Scientists are building the world’s first thinking robot. It’s true. Some say machines that walk, speak and feel will have been made by 2020.Kismet is the name of a robot which scientists have built this year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Kismet is different from traditional robots because it can show human emotions. Its eyes, ears and lips move to show when it feels happy, sad or bored. Kismet is one of the first robots of a new generation that look like human beings and can imitate human feelings.
Some people say that by 2020 we will have created robots with brains similar to those of adult human beings. These robots will be designed to look like people to make them more attractive and easier to sell. What kind of jobs will they do? In the future, robots like Robonaut, a robot invented by NASA, will be doing dangerous jobs, like repairing space stations. They will also be doing more and more of the household work for us. In Japan, scientists are designing robots that will entertain people by danc
ing and playing the piano.
Meanwhile, people who worry about the future are wondering whether robots will become monsters? Will people themselves become increasingly like robots? Experts predict that more and more people will be wearing micro-computers connected to the Internet in the future. People will have microchips in various parts of their body, which will connect them to a wide variety of small machines. Perhaps we should not exaggerate(夸大) the importance of technology, but one may wonder whether, in years to come, we will still be falling in love, and whether we will feel pain.
Who knows?Kismet is different from traditional robots because______.
| A．it is made in the MIT, USA | B．it is able to express its own feelings |
| C．it is the first modern robot | D．it is able to show human feelings |
Possibly, robots will be able to ______in about ten years from now.
| A．think like human beings | B．do all kinds of jobs for us |
| C．imitate human feelings | D．become dangerous monsters |
The underlined word “one” can be best replaced by_____.
| A．some experts | B．the writer himself | C．some scientists | D．people in general |
It can be inferred from this passage that_______.
| A．robots will take the place of human beings in the future |
| B．the importance of technology has been exaggerated |
| C．scientist have designed different kinds of robots |
| D．robots might be a helper or a danger. |
People think what I do is so wonderful because I interview stars.And I have to admit that when I first started working at Sassy in 1987 I was excited about that part of my job for the first couple of months，anyway.Then I noticed how stars would fool me around for months.I could never get enough time with a star to find out anything interesting，and some acted just simply rudely.I started hating the way I was treated，and I was really disappointed to see that these people I had worshipped (崇拜) before were pretty ordinary.So I decided I would just tell the truth instead of keeping up their myths (神秘)．If the star was a bad guy，I would say so.If I thought anyone was stupid，I did not hold back that information.
I thought readers would appreciate that kind of honesty.Surprisingly，many of them hated me for it.I have gotten so many attacks on my character.In their eyes，being famous is everything，even more desirable that being truly creative and talented.
Why do we need stars？In fact，the media created stars to satisfy our basic need for gossip (闲聊)．Over time，talking about people we have never met and we are never likely to meet has become what we are crazy about.Thus，some people are more interested in the personal lives of the stars than in the lives of their own family and their own friends.That is why it is so ridiculous when a star wants to discuss only his or her work in an interview—as we care.We want the dirt on their personal lives.
There is another reason we worship stars.As a whole，our society is not as religious as it once was.It seems that people need something to fulfill them the way religion once did.Star worship exists as an unfulfilling desire for true heroes.
We make them stars，but then their reputation makes us feel unimportant，and we truly feel better about ourselves when they die.I am part of this whole process.No wonder I feel soiled at the end of workday.What are the stars like according to the author?
| A．They always treat others rudely. |
| B．They always talk about something dull. |
| C．They are actually ordinary people. |
| D．They are usually honest and polite. |
We worship stars because ________.
| A．we need true mental heroes to support us |
| B．we can learn something useful from famous stars |
| C．we concern about the stars，family and friends |
| D．we like talking about the star's dressing styles |
When the author is writing this article，his tone sounds ________.
| A．excited | B．angry |
| C．worried | D．calm |
What is the main purpose of the author writing the passage?
| A．To show the disadvantages of working with stars. |
| B．To remind us not to worship famous stars blindly. |
| C．To laugh at the failures of stars he has interviewed. |
| D．To talk about the reasons why we worship stars. |
What would it be like to take a walk on the surface of Mars? If you could design the tallest building in the world, what would it look like? Do you dream of being the next J．K. Rowling? This summer, you can experience all of these things, and more. All you need is an Internet connection and your imagination.
A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that kids spend an average of 1 hour and 29 minutes online each day. Many kids like to use that time to chat with friends, play games or check emails. But the next time you get on the Web, try exploring the world instead. “With the Internet, you can go back 11,000 years in time, or go 11,000 kilometers across the planet.” said Russell, Web search expert of Google. “The whole scope of history and the world is open to you.”
