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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| A．Adaptabe ability. | B．Computing speed. |
| C．Communicative skills. | D．Data-processing power. |
2 . How is eating in space different from eating on Earth?
If you send astronauts into space, you have to send along food as well. But what do astronauts eat, and how do they eat it? Scientists take several factors into consideration as they plan meals for space.
First, and possibly most important, is nutrition (营养).
The lack of gravity in a spacecraft also determines what foods can or cannot be eaten in space. Meals must be packaged carefully so they won’t spill (洒落/溢出) into the cabin (one of the areas inside a spacecraft). Water or tiny bits of food could get inside a machine or electronic device and damage it.
Despite all these requirements, much of the food eaten in space is actually similar to what you might eat on any given day.
| A．Believe it or not, they also have fresh fruits and vegetables. |
| B．Keeping astronauts’ physical health is a top task for any space mission. |
| C．Food packaging is made to be as light as possible. |
| D．Taste is also important. |
| E．For the same reason, sharp knives and folks are never used on board. |
| F．Nutrition and practicality(实用) are important things to consider. |
| G．Finally, weight is an important concern. |
3 . ChatGPT, designed by OpenAI to carry on conversations just like humans, has become a viral excitement. The AI-powered tool went from zero to a million users in just five days! Its ability to provide in-depth answers to user questions has even drawn the attention of distinguished technology companies.
The intelligent robot understands what the user says or types and then answers in a way that makes sense. Its vast body of knowledge has been gathered from the internet and archived (归档) books. It is further trained by humans. “We have a lot of information on the internet, but you normally have to Google it, then read it and then do something with it,” says Ricardo, chief science officer and co-founder of AI company Erudit. “Now you’ll have this resource that can process (处理，加工) the whole internet and all of the information it contains for you to answer your question.” This makes ChatGPT a useful tool for researching almost any topic.
ChatGPT cannot think on its own. It depends on the information that it has been trained on. As a result, the Al tool works well for things that have accurate data available. However, when unsure, ChatGPT can get creative and flow out incorrect responses. OpenAI cautions (提醒) users to check the information no matter how logical it sounds. Also, ChatGPT has only been trained with information till 2021. Hence, it cannot be relied upon for anything that happened after that.
Experts believe ChatGPT has limitless potential to solve real-world problems. It can translate long texts into different languages, create content on almost any topic, and even summarize books.
However, ChatGPT has received mixed reactions from educators. Some believe it could serve as a valuable tool to help build literacy skills in the classroom. It could also be used to teach students difficult science or math concepts. But other educators think ChatGPT will encourage students to cheat. They fear this will prevent them from building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As a result, many districts are starting to ban its use in schools.
1. What is the unique feature of ChatGPT?| A．It has artificial intelligence. |
| B．It can answer users’ questions. |
| C．It has the largest number of users. |
| D．It can make meaningful conversations. |
| A．Its capability of information processing. |
| B．Its accurate information. |
| C．Its availability of up-to-date data. |
| D．Its vast body of questions. |
| A．ChatGPT is unable to think itself. |
| B．ChatGPT lacks creativity. |
| C．ChatGPT offers illogical information. |
| D．ChatGPT is not properly trained. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Disapproving. | C．Objective. | D．Doubtful. |
Mars is
Many scientists believe that studying Mars can help us find answers
5 . 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. |
| 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 |
| A．opposed | B．sympathetic | C．neutral | D．favorable |
6 . 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
7 . When the Apollo astronauts landed on the Moon in 1969, millions of people were rather sad. The person
As a space artist, Bonestell tried to make his drawings look exciting and as true as the Moon is. He worked closely with
Even though Bonestell was interested in astronomy, he did not
In 1944, a popular magazine published a series of Bonestell’s paintings of the planet Saturn (土星). He drew Saturn as if it were seen by someone standing on each of the planet’s moons. The effects were
Many of Bonestell’s artworks had been right all along.
