Robots have certain advantages compared to humans: They are efficient, tireless, can be repaired when damaged and they never get sick. This last trait has made them the star during our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While hundreds of thousands of medical workers have fallen ill dealing with this highly infectious virus and a lot more are forced to stay at home for fear of getting the disease, this isn’t a problem for robots.
This is why the COVID-19 outbreak is seen as the “tipping point”---noted The Independent Science reporter Anthony Cuthbertson---for robots to start to replace humans in certain jobs.
In areas like hospitals and healthcare facilities, robots are used to perform high-risk tasks. In China, for example, a hotel in Hangzhou employed a robot named “Little Peanut” to deliver food to people under quarantine（隔离期）. In Spain, robots are about to be used to test people for the coronavirus. Ultraviolet-light-disinfection (紫外线消毒) robots are also being widely used to clean hospital corridors and wards.
“Hospitals around the world are waking up to autonomous disinfection,” Per Juul Nielsen, CEO of Denmark’s UVD Robots, a leading company manufacturing disinfection robots, told Forbes. “We can’t build these robots fast enough.”
In non-medical companies, robots are also replacing human employees since they don’t have the problem of social distancing and will never take sick leave. Walmart and Amazon, for example, where robots are already used in sorting, packing and shipping, are planning to increase the number of robots in their facilities. Fast-food chains like McDonald’s are not only delivering food with robots in some areas, but also looking to use them as cooks and servers.
According to futurist Martin Ford, using more robots than human employees can prove to be rewarding for companies---even when the pandemic is over. “People will prefer to go to a place that has fewer workers and more machines because they feel they can lower overall risk,” Ford told the BBC.
But this sudden surge (激增) in robot demand doesn’t mean that they triumph over humans in every aspect. According to Bill Smart, a roboticist at Oregon State University, the human contact between doctors and patients is still important. Doctors comfort the patients and guide them through hard decisions while robots are only doing routine tasks, like cleaning and giving tests, just to free up doctors and nurses.
It might be true that robots have certain advantages over humans, but they are still secondary to human interaction.
1.What is the text mainly about?
A.The advantages of robots compared to humans.
B.Different views toward applying robots to fight COVID-19.
C.Why the COVID-19 outbreak has fueled robot demand.
D.The important role humans play in certain areas.
2.What has made robots desirable during the pandemic according to the text?
A.They can be repaired when damaged.
B.They test people for coronavirus more precisely.
C.They never get tired and can replace doctors and nurses.
D.They are not vulnerable to the coronavirus.
3.What does Martin Ford think of the application of robots?
A.Its benefits are appealing and lasting.
B.Machines are less disturbing than humans.
C.It poses a threat to human employment.
D.There are some risks with the use of robots.
4.What can be concluded from the last two paragraphs?
A.The demand for robots is too great to meet.
B.Human interaction is essential in some areas.
C.Doctors can make more accurate judgments than robots.
D.Robots need updating to improve contact with humans.
When Lina was awoken by the sound of thunder, she was alone on the island. The air was cool and bullfrogs croaked. It was that brief moment when the summer sun had set but the stars hadn’t yet appeared. Lina rubbed her eyes and looked around. “Hello?” she called. “Celia? Marie?” There was no response.
The moon was rising now, shedding light on the island. They had always called it “Forgotten Island” because no one but they seemed to remember its existence. It wasn’t on any of the maps they could find, and even the forest rangers didn’t know about it. Lina loved that the island, hidden in a heavily-wooded side stream of the river, was a secret between the three friends---her, Celia, and Marie. But now Lina was here alone, and it was night. Worse still, it was her own fault.
“Come on, Lina, let Marie row the boat.” Celia had said. Marie was two years older than Lina, but she was a hopeless rower. That’s why Lina refused and rowed the boat to the island. The argument that followed the refusal took the usual form. Celia took Marie’s side, as she always did. Lina exploded and yelled at them to just leave. So they got back in the boat and left.
A bolt of lightning crossed the darkened sky, accompanied by a deafening thunder clap. The storm was here. As the first cold raindrop slid down her neck, Lina’s mind returned to her current problem. She was stuck here by herself. She just hoped she didn’t become as forgotten as the island. The thought of it sent a chill down her back.
Suddenly, Lina spotted something in the water. It was a boat, and inside it were Marie, Celia, and Marie’s dad, who was steering through the fast flowing waters. As the boat approached, they saw Lina waving and the worried expressions on their faces turned to relief.
In her excitement Lina jumped into the river. Only once she was in the icy water did she remember how fast the water was moving. Luckily a strong arm reached into the water and pulled her out. She smiled weakly at Marie’s dad and, without a word, hugged Celia and Marie. They didn’t seem to mind becoming wet.
