Say goodbye to standing in long lines holding boarding passes and other travel documents. Step this way, instead. Look into the camera lens and off you go.
Sound convenient? Technology companies working with travel providers and the federal government to install facial recognition systems at airports hope you think so.
But privacy advocators don’t want you to become too comfortable. They worry that what we’re willing to accept for convenience today will soften our resistance to the idea of filling public spaces with cameras that can identify us and track our every move.
Facial recognition technology came suddenly into modern reality with very few people prepared for it. Facial recognition is a biometric technology that uses distinguishable facial features to identify a person. In many cases, we see it being used by governments and law enforcement agencies—testing its accuracy and value for future purposes.
Today, it’s used in a variety of ways from allowing you to unlock your phone, go through security at the airport, purchase products at stores. It checks the identities of ride-hailing drivers, permits tourists to enter attractions and let people pay for things with a smile. Airports are increasingly adding facial recognition technology to security checkpoints. It’s even said that past footage of unsolved mysteries would benefit greatly from this technology as it would help identify the criminals of crimes long forgotten.
However, there has been a serious clash between the government and citizens in general over the technology’s use cases. At an airport, travelers are requested to present their passports, from which the software will determine whether the person standing in front of the camera matches the identity. If it matches, then they can get through quickly. However, the surveillance system searches a large database for the face presented to the camera. Editing such a big database, many worry, will inevitably lead to privacy concerns down the road. The biggest drawback for facial recognition technology in most people’s opinions is the threat to an individual’s privacy.
Some say that it’s the most powerful tool as they fear for their privacy being invaded almost on a daily basis, while the government tries to push it as something necessary for better civil control and crime prevention. Overall, talks usually boil down to whether facial recognition technology should be banned or if it should be regulated.
According to IBM, the banning of facial recognition technology would be a step backward for human scientific advancement. However, restricting it within light regulations could yield just as many gains as it would in a “free market”.
There are many useful applications of facial recognition technology—both at the consumer level as a matter of security and convenience, and for governments and law enforcement agencies. The challenge is finding the balance between those benefits and the expectation of privacy. Banning facial recognition is not the answer. Regulating it, however, may be necessary to put an acceptable framework of rules around its use.
1.With the help of facial recognition, we can _______.
A.purchase products at home
B.figure out unsolved mysteries
C.reduce the number of criminals
D.pass the security at the airport faster
2.What does the underlined word “clash” in paragraph 6 probably mean?
A.Conflict. B.Crisis.
C.Challenge. D.Consequence.
3.Facing the use of this technology, citizens _______.
A.have no idea of its benefit
B.have already got well-prepared
C.worry their information is misused
D.refuse to accept the convenience
4.Which point of view may the author agree to?
A.Banning facial recognition.
B.Debating with the government.
C.Maintaining the current situation.
D.Regulating facial recognition with rules.
The research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that food allergies ( 过 敏 ) in children have increased about 50 percent. Common symptoms of allergic responses include itchy mouth, throat tightening, and difficulties in breathing.
Food allergy is a medical condition of exposure to certain foods. It occurs when the immune system attacks the protein in food that in normal cases is harmless. According to reports, more than 170 foods cause allergic reactions. The major food allergens are in eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, tree nuts, and crustacean shellfish.
There are several reasons behind the rise in food allergies. The food being produced these days is high in sugar, unhealthy fats, genetically modifies and some food farms have pesticides ( 农 药 ) and other food have been injected drugs. All this can have a negative impact on our microbiome (微生物群), which is the basis of good health and immunity.
In a study comparing two children, a 15-year-old who lived in urban Italy and a 14-year-old child from rural Africa, it clearly showed a significant difference in the diversity of bacteria in their guts. The reason lies in their diet. The child from rural Africa has his diet low in fat and rich in plant-based foods which are grown and harvested locally by villagers. In contrast, the Italian kid’s diet was rich in animal protein, sugar then low in fiber. Ultimately, the microbiome of the kid from Italy was less than that of the kid from Africa.
Besides, the so-called ‘hygiene hypothesis’ suggests that decreased exposure to microbes in early life can lead to an increased chance of allergies in later life, because of individuals not having built up immunity at a young age.
Yet another reason for the explosion in allergies may be environmental changes. The environment has seen a rise in temperature and is estimated that in the coming decades the temperature could rise even further by 10 degrees. As a result of this warm climate, the growing seasons will be longer, increasing allergen count thus making allergies even worse. According to scientists, climate change is a contributing factor that needs immediate attention.
