Humanoid Robots Race Humans in China Half-Marathon
Running a half-marathon isn't easy, especially as you get closer to the finish when everything 1._________ (hurt) — your legs, lungs, chest and feet feel every one of those 21.1 kilometers. However fast or slow you run, you'll always feel something in your body — unless you're a robot, that is. That 2.___________(put) to the test this April in China, when 21 humanoid robots took part in a half-marathon alongside human competitors. Organizers said it was a world first, with bipedal robots — robots with two legs — 3.___________(compete) in the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing.
The first robot 4.__________(finish) took two hours and 40 minutes, which was more than twice as long as the male winner of the race, 5.________ finished in 62 minutes. The robots weren't left to fend completely for 6.____________(them) — they were supported by teams of human 7.____________(navigate), operators and engineers. As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people. The rules for the robots were also slightly different: they were allowed to take breaks to swap batteries — something human runners would 8.___________(sure) have loved to do too!
The Sky Project Ultra robot from the Tien Kung Team claimed victory among the nonhumans. But some of the robots had a hard time. According to the BBC, one robot fell at the start line and lay on its front for a few minutes 9.___________ eventually beginning its race. Another crashed into a railing not long into the race, causing its human helper to fall to the ground. Engineers said that 10._________ winning robot was helped by having long legs, while it was also programmed with an algorithm that was designed to help it run a long-distance race like a human. The human world record isn't under threat just yet, but engineers across the world continue to experiment!
答案与解析:
1. hurts
这里描述的是普遍现象或客观事实(接近终点时身体部位感到疼痛),应使用一般现在时。主语“everything”是第三人称单数,故填动词第三人称单数形式“hurts”。
2. was put
根据句意“这在今年四月于中国接受了检验”,主语“that”指代前文内容,与动词“put”构成被动关系(被检验),且事件发生在过去(this April),故用一般过去时的被动语态“was put”。固定搭配“put to the test”意为“使受检验”。
3. competing
此处是“with + 宾语 + 非谓语动词”复合结构。逻辑主语“bipedal robots”与动词“compete”是主动关系,且表示正在进行的动作,故用现在分词“competing”作宾语补足语。
4. to finish
此处是不定式作后置定语,修饰“the first robot”。序数词(如first, last, next等)常接不定式作定语,表示“第一个完成比赛的机器人”。
5. who
这里是非限制性定语从句,修饰先行词“the male winner”。先行词是人,且在从句中作主语,故用关系代词“who”引导。
6. themselves
固定搭配“fend for oneself”意为“照料自己”。主语“the robots”是复数,故用反身代词“themselves”与主语保持一致。
fend: /f nd/ v. 独立生活, 照料自己(to care for oneself without help from others)
7. navigators
根据句意,机器人需要人类团队的支持,这些成员包括“navigators”(导航员)、“operators”(操作员)和“engineers”(工程师)。空格前有“human”修饰,且与后面并列的名词都是复数,故填“navigators”。
8. surely
空格处需要副词修饰后面的动词短语“have loved to do”。形容词“sure”的副词形式是“surely”,意为“肯定地”,符合句意“人类跑者肯定也愿意这样做”。
9. before
根据句意逻辑,机器人“先”躺了几分钟,“然后”才开始比赛。表示“在……之前”用连词“before”连接两个先后发生的动作。
10. the
此处特指前文提到的“获胜的机器人”(The Sky Project Ultra robot),故用定冠词“the”表示特指。
词汇拓展:
1. 马拉松赛事基础词汇
half-marathon (n.) 半程马拉松(21.1公里)
bipedal robots (n.) 双足机器人
finish line (n.) 终点线
world record (n.) 世界纪录
course /k rs/ n. 课程;过程;道路,航线;进程,进展;方针,总方向(a path or route followed by a person or thing in motion)
2. 机器人技术术语
humanoid robots (n.) 人形机器人
swap batteries (phr.) 更换电池
programmed with algorithm (phr.) 用算法编程
navigators/operators (n.) 导航员/操作员
/'n v ɡet / n. 领航员(someone whose job is to plan and direct the route of a person or vehicle)
Algorithm /' lg 'r m/ n. 运算法则(a set of instructions or rules followed in a calculation or problem-solving process, especially by a computer)
3. 赛事规则与安全词汇
parallel courses (n.) 平行赛道
precaution /pr k n/ n. 预防措施(something done to prevent or avoid problems, danger, etc.)
divider (n.) 分隔栏
take breaks (phr.) 中途休息
4. 比赛状况描写短语
fend for themselves (phr.) 自主应对
claim victory (phr.) 赢得胜利
have a hard time (phr.) 遭遇困难
crash into railing (phr.) 撞上栏杆
railing/'rel / n. 栏杆;扶手(a fence or barrier made of metal bars)
twice as long as 耗时两倍于...
