UNIT 2 LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共30分)
A
Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace my job This is a question that many people think about these days.At present,the application of AI robotics in professional fields,as well as some chatbots’ abilities to write essays,solve complex problems and more,has heightened moral concerns.
Some people see AI as the ultimate cure for society’s most fundamental problems,while others fear that AI will overtake human intelligence.These two views are based on the assumption that AI is better and smarter than humanity and may ultimately replace human decision-making.But given the fact that technology is the product of human civilisation,the challenge from AI is something we have created for ourselves as we keep pushing back our own boundaries.In other words,AI’s progress,functions and future direction are all determined by the human brain.
Before AI becomes a threat to humanity,the international community should reach an agreement on the role it is to play.More importantly,related laws and regulations must ensure that AI will benefit the society and prevent AI from threatening human life.Robots,for example,are believed to develop emotional intelligence sometime,which enables them to recognise,understand and express emotions in a way that is similar to humans’,but we must avoid AI copying human emotions.Without legal restrictions,AI may become a social disaster.
The AI-driven new industrial revolution (革命) is irreversible.This,like previous ones,which introduced changes that had been unimaginable before,will certainly affect human employment.But it always turned out that humanity was able to adapt to each industrial revolution and create new forms of employment.Therefore,it’s unnecessary to worry AI will replace our jobs.While technology advances at a rapid pace,what we need to do is welcome the AI era rather than block its unfolding for fear of the unknown.
( )1.Why are some people concerned about AI
[A] Because it has been applied widely.
[B] Because it has led to social problems.
[C] Because it may outsmart humans.
[D] Because it is the product of humanity.
( )2.How can we prevent AI’s potential threat [A] By stirring emotions.
[B] By setting restrictions.
[C] By blocking functions.
[D] By changing regulations.
( )3.What does the underlined word “irreversible” in the last paragraph mean
[A] Undesirable. [B] Unbelievable.
[C] Unpredictable. [D] Unavoidable.
( )4.What does the writer suggest readers do with the coming of the AI era
[A] Deal with it positively.
[B] Accept it passively.
[C] Respond to it randomly.
[D] Defend it unconditionally.
B
You are just waking up in the spring of 2030.Your bedroom opens solar-powered e-windows and plays soft music while your smart lighting displays a montage of a beachfront sunrise from your recent vacation.
Your shower uses very little water or soap.It recycles your grey water and puts the extra heat back into your home’s operating system.While you dress,your artificial intelligence (AI)assistant shares your schedule for the day and plays your favourite tunes.
You still start your day with a coffee but it comes from your refrigerator which is capable of providing a coffee house experience in your home.A hot breakfast tailored to your specific nutritional needs (based on chemical analysis from your trips to the “smart toilet”) is waiting for you in the kitchen.
When it’s time to leave,an on-demand transport system has three cars waiting for you,
your wife (or husband)and your kids.On the road,driverless cars move with mathematical accuracy,without traffic jams,routine maintenance or road rage.Accident rates are near zero.
On the way,you call your assistant team,who are taking on a day’s work in Shanghai.
Your life-sized image is projected (投射) onto the screen of the conference room and your colleagues see you as if you were sitting there.It’s a bit surreal (离奇的) for them to see you in the morning light given that it’s dark on the Bund,Shanghai’s waterfront,though the novelty disappears after using it a few times.
You review the day’s cloud-based data from your Shenzhen manufacturing centre,your pilot project in San Diego,and your QA team in Melbourne.Large quantities of data sets collected in real time from every piece of equipment have been beautifully summarised by your company’s AI. All these facilities are closely maintained and operated through an advanced predictive analytics platform.
Pleased with the team’s progress,you end the call and ease into a good book.
This is the future and it will be here sooner than you think.
( )5.How can we describe the life in the future
[A] Artificial. [B] Accurate.
[C] Remarkable. [D] Intelligent.
( )6.What can we do in the year 2030 according to the passage
[A] We can have a bath without using water.
[B] We can drive to work without worrying about any accidents.
[C] We can enjoy the coffee house experience without going there.
[D] We can deal with all our work at home without turning to others for help.
( )7.How does the author develop the passage
[A] In time order.
[B] In logical order.
[C] By drawing a comparison.
[D] By offering examples.
