Americans have always been ambivalent in their attitudes toward education. On the one hand, free and universal public education was seen as necessary in a democracy, for how else would citizens learn how to govern themselves in a responsible way? On the other hand, America was always a country that offered financial opportunities for which education was not needed: on the road from rags to riches, schooling-beyond the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic-was an unnecessary detour.
Even today, it is still possible for people to achieve financial success without much education, but the number of situations in which this is possible is decreasing. In today's more complex world, the opportunities for financial success is closely related to the need for education, especially higher education.
Our society is rapidly becoming one whose chief product is information, and dealing with this information requires more and more specialized education. In other words, we grow up learning more and more about fewer and fewer subjects.
In the future, this trend is likely to continue. Tomorrow's world will be even more complex than today's world, and, to manage this complexity, even more specialized education will be needed.
1.The topic treated in this passage is _____.
A.education in general B.Americans' attitudes
C.higher education D.American education
2.Americans' attitudes toward education have always been _____.
A.certain B.contradictory C.ambitious D.unclear
3.Today, financial success is closely related to the need for _____.
A.higher education B.public education
C.responsible citizens D.learning the basics
4.It can be inferred from the third paragraph that _____.
A.information is our only product B.education in the future will be specialized
C.we are entering an age of information D.we are living in an age of information
5.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.The History of American Education. B.The Need for Specialized Education.
C.The Future of the American Educational System. D.Attitudes toward American Education.
The AlphaGo program’s victory is an example of how smart computers have become.
But can artificial intelligence (AI) machines act ethically, meaning can they be honest and fair?
One example of AI is driverless cars. They are already on California roads, so it is not too soon to ask whether we can program a machine to act ethically. As driverless cars improve, they will save lives. They will make fewer mistakes than human drivers do. Sometimes, however, they will face a choice between lives. Should the cars be programmed to avoid hitting a child running across the road, even if that will put their passengers at risk? What about making a sudden turn to avoid a dog? What if the only risk is damage to the car itself, not to the passengers?
Perhaps there will be lessons to learn from driverless cars, but they are not super-intelligent beings. Teaching ethics to a machine even more intelligent than we are will be the bigger challenge.
About the same time as AlphaGo’s triumph, Microsoft’s ‘chatbot’ took a bad turn. The software, named Taylor, was designed to answer messages from people aged 18-24. Taylor was supposed to be able to learn from the messages she received. She was designed to slowly improve her ability to handle conversations, but some people were teaching Taylor racist ideas. When she started saying nice things about Hitler, Microsoft turned her off and deleted her ugliest messages.
AlphaGo’s victory and Taylor’s defeat happened at about the same time. This should be a warning to us. It is one thing to use AI within a game with clear rules and clear goals. It is something very different to use AI in the real world. The unpredictability of the real world may bring to the surface a troubling software problem.
Eric Schmidt is one of the bosses of Google, which own AlphaGo. He thinks AI will be positive for humans. He said people will be the winner, whatever the outcome. Advances in AI will make human beings smarter, more able and “just better human beings.”
1.What does the author want to show with the example of AlphaGo’s victory?
A.Computers will prevail(战胜) over human beings. B.Computers have unmatched potential.
C.Computers are man’s potential rivals. D.Computers can become highly intelligent.
2.What does the author mean by AI machines acting ethically?
A.They are capable of predicting possible risks.
B.They weigh the gains and losses before reaching a decision.
C.They make sensible decisions when facing moral dilemmas.
D.They sacrifice everything to save human lives.
3.What is said to be the bigger challenge facing humans in the AI age?
A.How to make super-intelligent AI machines share human feelings.
B.How to ensure that super-intelligent AI machines act ethically.
C.How to prevent AI machines doing harm to humans.
D.How to avoid being over-dependent on AI machines.
4.What do we learn about Microsoft’s ‘chatbot’ Taylor?
A.She could not distinguish good from bad. B.She could turn herself off when necessary.
C.She was not made to handle novel situations. D.She was good at performing routine tasks.
