1 . Whenever anyone asks me what tech I’d like to see invented, I always say the universal translator, which lets you understand and speak any language.

Meta AI recently announced the start of the universal speech translator (UST) project, which aims to create AI systems that enable real-time speech-to-speech translation across all languages, even those that are spoken but not commonly written. Meta says that today’s AI translation models are focused on widely-used written languages, and that more than 40% of primarily spoken languages are not covered by such translation technologies.

According to Meta, the model is the first AI-powered speech translation system for the unwritten language Hokkien (闽南语), a Chinese language spoken in southeastern China. The system allows Hokkien speakers to hold conversations with English speakers, a significant step toward bringing people together wherever they are located.

To build UST, Meta AI focused on overcoming three important translation system challenges. It addressed data scarcity by getting more training data in more languages and finding new ways to use the data it had found. It solved the modeling problems that arise as models grow to serve many more languages. And it sought new ways to improve on its results.

Meta AI claims that the techniques it pioneered with Hokkien can be extended to many other unwritten languages—and eventually work in real time. For this purpose, Meta has released the Speech Matrix, a large collection of speech-to-speech translations, which enables other research teams to create translation models for other languages.

Artificial (人工的) speech translation could play a significant role in our world. For interactions, it will enable people from around the world to communicate with each other more smoothly, making the social net more interconnected.   For content, using artificial speech translation allows you to easily localize content.

Yashar Behzadi, CEO and founder of Synthesis AI, believes that technology needs to enable more natural experiences if the digital world is to succeed.   He says that one of the current challenges for UST models is the computationally expensive training that’s needed because of the wide range and very slight differences in meaning or sound of languages. Also, to train strong AI models requires vast amounts of typical data. A significant bottleneck to building these AI models in the near future will be to ensure training data collect the privacy in agreement with rules and law.

1. What is the feature of the UST project?

A．It changes spoken languages to written forms.

B．It attracts wider attention to written languages in translation.

C．It adds 40% of spoken languages into translation technology.

D．It enables real-time speech-to-speech translation across all languages.

2. What does the word “scarcity” underlined in Paragraph 4 most probably mean?

A．Lack.

B．Mistake.

C．Recovery.

D．Management.

3. What do we know about UST?

A．It is expensive to collect typical data.

B．It increases the use of a certain language.

C．Its techniques are finally developed for Hokkien.

D．It helps inspire interactions and content localization.

4. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．AI Translation: Make Translation Faster

B．AI Translation: Meet You in All Languages

C．Unwritten Language: Bring People Together

D．Unwritten Language: Translation Challenge

2 . Getting older often involves a series of challenges, such as cognitive (认知的) decline, late-life depression and social isolation. In a society that is aging fast, it has become important to find ways to promote successful aging to prevent and limit cognitive and emotional disorders. Music is a promising tool for improving cognition and promoting well-being.

Cognitive reserve (储备) is the mind’s power to stop age-related brain damage. Research has shown that stimulating (令人兴奋的) life experiences are linked with higher power to prevent age-related brain diseases. Music is known to be cognitively stimulating and it could contribute to building such reserve throughout the life course. Music makes unique demands on our nervous system, like cognitive control. For example, lifelong musical expert knowledge and skills seem to reduce cognitive decline. However, it is not necessary to be a professional musician to benefit from musical training. Research shows that even short-term musical training strengthens cognition in the elderly.

The brain is built to change over our lifetime, which can be shaped by experience. Importantly, this happens over time and in response to a specific new skill. Research studies have identified structural and functional differences between the brains of musicians and non-musicians, especially in regions related to motor control and auditory processing. Evidence shows that even short-term musical interventions (干预) can promote brain plasticity and increase grey matter volume. Even passive music listening can result in improved cognitive abilities.

