Kanda really doesn't like to walk alone. The scientist from a research institute of intelligent robots finds the experience so boring that he'd rather drive—even though he lives close to his lab and knows that walking us healthy. "I enjoy walking with someone, like with my wife, with my daughter," Kanda said. "But they are not always available."
So Kanda, who specializes in human-like bots, developed a robotic walking partner that could make small talk based on its surroundings, which, he hopes, might motivate people to get out and exercise more. The bot rests on a person's shoulder like a boxy parrot. It weighs about a pound and a half and sits roughly 8.5 inches high, 3.5inches wide, and 10 inches long. A microphone, speaker, and internal camera allow it to communicate. It's even equipped with a smile.
Kanda and his team collected video form five different locations, including a garden and a shopping mall, and created a dataset of small talk topics related to each location. Then they programmed the robot to associate visual cues with specific topics. A special speech software provided the robot with a voice. Near a group of parked cars, for example, it might say, "In a big parking lot, sometimes I forget where I parked."
They tested the robot on 15 volunteers, 10 males and 5 females, who were paid and averaged about 26 years old. "Have you ever blown a puff of dandelion（蒲公英）seeds into the air?" The robot asked a participant, who smiled and responded, "Yes, I often did that when I was a child." Although several participants noted the robot's weight, Kanda was surprised that no one considered the experience as strange or funny. "I guess people enjoy new technologies," he said.
Just like a human partner, Kanda's bot isn't perfect. It's not able to go for walks in heavy rain and, while the robot can make expressions, it can't really hold a conversation, about which Kanda is most worried. Despite its limits, Kanda was comforted by the bot's presence. "I felt a kind of sense of being with someone, "he said, "particularly when it spoke."
1.Why does Kanda have the idea of developing a robotic walking partner?
A. Because he wants someone to accompany him while walking.
B. Because he has never developed a robot like a parrot.
C. Because his family are unwilling to walk with him.
D. Because he is crazy about developing robots.
2.What characteristic does the robot have?
A. It can "speak" and "see".
B. It can walk like a human being.
C. It can communicate with people freely.
D. It is much more humorous than a real person.
3.What is necessary for the robot to function?
A. A small size.
B. A boxy shape.
C. A human partner.
D. A speech software.
4.What is Kanda most likely to do about his robot next?
A. To make it more convenient to carry.
B. To improve its conversational skills.
C. To enable it to walk in heavy rain.
D. To better its sound system.
I stopped at my bank last week to deposit a check. I could have used the ATM, but I am so glad that I didn't because if I had, I probably would not have met Harold.
There were 3 or 4 people ahead of me in the line-up, so I amused myself by watching TV, just waiting my turn. Moments passed. Then, directly in front of me, a tiny elder woman, who was now first in line, started toward one of the counters. But the customer before her didn't finish, so she had to step back. Her backward movement caused my attention to be drawn to the customer directly ahead of us. As he was facing the counter, I could see only his white hair and the bright red team jacket. I heard him say to the teller in a deep, strong voice..."Have a Great Day!" and the teller replied, "You too, Harold-see you next week!"
The impatient woman again made her move, heading for the counter. As she passed him, Harold looked up, directly at me, saying, "You are a handsome man, sir." I was so surprised by his statement and struck by the genuine warmth and generosity that filled it that I blurted out "Thank you, sir." instantly reaching out to shake his hand, out even realizing that he was walking with a walking stick. He switched it to his left hand and took my hand in his warm and firm grip. "I really care about you!" He spoke again. Then he reached out to the next person in line and said, "I really care about you, too!"
I was so overcome by his innocent and sincere gift! He was like a 4-year-old, who walked up to everyone, inviting them to play with him. I wondered to myself afterwards. How was he attained this state of grace? Imagine the warm feeling he leaves behind his as he sails through this world, touching people for just a moment. He dropped a stone into the peaceful ocean of my reality that is still rippling outward as you hear and hopefully, some of what Harold so unselfishly pass on to me, that in attempt to pass on to you—I really care about you!
1.What made the author notice Harold?
