Learning, Fast and Deep
Over the past five years researchers in artificial intelligence have become the rock stars of the technology world. A branch of AI known as deep learning, which uses neural(神经的) networks to scan through large volumes of data looking for patterns, has proven so useful that skilled practitioners can command high six-figure salaries to build software for Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google.
The standard route into these jobs has been a PhD in computer science from one of America’s top universities. Earning one takes years and requires a personality suited to academia, which is rare among more normal folk.
That is changing.
Last month fast.ai, a non-profit education organization based in San Francisco, kicked off the third year of its course in deep learning. Since its foundation it has attracted more than 100,000 students around the globe from India to Nigeria. The course and others like it, come with a simple idea: there is no need to spend years obtaining a PhD in order to practise deep learning. Creating software that learns can be taught as a craft, not as a high intellectual pursuit to be undertaken only in an ivory tower. Fast.ai’s course can be completed in just seven weeks.
To make it accessible to anyone who wants to learn how to build AI software is the aim of Jeremy Howard, who founded fast.ai with Rachel Thomas, a mathematician. He says school mathematics is sufficient. “No. Greek. Letters,” Mr. Howard intones, pounding the table with his fist for punctuation.
Some experts worry that this will serve only to create a flood of unreliable AI systems which will be useless at best and dangerous at worst. In the earliest days of the Internet, only a select few nerds, namely computerholics with specific skills, could build applications. Not many people used them. Then the invention of the World Wide Web led to an explosion of web pages, both good and bad. But it was only by opening up to all that the Internet gave birth to online shopping, instant global communications and search. If Mr. Howard and others have their way, making the development of AI software easier will bring forth a new crop of fruit of a different kind.
1.What can we learn about deep learning?
A.It replaces artificial intelligence.
B.It attracts rock stars to practice.
C.It scans patterns for large companies.
D.It helps technicians to create software.
2.Fast.ai is an organization that __________________.
A.ensures one to obtain a PhD B.teaches craft in ivory tower
C.offers a course in deep learning D.requires weeks to apply
3.The underlined words “No. Greek. Letters”in Paragraph 5 means doing fast.ai course is _______.
A.easy B.difficult
C.interesting D.boring
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that _______.
A.it is quite reliable for anyone to grasp artificial intelligence
B.the Internet has brought forth a flood of useless AI systems
C.opening up to all leads to instant global search and online shopping
D.simplifying software development may result in unexpected outcomes
If your life were a book and you were the author, how would you want your story to go? That’s the question that changed my life forever.
At the age of 19, I became a massage therapist(治疗师). For the first time in my life, I felt free, independent and completely in control of my life. That is, until my life took a detour. I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis . Over the course of two months, I lost my spleen(脾) , my kidneys , and both of my legs below the knees.
One day, I went home. I crawled into bed and this is what my life looked like for the next few months: me passed out, escaping from reality, with my legs resting by my side. I was completely physically and emotionally broken. But I knew that in order to move forward, I had to let go of the old Amy and learn to embrace the new Amy. And that is when I began to realize that I didn’t have to be small any more. I could be as tall as I wanted or as short as I wanted depending on whom I was dating. And if I snowboard again, my feet aren’t going to get cold. And the best of all, I thought, I can make my feet the size of all the shoes that are on the sales shelf. And I did!
I started snowboarding. Then I went back to work. And then I co-founded a non-profit organization for physical disabilities so that they could get involved in action sports. And just this past February, I won two World Cup gold medals, making me the highest-ranked adaptive female snowboarder in the world.
Eleven years ago, when I lost my legs, I had no idea what to expect. But if you ask me today, if I would ever want to change my situation, I would have to say no, because my legs haven’t disabled me. They’ve forced me to rely on my imagination and to believe in possibilities, and that’s why I believe that our imaginations can be used as tools for breaking through borders, because in our minds, we can do anything and we can be anything. It’s belief in those dreams and facing our fears directly that allow us to live our lives beyond our limits.
1.What can we learn from the underlined sentence in Paragraph3?
A.The author no longer wanted to make friends with Amy.
B.The author realized she had to learn to accept a new “herself” gladly.
C.The author wanted a new friend in her new life eagerly.
D.The author felt hard to choose between the old Amy and the new Amy.
2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A.The author didn’t like her job as a massage therapist.
B.The author is still very sensitive to her disabilities.
C.The author has learnt to see her disabilities as blessings.
D.The author hopes to return to her old life.
3.What message does the author want to convey with her speech?
A.Roman is not built in one day.
B.Failure is the mother of success
C.Imagination is more important than knowledge.
D.It is not what happens to you but how you respond that counts.
4.The tone of the passage is best described as ________.
A.proud but stubborn B.interesting but regretful
C.optimistic and inspiring D.pessimistic and doubtful
Adult Education Courses
Computer Studies Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and we rely more and more on computers for everything from cooking to organising our taxes. This six-week course will give you an understanding of computer fundamentals, including the use of software packages (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and how to use the Internet. Start: May 2,2019 Time: Wed 7 pm-9pm Cost:$300 Length:6 weeks Place: Sydney College | Woodwork Learn the basics of woodworking with simple hands-on projects to build your confidence and skills. Each lesson explores a different area of woodworking that will provide you with the skills needed for any woodworking project. Flexible learning allows you to choose only the lessons that interest you. Start: April 15,2019 Time: Mon 5 pm-7pm Cost:$30 per lesson Length:12 weeks Place: Adult Learning Centre |
Web Design Provides advanced training in software, design, and coding for the weB. Students must have already completed a recognised basic web design course or have at least 2 years' relevant work experience. Students completing the course will receive the Diploma in Advanced Web Design. Start: June 1,2019 Time: Weekdays 9 am-4pm Cost:$4,990 Length:40 weeks Place: University of Technology | Art This practical course is intended to help established artists take their creativity further. From sketching and colour, to composition, painting and experimenting with style, you will study and explore an engaging variety of creative media and subject matter. Start: April 21,2019 Time: Thur 3 pm-6pm Cost:$750 Length:15 weeks Place: City Art |
1.Which courses are suitable for beginners?
A.Web Design and Art.
B.Computer Studies and Art.
C.Woodwork and Web Design.
D.Computer Studies and Woodwork.
2.Which course awards students an official certificate?
A.Art.
B.Woodwork.
C.Web Design.
D.Computer Studies.
3.How much will a student who attends only half of all the Woodwork lessons pay in total?
A.$30. B.$180.
C.$250. D.$360.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did the speaker decide to do after lunch that day?
A.Stay to help her friend. B.Walk alone to her car. C.Wait for the train to stop.
2.What can we learn about the speaker then?
A.She worked at a hotel. B.She had bought a new car. C.She was having a baby soon.
3.Where did the speaker meet the taxi passenger?
A.At a crossroads. B.In front of a hotel. C.Besides a car park.
4.What does the speaker talk about?
A.An exciting lunch party. B.A well-known short story. C.An unforgettable experience.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What will Rebecca do on June 12?
A.Go on a business trip.
B.Organize a trade exhibition.
C.Meet the people from Head Office.
2.What is John preparing for the meeting?
A.A report. B.A timetable. C.A speech.
3.When do the speakers decide to have the meeting?
A.On June 3. B.On June 10. C.On June 17.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman think of the living expenses in the city?
A.Fairly low. B.Just Okay. C.Very high.
2.What does the woman spend most on?
A.Meals. B.Trains. C.Clothes.
3.What does the woman do in her free time?
A.See films. B.Travel around. C.Go for a drink.