But he shouldn’t have felt bad. No space artist had ever before taken so many people to so many faraway worlds. In the years just before the first manned space flights, Bonestell’s artworks prepared people for the amazing space adventure
| A．to apply | B．to seek | C．to blame | D．to agree |
| A．beautifully | B．dreadfully | C．falsely | D．completely |
| A．because | B．since | C．when | D．provided |
| A．architects | B．astronauts | C．analysts | D．astronomers |
| A．would see | B．had seen | C．was seeing | D．have seen |
| A．profiles | B．photographs | C．posters | D．patents |
| A．take on | B．take in | C．take up | D．take off |
| A．drawing | B．outlining | C．photographing | D．designing |
| A．where | B．which | C．that | D．why |
| A．magazines | B．movies | C．advertisements | D．media |
| A．impressive | B．disappointing | C．scary | D．ambiguous |
| A．in | B．of | C．at | D．on |
| A．Still | B．And | C．But | D．Even |
| A．right | B．wrong | C．thrilled | D．successful |
| A．coming | B．to come | C．came | D．would come |
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup (基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization(文明) has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions(物质财产). Knowledge or techniques have been gained through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive(适应的) ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
1. Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?
| A．To express his doubts. |
| B．To compare different ideas. |
| C．To introduce points for discussion. |
| D．To describe the conditions on Earth. |
| A．Humans are nature-born to do so. |
| B．Humans have the tendency to fight. |
| C．Humans may find new sources of food. |
| D．Humans don't like to stay in the same place. |
| A．survival chances | B．potential resources |
| C．unexpected benefits | D．physical possessions |
| A．Our genetic makeup. | B．Resources on the earth. |
| C．The adaptive ability of humans. | D．By-products in space exploration. |
| A．Space exploration has created many wonders. |
| B．Space exploration provided the best value for money. |
| C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology. |
| D．The Exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth. |
9 . Tayka Hotel De Sal
Where: Tahua, Bolivia
How much: About $95 a night
Why it’s cool: You’ve stayed at hotels made of brick or wood, but salt? That’s something few can claim. Tayka Hotel de Sal is made totally of salt—including the beds (though you’ll sleep on regular mattresses(床垫) and blankets). The hotel sits on the Salar de Uyuni, a prehistoric dried-up lake that’s the world’s biggest salt flat. Builders use the salt from the 4,633-square-mile flat to make the bricks, and glue them together with a paste of wet salt that hardens when it dries. When rain starts to dissolve the hotel, the owners just mix up more salt paste to strengthen the bricks.
Green Magic Nature Resort
Where: Vythiri, India
How much: About $240 a night
Why it’s cool: Ridding a pulley(滑轮)-operated lift 86 feet to your treetop room is just the start of your adventure. As you look out of your open window—there is no glass!—you watch monkeys and birds in the rain forest canopy. Later you might test your fear of heights by crossing the handmade rope bridge to the main part of the hotel, or just sit on your bamboo bed and read. You don’t even have to come down for breakfast—the hotel will send it up on the pulley-drawn “elevator”.
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B
Where: Cottonwood, Idaho
How much: $92 a night
Why it’s cool: This doghouse isn’t just for the family pet. Sweet Willy is a 30-foot-tall dog with guest rooms in his belly. Climb the wooden stairs beside his hind leg to enter the door in his side. You can relax in the main bedroom, go up a few steps of the loft(阁楼）in Willy’s head, or hang out inside his nose. Although you have a full private bathroom in your quarters, there is also a toilet in the 12-foot-tall fire hydrant (消防栓）outside.
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Where: Ayvali, Turkey
How much: Between $130 and $475 a night
Why it’s cool: This is caveman cool! Experience what it was like 5,000 years ago, when people lived in these mountain caves formed by volcanic ash. But your stay will be much more modern. Bathrooms and electricity provide what you expect from a modern hotel, and the white volcanic ash, called tufa, keeps the rooms cool, about 65℉in summer. (Don’t worry—there is heat in winter.)
1. What do we know about Tayka Hotel de Sal?| A．It is located on a prehistoric lake. |
| B．It should be protected against the rain. |
| C．Everything in the hotel is made of salt. |
| D．You have to cross a rope bridge to the hotel. |
| A．Being expensive. | B．Being comfortable. |
| C．Being natural. | D．Being unique. |
| A．The name of the hotel. |
| B．The name of the hotel owner. |
| C．The building of Dog Bark Park Inn B&B. |
| D．The name of a pet dog of the hotel owner. |
| A．Tayka Hotel De Sal | B．Green Magic Nature Resort |
| C．Dog Bark Park Inn B&B | D．Gamirasu Cave Hotel |
| A．To show his wide knowledge |
| B．To introduce some interesting hotels |
| C．To develop business in tourism |
| D．To attract attention from the readers |
