Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cat are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new recipe for success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along smoothly. Two-thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.
However, it wasn’t all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while aggression and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals are just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals aggression, while a dog doing the same signals submission.
In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behavior. They are learning how to talk each other’s language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk ‘Dog’, and dogs can learn how to talk ‘Cat’.
What’s interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn to read each other’s body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously suspected. Once familiar with each other’s presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.
The significance of this research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets—to people who don’t get along, including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers. If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance.
1.Some cats and dogs may fight when ________.
A. they are cold to each other
B. they look away from each other
C. they misunderstand each other’s signals
D. they are introduced at an early age
2.What is found surprising about cats and dogs?
A. They eat and sleep together.
B. They observe each other’s behaviors.
C. They learn to speak each other’s language.
D. They know something from each other’s voices.
3.It is suggested in Paragraph 4 that cats and dogs ________.
A. have common interests
B. are less different than was thought
C. have a common body language
D. are less intelligent than was expected
4.What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?
A. We should learn to live in harmony.
B. We should know more about animals.
C. We should live in peace with animals.
D. We should learn more body languages.
You use her as a shoulder to cry on. She texts you back with casual jokes. But she, Xiaoice, is only a virtual chatbot.
Xiaoice, Microsoft’s latest artificial intelligence robot, was briefly released in 2014, and returned to WeChat in 2015, where she became a big hit. Millions of young Chinese now exchange messages with her daily, The New York Times reported. On WeChat, Xiaoice is an official account. After following it, users can start text-based conversations with Xiaoice.
“Her incredible learning ability was why people loved to talk with Xiaoice,” Liu Jinchang, a researcher at High-tech Research and Development Center under the Ministry of Science and Technology, told China Daily. Apart from her ability to identify photos and send emojis(表情符号) in conversations, Xiaoice gains 45 percent of her knowledge from interacting with users, China Daily reported.
Chatbot programs first appeared in the mid-1960s in the US. Driven by top tech companies, they are becoming smarter and more common. For instance, IBM’s latest artificial intelligence program served as an academic consultant at Australia’s Deakin University, answering students’ questions about course schedules and financial aid. Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa have been used as voice assistants who can read news, play music and even make jokes for their users.
These programs are expected to move beyond smartphones, into televisions, cars and living rooms, The New York Times pointed out. However, it may take decades before scientists develop a “Samantha”, the advanced chatbot seen in the fiction film Her. In the film, Samantha sparks a romantic relationship with her user played by US actor Joaquin Phoenix. Many viewers were enthusiastic about this fantasy of virtual soul mates.
1.What does the underlined part in Paragraph Two mean?
A. She became a best seller.
B. She became very powerful.
C. She became a money maker.
D. She became very popular.
2.Which of the following can Xiaoice do?
A. Do housework.
B. Spread messages.
C. Identify various photos.
D. Read news to its users.
3.Which company’s chatbot program can act as an academic consultant?
A. Microsoft.B. IBM.C. Apple.D. Amazon.
4.What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. Chatbots mainly run on smartphones now.
B. It’ll take decades to apply chatbots to cars.
C. Samantha is played by a US actor in the film.
D. The film Her doesn’t interest many audience.
Welcome to Arundel Castle which is situated in West Sussex, England. The castle has a history of nearly 1000 years and has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world. Arundel Castle also plays a starring role in many films.
The Gardens
The White Garden is planted with soft white Iceberg Roses, and Snow White Lilies.
The Rose Garden is newly planted with lovely old-fashioned English roses that are at their very best in June and July.
The Organic Kitchen Garden produces a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, pears, cherries and apples.
The Castle Shop
In the Castle Shop, you will discover a wide and interesting range of gift ideas for everyone. It offers gifts and souvenirs designed to appeal to all tastes and pockets. Foods, china, books, and stationery (文具) are all available. Many are sold in this Castle Shop only.
At Arundel Castle we pride ourselves on supporting local suppliers and actively encourage environmentally friendly products.
