1 . On February 15, 2024, OpenAI, the maker of Chat GPT, released a new AI tool that can make instant short videos from written commands.
The new text-to-video generator, Sora, isn’t the first of its kind. Google, Meta and Runway ML are among the other companies to have demonstrated similar technology. But industry analysts are deeply impressed by the quality and length of the videos shared so far. Fred Havemeyer, head of AI and software research at Macquarie, said that Sora’s launch marks a big step forward for both OpenAI and the future of text-to-video generation technology.
“Sora’s videos not only run up to 60 seconds in length, but also look so natural that it seems to actually respect physics and the real world,” Havemeyer said. “The length and consistency of the videos represent new opportunities for creatives to generate videos from one or a few written commands.”
Although Sora’s abilities have amazed observers since its launch, anxiety over potential problems of AI-generated video uses also remains.
“Having a potentially magical way to generate videos that look and sound realistic may present a number of issues for the society,” Havemeyer added. “It’s a serious issue that every business and every person needs to face.”
However, tech companies are still calling the shots when it comes to controlling AI and its risks as governments around the world are still struggling to catch up. Last year, the European Union reached a deal on the world’s first comprehensive AI rules, but the act won’t take effect until two years after final approval.
OpenAI promised to take important safety steps before making Sora widely available. “We are working with experts in areas like misinformation, hateful content, and bias,” OpenAI’s Vice President of Global Affairs Anna Makanju said at a conference. “We’re also building tools to help detect misleading content such as a detection classifier that can tell when a video was generated by Sora.”
While Sora can create complex, incredibly detailed scenes, OpenAI admits that there are still some weaknesses. For example, a person might take a bite out of a cookie, but afterward, the cookie may not have a bite mark.
1. What did Fred Havemeyer say about Sora?A.It is more creative than artists. | B.It can make high-quality videos. |
C.It is based on an existing technology. | D.It can work without human intervention. |
A.in charge | B.at a loss | C.out of reach | D.under investigation |
A.OpenAI will help governments to regulate AI. | B.Sora will be available to the public very soon. |
C.OpenAI is sharply aware of Sora’s weaknesses. | D.Sora is smart enough to detect harmful content. |
A.The task itself is too difficult. | B.It is unnecessary to focus on details. |
C.Sora can be easily cheated by humans. | D.Sora cannot understand the real world very well. |
2 . You may feel like a master multitask er as you drink your morning coffee, catch up on email and tune into a conference call. But did you know for most people, in most situations, multitasking makes us less efficient and more likely to make a mistake.
This might not be as apparent when we’re doing simple and routine tasks, like listening to music while walking, or folding laundry while watching TV. But when the stakes are higher and the tasks are more complex, trying to multitask can negatively impact our lives — or even be dangerous.
So-called multitasking divides our attention. It makes it harder for us to give our full attention to one thing. For example, attempting to complete additional tasks during a driving simulation led to poorer driving performance. It can also affect our ability to learn, because in order to learn, we need to be able to focus. Dr. Kubu, a neuropsychologist, says, “If we’re constantly attempting to multitask, we don’t practice tuning out the rest of the word to engage in deeper processing and learning.” Another pitfall (缺陷) is that trying to do too much at once makes it harder to be mindful and truly present in the moment — and mindfulness comes with a plethora (过量) of benefits for our minds and our bodies. In fact, many therapies based on mindfulness can even help patients suffering from depression, anxiety and other conditions.
Choosing to focus on one task at a time can benefit many aspects of our life. Take surgeons for example. “People assume a surgeon’s skill is primarily in the precision and steadiness of their hands. While there’s some truth to that, the true gift of a surgeon is the ability to single-mindedly focus on one person and complete a series of task over the course of many hours.” Dr. Kubu explains. But surgeons aren’t necessarily born with this ability to monotask. Rather, they develop and perfect it through hours of practice. It is true that we perform best one thing at a time. Why not give it a try?
1. Multitasking will make negative influences when tasks are ________.A.clear and apparent | B.routine and regular |
C.simple and relaxing | D.risky and complicated |
A.By listing data. | B.By stating reasons. |
C.By giving definitions. | D.By making comparisons. |
A.Single-task. | B.Multitask. | C.Efficiency. | D.Task-switching. |
A.Why multitasking doesn’t work. | B.How to improve daily performance. |
C.Which career less needs multitasking. | D.What positive effects multitasking has. |
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改10处,多者(从第11处起)不计分。
One evening, a bus with 45 people had a accident because of the icy road and all of the passenger were trapped in the bus. Unfortunately, the bus ran out gas and the door was locked down. It was becoming more colder and colder in the bus. The driver could do nothing and wait for help.