Music can open forgotten doors to our memories — such as weddings, school dances, and parties — with little cognitive effort. Music helps to recall all the memories that you have connected with a song. The “reminiscence bump” is used to describe enhanced memory for events that occur during adolescence (青春期) and early adulthood that are often sharp. A song becomes a soundtrack for a particular time, such as during a summer hanging out with a specific group of friends.

Music has a great power to bring strong emotions and intense pleasure into your mind, thus changing mood. Music can be used as an aid for escaping from everyday life through imagination of your own memories. Moreover, musical activities often involve social functions promoting social contact, cooperation, and a sense of belonging with others.

In sum, music is a powerful tool to fight against aging-related emotional and cognitive disorders. Music is also considered as a social activity, accessible to anyone regardless of background. So, this intervention should become a major policy priority for health y aging.

1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us about music?

A．The effect of music on musicians.	B．The benefit of music for cognition.
C．The power of music over loneliness.	D．The demand of music on nervous system.

2. The author uses “reminiscence bump” in Paragraph 4 to ________.

A．introduce a topic	B．provide an opinion
C．compare with music	D．explain an argument

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Short-term musical training doesn’t work.

B．The brain can’t be influenced by experience.

C．Music can be used to limit emotional disorders.

D．Music is a powerful tool to fight against aging.

3 . As a little boy, the first time I stepped into the Taekwondo dojang (跆拳道道场), I knew that I had discovered my interest. The physical training, mental focus, and spiritual development of Taekwondo drew me in, and I started a journey that would change my life.

My journey began as a White Belt filled with excitement. I was introduced to the basic skills, forms, and principles of Taekwondo. With each belt promotion (晋级), I faced new challenges. The training pushed me to test my limits and develop mental strength. Self-control became the most important part of my training. Early mornings and late nights were spent improving skills, perfecting forms, and pushing myself to the edge of tiredness. Taekwondo taught me valuable lessons, not just on the training floor but also in other areas of my life.

The path to the Black Belt was not without challenges. I experienced moments of frustration (挫折) and wanted to give up.   However, it was during these challenging times that I discovered the power of determination (决心). With the support of my teachers and friends, I found the strength to push through the hard times. Each challenge became an opportunity for growth. Dealing with these challenges strengthened my desire to become a Black Belt and inspired me to keep pushing forward.

Beyond the physical and mental aspects, the art has taught me to treat others with kindness. It has allowed me to face life’s challenges with a calm and focused mind. Taekwondo has also taught me the importance of leadership, as I now have the opportunity to guide and inspire junior students on their own journeys.

Finally, after years of training and personal growth, I stand before you as a Black Belt.   I have grown both physically and mentally, gaining valuable life skills along the way. As I continue my journey, I look forward to meeting new challenges and inspiring others.

1. What drew the author in Taekwondo?

A．The support of teachers.	B．The interest in Taekwondo.
C．The hope to change his life.	D．The decision to start a journey.

2. What is the most important during the author’s training?

A．Self-control.

B．Leadership.

C．A calm mind.

D．Determination.

3. What do we know about the author?

A．He never thought of giving up.	B．His friends pushed him forward.
C．He is ready for new challenges in life.	D．His training was relaxing and meaningful.

4. The author wrote this passage to ________.

A．describe the training process	B．express thankfulness to teachers
C．inspire others with personal growth	D．show the importance of friendship

4 . The end of the school year is often when we celebrate student growth. I know how important it is for students to look back at everything they’ve achieved.

Students don’t always remember how far they’ve come over the year.   When we praise students for their growth, we help them remember or see it themselves. This can help inspire them to continue learning. That’s why I’ve written this letter to my fifth-grade students.

Dear Students, I can’t believe it, but we’re coming to the end of our school year. Let’s look back at all you’ve done this year. I saw you learn to set goals, focus on learning, and find ways to deal with stress. I saw your confidence soar throughout the year. I saw you explore your interests and you taught me about the problems you care deeply about. I feel good knowing the world is in your hands! As you look back at all of these achievements, here are a few things I hope you remember next school year. • Lifelong learners ask questions. You’ve learned how to ask this year, so keep asking! • Stay curious. You are so much more than what can ever be shown with a test score or a grade. • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Use mistakes as chances to learn and grow. • Continue to get along well with your friends and teachers. I can tell you how lucky I was to be your teacher. Yours, Lily

I encourage you to write your own letter to your students. Personalize it for each student by adding a sticky note or a handwritten message to point out specific growth areas.