Dr. R. Sharon, researcher of Allergy and Asthma Research Centre at Stanford University, believes the cause of allergies will ultimately come down to a combination of many factors.
Food allergies have no cure but can be managed by avoiding food that brings the reactions. Scientists are studying food allergies medical methods for general use. They are all trying to actively understand a certain part of the puzzle when it comes to allergies.
1.What can we learn from the passage?
A.Scientists have found an effective method to solve food allergies.
B.There could be many reasons that combine to lead to food allergies.
C.Environmental changes are the most important reason for food allergies.
D.To decrease children’s allergies, we should make them eat less every day.
2.In paragraph 4, the two children are mentioned to show that
A.pesticides have bad effects on people’s food
B.a person’s daily diet can affect his microbiome
C.food allergies have no cure but can be avoided
D.climate change is another factor for food allergies
3.What is the main purpose of this passage?
A.To explain the causes of food allergies.
B.To stress the influences of food allergies.
C.To introduce the solutions to food allergies.
D.To tell people the symptoms of food allergies.
4.What’s the author’s attitude to the treatment of food allergies?
A.Indifferent. B.Positive.
C.Doubtful. D.Critical.
It’s never too early to start doing good deeds for others. Adults should always be role models for children and the youth, but sometimes those roles are easily exchanged. A young boy did just that—showing that at an early age one can do more to uplift others.
Pavel, 9-year-old Russian boy, made up his mind to use his talent to reach out to those in need. The young artist from the small city of Arzamas decided to use his love for painting into helping animals, by exchanging his artwork for animal food and supplies, which are then donated to a local shelter.
Pavel had this wonderful idea for helping animals when his family lost one of their own pets. He also began to grow concerned over the situation of stray animals wandering in the city. He felt it was his duty to help, which resulted in a project called “Kind Paintbrush”. It was set up by Pavel and his mother. The project started as a way to honor the memory of their pet, but has since evolved into a distinctive way of helping animals. Only one animal shelter, housing over 100 dogs, exists in the local area, and Pavel is its youngest volunteer. To support the shelter, Pavel draws images of real pets and in return, he is paid with animal food and other needs of the shelter.
This isn’t even the first time that mother and son have volunteered their time to a worthy endeavor. They work on their own time and effort, with no support from other organizations. They are simply motivated by their empathy, huge heart, and willingness to use their skills for helping animals.
This stimulating project has already grown beyond Arzamas city. Pavel has become quite a sensation, particularly among animal lovers in Russia who have been in touch to have portraits of their pets made. Requests for paintings of their pets have also come from abroad, such as Spain and Germany.
Pavel’s dreams for the future are still tied to helping animals. He plans to become as much as he can with his art and love for animals.
1.What can we know about Pavel?
A.He has won several awards.
B.He dreams to build an animal shelter.
C.He is good at drawing images of real pets.
D.He gets a lot of help from other organizations.
2.Why did Pavel start the project “Kind Paintbrush”?
A.To attract more volunteers.
B.To promote his paintings in local area.
C.To learn more skills of feeding animals.
D.To memorize his lost pet and help animals.
3.Which of the following words can best describe Pavel?
A.Creative and caring.
B.Polite and intelligent.
C.Modest and ambitious.
D.Humorous and determined.
4.What does the passage mainly tell us?
A.It is never too old to learn.
B.Time and tide wait for no man.
C.A kind act can make a difference.
D.Saying is one thing and doing another.
Our Cambridge Scholars’ Program is to help intelligent high school students aged 14-18 reach their full potential and prepare for their amazing futures.
Outstanding Education
We offer a range of excellent courses—from Astronomy to Psychology to Debate. Pick and mix from our diverse course list to pursue your passion or try out different subjects to find your favorite. The courses are taught by our experienced teachers, nearly all of whom belong to
the University of Cambridge.
Enriching Activities
We run activities after classes to help you develop friendships with the great new people you’ll meet. In the evenings we have dances, sports activities, punting on the River Cam, film nights, and more.
Cultural Trips
We have trips around Britain. Visit castles, palaces, museums and more to learn more about the country’s cultural heritage and have a fantastic time with all the new friends you’ll make.
Optional Paris trip
Note: Sign up for the optional Paris trip you should pay extra $1500 fee.
After the Cambridge program ends, we offer an optional week in Paris—seeing all the famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Versailles, as well as having a trip to Disneyland Paris.