5.What does Eric Schmidt think of artificial intelligence?
A.It will be far superior to human beings. B.It will keep improving as time goes by.
C.It will prove to be valuable to human beings. D.It will be here to stay whatever the outcome.
I hear some actors keep a sad thought or memory tucked away to help them with scenes where they might need to cry. I think we should each try to find the opposite; a happy memory, something to lift us up on those inevitable down days. I’m saying this because I think I just found mine!
I had some work in Glasgow today. I was on a really tight schedule, which meant I would have no time for myself (or my own work) all day. I was having one of those days, the train was completely packed out and the conversation going on around me seemed to be particularly inane. On top of all that, I had a bit of a headache.
Walking briskly across the concourse, I fished some change from my pocket. There was usually someone at the exit selling The Big Issue (a magazine that helps homeless folk earn a living).
As the crowd parted ways at the bottom of the concourse, I saw someone selling the Big Issue. You had to be homeless to sell the Big Issue. She really looked like she’d been sleeping rough. Her clothes were ragged and she obviously hadn’t had a scrub up for quite a while.
As I approached the exit, I saw that she was also rocking from side to side. At first I thought maybe she was trying to keep warm against the biting wind. But she wasn’t, she was moving in time to a tune. I couldn’t hear her, but I could see her lips moving.
As I got closer, I saw a white cane hanging from her elbow and noticed that she had sunken eyes. She was blind, dirty and living on the streets. I came closer and through the noise of the traffic and the commuters I heard her sing the immortal line, “… and I think to myself, what a wonderful world!”
I bought her last magazine for twice what I’d originally intended. She thanked me, then she picked up her stuff and went tapping off along the pavement - still singing!
So, I have my happy memory for the day. And I think it will stay with me a long, long time. Feel free to borrow it if you like.
1.Why do some actors keep a sad thought or memory according to the passage?
A.Because some of them always feel unhappy B.because they are scolded by the director
C.Because it helps meet the needs of their roles D.Because they can’t find a happy memory
2.What does the underlined word “fished” in para3 refer to?
A.Made B.exchanged C.pull into D.took out
3.Which of the following is TURE according to the passage?
A.Only those homeless people can sell the magazine
B.The author heard her singing as he came close to the exit
C.The girl selling the magazines was blind, dirty and homeless
D.The author never heard what the girl was singing
4.It can be inferred from the passage that_________
A.the author had a headache because of his busy work
B.the author bought more magazines than planned to
C.the girl went away as soon as she sold out magazines
D.the author felt unhappy because he missed his train
5.What’s the best title for the passage?
A.A happy Memory to Lift You Up
B.An Unforgettable Day I Experienced
C.The Roses in Her Hand: the Flavor in Mine
D.A Bird in the Hand is Worth than Two in the Bush.
Castel dell’ Ovo is one of Naples’ most famous monuments. It offers sweeping views over the city and Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
The Basics
The site on which Castel dell’ Ovo now stands has a long history, beginning as a settlement for Greek colonists(殖民地定居者). The current castle was built in the 15th century, and today, the 19th-century fishing village of Borgo Marinari, known for its excellent seafood restaurants and marina(游艇停靠区), sits at the base of the castle.
The Egg Castle
The origin of the castle’s name comes from a story about the Roman poet Virgil, who is said to have placed a magical egg in the foundations beneath where the castle now stands. As long as the egg stays well, Castel dell’ Ovo will remain standing.
Things to Know Before you Go
·Castel dell’ Ovo is a must-see for history and architecture enthusiasts.
·Admission to the castle and the museum is free.
·The inner halls of the castle are open to the public only during special events and exhibitions; the ramparts (城墙) and towers are always open.
·There is a lift from the ground floor to the ramparts, making the castle accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Castel dell’ Ovo is located in the Bay of Naples just off the coastal road. Bus 151 from the train station and 140 from the port stop at Castel dell’ Ovo.