A man who lived nearby realized that had happened. He managed to open the door and helped all of the people out of the bus. He takes them to his home and offered them food, water and found warm clothes for the frightening children. They spent six hours in his home until officially help came and they was very grateful for his help.
4 . A survey of 2,000 parents of primary and secondary school children found 34 percent were out of their depth with primary school homework and unable to help their child.
Trigonometry (三角学) provided the biggest headache, with 52 percent of parents unable to help, followed by algebra (代数), which left 46 percent confused. 39 percent of parents could not calculate Pi (π) and 35 percent did not understand the periodic table. Foreign languages stumped many, with 31 percent unable to ask for directions in French. The English language also proved a struggle, with 21 percent no longer knowing the difference between a noun, verb and adjective.
As for history, 19 percent said they did not know the beginning and end dates of the world wars. On average, parents spent four hours a week attempting to tutor (辅导) their children, according to the survey by MyTutor, a company that links families with private tutors. About 73 percent ended up arguing with their children over homework and 87 percent believed schoolwork had become more challenging than the work they completed when they were at school.
Families turned to schools for extra help, with 19 percent of parents saying they had requested this from their child’s school. Thirty-nine percent said not enough support was provided. Florence Milner, a manager at MyTutor, said, “Even though most parents devote a significant amount of time weekly to helping their children with schoolwork, it’s not surprising that many find the task challenging.” Schools can use the National Tutoring Programme to support pupils they believe are most in need, but government funding has dropped this academic year from 60 to 50 percent of the cost.
Some studies have suggested that homework has little impact on a child’s progress at primary school, but helps at secondary school. The Education Endowment Foundation, which provides evidence to help improve teaching, said homework has a positive impact, particularly at secondary level, but warned that some pupils may not have a quiet space for home learning.
1. What does the underlined word “stumped” in paragraph 2 probably mean?A.Assisted. | B.Amused. | C.Inspired. | D.Confused. |
A.They resist too much homework. |
B.They doubt their children’s ability. |
C.They may have an unpleasant experience when tutoring. |
D.They did study hard when they were young. |
A.Primary schools should assign more homework. |
B.Middle school students should have proper homework. |
C.Parents should provide more tutoring for their kids at home. |
D.Pupils should improve academic performance by doing more homework. |
A.quoting experts | B.making comparisons |
C.listing figures | D.analyzing reason and effect |
5 . In an era dominated by texting and messaging apps, phone calls seem to become a relic (遗物) of the past among younger generations, Gen Z in particular. A recent survey shows that a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds refuse to pick up the phone, and over half ignore calls from their parents. Why do we find phone calls so awkward, and is avoiding them damaging our relationships?
The avoidance of phone calls isn’t just a preference; it’s a display of anxiety. Phone conversations can be awkward due to the lack of non-verbal clues. In face-to-face interactions, we rely heavily on gestures, facial expressions, and body language to interpret messages, which are absent in phone conversations. This can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of disconnect. Additionally, the pressure to respond immediately without enough time to think, as afforded by messaging apps, can increase the anxiety associated with phone calls.
Despite the discomfort they may cause, phone conversations are an important skill. In the professional world, the ability to communicate effectively over the phone remains a critical skill. As I emphasize in my teachings and workshops, clear, confident, and real-life communication can significantly impact personal and professional success. Therefore, it’s crucial for younger generations, including Gen Z, to learn how to communicate well with others over the phone, not just for professional success but also for developing personal relationships.
Relying merely on messaging apps can have harmful effects on Gen Z’s well-being and relationships. The survey indicates a growing discomfort with direct voice communication can lead to a lack of deeper, empathetic (共情的) connections. This can potentially impact their ability to form meaningful relationships and deal with situations where direct communication like phone calls is momentous.
Moreover, as I advocate in my approach to public speaking, including emotional elements into communication enhances memorability (值得记忆) and impact. Phone conversations, with their immediate and personal nature, can develop a deeper emotional connect ion than text-based communication.
