1 . Playing Minecraft, a video game, could be key to creating adaptable (可调试的) artificial intelligence models that can pick up a variety of tasks the way humans do.

Steven James at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and his colleagues developed a test within Minecraft to measure the general intelligence of AI models. This MinePlanner test rates an AI’s ability to ignore unimportant details while solving a complex multi-step problem.

Lots of AI training “cheats” by giving a model all the data it needs to learn how to do a job and nothing related to it, says James. Future AI models will need to deal with confusing problems, and he hopes that MinePlanner will guide that research. AI working to solve a problem in the game will see everything involved, including objects and other details that aren’t necessarily needed to solve a problem and must be ignored. It will have to survey its surroundings and work out by itself what is and isn’t needed.

The virtual test consists of 15 construction problems, and each one can be easy, medium and hard. To finish each task, the AI may need to take some steps in between, like building stairs to reach a certain height. This means the AI has to think about the whole picture and plan what to do next.

State-of-the-art planning AI models were unable to complete any of the tough problems and they only do a little better on the easier ones, suggesting there is room for improvement.

“We can’t require a human designer to come in and tell the AI exactly what it should and shouldn’t care about for each and every task it might have to solve,” says James. “That’s the problem we’re trying to address.”

1. Why is playing Minecraft important for creating adaptable AI models?

A．Because it offers tasks that require human-like ability.

B．Because it provides different situations for AI training.

C．Because it is an easy game for AI to learn and master.

D．Because it is a video game popular among AI scientists.

2. What does James mean by saying that “AI training cheats”?

A．AI models are trained in a dishonest way.

B．AI models are only taught to perform simple tasks.

C．AI models are offered all the necessary data for a task.

D．AI models are given wrong information during training.

3. How did the state-of-the-art planning AI model perform in the test?

A．It solved all the 15 construction problems.

B．It performed poorly in handling hard tasks.

C．It was completely unable to deal with any task.

D．It performed excellently in solving easy problems.

4. What does James think AI models need improving?

A．Adaptabe ability.	B．Computing speed.
C．Communicative skills.	D．Data-processing power.

4 . The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational technology (EdTech) has brought incomparable convenience and efficiency to classrooms worldwide. However, despite these advancements, it is crucial to recognize the challenges these AI-driven tools pose to the autonomy and professional judgment of instructors.

One of its primary concerns is the depersonalization of instruction. These tools often rely on pre-packaged digital content and standardized solutions, leaving insufficient room for instructors to tailor their teaching methods. Each student possesses unique characteristics. Instructors, armed with their wealth of experience and knowledge, are best positioned to tailor their approaches to these individual needs. However, AI-driven tools restrict their ability to do so effectively, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to inspire students to reach their maximum potential.

EdTech companies offer step-by-step solutions to textbook problems. These are intended to act as study aids. However, some students employ this feature as a means to merely copy solutions without comprehending concepts. Consequently, instances of cheating on assignments and exams become widespread. While these tools may offer convenience, students may use external resources or cooperate with others during quizzes, affecting the honesty of their learning outcomes.

The implications of this depersonalization and the increase in academic dishonesty are far-reaching. By decreasing the role of instructors as facilitators of meaningful educational interactions, we run the risk of preventing the growth of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. Education should not only focus on knowledge acquisition, but should also develop the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply that knowledge in real-world contexts. It should help one’s mind grow, not simply memorize information. Through dynamic classroom discussions, cooperative projects, and hands-on activities, instructors play a crucial role in developing these essential skills.

While AI-driven EdTech tools undeniably have their virtues, we must not lose sight of the importance of preserving instructor autonomy and educational experience. Instead of relying only on pre-packaged content and standardized solutions, these tools should be designed to empower instructors to adapt and customize their approaches while taking full advantage of the benefits of technology.

1. What do the underlined words “the depersonalization of instruction” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Tailored methods for individuals.	B．Instructors’ dependence on Al.
C．Insufficient resources of Al-driven tools.	D．The one-size-fits-all approach.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．A possible solution.

B．A further problem.

C．A well-meant intention.

D．A suggested application

3. In what aspect do students suffer most with AI-driven EdTech education?

A．Thinking skills.	B．Teamwork building.
C．Interest development.	D．Knowledge acquisition.

4. What is conveyed about Al-driven EdTech tools in the last paragraph?

A．They should be used widely.

B．Their benefits deserve our attention.

C．Their resources need enriching.

D．They should support instructor autonomy.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Mars is     1    (true) a fascinating planet for those of us here on Earth. As our nearest planetary neighbour, it is one of the few planets that we can see with our naked eye. Mars is the     2    (four) planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the solar system, about half of     3     size of Earth. Often it     4    (refer) to as the “Red Planet” because of its red surface. The Red Planet has the largest volcano in the solar system-Olympus Mons,     5     is roughly 27 kilometres high.

Many scientists believe that studying Mars can help us find answers     6     some key questions about our planet Earth, or even the universe. Since 1960, a large number of countries     7    (attempt) Mars missions. Although they have lost many spacecraft in their quest to explore the Red Planet, they will still continue their     8    (explore). Chinese experts are confident about their plan to explore Mars, despite so many challenges. “    9    (launch) the first Mars probe from Wenchang around 2020 is our first step. China will continue exploring strange new worlds     10    (find) out the secrets of the universe.”