外刊语法填空-蜜雪冰城
In a remarkable ascent within the global food and beverage (饮料) industry, China’s Mixue, from a modest venture in Henan, has emerged as the largest F&B chain worldwide by store count, 1.__________(surpass) industry giants McDonald’s and Starbucks, according to recent data. Founded in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao, Mixue began 2._______ a humble brand offering freshly shaved ice desserts and boba tea drinks. Still, the business took off only nine years later 3. _________ Zhang developed a proprietary ice cream cone recipe. Now, the company 4.________ (expand) its footprint to 45,000 stores in China’s mainland and in 11 other countries, primarily through franchising. Notably, Indonesia and Vietnam lead in overseas presence. Mixue’s rapid expansion can 5._______________(attribute) to several key factors. Affordable pricing continues to be 6. _______ unique selling point of the business, 7. _______ most items typically priced at around $1 USD. The product offering is also diverse ranging from fruit and boba tea drinks to seasonal beverages such as matcha. This competitive pricing strategy, 8._______ (couple) with an expansive menu, makes 9._______ accessible to a broad, mass - market customer base. Additionally, the brand’s extensive franchising model has facilitated its widespread 10._________(present), ensuring that Mixue outlets are conveniently located for consumers, further bolstering (增强) brand visibility and customer convenience.
答案与解析:
1. surpassing
此处需要非谓语动词作状语。主语"China's Mixue"与动词"surpass"是主动关系,且表示伴随状况,故用现在分词"surpassing",意为"超越了行业巨头"。
2. as
固定搭配"begin as"意为"以...开始/起步"。根据句意"蜜雪冰城最初是一个提供...的谦逊品牌",故填"as"。
3. when
此处需要引导时间状语从句的连接词。"nine years later"表示时间点,后面接从句说明具体时间,故用"when"引导时间状语从句。
4. has expanded
根据上下文时态一致原则,前文使用现在完成时"has emerged",此处也应用现在完成时"has expanded"表示已经完成的扩张动作。
5. be attributed
情态动词"can"后接动词原形,且主语"Mixue's rapid expansion"与动词"attribute"是被动关系(被归因于),故用被动语态"be attributed"。固定搭配"be attributed to"意为"归因于"。
6. a
此处表示"一个独特的卖点","unique selling point"是单数可数名词短语,且"unique"发音以辅音音素开头,故用不定冠词"a"。
7. with
此处是"with + 宾语 + 宾补"的独立主格结构,表示伴随状况。"with most items typically priced at around $1 USD"意为"大多数产品通常定价在1美元左右"。
8. coupled
固定搭配"coupled with"意为"加上,与...相结合"。此处表示"这种竞争性定价策略加上广泛的菜单"。
9. it
此处需要形式宾语。"make it + adj. + for sb to do"是固定句型,其中"it"作形式宾语,真正的宾语是后面的不定式"to a broad, mass-market customer base"。
10. presence
形容词"widespread"后需要名词,动词"present"的名词形式是"presence"。"widespread presence"意为"广泛的存在/分布"。
语言积累:
In a remarkable ascent within the global food and beverage (饮料) industry, China’s Mixue, from a modest venture (企业) in Henan, has emerged as 已经成为 the largest F&B chain worldwide by store count, surpassing industry giants McDonald’s and Starbucks, according to recent data.
ascent n.上升;升高;登高
modest 不太大的;适中的;谦虚的;谦逊的
surpass v.超过;胜过;优于
Founded in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao, Mixue began as a humble brand offering freshly shaved ice (刨冰) desserts and boba tea drinks.
humble adj.不大的;没有特别之处的
Still, the business took off only nine years later when Zhang developed a proprietary(专利的) ice cream cone recipe.
take off 突然成功;迅速流行
Now, the company has expanded its footprint to 45,000 stores in China’s mainland and in 11 other countries, primarily through franchising (特许经营). Notably, Indonesia and Vietnam lead in overseas presence. Mixue’s rapid expansion can be attributed to several key factors.
attribute 把…归因于;认为…是由于
Affordable pricing continues to be a unique selling point of the business, with most items typically priced at around $1 USD.
The product offering is also diverse ranging from fruit and boba tea drinks to seasonal beverages such as matcha.
This competitive pricing strategy, coupled with an expansive menu, makes it accessible to a broad, mass - market customer base.
couple with与…相结合;伴随
expansive 广阔的;广泛的;全面的
Additionally, the brand’s extensive franchising model has facilitated its widespread presence, ensuring that Mixue outlets are conveniently located for consumers, further bolstering brand visibility and customer convenience.
extensive 广阔的;广大的;大量的
facilitate 促进;促使;使便利
bolster 改善;加强;增强
外刊语法填空-三峡大坝
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Now, China wants to build another(1)______________(revolution) energy source: a solar array in space.
