Cortana. Alexa. Siri. These are names of robotic voices that are often programmed on electronic tablets. They also become default(默认) identities for people with speech disorders who rely on technology to communicate. Now some speech scientists are developing personalized voices to reflect the broader diversity of the people who use them. To do it，they are tapping into a vast network of volunteers who are donating their voices to share with people who cannot speak.
The effort to build an international “Human Voicebank” has attracted more than 17，000 volunteers from 110 countries，including Priyanka Pandya，a 16－year－old from Columbia，Md. ，who plans to spend her winter vacation recording a string of sentences into her computer. “To be able to give somebody the gift of voice，I think that’s really，really powerful，” she said.
“Everyone has a voice，” said Rupal Patel，founder of VocaliD，the company that started the voicebank. “Even people who are unable to speak have sounds that are unique to them. ” Her company designs personalized voices by recording the unique sounds of the user，and then mixing them with 6 to 10 hours of recordings from a voice donor，matched by age，gender and region. The company is developing voices now for its first 100 customers.
Also，people’s voices change. The company is looking for donors who are willing to record their voices，and then record them again a few years later，as they get older. But some of the first customers say they are happy with the results.
John A. Gregoire was one of the first customers to receive a personalized voice from VocaliD last December. The voice came eight years after he developed ALS (肌萎缩侧索硬化症)and more than six years since his voice became unintelligible to everyone except his wife and youngest son. “Having a distinctive voice is like getting something back that was stolen，” John said.
1.What does the author say about the voicebank?
A.It collects all kinds of voices.
B.It gains strong public support.
C.It helps to recognize special voices.
D.It offers people personalized voices free.
2.The example of John A Gregoire is given in the text to stress ________.
A.customers’ desire for personalized voices
B.VocaliD’s efforts to develop personalized voices
C.customers’ satisfaction with personalized voices
D.VocaliD’s success in designing personalized voices
3.What does the underlined word “unintelligible” mean?
A.Unclear. B.Soft.
C.Incomplete. D.Rough.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.VocaliD is devoted to building a voicebank.
B.Volunteers donate their voices to VocaliD.
C.The Human Voicebank helps people with speech problems.
D.The Human Voicebank wins fame among speechless people.
China's Bao Yongqing has been named the overall winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for 2019, claiming one of the world's top photography awards.
The competition is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London. This year's competition, the 55th, drew more than 48,000 entries from 100 countries. The winning entry by Bao, a native of Qinghai province, is titled The Moment. It captures a remarkable standoff between a Tibetan fox and a marmot(土拨鼠), and was taken on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "Photographically, it is quite simply the perfect moment," said Roz Kidman Cox, the chairwoman of the judging panel. "The expressive intensity of the postures holds you transfixed, and the thread of energy between the raised paws seems to hold the protagonists in perfect balance", Cox said. To have captured such a powerful interaction between a Tibetan fox and a marmot — two species key to the ecology of this high-grassland region — is extraordinary. Museum Director Michael Dixon said the picture captured "nature's ultimate challenge——the battle for survival".
Bao, in a group interview on Wednesday, said of the photo: "It is very difficult and rare to capture this kind of moment, so I knew it was something very special. It took about two or three hours to get this photo. I was watching them for a long time. I have paid attention to this competition for a long time, and my first purpose was to show my image to the world, and secondly to protect the environment and my homeland," he said. " In my hometown, everyone looks after the animals, so when I go home with this award, it will be an encouragement to our people to be more protective of animals and the environment." In addition, the photographer said : "This competition is one of the most important among photographers in China, so I wanted to draw people's attention to animal protection. I hope it will introduce a passion for animals to more people."
The exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Kensington will open on Friday and run through the end of May next year, when it will go on a national and international tour. Entries for next year's competition will be accepted beginning on Oct. 21.
1.What does the underlined word "protagonists" in the 2nd paragraph mean?
A.Onlookers. B.Photographers.
C.Hunters. D.Main characters.
2.Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year originated from London.
B.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a domestic competition in China.
C.The competition drew worldwide attention, making it the best event in photography.
D.Entries are strictly restricted, mainly focused on endangered animals.
3.What is the reason for Bao's winning the award?
A.His capturing a crucial moment between two typical species.
B.His expertise in photography.
C.His passionate devotion to wildlife protection.
D.His publicizing the knowledge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.In Bao’s hometown, everyone looks after animals.
B.Taking photos can sometimes be painstaking.
C.Photograph is sure to raise public awareness of animal protection.
D.The exhibition will go on a tour in China next year.
Our non-profit organization had just received a large donation of clothing. As three of us walked home for dinner, we saw a woman begging by the bridge. She was old and had no legs. She shivered in her thin sari(纱巾), which offered little protection from the cold wind. Her hunger forced her to beg. My friends and I looked at each other: here was a perfect opportunity, but first it was necessary to do a little bit of research.
We went up to the woman to hear her story. She spoke very little due to her poor health and fear, but we learned enough. She lived alone in her small home. She had no one to look after her and ate whatever people gave her. The desire to help her grew stronger. After speaking to her, we headed back to get something to keep her warm. Finding the perfect sweater, we set out again to see the woman. This time, the fear was replaced by distrust as we presented her with the sweater.
“Are you robbers?” she asked. “You came here before and are back so suddenly with clothes.” I was surprised by her principles. Even in her state, she did not want to wear anything that was stolen and gained through ill means.