1. What can we know from paragraph 2?A.Why people are making fewer phone calls. |
B.How young men respond to phone calls. |
C.What impact can phone calls have. |
D.How much further phone calls go. |
A.Future success is mainly based on phone talks. |
B.It's vital to acquire the art of phone conversation. |
C.Learning how to communicate is the focus. |
D.Much remains to be done for better personal skills. |
A.Obvious. | B.Important. | C.Missing. | D.Temporary. |
A.An interview. | B.A book review. | C.A lecture. | D.A diary entry. |
6 . Individuals vary in how they react to anxiety. Some bury their heads in the sand and ignore the mounting sense of anxiety that seems to occupy the society. Others are in a watchful state and can’t get enough of the up-to-the-minute news and social media feeds.
Martin Buber once stated that we related to three things around us: nature, our fellow men, and how you view the world. When we are in a burdened (忧虑的) state, we tend to take no notice of any of these. When we become unburdened from our depressed selves, we are able to discover the delights and wonders around and experience a deep sense of gratitude.
At a time when news reports are merely a click away, people’s anxiety becomes even intenser. Because of 24/7 media, the international and the interpersonal have integrated in a way that we have never seen before. It seems that we’ve lost the capacity to maintain our inner peace—and that’s not just a matter of having opposing views about issues. It’s a matter of not having the patience to involve in delightful communication and to hear each other. Transforming the situation can't be achieved overnight. It’s not accidental, which must be approached with strength. It comes from the efforts to attain understanding and calm.
Our age of anxiety presents us with challenges. But out of adversity comes opportunity. Never can we maintain calm and experience gratitude at a time when we are burdened, worried, and anxious. Like anything else, relaxation and calm take a bit of work. Attempt to limit your exposure to updates on the news and take a couple of moments to count your blessings—including the people in your life and the fortune from which you’ve benefited. As you may be aware, it is taking things for granted that robs you of the fruits of your labor. Praying for goodness and planting seeds of gratitude may be our only way out.
1. What might happen to a relaxed person?A.Spotting the beauty in the surroundings. | B.Paying no attention to the state of mind. |
C.Getting on well with nature and fellows. | D.Grasping the latest news items with care. |
A.The lack of peaceful talks. | B.The information overload. |
C.The widespread false news. | D.The opposing views online. |
A.Methods to overcome challenges and barriers. |
B.Steps to robbing people of their fruits of labor. |
C.Tips on limiting the exposure to news updates. |
D.Ways to ease anxiety and appreciate blessings. |
A.Take Nothing Online for Granted |
B.Watch Out for the Traps of Media |
C.Be Grateful in an Age of Anxiety |
D.Count Blessings Instead of Worries |
7 . The impact of technology on language is a topic that often causes concern, with many assuming that it is simply ruining it. However, language experts resist such opinion, noting that there is little evidence to support the view that speech is getting worse. Gretchen McCulloch, in her book Because Internet, focuses on what can be learned about language from the Internet rather than talking about its negative effects.
McCulloch compares studying language online to growing bacteria (细菌) in a Petri dish (有盖培养皿), where trends emerge and disappear quickly. The influence of strong ties like friends or family versus weak ties on language change is analyzed, with computer simulations (模拟) revealing that having both strong and weak ties helps spread updates in a community.
The role of social media platforms in language change is also discussed. Twitter, with its mix of strong and weak ties, is shown to drive more language change than Facebook, which is controlled by stronger ties. Emoji is highlighted as a universal digital expression of gestures, not a language. Additionally, there is evidence that the use of Internet “innovations” such as “omg” dates back to pre-computer eras.
McCulloch’s book focuses on the birth of a new medium for language rather than a new type of language. The rise of mass writing on the Internet, characterized by frequent, error-filled, and short-lived communication, challenges traditional ideas about writing’s importance. McCulloch suggests future historians should see this as a return to more casual (随意的) language, paying more attention to the value of tools that improve social interaction online. The book argues against the idea that these changes might lead to the end of “real” writing, advocating for an appreciation of anything that enhances human connection and the enjoyment of each other’s company.
1. Which of the following topics is NOT included in the book Because Internet?A.How technologies ruin languages. |
B.The new birth of a new medium for language. |
C.The changes Twitter brings to people’s language. |
D.What people can get about language on the Internet. |
A.The development of digital languages. |
B.The influence of the social media platforms on language change. |
C.The different functions of social media platforms. |
D.The connection between humans and the Internet. |
A.Interpersonal bonds play a role in online communication. |
B.Formal language is unlikely to improve social interaction. |
C.The birth of new media has removed writing’s importance. |
D.Mass writing may make traditional writing come to an end. |
A.In a poetry collection. | B.On a medical website. |
C.In a travel guidebook. | D.In a newspaper. |
8 . That artificial food dyes (染料) are unhealthy is not news. Some are known to cause hyperactivity (多动症) in some children, affecting their ability to learn. But regulatory agencies (监管机构) around the world don’t necessarily agree on which food dyes are a problem, or why. That may soon change. A 2021 peer-reviewed report by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded that artificial food dyes “cause or worsen neurobehavioral (神经行为的) problems in some children” and that the current levels that are regarded safe for consumption by the federal government are too high.
