Imagine a cat that does not need someone to clean up after it keeps an older person company and helps them remember to take their medicine. That is the shared dream of the toy maker Hasbro and scientists at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The researchers received a $ 3-million-dollar award from the National Science Foundation for a special project. They want to find ways to add artificial intelligence, or A.I., to Hasbro’s “Joy for All” robotic.
The cat has already been for sale for two years. Though priced over 1000 dollars, it sold quite well. It was meant to act as a “companion” for older people. Now the project is aimed at developing additional abilities for the cat. Researchers at Brown’s Humanity-Centered Robotics Initiative are working to decide which activities older adults may need the most. They hope to make the cat perform a small number of activities very well. Such activities include finding lost objects and reminding the person to take medicine or visit their doctor. They also want to keep the cost down to just a few hundred dollars.
It is an idea that has appealed to Jeanne Elliott. Her 93-year-old mother Mary Derr lives with her in South Kingstown. Derr has dementia( 痴 呆 ). The Joy for All cat that Elliott bought this year has become a true companion for Derr. The cat stays with Derr and keeps her calm while Elliott is at work. Elliott said a robotic cat that helps her mother to remember to take her medicine and be careful when she walks would be greater.
The researchers are trying to learn how the improved cats will complete helpful activities and how they will communicate. They say that they do not want a talking cat, however. Instead they are trying to design a cat that can move its head in a special way to successfully communicate its message. In the end, they hope to create an exchange between the human and the cat in which the human feels the cat needs them. By doing so, the researchers hope they can even help prevent feelings of loneliness and sadness among elderly people.
1.What’s the purpose of the project?
A. To relieve the pain of the elderly. B. To promote the sales of a medicine.
C. To invent a robotic cat for the elderly. D. To help make the robotic cat smarter.
2.Compared with the old model, the new robotic cat will be .
A. smaller B. cheaper
C. more talkative D. more expensive
3.What does Paragraph 3 intend to tell us?
A. The cat gives much help to the elderly.
B. The more functions of the cat, the better.
C. There is no cure for dementia at present.
D. Mary Derr would have died without the cat.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. A talking cat is quite popular among the elderly.
B. Feelings of sadness among the elderly are unavoidable.
C. Each family can afford such a cat in the future.
D. The feeling of being needed is vital to the elderly.
Back about 20 months ago I started college and just struggled with everything, such as classes and friends. I quickly became depressed and angry at myself for not being about to do better in school, in addition to lack of friends due to poor social and communication skills.
This went on for months until my 19th birthday. My parents sent me a cake, which was a great cake. But I remember having this large cake and absolutely no one to share it with. I ended throwing out the cake after having one piece, with about 90 % of it leftover. That night I was depressed that I decided to go outside to the freezing temperature of the winter and run. I put my earphones in, went outside and ran about 2 miles at 11 p.m. on my birthday.
When I got back inside I was content. I was proud of what I was able to do. The next night I did the same. I wasn’t quick or fit but you know that I went outside and did something. This continued for about 2 months until I finally worked up the courage to go to the gym, where I started swimming again as I used to in high school. A month went by and I started lifting weights and continually running.
Looking back I can see that exercise helped cure my depression but it didn’t only do that. At the gym I met new friends and back at my dorm I grew confidence to go to the end of the hall seeing people playing Super Smash Brothers and ask if I could join.
So go forward to present now. I exercise every day and look forward to that hour and a half I get daily to do what I love with people who love it as well. I hope this helps someone who may be or have been in a similar situation.
1.What made the author decide to run at night?
A. His l9th birthday. B. His parents’ cake.
C. His loneliness. D. His friends.
2.Which of the following best describes the author?
A. Traditional. B. Determined.
C. Humorous. D. Generous.
3.What is the biggest benefit of the author’s running?
A. Regaining his confidence. B. Losing his weight.
C. Playing with his brothers. D. Joining other activities.
4.Why do you think the author wrote this passage?