1. The author wrote the letter to students because ________.

A．it is a school tradition	B．she has much to tell them
C．they remember how far they’ve come	D．it can encourage them to keep learning

2. What does the teacher hope students remember?

A．To set goals.

B．To stay curious.

C．To deal with stress.

D．To build up confidence.

3. The passage is intended for ________.

A．Teachers

B．Parents

C．Teenagers

D．School leaders

5 . 语法填空

Every day most of us can order and buy all sorts of items online, thanks to e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, JD and Pinduoduo. The number of people     1     are taking advantage of this quite convenient form of shopping is great. Everything we order     2     (come) to our door, including tasty food     3     is packaged as fresh as it would be in the market.

6 . 语法填空

Paper cutting is one of the most popular Chinese traditions. We can see paper cutting works     1     walls, windows, doors, mirrors and so on. It is popular because it is cheap and easy     2     (make). Paper cutting works are usually made of red paper. Red is the most popular color in Chinese culture.     3     we need is simply a piece of paper and a knife or a pair of scissors.     4     to be good at this art is not easy at all because it needs much practice and imagination.

7 . The Science of Comfort Food

Certain foods always give us much pleasure.     1     However, much of the happiness we get from our favorite foods comes from the memories they bring to us and the people we’re with while we enjoy them.

    2     That’s why our brains reward us for eating anything at all by releasing a chemical that enhances mood. But as anyone who’s ever eaten apple pie knows, sweets can make us feel especially nice. One study found that people who are especially sensitive to sweetness have stronger brain-reward responses to sugary foods than less sweet-sensitive people do.

Some foods are especially emotionally satisfying for reasons that have little to do with their taste or nutritional content, though.     3     And many favorite American comfort foods—chili, say—are not particularly sweet or high in carbohydrates (碳水化合物). Often we love food because we have fond memories associated with it. One dish I cannot live without at a New Year party is my mom’s Snowy Mashed Potatoes, which remind me of holiday joy and past reunions with extended family.

    4     Sometimes you might feel sad when you eat foods that remind you of loved ones you miss. We may also avoid foods that we associate with bad experiences. I haven’t eaten cottage cheese since I was 8 years old, because it was the last thing I ate before rolling off the bed with a terrible stomachache.

In addition to past memories, the context in which we eat foods matters, too.     5     And our gustatory (味觉的) experiences can be heightened by “a sense of community, a sense of warmth and enjoying it together”. I appreciate my mum’s potatoes even more today when I eat them with my husband and two children.

A．Food is essential for our survival.

B．These associations can go the other way, too.

C．We desire comfort foods when we feel lonely.

D．It shapes how much we enjoy them in the moment.

E．Their taste and nutritional content affect how we feel.

F．Our memory for smell can be long-lasting and precise.

G．After all, different cultures have different comfort foods.

8 . Connected to each other like never before, young people today are becoming agents of change, increasingly contributing to innovative solutions that improve people’s lives and the planet’s health.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research is therefore delighted to launch the Young Leaders Online Training Programme, a four-week e-Learning course, to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to fully unfold their potential as global leaders.

◆CONTENT
◇Online Learning Modules

Module 1: The United Nations (3-9 June 2024)

Module 2: Conference Diplomacy (外交) (10-16 June 2024)

Module 3: Sustainable Development Goals   (17-23 June 2024)

Module 4: International Communication   (24-30 June 2024)

Each module will comprise about 30 pages of literature, external links, videos, and other relevant material, corresponding to a total workload of 40-45 hours during the four weeks.