7 . 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。

Humans have always had a natural     1    (curious) about space and a desire to explore it. Scientist made great efforts to help realize their dream in the hope     2     finding out more about the universe.

The Sputnik I satellite     3     (launch) by the USSR successfully orbited around Earth, and Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world     4     (go) into space. Although more goals were achieved and scientists worked hard to make sure nothing goes wrong, accidents still happened. A lot of equipment     5     (destroy) and many astronauts died. However,     6     desire to explore the universe never died, and     7    (determine) astronauts carried on their mission to explore space.

China became the third country in the world to     8    (independence) send humans into space. The launch of the Tiangong 2 space lab     9     (signal) one step further in China’s plan to establish a space starion,     10     astronauts can carry out various missions.

All in all, the future of space exploration remains bright.

9 . Getting sick is an invariable (永恒的) part of people’s lives. But their attitudes toward being sick and hospital visits vary from country to country. This difference hasn’t been more pronounced since the start of the novel coronavirus (COVID - 19) epidemic - when a great number of people are falling ill all at the same time.

The conditions in the US are getting worse quickly, which is largely due to the fact that there’s no universal healthcare system. According to the 2019 US Census, 28 million people are not covered or do not have adequate health insurance, meaning that they would probably avoid getting tested for the virus, for fear of the cost of being hospitalized.

“There is a strong financial incentive (动机) to conceal (隐瞒) symptoms, to try to keep working and caring for children, and by consequence, they’re spreading the virus... simply because they have no other choice,” wrote reporter James Hamblin on The Atlantic.

Germany, on the contrary, has one of the world’s best - developed and most expensive public healthcare systems that covers every citizen. People in Germany - who have “high levels of job security”, according to the Los Angeles Times - are also more likely to follow the quarantine measures and stay at home without having to worry about losing their jobs. Both explain why the country seems to be weathering (经受) the pandemic better than its European peers.

“The conditions to deal with the virus in Germany are among the best in the world,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Japan also has universal public healthcare, but it brings another kind of problem: People tend to seek more medical care than necessary. According to Yusuke Tsugawa, a physician at Harvard University, Japan has three times more outpatient visits than in the US, and patients also stay in hospital for three times longer than in the US. This often wastes medical resources, which are even more critical and precious during a global pandemic.

“It isn’t good to do tests just to ease public anxiety,” Kentaro Iwata, an infectious disease expert at Kobe University, Japan, told Reuters. “If they test everyone with light symptoms, the medical system will puncture (破损).”

Indeed, a country’s healthcare system is the key to keeping its people safe—it’s also the key to whether a country can survive a crisis like the novel coronavirus pandemic.

1. For many people in the US, what might happen if they get infected by the novel coronavirus?

A．They will lose their job right away.

B．They will have to pay for treatment on their own.

C．They will be forced to go through a series of tests.

D．They will find it hard to get hospital care due to their insurance policy.

2. Why does Germany perform well on dealing with the virus?

A．Germany has taken the strictest quarantine measures.

B．There is a growing concern over unemployment due to the pandemic.

C．Germany’s good healthcare system makes it easier to fight against the COVID—19.

D．It has the highest job security that people can stay at home without worrying

3. The tone of Kentaro Iwata may be ________.

A．opposed

B．sympathetic

C．neutral

D．favorable

10 . According to Dr. Shaison P. Ouseph, there are three main types of artificial intelligence: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). ANI is the only type of artificial intelligence we have successfully realized to date.

The idea of the world being controlled by self-thinking robots who want to destroy humanity is still much in science fiction, more than science fact. Some experts think that AGI and ASI are now still out of our reach, so we don’t need to worry too much about that specific situation.

However, that is not to say that AI won’t ever seriously threaten our world and society if used incorrectly. AI could easily be programmed to do something damaging. On the other hand, AI is already taking over the world in the fields of medicine and manufacturing. Many of these could change technology and industry to benefit our lives if implemented (实施) responsibly. But as we use these new systems, we must stay ahead in terms of regulating new technologies where there is potential to do harm.

For now, the greatest concern we face with regard to ANI technologies, is the situation of efficient automation causing many human jobs to become no longer needed. So we need to start thinking seriously now about how young people are going to live with these technologies.

The world is going to move forward in one direction or another. ANI is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and it’s the youth of today who are going to define the use of these technologies. Yet, there is relatively little research and information about how AI will influence young people and their transition into a world where life is changing. “This is what my team will focus on,” said Dr. Shaison.

As new systems progress we need to safeguard what is fundamentally important to human life, and make sure that our youth will continue to have autonomy (自主权) regarding their well- being and have more opportunities for success than previous generations.

1. What does the author think of robots taking over the world?

A．It is a branch of ANI.	B．It is rooted in science fact.
C．It is just impossible at present.	D．It should cause people great concern.

2. What does the author want to tell us in paragraph 3?

A．AI can be easily programmed and used.

B．AI development needs more creative design.

C．We should be cautious about the influence of AI.

D．We should be confident and trust AI in many fields.

3. What should people be most concerned about regarding ANI?

A．The efficiency of AI machines.	B．The loss of jobs in the market.
C．The direction of AI technologies.	D．The guarantee of human well-being.

4. What will Dr Shaison’s research focus on in the future?

A．Necessity of AI to human life.

B．Youths’ adaptation to future AI.

C．Opportunities for the young generation.

D．Humanity problems caused by AI technologies.