( )8.What’s the purpose of writing the passage
[A] To attract us to the use of the AI system.
[B] To introduce the life in the future.
[C] To teach us how to use the AI system.
[D] To encourage us to study hard for the future.
C
It might sound unbelievable,but the mind control television could soon become a reality.
This technology could one day replace the remote control.
When testing the prototype,the users were able to operate a headset that allowed them to operate it and choose what they wanted to watch by concentrating.The device can know what you want to watch by reading the changes in brain activity.A researcher said the technology was still at an experimental stage.
Writing in a blog,the researcher said an experiment with ten members found they could all use the headset to start watching a programme.He continued,“You can imagine a world where instead of having to get up from your sofa to reach for your remote control,you just think ‘put Channel 1 on’when you want to watch TV.Imagine sitting in your car and thinking ‘I want to listen to Radio 4’and hearing the radio programme come on.Perhaps you would be able to just think ‘give me the latest news’,and then get served with many pieces of news.”
But the researcher added,“It’s important to know that it’s very early days,and while the devices are still improving,what they can do is still quite basic.Hopefully,the technology gives an idea of how audiences of the future might be able to control devices such as TVs just using their brains.”It is hoped that the system could be used to help those with disabilities in the future.
( )9.What was a headset intended to do in the test
[A] To read the users’ minds.
[B] To change the channels by itself.
[C] To cause changes in people’s brains.
[D] To receive the users’ voice commands.
( )10.What do we know about the mind control television from the text
[A] It is just in people’s minds.
[B] It is still at the test stage.
[C] It has already become a reality.
[D] It has been well received by customers.
( )11.What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 3
[A] The users of the new technology.
[B] The market for the new technology.
[C] The new technology used in the cars.
[D] The convenience of the new technology.
( )12.What can we infer from the last paragraph
[A] The researcher shows less interest in the technology.
[B] The technology can only be applied to TVs.
[C] The disabled may benefit from the technology in the future.
[D] The technology will improve the development of brains.
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
The concept of solitude(独处)in the digital world is almost non-existent.In the world of digital technology,e-mail,social networking and online video games,information is meant to be
1 .Solitude can be hard to discover once it has been given up.In this respect,new technologies have 2 our culture.
The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) 3 as we’ve known it.People have become so 4 in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be.Today we can talk,text,e-mail,chat and blog,not only from our 5 ,but from our mobile phones as well.
Most developed nations have become 6 on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it,and at this point not 7 it may make them an outsider.Also,many jobs and careers require people to be 8 .From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.However,being reachable might feel like a 9 to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.
I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who 10 wants puters can be shut down and mobile phones can be turned off.In a word,the ability to be “connected” and “on” has many 11 ,as well as disadvantages.Travellers have ended up
12 in the mountains,and mobile phones have saved countless lives.On the contrary,they can also make people feel 13 and forced to answer unwanted calls or 14 to unwanted texts.
Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society 15 across generations.Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a bother.Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject,it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without daily advancements in technology.
( )1.[A] updated [B] received
[C] shared [D] collected
( )2.[A] respected [B] shaped
[C] ignored [D] preserved
( )3.[A] edge [B] stage
[C] end [D] balance
( )4.[A] sensitive [B] intelligent
[C] considerate [D] reachable
( )5.[A] media [B] computers
[C] databases [D] monitors
( )6.[A] bent [B] hard
[C] keen [D] dependent
( )7.[A] finding [B] using
[C] protecting [D] changing
( )8.[A] connected [B] trained
[C] recommended [D] interested
( )9.[A] pleasure [B] benefit
[C] burden [D] disappointment
( )10.[A] slightly [B] hardly
[C] merely [D] really
( )11.[A] aspects [B] weaknesses
[C] advantages [D] exceptions
( )12.[A] hidden [B] lost
[C] relaxed [D] deserted
( )13.[A] trapped [B] excited
[C] confused [D] amused
( )14.[A] turn [B] submit
[C] object [D] reply
( )15.[A] vary [B] arise
[C] spread [D] exist
UNIT 2 LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共30分)
A
Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace my job This is a question that many people think about these days.At present,the application of AI robotics in professional fields,as well as some chatbots’ abilities to write essays,solve complex problems and more,has heightened moral concerns.