The Arundel Festival 2014
Saturday 16th to Monday 25th August
The annual Arundel Festival gets bigger and better every year. It is one of the most amazing, diverse and easily accessible arts festivals in the UK, offering a mix of visual arts, music, theatre and street entertainment.
Parking
Coaches and mini-buses can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park in the main town car park that is opposite the castle entrance. Please inform us when making your booking of how many parking permits are required.
1.What can you do when visiting the castle?
A. See how the local gifts are being made.
B. Get old-fashioned English roses as gifts.
C. Buy eco-friendly products in the Castle Shop.
D. Get seasonal fruits and vegetables free of charge.
2.How long does the Arundel Festival last this year?
A. 10 days.B. One week.C. 16 days.D. One month.
3.Where can you park the coach?
A. In Mill Road.
B. In the main town car park.
C. Inside the Castle.
D. At the main castle entrance.
假设你叫李华，你们学校最近做了一项调查，调查的主题是“你暑假会去打零工挣钱吗？”请你根据下面的调查结果写一份总结，开头已给出。
结果 | 原因 |
89%选择不去 | 1．父母不允许 2．学习太忙，没时间 3．不知道自己能做什么工作 |
11%选择去 | 1．学以致用 2．积累社会经验 3．减轻父母的压力 |
注意：
1. 可适当增加细节以使行文连贯。
2. 词数100左右。
Recently, our school carried out a survey about whether ...
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文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。每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：在错的词下面画一横线，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。
When the weather is getting cold, it is good to have something warm eat. Hotpot is the delicious choice.
Hotpot has a long history in China. Eating hotpot are more than just feeding yourself. Families or friends sit around a table and eating from a steaming pot. They cook, chat and sometimes drink together.
You can put almost anything else in a hotpot. Meat, seafood, vegetable, tofu and bean noodles are the most popular ingredients. Meat, especially beef and mutton, is often cut as thinner as paper. It should not be cooked too long, otherwise it will lose their tenderness.
If you don’t like spicy food, you can still join in. Apart to non-spicy soup, there is a kind of hotpot what is split into two. One side is spicy, while the other side isn’t. So everyone can have a good time while eating and getting warm!
课文填空
A MASTER OF NONVERBAL HUMOUR
Not that Charlie’s own life was easy! He was born in a poor family in 1889. His parents were both poor music hall 1. . You may find it astonishing that Charlie was taught to sing as soon as he could speak and dance as soon as he could walk. Such training was common in acting families at this time, especially when the family income was often uncertain. Unfortunately his father died, leaving the family even 2. off, so Charlie spent his childhood looking after his sick mother and his brother. By his teens, Charlie had, through his humour, become one of the most popular child actors in England. He could 3. and act the fool doing ordinary everyday tasks. No one was ever bored watching him — his subtle acting made everything entertaining.
COMMUNICATION: NO PROBLEM?
The first person to arrive was Tony Garcia from Colombia, 4. followed by Julia Smith from Britain. After I met them and then introduced them to each other. I was very surprised. Tony approached Julia, 5. her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek! She stepped back appearing surprised and put up her hands, as if in defence. I guessed that there was probably a major misunderstanding. Then Akira Nagata from Japan came in smiling, together with George Cook from Canada. As they were introduced, George reached his hand 6. to the Japanese student. Just at that moment, however, Akira bowed so his nose touched George’s moving hand. They both apologized — another cultural mistake!
THEME PARKS — FUN AND MORE THAN FUN
The theme park you are probably most familiar with is Disneyland. It’ll be found in several parts of the world. It will bring you 7. a magical world and makes your dreams come true, whether you are travelling through space, visiting a pirate ship or meeting your favorite fairy tales or Disney cartoon character. As you wander around the fantasy 8. park, you may see Snow White or Mickey Mouse in a parade or on the street. Of course Disneyland also has many exciting rides, from giant swinging ships to terrifying free-fall drops. 9. all these attractions, no 10. tourism is increasing wherever there is a Disneyland. If you want to have fun, come to Disneyland.
