Since 2013, Torobo, a robotic arm designed to test the limits of artificial intelligence, has had one ambition—to be admitted to the University of Tokyo. However, it has repeatedly failed. This year was no exception.
In early November, Torobo took an exam to prepare for an all-important standardized test. While Torobo’s overall score of 525 out of 950 was 14 points higher than in 2015, its standard score of 57.1% was slightly lower, because human students did better in the 2016 test.
Though the score, which is higher than the national average, is enough to get the robot admitted to many other famous Japanese universities, it falls short of the minimum required for the University of Tokyo.
A closer analysis of the results showed that Torobo’s newly programmed ability to solve complex physics problems helped increase its year-over-year physics score from 46.5% to 59%. The robot also dug deep into its database of information from textbooks and websites to obtain an impressive 66.3% in world history. The average 60% scores acquired in the two math sections, were not too shabby, either.
But, while Torobo is able to handle knowledge-based questions and ones involving complex mathematical calculations, it has a hard time thinking independently. As a result, the robot is unable to comprehend multiple sentences and phrases to arrive at the logical conclusions required in the English language tests. This weakness was reflected in the weak oral and writing scores, which came in at 36.2% and 50.5%, respectively.
Fortunately, after four grueling years, the robot’s creators have decided to free Torobo from its annual test-taking suffering. The research team will instead focus on improving the robot’s ability to pick out specific answers from massive sets of data—a skill that led to its excellent history scores. They believe the expertise (专门技术) will help Torobo succeed as an industrial robot.
1.What is the disadvantage of Torobo?
A. It has weak independent thinking ability. B. It couldn’t sit through the exams.
C. It has much difficulty searching for facts. D. It doesn’t own language skills.
2.What does the underlined word “grueling” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A. happy B. tiring C. successful D. independent
3.What did the exam results show?
A. Torobo was admitted to a university.
B. Torobo did well in the history exam.
C. Torobo’s score didn’t reach the national average.
D. Torobo’s programmed ability improved its math score.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A. Subjects a robot is good at. B. Majors that are suitable for a robot.
C. A robot’s ways to deal with exams. D. A robot’s performances in exams.
Kindergarten—which means “garden for children” in German—is not kindergarten any more. It’s yesterday’s first grade, or even second.
A 2014 study compared kindergarten teachers’ expectations for their students in 1998 to today. The differences were striking. In 1998, 31 percent of teachers thought that kindergarten students should be able to read by the end of the year. By 2014, that figure is now about 80 percent. More than a third kindergarten teachers now think that kids should enter school already knowing the alphabet and how to hold a pencil.
Besides, the researchers found huge decreases in the amount of self-directed, creative play time—dress up, art, sand and water play—and increases in the amount of time students were involved in teacher-directed, whole-class instruction.
Unfortunately, kindergarten today ignores a basic fact of young children’s development that is well-known by early childhood educators: normal development in young children occurs at very different rates and in very different ways. For example, the average age that a baby starts to walk is 12 months, but some kids start walking at eight or nine months and others at 15, or even 16, months.
Similarly, the average age that a child learns to be an independent reader is about six and a half. Some learn to read at four, and others at seven, and both extremes are developmentally normal. In the fourth grade, kids who learned to read at four are typically not any better at reading than those who started at seven. Countries like Finland and Sweden do not even start formal academic schooling until age seven.
We need to respect children’s personal developmental timelines. The idea that “earlier is better” for reading instruction is simply not supported by research evidence. Children’s long-term achievement and self-identities as readers and students can be damaged when they are introduced to reading too early.
1.What can we infer from the text?
A. Kindergarten has been replaced by first or even second grade.
B. Kindergarten teachers have higher expectations for students now.
C. Kindergarten students’ intelligence has been largely improved.
D. Children should know the alphabet before entering kindergarten.
2.What will probably happen to children who learn to read at 7?
A. They will perform best among their classmates.
B. They will have difficulty becoming an independent reader.
C. They will catch up with those who learn to read earlier.
D. They will fall behind those who learn to read earlier forever.
3.What should kindergarten teachers do according to the text?