Some people see AI as the ultimate cure for society’s most fundamental problems,while others fear that AI will overtake human intelligence.These two views are based on the assumption that AI is better and smarter than humanity and may ultimately replace human decision-making.But given the fact that technology is the product of human civilisation,the challenge from AI is something we have created for ourselves as we keep pushing back our own boundaries.In other words,AI’s progress,functions and future direction are all determined by the human brain.
Before AI becomes a threat to humanity,the international community should reach an agreement on the role it is to play.More importantly,related laws and regulations must ensure that AI will benefit the society and prevent AI from threatening human life.Robots,for example,are believed to develop emotional intelligence sometime,which enables them to recognise,understand and express emotions in a way that is similar to humans’,but we must avoid AI copying human emotions.Without legal restrictions,AI may become a social disaster.
The AI-driven new industrial revolution (革命) is irreversible.This,like previous ones,which introduced changes that had been unimaginable before,will certainly affect human employment.But it always turned out that humanity was able to adapt to each industrial revolution and create new forms of employment.Therefore,it’s unnecessary to worry AI will replace our jobs.While technology advances at a rapid pace,what we need to do is welcome the AI era rather than block its unfolding for fear of the unknown.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章主要阐述了人类应该以一种积极的态度来应对人工智能时代的到来。
( )1.Why are some people concerned about AI
[A] Because it has been applied widely.
[B] Because it has led to social problems.
[C] Because it may outsmart humans.
[D] Because it is the product of humanity.
【答案】 C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段前两句可知,一些人把人工智能看作人类社会最基本问题的最终对策,而其他人担心人工智能将会超越人类的智力。这两种观点都是基于人工智能比人类更聪明的假设。故选C。
( )2.How can we prevent AI’s potential threat [A] By stirring emotions.
[B] By setting restrictions.
[C] By blocking functions.
[D] By changing regulations.
【答案】 B
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“but we must avoid AI...become a social disaster”可知,我们必须阻止人工智能模仿人类感情。如果没有法律限制,人工智能也许会变成社会灾难。由此可推知,为了阻止人工智能给人类带来威胁,我们必须设定限制。故选B。
( )3.What does the underlined word “irreversible” in the last paragraph mean
[A] Undesirable. [B] Unbelievable.
[C] Unpredictable. [D] Unavoidable.
【答案】 D
【解析】 猜测词义题。根据画线词后一句可知,就像之前的几次革命会带来难以想象的变化一样,人工智能肯定会影响人类的就业。此处通过理解like表示的类比关系可推知,画线词应是意为“不可避免的”。故选D。
( )4.What does the writer suggest readers do with the coming of the AI era
[A] Deal with it positively.
[B] Accept it passively.
[C] Respond to it randomly.
[D] Defend it unconditionally.
【答案】 A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后两句可知,人类没有必要担心人工智能会取代我们的工作。虽然技术发展迅速,但我们需要做的是欢迎人工智能时代的到来,而不是因为害怕未知而阻止它的发展。由此可推知,作者建议读者积极地应对人工智能时代的到来。故选A。
B
You are just waking up in the spring of 2030.Your bedroom opens solar-powered e-windows and plays soft music while your smart lighting displays a montage of a beachfront sunrise from your recent vacation.
Your shower uses very little water or soap.It recycles your grey water and puts the extra heat back into your home’s operating system.While you dress,your artificial intelligence (AI)assistant shares your schedule for the day and plays your favourite tunes.
You still start your day with a coffee but it comes from your refrigerator which is capable of providing a coffee house experience in your home.A hot breakfast tailored to your specific nutritional needs (based on chemical analysis from your trips to the “smart toilet”) is waiting for you in the kitchen.
When it’s time to leave,an on-demand transport system has three cars waiting for you,
your wife (or husband)and your kids.On the road,driverless cars move with mathematical accuracy,without traffic jams,routine maintenance or road rage.Accident rates are near zero.
On the way,you call your assistant team,who are taking on a day’s work in Shanghai.
Your life-sized image is projected (投射) onto the screen of the conference room and your colleagues see you as if you were sitting there.It’s a bit surreal (离奇的) for them to see you in the morning light given that it’s dark on the Bund,Shanghai’s waterfront,though the novelty disappears after using it a few times.