A. The woman's impatience.
B. Harold's deep and strong voice.
C. The woman's backward movement.
D. Harold's white hair and bright red team jacket.
2.Why did Harold say "I really care about you!" to the author?
A. To express appreciation for his help.
B. To pass on his warmth and generosity.
C. To praise him for his being handsome.
D. To greet his old friend in a special way.
3.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Harold gave a gift to the author.
B. Harold liked to play with others.
C. Harold's words attracted people.
D. Harold's words touched the author.
某英文网站向中学生征稿。轻你写一篇英文稿件，介绍中秋主要活动。写作要点如下：
1. 每年农历八月十五是中国的中秋节；
2. 它是中国的传统节日之一；
3. 家人团聚，赏月、吃月饼；
4. 旅游、访友等其他活动。
注意：词汇100-120，可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：中秋节the Mid-Autumn Festival 农历lunar calendar
赏月admire the moon 月饼moon cake
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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。作文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏子符号（∧）并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：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仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Music and songs play a important part in our daily life. For example, they can bring we pleasure and make us happy. However, they can help us improve our study efficiency. I was fond of listening to songs and music very much, but my favorite song is Country Road. The lyrics and music bring me into a beautiful world in that I am loved and cared by my Grandma. What's more, they make me think of my wonderful childhood was spent in my hometown and I can still remember the game played with young fellow. In a word, once enjoying, the song will never be forgotten.
Once there lived a rich man 1. wanted to do something for the people of his town. But first he wanted 2. (find) out whether they deserve his help.
In the center of the main road into the town, he placed 3. very large stone. Then he 4. (hide) behind a tree and waited. Soon an old man came along with his cow.
"Who put this stone in the center of the road?" said the man, but he did not try to remove the stone. Instead, with some difficulty he passed around the stone and continued his way. 5. man came and did the same thing; then another came, and another. All of them complained about the stone but not tried to remove 6.. Later in the afternoon a young man came along. He saw the stone, 7. (say) to himself, "the night will be very dark. Some 8. (neighbor) will come along 9. (late) in the dark and will fall against the stone."
Then he began to move the stone. He pushed and pulled with all his strength to move it. How great his surprise was at last! 10. the stone, he found a bag of money.
Taking part in a party is an interesting experience for all those girls and women who love eating, chatting and playing over a simple cup of tea and having a good time all afternoon. If you are going to ______ a tea party, you will have to plan well.
Parties nowadays are simply to ______ and have some fun in the sun. Making it a party for celebrations can be the greatest ______.
If you have a theme(主题) for your party, make the invitations in that ______. Make the invitations in light color ______ pink. You can tie ribbons (丝带) to the invitations to make them ______ beautiful and write what you want to express in ______ handwriting. Once they're ready, take out your ______ book and send out the invitations to ______ your guests.
Party foods can be either ______ at home or brought by the guests to make the party more ______. Since it is a party, you can also have singers, ______ and even some music to be played by some of your talented ______.
You can also ______ some gifts for the guests attending the party. Give the ______ to your guests after your party and ______ your guests for adding fun and excitement to the party. ______ doing so, the guests will know that you are such a kind and polite person, and ______ you invite them, they will be glad to come and have more ______ together with you.
With those special ideas for a party, don't you ______ hosting one? Go ahead and have some fun.
1.A. attend B. enter C. host D. refuse
2.A. get in B. get together C. get across D. get around
3.A. idea B. time C. function D. way
4.A. theme B. title C. base D. name
5.A. for B. in C. about D. like
6.A. such B. most C. less D. more
7.A. quick B. ugly C. good D. poor
8.A. course B. cheque C. address D. telephone
9.A. any B. some C. all D. none
10.A. taken B. made C. sold D. bought
11.A. formal B. peaceful C. common D. interesting
12.A. dancers B. educators C. friends D. sailors
13.A. neighbors B. guests C. relatives D. students
14.A. prepare B. send C. ask D. imagine
15.A. gifts B. foods C. invitations D. letters
16.A. invite B. blame C. thank D. encourage
17.A. About B. Out C Before D. By
18.A. as soon as B. since C. unless D. next time
19.A. sadness B. fun C. wonder D. surprise
20.A. look for B. end up C. care about D. feel like