“No, we are out doing service work.” Her shoulders relaxed a bit. I then helped her put the sweater on and said, “Please don’t sell the sweater.” “I swear, I won’t,” she said.
A week later, I was out walking with my mother to get some food when I saw the woman again. This time the picture was a little different. She was still begging, but with the gray sweater wrapped around her body and a smile on her face when she saw us. I guarantee that the smile on my face was bigger.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A.The writer offered help without hesitation.
B.The writer wanted to learn more about the beggar.
C.The organization had too many clothes.
D.The woman wanted to make a fortune by begging.
2.What do the underlined words “her principles” in the third paragraph refer to?
A.She never trusted strangers.
B.She never accepted donations from the poor.
C.She wouldn’t accept anything gained illegally.
D.She wouldn’t take advantage of others’ kindness.
3.What contributed to their smiles at last?
A.Caution and fear. B.Kindness and trust.
C.Doubt and distrust. D.Optimism and generosity.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A.We Should Trust Beggars B.How to Judge a Real Beggar
C.Learn Morality from a Beggar D.The Most Wonderful Gift I Gave to a Beggar
International Volunteering in New Zealand
If you’re visiting New Zealand and would like to volunteer, DOC (Department of Concentration) welcomes you to get involved.
Before you come to New Zealand
You do not need a work visa to volunteer with DOC. You can volunteer on entry to New Zealand as long as you do not receive payment or benefits.
You may need a police certificate
Depending on the volunteer work you do with us, you may be required to provide a police certificate to DOC. Your police certificate would need to be written and certified in English. It’s easier for you if you get a police certificate before you leave your country.
How to get a new police certificate if you’re already in New Zealand. (Click here)
International students
Volunteering with DOC is an option to gain experience. However, DOC does not offer opportunities to students who study at universities outside New Zealand, or other education providers outside New Zealand.
Insurance
For all volunteers with DOC, we strongly advise you gel comprehensive (综合的) travel insurance and unlimited medical cover. DOC does not accept responsibility for any:
● personal medical or accident events.
● loss or damage to personal items of equipment, or other associated costs while you're volunteering with DOC.
1.What may you offer to DOC if you want to volunteer as a foreigner in New Zealand?
A.A police certificate B.A work visa.
C.A university diploma. D.A driver license.
2.Who cannot volunteer with DOC in New Zealand?
A.An American official who is travelling in New Zealand.
B.An English college student who has just been visiting his uncle in New Zealand.
C.A Chinese exchange student in the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
D.A Chinese businessman with some volunteering experiences.
3.Where is this passage probably from?
A.A story book. B.A newspaper.
C.A travel guide book. D.A website.
One night many years ago I was on the bridge of a ship passing one of our large cities on a quiet night. I saw its lights _______ in the sky and heard the city's noises.
I have spent twenty-five years on boats. Now I am a _______. My job is to bring in the large luxury___________ and stay with them until they are safely stopped in their ports.
I felt very _______ the first time I ever docked a big liner. She came riding up the harbor on a flood tide and _______ high over the short little boat. As we drew alongside, a doorway opened _______ at water level and two smartly dressed sailors helped me aboard.
I was escorted (护送) to the bridge where I _______ from the captain. I realized I was in _______ of a great ship worth millions of dollars. Having docked several of the large liners, I realized I was not important, _______ simply the quarterback(四分卫) who called the signals.
In spite of what we ________ in the newspapers, I have great faith in this country, praying that a peaceful understanding will come to this ________ world, so that my children can grow up in a world full of happiness. I believe this will ________.
I remember the ________ and pity that took over this country, back in 1949, when a little girl named Kathy Fiskus fell into a(n) ________ well in California. Engineers and sandhogs and people in all __________ of life worked almost three days, and when they got her out she was dead.
People sent in thousands of dollars in ________ funds, but those who did the work and furnished the equipment wouldn't take the money. They worked for bigger things. I talked to captains of foreign ______________ that came into New York Harbor, and they were just as ________ as us over the tragedy.
I believe some way will be found to work together for world peace with the same ________ and understanding that people worked to rescue little Kathy Fiskus. I believe this will ________ come true.
1.A.reflected B.decorated C.included D.occupied
2.A.cook B.designer C.swimmer D.pilot
3.A.hotels B.shops C.liners D.offices
4.A.interesting B.proud C.lucky D.smart
5.A.towered B.shipped C.walked D.lifted
6.A.often B.never C.almost D.hardly
7.A.picked up B.took over C.got out D.brought in
8.A.place B.need C.search D.control
9.A.but B.so C.and D.or
10.A.look B.read C.watch D.listen
11.A.undiscovered B.unexpected C.unplanned D.unsettled
12.A.go on B.go out C.come about D.come in
13.A.teamwork B.understanding C.judgment D.concept
14.A.shallow B.occupied C.abandoned D.grand
15.A.walks B.works C.journeys D.sorts
16.A.school B.rescue C.business D.loan
17.A.buses B.planes C.trains D.ships
18.A.worried B.satisfied C.amazed D.concerned
19.A.sympathy B.desire C.favor D.privilege
20.A.nowhere B.forever C.someday D.therefore
Which of the following sentences is correct?
A.We urge effective measures taken immediately.
B.What a tiny spot I was this enormous world!
C.That’s quite difficult as I don’t speak much of the local English dialect yet.
D.There was a newly made platform for Jenny and me to sleep.