You review the day’s cloud-based data from your Shenzhen manufacturing centre,your pilot project in San Diego,and your QA team in Melbourne.Large quantities of data sets collected in real time from every piece of equipment have been beautifully summarised by your company’s AI. All these facilities are closely maintained and operated through an advanced predictive analytics platform.
Pleased with the team’s progress,you end the call and ease into a good book.
This is the future and it will be here sooner than you think.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章介绍了2030年的生活会是什么样子的。
( )5.How can we describe the life in the future
[A] Artificial. [B] Accurate.
[C] Remarkable. [D] Intelligent.
【答案】 D
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第一段内容和下面每一段的描述可知,未来的生活是非常智能的。故选D。
( )6.What can we do in the year 2030 according to the passage
[A] We can have a bath without using water.
[B] We can drive to work without worrying about any accidents.
[C] We can enjoy the coffee house experience without going there.
[D] We can deal with all our work at home without turning to others for help.
【答案】 C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段第一句可知,在2030年,冰箱能够在家里提供咖啡馆的体验,也就是说我们不用去咖啡馆也能享受这种体验。故选C。
( )7.How does the author develop the passage
[A] In time order.
[B] In logical order.
[C] By drawing a comparison.
[D] By offering examples.
【答案】 A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第一段第一句、第二段第一句、第三段第一句中的“You still start your day with a coffee”、第四段第一句中的“When it’s time to leave”、第五段第一句中的“On the way,you call your assistant team”以及第六段第一句中的“You review the day’s cloud-based data”可知,作者是按时间顺序来组织本文的。故选A。
( )8.What’s the purpose of writing the passage
[A] To attract us to the use of the AI system.
[B] To introduce the life in the future.
[C] To teach us how to use the AI system.
[D] To encourage us to study hard for the future.
【答案】 B
【解析】 推理判断题。通读全文,尤其是最后一段可知,作者写本文主要是为了介绍未来的生活。故选B。
C
It might sound unbelievable,but the mind control television could soon become a reality.
This technology could one day replace the remote control.
When testing the prototype,the users were able to operate a headset that allowed them to operate it and choose what they wanted to watch by concentrating.The device can know what you want to watch by reading the changes in brain activity.A researcher said the technology was still at an experimental stage.
Writing in a blog,the researcher said an experiment with ten members found they could all use the headset to start watching a programme.He continued,“You can imagine a world where instead of having to get up from your sofa to reach for your remote control,you just think ‘put Channel 1 on’when you want to watch TV.Imagine sitting in your car and thinking ‘I want to listen to Radio 4’and hearing the radio programme come on.Perhaps you would be able to just think ‘give me the latest news’,and then get served with many pieces of news.”
But the researcher added,“It’s important to know that it’s very early days,and while the devices are still improving,what they can do is still quite basic.Hopefully,the technology gives an idea of how audiences of the future might be able to control devices such as TVs just using their brains.”It is hoped that the system could be used to help those with disabilities in the future.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了精神控制电视可能很快就会成为现实,并介绍了这项技术的优势以及未来的发展方向。
( )9.What was a headset intended to do in the test
[A] To read the users’ minds.
[B] To change the channels by itself.
[C] To cause changes in people’s brains.
[D] To receive the users’ voice commands.
【答案】 A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段前两句可知,测试中耳机的作用是读懂用户的想法。故选A。
( )10.What do we know about the mind control television from the text
[A] It is just in people’s minds.
[B] It is still at the test stage.
[C] It has already become a reality.
[D] It has been well received by customers.
【答案】 B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句可知,精神控制电视这项技术仍处于测试阶段。故选B。
( )11.What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 3
[A] The users of the new technology.
[B] The market for the new technology.
[C] The new technology used in the cars.
[D] The convenience of the new technology.
【答案】 D
【解析】 段落大意题。通读第三段内容可知,本段主要谈论了该技术的便利。故选D。
( )12.What can we infer from the last paragraph
[A] The researcher shows less interest in the technology.
[B] The technology can only be applied to TVs.
[C] The disabled may benefit from the technology in the future.
[D] The technology will improve the development of brains.
【答案】 C
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句可推知,残障人士将来可能从这项技术中受益。故选C。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
The concept of solitude(独处)in the digital world is almost non-existent.In the world of digital technology,e-mail,social networking and online video games,information is meant to be
1 .Solitude can be hard to discover once it has been given up.In this respect,new technologies have 2 our culture.
