We were not altogether sure that the ______ would miss the Earth.A. embroideryB. vergeC. milestoneD. comet

The Amazon Echo, a voice-driven cylindrical computer that sits on a table top and answers to the name Alexa, can call up music tracks and radio stations, tell jokes, answer trivia questions and control smart appliances; even before Christmas it was already resident in about 4% of American households. Voice assistants are proliferating in smartphones, too: Apple’s Siri handles over 2bn commands a week, and 20% of Google searches on Android-powered handsets in America are input by voice. Dictating e-mails and text messages now works reliably enough to be useful. Why type when you can talk? Simple though it may seem, voice has the power to transform computing, by providing a natural means of interaction. Windows, icons and menus, and then touchscreens, were welcomed as more intuitive ways to deal with computers than entering complex keyboard commands. But being able to talk to computers abolishes the need for the abstraction of a “user interface” at all. Just as mobile phones were more than existing phones without wires, and cars were more than carriages without horses, so computers without screens and keyboards have the potential to be more useful, powerful and ubiquitous than people can imagine today. Voice will not wholly replace other forms of input and output. Sometimes it will remain more convenient to converse with a machine by typing rather than talking (Amazon is said to be working on an Echo device with a built-in screen). But voice is destined to account for a growing share of people’s interactions with the technology around them, from washing machines that tell you how much of the cycle they have left to virtual assistants in corporate call-centres. However, to reach its full potential, the technology requires further breakthroughs—and a resolution of the tricky questions it raises around the trade-off between convenience and privacy. Computer-dictation systems have been around for years. But they were unreliable and required lengthy training to learn a specific user’s voice. Computers’ new ability to recognise almost anyone’s speech dependably without training is the latest manifestation of the power of “deep learning”, an artificial-intelligence technique in which a software system is trained using millions of examples, usually culled from the internet. Thanks to deep learning, machines now nearly equal humans in transcription accuracy, computerised translation systems are improving rapidly and text-to-speech systems are becoming less robotic and more natural-sounding. Computers are, in short, getting much better at handling natural language in all its forms Although deep learning means that machines can recognise speech more reliably and talk in a less stilted manner, they still don’t understand the meaning of language. That is the most difficult aspect of the problem and, if voice-driven computing is truly to flourish, one that must be overcome. Computers must be able to understand context in order to maintain a coherent conversation about something, rather than just responding to simple, one-off voice commands, as they mostly do today (“Hey, Siri, set a timer for ten minutes”). Researchers in universities and at companies large and small are working on this very problem, building “bots” that can hold more elaborate conversations about more complex tasks, from retrieving information to advising on mortgages to making travel arrangements. Many voice-driven devices are always listening, waiting to be activated. Some people are already concerned about the implications of internet-connected microphones listening in every room and from every smartphone. Not all audio is sent to the cloud—devices wait for a trigger phrase (“Alexa”, “OK, Google”, “Hey, Cortana”, or “Hey, Siri”) before they start relaying the user’s voice to the servers that actually handle the requests—but when it comes to storing audio, it is unclear who keeps what and when.【小题1】According to Paragraph I the American Echo ___ A．has been sold out before Christmas B．has been used by most American families C．came out the market later than Apple’s Siri D．is more useful than smart phones in fictating e-mails 【小题2】What can we infer about the technology of voice computing? A．It is more effective and convenient than typing B．It needs to be improved in some important aspects C．It increases a person’s chances of communicating with others D．It will replace other forms of input and output in the near future 【小题3】What are some users of voice -driven devices concerned about? A．The devices will be in charge of theit life B．The devices need to be activeated before working C．They are in the dark about their data’s ownership D．Their voices can be recognized by every smart technology? 【小题4】What’s the author’s attitude towards voice-driven technology? A．Worried B．Doubtful C．Supportive D．Objective

