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 . I was shocked when my socially awkward sister, who had suffered from Asperger Syndrome (阿斯伯格综合症), decided to sing in front of our school. I knew she would _______ me in some way, so I disagreed. However, my parents insisted that she _______ and I would have to be part of the audience. I silently hoped that something would happen to save me from watching her _______ face.

As I waited in the hall, sweat (汗水) _______ my face. I comforted myself that no one knew she was my sister and tried to persuade (说服) myself that it would be _______. The lights darkened and the _______ opened to reveal (使露面) my sister standing alone on stage. She seemed _______ , taking a minute to stammer (结结巴巴地说) her name and class. _______ began to be heard in the audience. I shifted nervously in my seat, afraid what was about to happen. But as my sister started to sing, I was _______. Her voice flowed effortlessly and melodiously (悦耳地), filling the hall with its ________. I watched in wonder, realizing I had never known she could sing so ________. I listened carefully to the lyric(歌词) she had written herself, feeling ashamed for doubting her ________. My heart gave way as I heard the heartfelt words.

In that moment, guilt and shame flooded my heart. ________ my unwillingness to support her, she had never taken anything that I had done to her to heart. It was then that I determined to love her ________. It was as if a veil (面纱) had been lifted (移开) from my ________, and my heart was full.

1.

A．embarrass

B．impress

C．surprise

D．support

2.

A．hide

B．stop

C．escape

D．perform

3.

A．washing

B．losing

C．decorating

D．winning

4.

A．picked up

B．climbed upon

C．took off

D．went up

5.

A．impressive

B．exciting

C．fine

D．challenging

6.

A．windows

B．lectures

C．curtains

D．doors

7.

A．confident

B．nervous

C．prepared

D．relaxed

8.

A．Cries

B．Shouts

C．Whispers

D．Screams

9.

A．moved

B．disappointed

C．relieved

D．shocked

10.

A．power

B．weakness

C．silence

D．darkness

11.

A．softly

B．loudly

C．quietly

D．beautifully

12.

A．abilities

B．failures

C．honours

D．weaknesses

13.

A．Without

B．Despite

C．Beyond

D．Within

14.

A．extremely

B．bravely

C．unconditionally

D．finally

15.

A．eyes

B．head

C．arms

D．legs

3 . 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.

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Richfield Museum of Fine Art is presenting a new exhibition, aiming     1     (display) the artistic genius of ancient China.

The highlight of the exhibition     2     (be) the painting Clearing After Snow on a Mountain Pass, one of the great works of Tang Yin. Born during the Ming Dynasty, Tang gained     3     (recognize) as one of the greatest artists China has ever known. This painting, showing high mountains, trees, and houses covered in snow, was made     4     extraordinary skill. Though over 500 years old, it looks as fresh and full of life as     5     day it was created.

Also, there are many fine     6     (example) of Tang Dynasty sculptures and most of them are of Buddhist origin. As Buddhism entered China and expanded, trade along the Silk Road boomed. Chinese sculpture thus found itself     7     (high) influenced by Buddhist art brought from India and Central Asia through the Silk Road. Initially these works of exceptional beauty and quality     8     (intend) to spread Buddhism.     9     (look) at the faces of the figures in these sculptures, one sees the faces of the past. History is brought to life.

This is just a small taste of     10     is in store in the exhibition, which will transport us across time and space with its amazing collection of works.

7 . In our class there are 50 students, ________________________ (其中一半人戴眼镜) . （定语从句）(根据汉语提示完成句子)

8 . The teacher didn’t know the reason____________ she was late for school. (用适当的词填空)

10 . Those who saw Han Gan’s horse paintings all ________ his unique skill, saying that his horses “could gallop off the paper”.

A．sang high praises for	B．got a load of
C．kept records of	D．reached out to