The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) 3 as we’ve known it.People have become so 4 in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be.Today we can talk,text,e-mail,chat and blog,not only from our 5 ,but from our mobile phones as well.
Most developed nations have become 6 on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it,and at this point not 7 it may make them an outsider.Also,many jobs and careers require people to be 8 .From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.However,being reachable might feel like a 9 to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.
I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who 10 wants puters can be shut down and mobile phones can be turned off.In a word,the ability to be “connected” and “on” has many 11 ,as well as disadvantages.Travellers have ended up
12 in the mountains,and mobile phones have saved countless lives.On the contrary,they can also make people feel 13 and forced to answer unwanted calls or 14 to unwanted texts.
Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society 15 across generations.Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a bother.Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject,it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without daily advancements in technology.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章阐述了独处理念在当今数码世界几乎不复存在,新技术使我们连接,并塑造了我们的文化,但是能够被连接在一起既有优势也有弊端。
( )1.[A] updated [B] received
[C] shared [D] collected
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据上文“The concept of solitude(独处) in the digital world is almost non-existent.”可知,独处理念在数码世界几乎不存在,因此信息的意义在于分享(shared)。故选C。
( )2.[A] respected [B] shaped
[C] ignored [D] preserved
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据下文“From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.”可知,新的技术塑造了(shaped)我们的文化。故选B。
( )3.[A] edge [B] stage
[C] end [D] balance
【答案】 C
【解析】 结合句中“The desire to be connected”可知,联系的渴望使孤独走向尽头,短语bring... to an end意为“使……结束”。故选C。
( )4.[A] sensitive [B] intelligent
[C] considerate [D] reachable
【答案】 D
【解析】 根据句中“connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be”可知,即使人们不想被联系,也可以被联系到,说明网络使得联系变得触手可及(reachable)。故选D。
( )5.[A] media [B] computers
[C] databases [D] monitors
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据句中“we can talk,text,e-mail,chat and blog”可知,我们可以通过电脑(computers)和手机与他人进行沟通。故选B。
( )6.[A] bent [B] hard
[C] keen [D] dependent
【答案】 D
【解析】 根据下文“From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.”可知,此处指多数发达国家对数字技术是依赖的(dependent)。故选D。
( )7.[A] finding [B] using
[C] protecting [D] changing
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据空后“it may make them an outsider”可知,此处指不使用(using)这项技术的人也许会被视为局外人,故选B。
( )8.[A] connected [B] trained
[C] recommended [D] interested
【答案】 A
【解析】 结合上文“People have become so 4 in the world of networks”可知,此处指工作和职业需要人们联系(connected)在一起。故选A。
( )9.[A] pleasure [B] benefit
[C] burden [D] disappointment
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据句中“those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times”可知,不想总是能够被联系到的人却可以被联系到,那么对他们而言这可能就是一种负担(burden)。故选C。
( )10.[A] slightly [B] hardly
[C] merely [D] really
【答案】 D
【解析】 根据下文“Computers can be shut down and mobile phones can be turned off.”可知,此处指若真的(really)想要独处是完全有可能的。故选D。
( )11.[A] aspects [B] weaknesses
[C] advantages [D] exceptions
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据空后“as well as disadvantages”可知,此处指有许多优点(advantages)。故选C。
( )12.[A] hidden [B] lost
[C] relaxed [D] deserted
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据句中“in the mountains,and mobile phones have saved countless lives”可知,此处指旅行者在山中迷路(lost)。故选B。
( )13.[A] trapped [B] excited
[C] confused [D] amused
【答案】 A
【解析】 根据句中“forced to answer unwanted calls”可知,此处指手机也会使人感到被困住了(trapped)。故选A。
( )14.[A] turn [B] submit
[C] object [D] reply
【答案】 D
【解析】 根据上文“answer unwanted calls”及下文“to unwanted texts”可知,此处指回复(reply)不想收到的信息。故选D。
( )15.[A] vary [B] arise
[C] spread [D] exist
【答案】 A
【解析】 根据下文“Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a bother.”可知,不同代的人们对此的态度是不一样的(vary)。故选A。
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)(共56张PPT)
UNIT 2 LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
题组训练
(限时:35分钟 总分:45分)
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共30分)
A
Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace my job This is a question that many people think about these days.At present,the application of AI robotics in professional fields,as well as some chatbots’ abilities to write essays,solve complex problems and more,has heightened moral concerns.