A. To recall his life in college.
B. To show his gratitude to his parents.
C. To emphasize the importance of friendship.
D. To share his experience of dealing with hardship.
The Five Best Countries To Move To For Retirement
Retiring in a different country is gaining popularity. Below are five of the best countries to seek retirement.
Costa Rica
Mild climate, breathtaking landscapes and beaches draw retirees(退休人员) to Costa Rica. The country readily welcomes immigrants and offers a simple residency process. With a monthly income of at least $ 1,000 per month from Social Security or a similar source, people enjoy a high standard of living at a much lower cost than the U. S.
Malaysia
Retirees who choose to make Malaysia home will appreciate its rich culture and attractive scenery. Moreover, the country offers modern facilities at modest prices. Immigrants enjoy convenience and comfort in their daily life. You will find low-cost rental units, delicious street food, and various shopping malls.
Mexico
Because it’s close to the U.S., Mexico draws more than a million American retirees to its borders. Increasing immigrant communities enjoy seaside living and conversations with friendly English speaking locals. Plus, legal residents over the age of 60 receive airline, grocery, and restaurant discounts.
Panama
Gentle ocean wind takes the heat out of hot year-round temperatures, which has been the chief attraction to foreign retirees. Beautiful beaches and a booming economy also attract retirees to Panama. An income of $2,000 per month covers modest living costs. Furthermore, the country offers discounts to retirees with a special visa.
Ecuador
Lazy coastal towns, sun-shining hot spots, and nature-filled views wait for immigrants seeking a carefree lifestyle. Public transportation costs in Ecuador make owning a vehicle unnecessary. A bus ride only costs 25 cents and taxi rides will run about $3.
1.What do Costa Rica and Malaysia have in common?
A. Convenient shopping. B. Relatively low living cost.
C. Various cultural activities. D. Simple immigration procedures.
2.Which country’s location specially attracts retirees from the U.S.?
A. Malaysia’s. B. Mexico’s.
C. Panama’s. D. Ecuador’s.
3.What is the main reason for retirees to choose Panama?
A. Beautiful beaches. B. A booming economy.
C. A pleasant climate. D. Discounts for retirees.
交通规则应该人人遵守。请你根据下表的内容提示，用英语写一篇短文。
1.行人（passer-by）过马路，也不能闯红灯， 妨碍交通，影响车辆的正常行驶
2.容易引发事故，危及他人和自身的安全……（自己设想）
3.对行人闯红灯的处罚措施 批评教育，让其意识到闯红灯的危害
4.当场给予警告并罚款
5.……（自己设想）
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
参考词汇：jaywalk 乱穿马路
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同学写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，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：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧）,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仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
The night befre last,we got a sunny day. But it snowed heavy yesterday. When Susan and I got up in this morning, we found the whole garden was covered with thick snow. So we decided clear the path. We got two spades but began our work at once. We both worked so hard that the path was clear soon. Seen this, our father felt very surprising. He smiled happily at us, telling us that we have done a good job and that he was proud for us. Finally Father gave us some pocket money as a reward for the Spring Festival. Susan and I was happy because we had all got the money through labor.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填一个适当的词，或括号内单词的正确形式。
I met this elderly lady in town，1. I suppose may be someone’s grandmother. The city has grown and everybody is so busy 2. (walk), and at times shoving(挤着) other people. I’m not sure what made look at her as she walked slowly by with her wooden walking stick. Maybe it’s because I wondered if I would reach that age and what I would be doing then if I did.
3. (sudden), her stick dropped. I was not so sure if someone had pushed her or it just dropped accidentally. She tried reaching for it, but I noticed that bending was becoming a challenge to her. I moved towards her, although I thought that someone would have helped her by the time I4. (reach) her. I was wrong. Nobody seemed 5. (notice) or cared much. I picked6. her stick and positioned it in her hand. She gave me 7. wide, honest smile and thanked me. She raised her 8. (eye) and said something nice to me, still smiling.
I felt happy too, and will remember that it is 9. (meaning) to slow down and take notice of what is happening around 10. (we) and outside our own selves.