California is now considering requiring warning labels on food products and dietary supplements containing the seven most commonly used artificial dyes. The warning label requirement would put California on par with the European Union, which since 2010 has required food products containing certain artificial food dyes to carry warning labels about their negative effect on activity and attention in children.
Artificial dyes are used in foods for one reason: to make products look prettier. Bright colors make candies appealing, especially to kids. But dyes are also in chocolate cake mixes, salad dressings and other products that don’t seem to cry out for a color boost.
In Europe, it was the 2010 label lawmaking that triggered (引发) companies’ decisions to reformulate. “If you’re a company, you do not want to put a warning label on your product.” says Lefferts, an environmental health consultant. Warning labels are why European Starburst Fruit Chews are now colored with natural products, not the artificial dyes that brighten their North American counterparts (同类商品).
Given that artificial food dyes are used far more than needed, we need to be more cautious. After all, we don’t dye fresh fruits and vegetables, but we do dye candy and sprinkles, points out Joe Schwarcz, a chemistry professor at McGill University in Montreal. “The foods in which you find food dyes are foods that are poor in nutrition,” he says. “If you limit foods that contain food dyes, you automatically make your diet better.”
1. What can we learn about artificial food dyes from paragraph 1?A.A 2021 report confirmed their negative effects. |
B.The fact that they are harmful is newly revealed. |
C.Regulatory agencies consider them a serious problem. |
D.The Federal government thinks their current standard too high. |
A.In opposition to. | B.In line with. | C.Ahead of. | D.Behind. |
A.Food companies will stop coloring their products. |
B.More fresh fruits and vegetables will appear in the market. |
C.Food companies may replace artificial dyes with natural products. |
D.It will be hard to find packaged foods without warning labels of dyes. |
A.Approving. | B.Neutral. | C.Tolerant. | D.Concerned. |
注意:1.考生可适当发挥,使文章内容充实、连贯;
2.词数100左右;
参考词汇: pave vt. 铺设;为…铺平道路;
Pave the way
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10 . In much of the western United States, drought and access to fresh water is a critical issue. However, recently California came up with a novel solution. The state approved regulations that allow agencies to purify wastewater for drinking. This recycled wastewater may be consumed in homes, schools, and businesses.
As the population in California has exploded in recent decades, the state has struggled to meet demands for fresh water. Recycled wastewater will allow the state to increase access to the precious resource.
Recycled wastewater is not new to the state. It has previously been used in ice hockey rinks (冰球场), for crops, and to generate artificial snow. But now, water agencies will have the option to put recycled wastewater back into pipes for drinking. California is only the second state to allow purified wastewater to be consumed. The first was Colorado in 2022.
While the idea of drinking recycled wastewater may be off-putting, regulators spent more than a decade developing rules and regulations to ensure safety. Independent panels of scientists also reviewed the state’s rules around recycled wastewater consumption. All water will be treated for pathogens (病原体) and viruses before being available for consumption.
So far, the state’s plan has been met with approval from large water agencies. Many of them have plans to construct wastewater recycling plans over the next few years. In Southern California, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has set a goal aiming to produce 150 million gallons of direct and indirect recycled water per day. This water will be in the pipes of the 19 million people throughout the six counties that the agency serves.
Officials are aware that a certain amount of public convincing may still be necessary. However, they remain optimistic about the future of the project, reminding consumers that the water is safe, and that recycled water is already in use in California.
1. Why does California pass new regulations about recycled wastewater?A.To ease the pressure of drought. | B.To increase the supply of fresh water. |
C.To recycle the wastewater for industry. | D.To reduce the pollution of the wastewater. |
A.Surprising. | B.Necessary. | C.Funny. | D.Awful. |
A.The goal of wastewater recycling is hard to achieve. |
B.The state’s plan will be conducted by water agencies. |
C.Southern California will reduce its water production. |
D.People in California tend to prefer recycled water. |
A.Many people still disapprove of the project. |
B.The public are optimistic about the project. |
C.It will never be suitable to use recycled water. |
D.The project is the only solution to water shortage. |