◇Live Components

Each e-Learning module will go with a series of live meetings with UN experts. These will have varying lengths and formats, including e-workshops, mock (模拟的) interviews, etc.

◆COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Participants are qualified for a course certificate upon successful completion of the components below:

◇Reading the four modules’ content. You may wish to study the material through the interactive programme Articulate Storyline or simply download the PDF version of the content. They are identical in content and are meant to give participants flexibility in the way to study.

◇Participation in the discussion board forums (论坛). You are supposed to answer questions on every module in short texts. Your posts will be evaluated according to both quantity and quality.

◇Passing the multiple-choice assessments. Each module features an assessment quiz at its end. It contains 10 questions, and passing the module requires at least 8 out of 10 questions correctly answered.

1. What is the main aim of the course?

A．To improve the lives of young people.	B．To connect the youth around the world.
C．To collect innovative ideas from young people.	D．To build up the youth’s global leadership ability.

2. What will participants do in each module?

A．Read great works of literature.	B．Spend 40-45 hours on learning.
C．Make videos for the United Nations.	D．Have online meetings with UN experts.

3. To get a course certificate, a participant needs to ______.

A．take part in the discussions	B．post questions on each module
C．copy the PDF version of the content	D．answer all the test questions correctly

9 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个恰当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

A study shows 176 bird species have been found to build nests with human litter, such as plastic bags and fishing nets.     1     worries the scientists is that such materials can harm chicks and even adult birds. The study     2     (review) research covering almost 35,000 nests and finds that birds use human-made materials in nests on all continents except Antarctica. While such behaviour     3     (observe) as early as in the 1830s, in recent years it has undoubtedly increased.

10 .

If you have ever seen a snowflake design on jewelry or a bag, chances are it was based on one of Wilson Bentley’s more than 5,000 photomicrographs of snow crystals (晶体).

At first, though, Bentley did not have any way to share his enjoyment of the delicate hexagons (六边形) other than to draw them. He spent hours outside or inside his unheated storeroom with a microscope. He would pick up a snow crystal and transfer it to a microscope slide. There, he flattened it with a bird feather. Then, holding his breath, he observed the crystal and hurried to draw what he saw before it turned forever into thin air.

A few years later, Bentley began his pursuit to photograph a snow crystal. He attached a microscope to a camera. Time after time, his negatives appeared blank. The following winter, he finally figured out that too much light was reaching the camera. His solution was to place a metal plate with a tiny hole in the center beneath the stage of the microscope. It cut down the stray (杂散的) light and allowed only the light waves carrying the image to reach the camera.

On January 15, 1885, at the age of 19, Bentley finally photographed a snowflake! He spent many hours over the next 45 years in his tiny darkroom developing negatives.

Bentley lived his entire life on his childhood farm. He farmed for a living. To his friends and family, he was kind, gentle, and funny “Willie”. But to scientists, he was the untrained researcher who became a snow crystal pioneer. He wrote for science journals. He not only photographed snow crystals but also became an authority on dew (露水) and frost. He kept a detailed daily log of local weather conditions throughout his life. He developed a method to measure the size of raindrops too.

Bentley never made more than a few thousand dollars from his work. It had been a labor of love, and he was satisfied to be able to share the beauty of his snow crystals with the world. And today, he is remembered as Snowflake Bentley.

1. Why did Bentley draw the snow crystals?

A．To design products.	B．To become an artist.
C．To share his pleasure.	D．To research the weather.

2. To photograph a snow crystal, Bentley _______.

A．improved the microscope	B．changed the negatives
C．turned down the light	D．invented a camera

3. What do we know about Bentley?

A．He lived a successful but boring life.	B．He was laughed at for lack of training.
C．He earned a lot of money from his photos.	D．He was not only an artist but also a scientist.

4. What can we learn from this passage?

A．Practice makes perfect.	B．Intelligence is the key to success.
C．Love and devotion makes a person.	D．Chances are for those who are prepared.