Some people see AI as the ultimate cure for society’s most fundamental problems,while others fear that AI will overtake human intelligence.These two views are based on the assumption that AI is better and smarter than humanity and may ultimately replace human decision-making.But given the fact that technology is the product of human civilisation,the challenge from AI is something we have created for ourselves as we keep pushing back our own boundaries.In other words,AI’s progress,functions and future direction are all determined by the human brain.
Before AI becomes a threat to humanity,the international community should reach an agreement on the role it is to play.More importantly,
related laws and regulations must ensure that AI will benefit the society and prevent AI from threatening human life.Robots,for example,are believed to develop emotional intelligence sometime,which enables them to recognise,understand and express emotions in a way that is similar to humans’,but we must avoid AI copying human emotions.Without legal restrictions,AI may become a social disaster.
The AI-driven new industrial revolution (革命) is irreversible.This,
like previous ones,which introduced changes that had been unimaginable before,will certainly affect human employment.But it always turned out that humanity was able to adapt to each industrial revolution and create new forms of employment.Therefore,it’s unnecessary to worry AI will replace our jobs.While technology advances at a rapid pace,what we need to do is welcome the AI era rather than block its unfolding for fear of the unknown.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章主要阐述了人类应该以一种积极的态度来应对人工智能时代的到来。
( )1.Why are some people concerned about AI
[A] Because it has been applied widely.
[B] Because it has led to social problems.
[C] Because it may outsmart humans.
[D] Because it is the product of humanity.
C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段前两句可知,一些人把人工智能看作人类社会最基本问题的最终对策,而其他人担心人工智能将会超越人类的智力。这两种观点都是基于人工智能比人类更聪明的假设。故选C。
( )2.How can we prevent AI’s potential threat
[A] By stirring emotions.
[B] By setting restrictions.
[C] By blocking functions.
[D] By changing regulations.
B
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“but we must avoid AI...become a social disaster”可知,我们必须阻止人工智能模仿人类感情。如果没有法律限制,人工智能也许会变成社会灾难。由此可推知,为了阻止人工智能给人类带来威胁,我们必须设定限制。故选B。
( )3.What does the underlined word “irreversible” in the last paragraph mean
[A] Undesirable. [B] Unbelievable.
[C] Unpredictable. [D] Unavoidable.
D
【解析】 猜测词义题。根据画线词后一句可知,就像之前的几次革命会带来难以想象的变化一样,人工智能肯定会影响人类的就业。此处通过理解like表示的类比关系可推知,画线词应是意为“不可避免的”。故选D。
( )4.What does the writer suggest readers do with the coming of the AI era
[A] Deal with it positively.
[B] Accept it passively.
[C] Respond to it randomly.
[D] Defend it unconditionally.
A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后两句可知,人类没有必要担心人工智能会取代我们的工作。虽然技术发展迅速,但我们需要做的是欢迎人工智能时代的到来,而不是因为害怕未知而阻止它的发展。由此可推知,作者建议读者积极地应对人工智能时代的到来。故选A。
B
You are just waking up in the spring of 2030.Your bedroom opens solar-powered e-windows and plays soft music while your smart lighting displays a montage of a beachfront sunrise from your recent vacation.
Your shower uses very little water or soap.It recycles your grey water and puts the extra heat back into your home’s operating system.While you dress,your artificial intelligence (AI)assistant shares your schedule for the day and plays your favourite tunes.
You still start your day with a coffee but it comes from your refrigerator which is capable of providing a coffee house experience in your home.A hot breakfast tailored to your specific nutritional needs (based on chemical analysis from your trips to the “smart toilet”) is waiting for you in the kitchen.
When it’s time to leave,an on-demand transport system has three cars waiting for you,your wife (or husband)and your kids.On the road,
driverless cars move with mathematical accuracy,without traffic jams,
routine maintenance or road rage.Accident rates are near zero.
On the way,you call your assistant team,who are taking on a day’s work in Shanghai.Your life-sized image is projected (投射) onto the screen of the conference room and your colleagues see you as if you were sitting there.It’s a bit surreal (离奇的) for them to see you in the morning light given that it’s dark on the Bund,Shanghai’s waterfront,though the novelty disappears after using it a few times.