1.What is special about the island?
A.It is very near the ocean. B.It is a popular place for boating.
C.It is surrounded by thick forest. D.It has never been reached by others.
2.Why did Lina get angry?
A.Lina was left alone on the island. B.Marie would not help row the boat.
C.Marie didn’t know how to row the boat. D.Celia supported Marie in the disagreement.
3.What caused Lina to feel scared?
A.Her shame about the unnecessary argument.
B.The first raindrop of the approaching storm.
C.The idea that no one would come to save her.
D.The drop in temperature as the sun went down.
4.What can we infer about the three girls?
A.All of them could swim well. B.They had an adventurous spirit.
C.They lived far away from the island. D.They didn’t make up in the end.
If you are taking a trip across the States, and are eager for a hotel, here are four economical ones for you to choose in San Francisco.
Motel 6 Downtown
Neighboring the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s one of the most popular motels in San Francisco with enough free parking spaces.
Check in: 15:00 pm with passports and credit card.
Check out: before 12:00 am.
$140, free charge for two children.
Pets not permitted in. Tel:77345984
The Opera Inn
Located in the art district, it’s close to the Opera House, with chances to take part in various cultural activities.
Check in: at 16:00 pm with passport and credit card
Check out: before 11:00a.m.
$179, free charge for one child. No extra bed.
Pets not permitted in. Tel:77345244
Amsterdam Hotel
Located in downtown San Francisco, it’s a clean and tidy cheap hostel, with only eight minutes’ walk to the Chinatown.
Check in: 15:00 pm with passports and credit card
Check out: before 10:00 am
$106, free charge for two children.
Pets not permitted in. Tel:72346654
Van Ness Inn
Neighboring the blue sea, it has a quiet and beautiful environment. It’s a best choice for those who are tired of the noisy downtown.
Check In: 1:00 pm with passports and credit card.
Check Out: before 11:00 am.
$118, $ 5 for one child
Pets not permitted in. Tel:72346664
1.For a couple with two children planning to check out at 10:30 am, which is the most economical hotel for them?
A.Motel 6 Downtown. B.The Opera Inn.
C.Amsterdam Hotel. D.Van Ness Inn.
2.What is Amsterdam Hotel the most competitive in?
A.Low Price. B.Excellent Service.
C.Peaceful Surroundings. D.Pets permission.
3.If you are an art lover, you are most likely to book the hotel and call________.
A.Tel:77345984 B.Tel:77345244
C.Tel:72346654 D.Tel:72346664
假如你是学生会主席李华，为了让同学们(包括外国留学生)了解并加入新社团Traditional Chinese Culture Lovers，请你用英语拟一份通知张贴在校园文化宣传栏。主要内容包括：
1.社团成立的目的和意义；
2.社团计划开展的活动；
3.报名时间和地点：4月10号至15号，学生会办公室。
注意：词数100左右；
可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Notice
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Student Union
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号(∧)，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限一词。
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Thomas, a famous writer, who lives just next door to me. He is always ready to help others, but he enjoys great popularity in the neighborhood.
He often teaches us how to write stories and encourage us to try writing something about myself. He said he was born in the poor family. As a kid, he has a dream to become a famous writer. He worked hardly and overcame a great many difficulty. At last, he entered a famous university and majored Chinese language and culture. Now, his works is very popular at home and abroad.
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。
More than two thousand years ago, the “Maritime (海上的) Silk Road” was gradually formed across the vast sea, 1. ( connect ) China and the rest of the world.
Maritime Silk Road is an extension of the Silk Road on land. 2. ( form ) in the Qin and Han Dynasties, it opened windows of friendly 3. ( engage ) among nations, adding a splendid chapter to the history of human progress.
In the early 15th century, Zheng He, the famous Chinese navigator in the Ming Dynasty, ever made seven voyages to the Western Seas, a feat (壮举) 4. still is remembered today.
Today, ancient ports such as Ningbo, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Beihai, Colombo, Jeddah and Alexandria stand 5. living monuments to these past interactions. This Ancient Silk Road 6. ( be ) not for trade only, it increased flow of knowledge as well. Through the Silk Road, Chinese silk, tea and porcelain 7. ( ship ) to the West, 8. pepper, spices (香料) and grape entered China. Buddhism, Arab astronomy, calendar and medicine found their way to China. More 9. ( important ), the exchange of goods inspired new ideas.
Running through thousands of miles and years, the“Maritime Silk Road” represents the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness. The Silk Road spirit 10. ( become ) a great heritage of human civilization.