Time: Two Week: Saturday, July 25th—Sunday, August 9th
Our full course offering during the two weeks is as follows:
Option One | Option Two | Option Three | Option Four |
Cambridge Thinking | Astronomy | Computer Science | Artificial Intelligence |
Debate | Essay Writing | Criminal & Forensic Psychology | Business Psychology |
Economics & Finance | International Relations, Politics & Leadership |
English Literature |
Chemistry |
Engineering | Journalism | Mind Games | Essay Writing |
The Quantum Universe |
Mind Games |
Biology |
Law |
9 am – 10:30 am | 10:45 am – 12:15 am | 1:30 pm – 3 pm | 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm |
1.What can we learn about the Cambridge Scholars’ Program?
A.It is designed for intelligent university students.
B.It offers the chance to visit the places of interest of Britain.
C.It includes an optional week of touring around Paris for free.
D.It has various courses taught by experienced college students.
2.If a student has free time from 2 pm – 10 pm, what courses can he attend?
A.Mind Games and Essay Writing
B.Debate and Cambridge Thinking
C.Journalism and Computer Science
D.Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence
3.What is the main purpose of this passage?
A.To compare the courses.
B.To evaluate the activities.
C.To recommend the program.
D.To introduce the travel arrangement.
Reaching Impossible Heights
Xia, 69, reached the peak of Mount Qomolangma, the highest mountain in the world on May 14th , 2018. What’s remarkable, however, is that Xia has no _______ of his own.
Xia was chosen by the Chinese mountaineering team in 1974 and together with his teammates, Xia _______ Mount Qomolangma in 1975. However, he and some of his teammates were _______ in a snowstorm just 200 meters below the peak and were forced to go down the hill. Eventually, nine climbers reached the top, but Xia _______ severe freezing cold and lost both his feet. After that, he became a double amputee.
He heard the news of his teammates’ _______ on the radio as he lay in bed in hospital awaiting the operation. “I was proud of my teammates but _______ because I was not among them. I didn’t dare to imagine my _______ of sitting in a wheelchair, perhaps forever,” he said.
He felt _______ for a long time until a doctor told him that on artificial legs, he could live life like anyone else, and might even do quite a lot of physical exercise. His hopes were _______ and he set a target: he would climb Qomolangma. The vision of the _______ came close to him. It gave him the courage and hope to _______.
He failed to reach the 8,844-meter peak four times. Although it took Xia more than 40 years to realize his _______ , he stayed less than 10 minutes at the top because of a storm. Facing into the wind, he _______ his body to carry on down the mountain, knowing that the _______ had only just begun. His artificial legs had no feeling. Low temperatures and the burden of hiking caused his legs to swell, so that the artificial legs didn’t _______ as they should. He uses twice as much _______ as fully-able mountaineers. Many times, his feet got _______ in cracks in the ice and his teammates had to help pull his legs out. Then there was the snow. His glasses were covered with a layer of _______. “Everything was white. I couldn’t see clearly. The only thing I could do was to hold tight to the rope and keep moving on,” he recalled. It took Xia two days to _______ to the base camp, more than 3,000 meters below.
His _______ is beyond most people’s imagination. When he was reported to have conquered Qomolangma, he replied, “It is Qomolangma that accepts me. Nature cannot be conquered, but people can.”
1.A.ears B.eyes C.legs D.arms
2.A.reported B.climbed C.discovered D.measured
3.A.buried B.absorbed C.engaged D.trapped
4.A.ignored B.suffered C.defended D.overcame
5.A.success B.kindness C.courage D.progress
6.A.moved B.relaxed C.depressed D.concerned
7.A.plan B.future C.relief D.behavior
8.A.fearless B.confident C.hopeless D.inspired
9.A.raised B.recorded C.destroyed D.promised
10.A.memory B.recovery C.operation D.mountain
11.A.take on B.live on C.depend on D.pass on
12.A.dream B.situation C.position D.decision
13.A.shook B.warned C.allowed D.forced
14.A.travel B.reward C.struggle D.research
15.A.fit B.approach C.prevent D.change
16.A.passion B.support C.energy D.knowledge
17.A.lost B.involved C.dressed D.stuck
18.A.ice B.sand C.paint D.plastic
19.A.rush B.return C.escape D.wander
20.A.patience B.independence C.contribution D.determination
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写 1 个适当的词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
Forsythia（连翘）is one of the earliest 1. (flower) blooming in spring, between March and May. It is a popular plant known for its bare branches filled with brilliant yellow flowers. The plant has four petals and its branches stretch upward, 2. is native to China. It’s easy to grow 3. it can tolerate unfavorable conditions and partial shade, but it grows best in full sun. During July and August it produces fruit, often used in 4. (tradition) Chinese medicine, proven by some of the earliest Chinese medical texts dating back to some 4,000 years.