You review the day’s cloud-based data from your Shenzhen manufacturing centre,your pilot project in San Diego,and your QA team in Melbourne.Large quantities of data sets collected in real time from every piece of equipment have been beautifully summarised by your company’s AI. All these facilities are closely maintained and operated through an advanced predictive analytics platform.
Pleased with the team’s progress,you end the call and ease into a good book.
This is the future and it will be here sooner than you think.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章介绍了2030年的生活会是什么样子的。
( )5.How can we describe the life in the future
[A] Artificial. [B] Accurate.
[C] Remarkable. [D] Intelligent.
D
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第一段内容和下面每一段的描述可知,未来的生活是非常智能的。故选D。
( )6.What can we do in the year 2030 according to the passage
[A] We can have a bath without using water.
[B] We can drive to work without worrying about any accidents.
[C] We can enjoy the coffee house experience without going there.
[D] We can deal with all our work at home without turning to others for help.
C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段第一句可知,在2030年,冰箱能够在家里提供咖啡馆的体验,也就是说我们不用去咖啡馆也能享受这种体验。故选C。
( )7.How does the author develop the passage
[A] In time order.
[B] In logical order.
[C] By drawing a comparison.
[D] By offering examples.
A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第一段第一句、第二段第一句、第三段第一句中的“You still start your day with a coffee”、第四段第一句中的“When it’s time to leave”、第五段第一句中的“On the way,you call your assistant team”以及第六段第一句中的“You review the day’s cloud-based data”可知,作者是按时间顺序来组织本文的。故选A。
( )8.What’s the purpose of writing the passage
[A] To attract us to the use of the AI system.
[B] To introduce the life in the future.
[C] To teach us how to use the AI system.
[D] To encourage us to study hard for the future.
B
【解析】 推理判断题。通读全文,尤其是最后一段可知,作者写本文主要是为了介绍未来的生活。故选B。
C
It might sound unbelievable,but the mind control television could soon become a reality.This technology could one day replace the remote control.
When testing the prototype,the users were able to operate a headset that allowed them to operate it and choose what they wanted to watch by concentrating.The device can know what you want to watch by reading the changes in brain activity.A researcher said the technology was still at an experimental stage.
Writing in a blog,the researcher said an experiment with ten members found they could all use the headset to start watching a programme.He continued,“You can imagine a world where instead of having to get up from your sofa to reach for your remote control,you just think ‘put Channel 1 on’when you want to watch TV.Imagine sitting in your car and thinking ‘I want to listen to Radio 4’and hearing the radio programme come on.Perhaps you would be able to just think ‘give me the latest news’,and then get served with many pieces of news.”
But the researcher added,“It’s important to know that it’s very early days,and while the devices are still improving,what they can do is still quite basic.Hopefully,the technology gives an idea of how audiences of the future might be able to control devices such as TVs just using their brains.”
It is hoped that the system could be used to help those with disabilities in the future.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了精神控制电视可能很快就会成为现实,并介绍了这项技术的优势以及未来的发展方向。
( )9.What was a headset intended to do in the test
[A] To read the users’ minds.
[B] To change the channels by itself.
[C] To cause changes in people’s brains.
[D] To receive the users’ voice commands.
A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段前两句可知,测试中耳机的作用是读懂用户的想法。故选A。
( )10.What do we know about the mind control television from the text
[A] It is just in people’s minds.
[B] It is still at the test stage.
[C] It has already become a reality.
[D] It has been well received by customers.
B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句可知,精神控制电视这项技术仍处于测试阶段。故选B。
( )11.What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 3
[A] The users of the new technology.
[B] The market for the new technology.
[C] The new technology used in the cars.
[D] The convenience of the new technology.
D
【解析】 段落大意题。通读第三段内容可知,本段主要谈论了该技术的便利。故选D。
( )12.What can we infer from the last paragraph
[A] The researcher shows less interest in the technology.
[B] The technology can only be applied to TVs.
[C] The disabled may benefit from the technology in the future.
[D] The technology will improve the development of brains.
C
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句可推知,残障人士将来可能从这项技术中受益。故选C。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
The concept of solitude(独处)in the digital world is almost non-existent.In the world of digital technology,e-mail,social networking and online video games,information is meant to be 1 .Solitude can be hard to discover once it has been given up.In this respect,new technologies have
2 our culture.