When to Get there
The castle is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 7 pm, and Sundays and holidays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Prehistoric Museum is open only on weekends from 10 am to 1 pm. As Naples is one of Italy’s most visited cities, its sights can be very crowded in the high-season summer months. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and to take advantage of the best light for taking photos from the castle’s towers.
Book Online or Call +1(702)648-5873
1.Whose settlement did the site of Castel dell’ Ovo belong to ?
A.British colonists’.
B.French colonists’.
C.Greek colonists’.
D.German colonists’.
2.Which of the following correctly describes Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.It lies next to Mount Vesuvius.
B.It’s also named the Egg castle.
C.It was originally built in the 19th century.
D.It’s well-known for its seafood and marina.
3.Who are most probably interested in visiting Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.History lovers.
B.Sports lovers.
C.Literature lovers.
D.Astronomy lovers.
4.What should you know before you tour Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.The tickets have to be booked in advance.
B.Those with leg problems can not tour the ramparts.
C.It’s easily accessible by bus from the train station.
D.The towers can be visited only during special events.
5.When should you go to the Prehistoric Museum?
A.On Sundays from 8:30 to 13:30.
B.On holidays from9:00 to 13:30.
C.On weekdays from 8:30 to 19:00.
D.On weekends from 10:00 to 13:00.
How can I forget the day? On 14 July 1974 I travelled in an overcrowded bus to an unheard town called Shendurni. The next day, I was to join the faculty of a junior college there._______ about my new job, but anxious and fearful too, I was out of my _______ zone. Around 7 p.m. it started pouring with rain. Wondering about my new career in an unknown land, I had _______ in my seat. I woke up with a(n)_______ to the sound of the conductor announcing the name of my bus stop. I looked out. It was pitch-dark. Ah, a power cut._______ unusual during heavy rains. “Conductor Sahab, can I get a _____ for myself here? I’m new to the place,” I heard myself ask _____. “Arre bhai, get off my bus and let us go. We _______ to reach the next station on time. Where will you get a place to stay in this goddamned town?” he shouted back. Amid mounting panic, I felt a _______ tap on my shoulder. As I looked back, a warm smile ______ me. “I’m Sawant, from the next town. The bus ________ there for the night and returns tomorrow morning. Why don’t you buy a ticket for the next stop? You can spend the night at my place, and join work tomorrow.” I thanked him from my heart and accepted his ________. By the time the bus reached the final stop, it was 8:30 p.m. The kind soul led me to his house. He and his wife took great _________ to make my stay comfortable. I was _______ with warm water for a bath, followed by a hot ________ and a comfortable bed. All this took place in semi-darkness. No lights yet. I was up early the next morning and my benefactor (恩人) came to ________ me off. I could not see his face clearly, as it was ______ dark. I made it ________ the college in time and taught there for almost 11 years. All this while I ______ him, even asking my new friends and students to help find the kind soul. But Mr Sawant remained __________. Perhaps I had got his name wrong. My only regret: I could not thank him again.
1.A.Excited B.Interested C.Worried D.Annoyed
2.A.home B.school C.comfort D.dilemma
3.A.knocked off B.dropped off C.turned off D.nodded off
4.A.start B.jump C.ear D.eye
5.A.Something B.Anything C.Everything D.Nothing
6.A.seat B.room C.ticket D.map
7.A.sadly B.quickly C.nervously D.surprisingly
8.A.come B.get C.need D.ask
9.A.sudden B.soft C.real D.warm
10.A.waved B.welcomed C.greeted D.shook
11.A.stops B.arrives C.leaves D.drives
12.A.family B.solution C.invitation D.request
13.A.pleasure B.energy C.minds D.pains
14.A.provided B.armed C.impressed D.blessed
15.A.chat B.discussion C.meal D.tea
16.A.allow B.keep C.show D.see
17.A.yet B.still C.already D.also
18.A.to B.in C.from D.for
19.A.sent for B.searched for C.cared for D.waited for
20.A.silent B.strange C.unbelievable D.untraceable
— Sorry to have hurt you.
— ________. You didn’t mean to, did you?
A.Don’t worry B.Take it easy C.Don’t say so D.Forget it