Should humans explore space？If you ask me，I'll definitely give a positive answer. The exploitation （开发） of space has a direct impact on the lives of humans，as well as the state of our world.Satellites moving around the earth enable communication across the world.connecting people of different continents and broadcasting information worldwide.The Global Positioning System （GPS） can identify our location anywhere.Furthermore，weather satellites can forecast harmful weather conditions which allows humans to prepare for deadly natural disasters and save lives. Space programs can also indirectly contribute to the solution to poverty and world hunger.For example，large plots of land could be used far better if humans applied technologies.The most effective tool is the artificial earth satellite.It can screen areas of land within a very short time，indicating useful measures such as the condition of crops，soil rainfall，and droughts.It can then transmit this information to ground stations on the earth for better use. In recent years，space-based technologies have become an important factor to reach and expand global health objectives.Information provided by remote technologies can be applied to study the epidemiology （流行病学）.This data provided by space technologies can monitor disease patterns，understand the environmental causes that spread it，make predictions about where it can spread in the future，and make plans to fight it efficiently. Furthermore，access to better education means better life prospects and opportunities for human beings.Rural communities have disadvantaged access to education and satellite communication technologies are trying to bridge this gap.With the advancement of technology，students can now access any information and connect with peers and teachers in different parts of the world via video conferences and the creation of virtual classrooms. Space exploration is something we can do for future generations.Mankind is using the resources provided on the planet，but these will run out one day.Overpopulation can be an existential threat for all mankind.With the advancement of space technology，it will be wise to use and explore the vast potential of other planets，such as the availability of mining resources on asteroids or other planets. For the exploration of the universe，perhaps the most advantageous of all is that it will unite us to work together for a common purpose，regardless of our differences.（1）What can space exploitation do according to Paragraph 2？ ____ A．Improve the traffic on the earth.B．Promote travel between countries.C．Help prevent deadly natural disasters.D．Help humans communicate and exchange information.（2）How can space programs help with poverty and world hunger？ ____ A．By benefiting crop production with artificial earth satellites.B．By transporting food worldwide more easily.C．By creating job opportunities for the poor.D．By protecting available land resources.（3）What does the author think of mining resources on other planets？ ____ A．Time-wasting.B．Arguable.C．Necessary.D．Educational.（4）What would be the best title for the text？ ____ A．Why Space Exploration Is Important？B．Why Humankind Should Keep Exploring？C．Why We Should Improve Space Technology？D．Why Humans Should Keep Developing Technologies？

We get a fairly large portion of calories from fast food and snacks.A、A. Why do so many Americans eat tons of processed food, the stuff that is correctly called junk(垃圾) and should really carry warning labels?B、B. It's not because fresh ingredients are hard to come by. Supermarkets offer more variety than ever, and there are over four times as many farmers' markets in the US as there were 20 years ago. Nor is it for lack of available information. There are plenty of recipes(食谱), how-to videos and cooking classes available to anyone who has a computer, smartphone or television. If anything, the information is overwhelming.C、C. And yet we aren't cooking. If you eat three meals a day and behave like most Americans, you probably get at least a third of your daily calories(卡路里) outside the home. Nearly two-thirds of us grab fast food once a week, and we get almost 25%25 of our daily calories from snacks. So we're eating out or taking in, and we don't sit down — or we do, but we hurry.D、D. Shouldn't preparing — and consuming — food be a source of comfort, pride, health, well-being, relaxation, sociability? Something that connects us to other humans? Why would we want to outsource(外包) this basic task, especially when outsourcing it is so harmful?E、E. When I talk about cooking, I'm not talking about creating elaborate dinner parties or three-day science projects. I'm talking about simple, easy, everyday meals. My mission is to encourage green hands and those lacking time or money to feed themselves. That means we need modest, realistic expectations, and we need to teach people to cook food that's good enough to share with family and friends.

4 Identify the rhetorical and stylistic devices employed in the Chinese sentences and their English translations. Comment on the effects of the rhetorical or stylistic devices in each pair.1. 虽然我国经济总量跃居世界第二，但大而不强、臃肿虚胖体弱问题相当突出，主要体现在创新能力不强，这是我国这个经济大块头的“阿喀琉斯之踵”。Despite being the world's second largest, China's economy is obese and weak. Inadequate capacity for innovation is its Achilles' heel.2. 核武器是悬在人类头上的“达摩克利斯之剑”，应该全面禁止并最终彻底销毁。Nuclear weapons, the Sword of Damocles that hangs over humanity, should be completely prohibited and thoroughly destroyed over time.3. 经济全球化曾经被人们视为阿里巴巴的山洞，现在又被不少人看作潘多拉的盒子。Economic globalization was once viewed as the treasure cave found by Ali Baba in The Arabian Nights, but it has now become a Pandora's box in the eyes of many.