The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) 3 as we’ve known it.People have become so 4 in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be.Today we can talk,text,e-mail,chat and blog,not only from our 5 ,but from our mobile phones as well.
Most developed nations have become 6 on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it,and at this point not
7 it may make them an outsider.Also,many jobs and careers require people to be 8 .From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.However,being reachable might feel like a 9 to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.
I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who 10 wants puters can be shut down and mobile phones can be turned off.In a word,the ability to be “connected” and “on” has many 11 ,as well as disadvantages.Travellers have ended up 12 in the mountains,and mobile phones have saved countless lives.On the contrary,
they can also make people feel 13 and forced to answer unwanted calls or 14 to unwanted texts.
Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society 15 across generations.Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a bother.Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject,it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without daily advancements in technology.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章阐述了独处理念在当今数码世界几乎不复存在,新技术使我们连接,并塑造了我们的文化,但是能够被连接在一起既有优势也有弊端。
( )1.[A] updated [B] received
[C] shared [D] collected
C
【解析】 根据上文“The concept of solitude(独处) in the digital world is almost non-existent.”可知,独处理念在数码世界几乎不存在,因此信息的意义在于分享(shared)。故选C。
( )2.[A] respected [B] shaped
[C] ignored [D] preserved
B
【解析】 根据下文“From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.”可知,新的技术塑造了(shaped)我们的文化。故选B。
( )3.[A] edge [B] stage
[C] end [D] balance
C
【解析】 结合句中“The desire to be connected”可知,联系的渴望使孤独走向尽头,短语bring... to an end意为“使……结束”。故选C。
( )4.[A] sensitive [B] intelligent
[C] considerate [D] reachable
D
【解析】 根据句中“connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be”可知,即使人们不想被联系,也可以被联系到,说明网络使得联系变得触手可及(reachable)。故选D。
( )5.[A] media [B] computers
[C] databases [D] monitors
B
【解析】 根据句中“we can talk,text,e-mail,chat and blog”可知,我们可以通过电脑(computers)和手机与他人进行沟通。故选B。
( )6.[A] bent [B] hard
[C] keen [D] dependent
D
【解析】 根据下文“From this point of view,technology has changed the culture of work.”可知,此处指多数发达国家对数字技术是依赖的(dependent)。故选D。
( )7.[A] finding [B] using
[C] protecting [D] changing
B
【解析】 根据空后“it may make them an outsider”可知,此处指不使用(using)这项技术的人也许会被视为局外人,故选B。
( )8.[A] connected [B] trained
[C] recommended [D] interested
A
【解析】 结合上文“People have become so 4 in the world of networks”可知,此处指工作和职业需要人们联系(connected)在一起。故选A。
( )9.[A] pleasure [B] benefit
[C] burden [D] disappointment
C
【解析】 根据句中“those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times”可知,不想总是能够被联系到的人却可以被联系到,那么对他们而言这可能就是一种负担(burden)。故选C。
( )10.[A] slightly [B] hardly
[C] merely [D] really
D
【解析】 根据下文“Computers can be shut down and mobile phones can be turned off.”可知,此处指若真的(really)想要独处是完全有可能的。故
选D。
( )11.[A] aspects [B] weaknesses
[C] advantages [D] exceptions
C
【解析】 根据空后“as well as disadvantages”可知,此处指有许多优点(advantages)。故选C。
( )12.[A] hidden [B] lost
[C] relaxed [D] deserted
B
【解析】 根据句中“in the mountains,and mobile phones have saved countless lives”可知,此处指旅行者在山中迷路(lost)。故选B。
( )13.[A] trapped [B] excited
[C] confused [D] amused
A
【解析】 根据句中“forced to answer unwanted calls”可知,此处指手机也会使人感到被困住了(trapped)。故选A。
( )14.[A] turn [B] submit
[C] object [D] reply
D
【解析】 根据上文“answer unwanted calls”及下文“to unwanted texts”可知,此处指回复(reply)不想收到的信息。故选D。
( )15.[A] vary [B] arise
[C] spread [D] exist
A
【解析】 根据下文“Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a bother.”可知,不同代的人们对此的态度是不一样的(vary)。故选A。