A. Increase the time in whole-class instruction.
B. Pay more attention to children’s academic level.
C. Encourage children to learn at their own pace.
D. Raise children’s competitive spirit at an early age.
4.How does the author feel about the present education in kindergarten?
A. Ashamed. B. Cautious. C. Satisfied. D. Concerned.
Campbell Remess taught himself how to sew when he was only 9 years old. It all started three years ago, when Campbell asked his parents if they could buy Christmas presents for kids in hospital. They were touched by his kindness, but told him that buying so many toys would be too costly. He is one of nine children, and buying presents for all of them was already a pretty expensive affair for the parents.
Campbell didn’t let a simple “no” discourage him from bringing a bit of joy to kids going through tough times, so he decided to make the presents himself. It took the 9-year-old boy five hours to create his first stuffed (填充的) toy. However after three years of practice, he is now able to put one together in just an hour.
“I was blown away by the first bear,” his mother said. “Overly impressed but not surprised at his determination to teach himself.” The successful experiment only inspired Campbell Remess to become better at sewing, and challenged himself to create one stuffed toy per day and donate them to sick children struggling in the hospital. Project 365 by Campbell was born. Over the last three years, Campbell Remess has created over 800 stuffed toys for sick children.
Campbell sends his toys to children all over the world, and still visits the Royal Hobart Hospital in his home city of Hobart, Tasmania, to personally gift toy animals to sick kids there and loves to see the reaction on their faces. “They smile and some hug me. It makes their whole day better,” he says.
“Campbell is just wired really differently. He looks at sadness and tries to turn it upside down,” his mother says. “He’s not a quitter—I only see bigger and brighter things for him.”
1.Why did Campbell’s parents refuse his request?
A. They thought that was ridiculous.
B. They wished him to depend on himself.
C. They were on a tight budget.
D. They hoped he could share his things with others.
2.What desire drove Campbell to make toys for sick children?
A. Bringing happiness to them. B. Showing kindness to them.
C. Encouraging them to treasure health. D. Proving to them everyone has creativity.
3.What can we learn about Campbell from the text?
A. He is planning to set up Project 365.
B. He sends toys to those who can’t afford one.
C. He made the first toy with his mother’s help.
D. He is determined and refuses to give up.
Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Giant lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
•£ 27.85, adult/£ 20.65, child/under-threes, free.
•15 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead
Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town centre, along a trail (小径) of light with performances and sculptures. The story being told is a Midwinter Night’s Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.
•£ 8, adult/£ 2, child/under-fours, free.
•11 ~27 Dec.
Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is glowing with giant lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays (陈列) seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
•£ 9.90, adult/£ 3.60, child.
•20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
•£ 16, adult/£ 10, child/£ 48, family/under-fours, free.
•24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1.What can people do in Enchanted Park?
A. Visit Shakespeare’s house. B. Listen to stories.
C. Leapt to create sculptures. D. Play the part of Santa.
2.Which place will attract children fond of fictional animal characters?
A. Kew Gardens. B. RHS Wisley. C. Enchanted Park. D. Longleat Safari Park.
3.How much is the admission to Kew Gardens for Mr. Green and his 3-year-old child?
A. £ 16. B. £ 10. C. £ 26. D. £ 48.
4.What do the parks mentioned in the text have in common?
A. Their open times are the same. B. They serve free cakes to children.
C. They are full of Christmas atmosphere. D. They are free for children under four.
假定你是李华，你上星期六参加了去敬老院（nursing home）的社会实践活动，请你给在英国的笔友Cindy写信，给她介绍这次活动及你的感受。书信的内容要点如下：
1. 活动目的（关爱老人、了解社会等）；
2. 活动内容（陪老人聊天、表演等）；
3. 你的感受。
注意：
1. 词数 100 左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头语及结尾已为你写好，不计入词数。
Dear Cindy,
I am writing to share with you the social activity organized by our school last Saturday.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours,
Li Hua
1.1.She _________________________(逐渐意识到) her mistake after the talk last week.(come)
2.The moon (据说是) its biggest and brightest on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. (say)
3.The people (正在抗议) the government for their not controlling the price of food. (against)
4.The students are supposed to finish the homework (独自). (own)
5.I studied in Beijing for four years so I ____________ (有机会) to visit the Great Wall many times. (get)
