| B．Paleontology: A History Recorder |
| C．Paleontology Tells More About Nature Than Humans |
| D．Paleontology Is Far More Than New Fossil Discoveries |
1. What language did the speaker learn from the teacher?
| A．French. | B．German. | C．English. |
| A．It was very modern. | B．It had a red back cover. | C．It was full of pictures. |
| A．Bored. | B．Tired. | C．Pleased. |
| A．She knew a lot of French. |
| B．She had some lessons at home. |
| C．She has a talent for learning languages. |
1. 阅读的重要性；
2. 你的阅读习惯；
3. 你的阅读建议。
注意：写作词数应为80左右。
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8 . I was hurrying to our basketball game one morning when Hillary Barnes, the most popular girl, in school, stopped me. “Are you the twin who won the art competition?” she asked.
“No, that’s Christine. I’m Katie.” I said.
We were not identical twins; we looked quite different. She could defeat Snow White in a beauty contest! Compared to Christine, I felt like one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.
One Saturday Christine gave me a painting lesson because I was always attempting to be artistic too. But I knocked over the vase of flowers, spilling water onto Christine’s painting. Instead of becoming angry, though, she turned the whole mess into a dreamy masterpiece(杰作). You could look at it five different ways and see five different things. With this brilliant creation, she won First Prize in the art competition. I really envied her, but I knew it wasn’t her fault and I was the one with wild, unmanageable hair and no talent.
Joining Christine’s basketball team was my latest effort to be like her.
On the way to the gym, I’d made up my mind to give my best performance in that day’s game. I made preparations with great enthusiasm. “Christine, here!” I tossed her a ball. But it was too high, she leapt for it, it slipped through her fingers and crashed into the tape recorder that was used to play the national anthem before each game.
I muttered apologies as I picked up the broken pieces of the recorder. Coach looked at the mess and asked, “How are we going to play the song now?”
Christine suggested, “Let Katie sing it! She’s always singing at home.”
Coach asked. “Would you?” I found myself nodding.
Coach announced the national anthem and everyone stood. Standing before a microphone, I looked up to the flag. The notes seemed to flow from deep inside me, and my voice was steady and clear. When I finished, the gym was silent. Then it was filled with applause. As the game started. teammates patted my back and gave me the “thumbs up” sign. Laura Jamison said. “You should try out for the school musical!” I Nodded and said that I might.
The next morning Hillary Barnes stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Are you the twin who sings?”
“Yes, that’s me,” I answered, grinning(露齿笑) as I walked to class.
1. The authur uses “Snow White” and “Cinderella’s stepsisters” to show ________.| A．how dissimilar the twins were in appearance |
| B．why Christine could win the art competition |
| C．who was the most popular girl at school |
| D．what the twins characters were like |
| A．Christine was unpleasant to her sister. |
| B．Katie showed a lot of ability in painting too. |
| C．The masterpiece was painted by the two sisters. |
| D．Katie took a reasonably balanced view of her sister. |
| A．she knew perfectly well what Katie had a gift for. |
| B．she wanted to repair the damage she had caused. |
| C．she thought Katie should be punished. |
| D．she would like to help the coach. |
| A．Bad situations help become popular. |
| B．People are talented in different ways. |
| C．People should always be nice to others. |
| D．Unsuccessful attempts are well worth the effort. |
W: Bruce, I’m thinking of
M: I recommend a hybrid car.
W: Why? They are so expensive.
M: Hybrid cars do little harm
W: I like the sound of that. Gas prices are rising, so the
M: Why don’t you buy a car
W: Wow, the more I know about different cars, the harder it is
M: That’s
W: Hi, Steve, have you been to that new supermarket yet?
10 . What makes a house a home?
Not size, of course. I’ve been in some of the grandest houses in America, and it’s clear that no one lives there earlier this year, I had dinner in a mud hut in Ethiopia, where we sat on chairs next to the hostess’ bed—a home that had more warmth than any house I’ve been in since.
Now John Edwards is exploring what makes a house a home in his just-released (发行) Home. The Blueprints of Our Lives. There Edwards writes, “This isn’t a book about houses; it’s a book about homes. About the values they rest on, the dreams they are filled with, and the people they have shaped.” Edwards writes, “The houses and circumstances are different, but much of what you find inside will be familiar.”
Whether you’re sitting in an airport right now, waiting to fly to your childhood home for Thanksgiving, or in your own home waiting for the relatives to arrive, you know what he’s talking about.
We’ve lived in our townhouse for 21 years. It’s home now. The loose windows that shake in the wind. The fireplace so shallow it holds only one log. The kitchen window that offers a view of the world passing by. It’s where friends sit on the kitchen counter drinking wine while dinner is being fixed. I lived there for only 18 years, but it will always be my true home. Even the lamp in the west living room window, which I could see far down the road when driving home late at night, still shines.
While all this talk about childhood memories can be warm and comforting, home is whom you’re with, not where you are. As Edwards writes, “Home is family. Home is safety. Home is faith. ”
Happy homecoming.
1. According to the author, what makes a house a home?| A．All the belongings in the house. |
| B．Feelings of warmth and comfort. |
| C．The houses and circumstances. |
| D．Drinking with friends on the kitchen counter. |
| A．it was the description of Edwards’ houses |
| B．it is mainly about houses |
| C．it helps us understand the concept (概念) of home |
| D．it was written by the author of the text |
| A．His house was too old to live in. | B．He missed the feeling of home. |
| C．He hated living there. | D．He missed his old friends too much. |