There is a wealth of information to be found online. For example, if your family is going on vacation somewhere，do a quick online search on the area before you even get in the car. “What's the background of the place; what's the history？” says Russell. “I like to tell my kids, ‘Whenever you have a question, whenever you have a doubt, search it out.’”
Ready to launch a virtual journey of your own? Here are a few starting points to get you thinking and to help you on your way. You can invite your parents along for the ride, too. Always ask for permission before downloading programs and software onto your computer. And check with a parent or an adult before visiting a new Web site.
Navigate the world in 3D with Google Earth. Begin in outer space and zoom(快速移动) into the streets of any city, from Hong Kong to San Francisco. Or visit ancient monuments, watch the changing rainforests over time, and dive underwater to explore tropical reef.
With the Moon in Google Earth tool, you can walk in Neil Armstrong's famous footsteps. Take a guided tour of the moon's surface with Armstrong's fellow shuttle mate astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
When you're exploring that part of the solar system, hop on over to the Red Planet with Google Mars. There, you can move very quickly around the surface and see images from the Mars Rovers.The author uses questions in the first passage to ________.
| A．introduce the topic of the paragraph |
| B．question the possibility of realizing the dream |
| C．attract the readers' attention |
| D．let the readers answer it |
How do you travel around the world in a day according to the passage?
| A．By taking the time shuttle. |
| B．By making use of the Internet |
| C．By watching 3D films. |
| D．By finding a tourism company in Google. |
Russell thought ________.
| A．the students spent too much time on the Internet |
| B．the students shouldn't chat and play games online |
| C．the students could solve their problems through the line |
| D．the students should learn knowledge instead of chatting online |
What's the purpose of the passage?
| A．Encourage the kids to spend more time online. |
| B．Encourage the kids to do some research on science. |
| C．Encourage the kids to learn to use the computer. |
| D．Encourage the kids to explore the world online. |
The best of Bali in 48 hours
Bali(巴厘岛) is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu minority. Here's how to get the most out of a 48hour visit：
FRIDAY
3pm—There's nothing like a good meal. La Lucciola is the place to go, with its good food, great service and a beautiful view of the sea.
You can hire a car for some 450,000 rupiah per day. This will help you have more to spare during your trip there.
5pm—About an hour away from La Lucciola is Uluwatu. This southern tip of the island is famous for its temple that lies on the edge, high above the sea. Fire dance is performed here daily at sunset.
8pm—To finish off the evening, head to Jimbaran Bay where restaurants offer candles, dances, boys singing songs. Kick off your shoes, feel the sand, and enjoy the night.
SATURDAY
9：30am—Start the day with another taste of culture by heading for a “barong and keris” dance performance. It's held in many places. One is the Catur Eka Budi in Denpasar, capital of Bali.
12pm—About 50km from Denpasar is Kintamani, a favorite with tourists for the view of active volcano Mt. Batur. It's a good idea to reach Kintamani early as it gets cloudy after 3pm. Have lunch at a local restaurant with a view of Mt. Batur. Tourists can climb to Mt. Batur to catch the sunrise.
6：30pm—Spa(温泉疗养)time! Spa Hati is a good place. Book ahead.
SUNDAY
6am—It's time to go to the sea. Don't forget the camera.
10：30am—Another halfday trip to two of the most famous temples in Bali. Drive down to the Taman Ayun temple at Mengwi.
12am—Next up is the Tanah Lot temple, perhaps the most famous of them all. Built on a rock, it's best seen in the afternoon when it's against the sun or at sunset.How can you save time during your trip in La Lucciola according to the text?
| A．Having a pair of good shoes. |
| B．Preparing early and well. |
| C．Joining a tour group. |
| D．Hiring a car. |
Where can you enjoy fire dance?
| A．In La Lucciola. | B．In Uluwatu. |
| C．At Mengwi. | D．In Denpasar. |
Which of the following is probably a better time to visit the famous temple built on a rock?
| A．5 am. | B．4 pm. | C．11 am. | D．9 pm. |
Which of the following needs to be booked in advance?
| A．Joining in a “ barong and keris” dance. |
| B．Visiting the Tanah Lot temple. |
| C．Having a spa in Spa Hati. |
| D．Having lunch in Kintamani. |
We chat with our colleagues all the time when we have lunch, gossip in the tearoom, or leave work together. Sharing your personal life brings you closer to your coworkers and builds trust within your team. But revealing too much about yourself to colleagues, managers or human resources staff can cause difficulties and even endanger your work.