Space-based solar power (SBSP) stations (2)______(work) by using a system of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto panels, (3)_______then generate electricity. The electricity is then converted to microwave radiation and (4)__________(beam) to a fixed antenna on Earth.
SBSP panels are more reliable than the solar panels on your roof because they aren’t affected by seasonal weather or nights. They can generate much more electricity than terrestrial panels, as sunlight is exponentially (5)_________ (intense)in space than on Earth’s surface. As Long said in his lecture: “The energy collected in one year would be equivalent to (6)_____ total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth.” However, there are a few drawbacks holding space companies back—namely, the sheer size of the project. The solar array is predicted to be a kilometer wide once fully (7) __________(assemble). According to the South China Morning Post, many are calling space-based solar power stations the “Manhattan Project” of the energy world. And yet, China seems (8)______(set) on succeeding in this endeavor.
The solar array isn’t the only plan China has for space research—it also plans to reach the Moon and build an International Lunar Research station (9)_________ partnership with Russia by 2035. Japan (10)______ (be) also on track to beam space-based solar power to Earth in the next year. SBSP stations, it seems, might just be the next challenge in the space race.
答案与解析:
1. revolutionary
解析:空格位于不定冠词"another"和名词短语"energy source"之间,需要形容词修饰"energy source"。名词"revolution"的形容词形式是"revolutionary",意为"革命性的"。
2. work
解析:此处描述太空太阳能电站的一般工作原理,应使用一般现在时。主语"stations"是复数,故填动词原形"work"。
3. which
解析:这里是非限制性定语从句,修饰前面整个主句描述的过程。关系代词"which"指代前面"利用镜子系统将阳光聚焦到面板上"这个完整概念,并在从句中作主语。
4. beamed
解析:空格与前面的"converted"并列,共用助动词"is",构成被动语态。根据"is...converted...and..."的平行结构,此处也需用过去分词"beamed",表示"被转换成微波辐射并被传送到..."。
5. more intense
解析:空格前有"exponentially"(指数级地)修饰,后面有比较对象"than on Earth's surface",明确表示比较级。形容词"intense"的比较级是"more intense"。
6. the
解析:此处特指"能从地球提取的石油总量","total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth"是特定概念,需要用定冠词"the"表示特指。
7. assembled
解析:空格在连系动词"be"后,且主语"solar array"与动词"assemble"是被动关系(被组装),故用过去分词"assembled"构成被动语态。
8. set
解析:固定搭配"be set on (doing) sth"意为"决心做某事"。此处"seems set on succeeding"表示"中国似乎决心要在此努力中取得成功"。
9. in
解析:固定搭配"in partnership with"意为"与...合作"。此处表示"中国计划与俄罗斯合作"。
10. is
解析:主语"Japan"是第三人称单数,描述当前事实状态,应使用一般现在时,故填"is"。
解析:
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Now, China wants to build another revolutionary energy source: a solar array in space.
三峡大坝——位于中国长江上——是世界上最大的水力发电大坝。现在,中国计划开启另一具有变革性的能源项目:太空太阳能阵列。
revolution (in sth) (n.)革命;巨变;大变革
revolutionary (adj.)彻底变革的;巨变的(n.)革命者,革命支持者
revolutionize (v.)彻底改变;完全变革
Space-based solar power (SBSP) stations work by using a system of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto panels, which then generate electricity. The electricity is then converted to microwave radiation and beamed to a fixed antenna on Earth.
太空太阳能发电站(SBSP)先是利用反射镜面系统将阳光聚焦到太阳能板上,产生电力,随后再把电力转换为微波辐射,传输到地球上的固定天线。
beam (v.)笑容满面;眉开眼笑;发射(电波);播送;照射;射出光(或热)
She was positively beaming with pleasure.她的确喜不自胜。
Live pictures of the ceremony were beamed around the world.
典礼经实况转播传到世界各地。
Light beamed through a hole in the curtain.光线透过窗帘上的一个孔照射进来。
SBSP panels are more reliable than the solar panels on your roof because they aren’t affected by seasonal weather or nights. They can generate much more electricity than terrestrial panels, as sunlight is exponentially more intense in space than on Earth’s surface.
与你家屋顶上的太阳能板相比, SBSP( 太空太阳能发电站)的面板更稳定,因为它们不受季节性气候变换或夜晚的影响。此外,由于太空中的阳光( 照射)强度远超地球表面,因此相比地面上的太阳能板,SBSP能产生更多的电力。
exponentially (adv.)以指数方式
As Long said in his lecture: “The energy collected in one year would be equivalent to the total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth.”
正如龙乐豪在讲座中所说:“其一年收集的能量将相当于地球上可开采的石油总量。”
be equivalent to 等同于,相当于
be extracted from从……中提取