It's important to keep the right balance between getting along with colleagues and maintaining your privacy. “Communication in the office is tricky and complicated. You can neither spread chatter, nor be too silent and shut yourself off from others，” said Yang Yudan, deputy HR director at P&G.
According to her, there are several safe topics to talk about with colleagues during the break, such as the weather or movies. Women like to talk about makeup and clothing, while men are fond of sports and online games. But discussing your private life, such as relationship, habits or health conditions, is a potential minefield.
Liang Kun, 26, had to resign from his job at a trading company in Guangzhou last week after discussing his income with colleagues during a lunch break. “I didn't realize it was such a serious issue until a senior member of staff went to find the boss, asking why I got a higher salary than her，” said Liang. “Then our HR told me that according to the employee handbook it is forbidden to talk about salary in the office.” HR expert Yang also reminds us that paychecks are your own business. It is unwise to share this information with others, no matter how close you are.
To summarize, Yang advises office workers to be more aware of the image they project when talking to colleagues, “When you share your personal life, it will be recorded on your invisible resume and may slow down your career progressing.”The author quoted Yang Yudan in the text to ________.
| A．show his admiration for her |
| B．make an argument with her |
| C．support his own viewpoint |
| D．build up his fame |
What can be inferred from the fact that Liang Kun had to resign his job according to the text?
| A．It was unwise for him to share information with others. |
| B．He broke the rules made by the company. |
| C．He was such an honest person that he told the truth. |
| D．He treated his colleagues as family members. |
What is the author's purpose in writing the text?
| A．To draw people's attention to their behaviors in public. |
| B．To advise office workers to be aware of the image they project. |
| C．To make you believe that communication in the office is complicated. |
| D．To warn you to be careful of invisible trouble while talking about your privacy to colleagues. |
Which would be the best title for the text?
| A．At Work, Keep It to Yourself |
| B．Keep the Right Balance |
| C．Share Your Personal Life with Others |
| D．Safe Topics to Talk about |
“It is one of the few bright spots in the Chinese economy，” says Zeng Ming. He is talking about ecommerce. Mr. Zeng, the chief strategy officer for Alibaba, a giant Chinese Internet firm, predicts that digital transactions on his firm's platforms will top 1 trillion yuan($159 billion) this year—more than Amazon's and eBay's combined. That is a bold claim, but consider what happened on Singles Day.
Invented a few years ago by students and seized upon by digital marketers, this festival for lonely hearts falls annually on the 11th day of the 11th month(since 1 is the loneliest number). It is like St Valentine's Day, only worse. Singletons show each other with tender gifts: a barrage of pearls; a storm of sweets.
This November 11th they spent a surprising 19 billion yuan on Alibaba's online platforms—a fourfold increase on a year ago, and more than double what Americans spent online last Cyber Monday(the Monday after Thanksgiving, when retailers urge Americans to shop online). About 100 million purchases were logged, accounting for 80% of the packages shipped that day. Couriers(快递员) were buried in parcels.
So life is good for China's etailers. Then? Not exactly. The number of digital marketers is increasing and online sales are booming. Consumers are enjoying lower prices, better service and more variety. The problem? The pressure on profits in Chinese ecommerce is worse than in America, reckons Elinor Leung of CLSA, a broker. “Almost no one makes money，” she says.
The fiercest battles are being fought between online retailers and their bricksandmortar(实体的) rivals. Dangdang, a firm that resembles Amazon, and 360buy, another online retailer, have cut prices fiercely. Tencent, a cashrich online giant known for its instantmessaging software, is splashing out to win market share. 360buy has also just raised $400 millon from investors to do the same. But it is unclear how much longer such firms can burn through capital. What's the best title of this passage?
| A．The Ambition of Alibaba |
| B．Fierce Competition between Retailers |
| C．A New Festival for the Singles |
| D．Chinese Booming Ecommerce |
According to Zeng Ming, this year Alibaba will ________.
| A．outweigh Amazon and eBay in worldwide influence |
| B．rank top among all the Internet firms |
| C．have more than 159 billion dollars' sale |
| D．create another sales miracle just like the one on Singles Day |
How many packages were shipped on November 11th from Alibaba's online platforms?
| A．About 80 million. | B．About 100 million. |
| C．About 125 million. | D．About 180 million. |
What's the author's attitude towards online retailers in China?
| A．Optimistic. | B．Concerned. |
| C．Sympathetic. | D．Indifferent. |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号