2024·江苏盐城联盟校调研)-|||-In conversations with strangers,people commonly tend to think they should speak less than half the-|||-onversation time to be likable.But we've discovered this idea is wrong.Our data shows that people tend to-|||-hink they should speak about 45 %of the time to be likable in a one-on-one conversation with someone-|||-ew.However,it appears speaking up a bit more is actually a better strategy.-|||-In our research,we randomly assigned people to speak for 30%,40%,50 %,60%of the time in a con--|||-versation with someone new.We found that the more they spoke,the more they were liked by their new-|||-partners.This was only one study with 116 participants,but the outcome is supported by other researchers'-|||-findings.For example,a previous study randomly assigned one in a pair to take on the role of "speaker"and-|||-the other to take on the role of"listener".After engaging in 12-minute interactions listeners liked speakers-|||-more than speakers liked listeners because listeners felt more similar to speakers than speakers did to lis--|||-teners.This outcome suggests the reason people prefer those who speak up:Learning more about a new-|||-partner can make you feel like you have more in common with him or her.2024·江苏盐城联盟校调研)-|||-In conversations with strangers,people commonly tend to think they should speak less than half the-|||-onversation time to be likable.But we've discovered this idea is wrong.Our data shows that people tend to-|||-hink they should speak about 45 %of the time to be likable in a one-on-one conversation with someone-|||-ew.However,it appears speaking up a bit more is actually a better strategy.-|||-In our research,we randomly assigned people to speak for 30%,40%,50 %,60%of the time in a con--|||-versation with someone new.We found that the more they spoke,the more they were liked by their new-|||-partners.This was only one study with 116 participants,but the outcome is supported by other researchers'-|||-findings.For example,a previous study randomly assigned one in a pair to take on the role of "speaker"and-|||-the other to take on the role of"listener".After engaging in 12-minute interactions listeners liked speakers-|||-more than speakers liked listeners because listeners felt more similar to speakers than speakers did to lis--|||-teners.This outcome suggests the reason people prefer those who speak up:Learning more about a new-|||-partner can make you feel like you have more in common with him or her.

Fill in the blanks by selecting suitable words from the word bank.You may not use any of the words more than once. A.origin B.literallyC.persistent plicatedE.innovative F.pursueG.constantly H.civilizationI.evolution J.fulfill People become scientists for different reasons.Some wish to cure diseases；some want to save the environment；and some are interested in knowing more about the （1） ____ of our species，from single-cells to the complex creatures we are today. But for some，the goal is even bigger：to answer the question "What is the（2） ____ of all life，and how was our universe created？". Many believe that the answer to this question is so （3） ____ that no human could possibly discover it.Indeed，there are even some people within the scientific community who believe that we should（4） ____ more realistic goals. However，many argue that society needs ambitious people，（5） ____ striving for seemingly impossible goals and daring to persevere with ideas that others think are crazy.They argue that the advanced （6） ____ we enjoy today is the result of the human quality of being（7） ____ ，even in the face of extreme adversity（逆境）. We can learn from this that good things do not come easily，and you should always persist in pursuing your dreams.

Henceforth, parties which fail to get 5% of the vote will not be represented in parliament.v. 崇拜;爱慕ad. 从此以后v. 酿造;煮(咖啡);泡(茶)v. 喜爱;热爱

It’s never too early to protect your family’s financial well-being. Yet because most of us are so busy juggling work and family commitments, we tend to neglect the things that don’t require immediate attention. Some day, we think, we’ll take care of the three essentials-retirement savings, insurance coverage and estate planning. Unfortunately, emergencies can strike and then it’s too late. "Failure to plan is a huge mistake," Barbara Raasch, managing director at Wealth and Tax Advisory Services, Inc. , told us. How can you avoid the "should have, could have, would have" scenario By putting these three items at the top of your "to do" list-protect your future, protect your family and protect your legacy (遗产). The national savings rate averaged around 0.4% for the first half of this year, according to the U. S. Department of Commerce, meaning Americans spent a shopping 99.6% of their after-tax earnings. Even more frightening, in July the savings rate dropped below zero. We all know we should save more. But with so many goals to save for-a house, the kids’ college tuition, your retirement, occasional vacations and a small emergency fund-it’s easy to feel there’s just not enough money to do it all. Budget. The first step is to create a budget. Once you know what you’re spending your money on, you can figure out What you don’t need to spend it on-and stock those savings away. "Every month you have to pay yourself first," says Joe Moglia, CEO of Ameritrade. "Take a little out of your paycheck." It doesn’t have to be much-it could be foregoing(放弃) that extra lattice or getting the DVD free at the library. Retirement. Just about every survey of American investors these days shows that retirement is a main reason for saving. Yet an astounding number of people ignore the opportunities offered by employment-based retirement plans. According to a recent survey by Aon Consulting, more than 20% of those eligible for a 401k plan do not participate at all, while another 53% do not save at a rate high enough to take full advantage of their employers’ matching contribution-the closest thing to free money in the retirement savings universe. Consider it money that grows without being taxed. Emergency reserves. Many financial planners recommend that you have enough money in a savings or money-market account for at, least six to nine months of essential expenses, including your mortgage or rent, insurance premiums, credit card payments, utility and grocery bills and other fixed expenses, such as car payments or student loans. And it’s always a good idea to have cash on hand once you are confronted with emergency situations. For example, if the ATMs in your neighborhood are out, you can have enough to cover your immediate needs for a week or so. A major illness, an extended disability (残疾) or the loss of a job could wipe out your financial reserves and any prospect of being able to save enough to achieve your other life goals. Here’s what you need to protect your savings: Health insurance. A recent study of court records and direct interviews indicated that about half of personal bankruptcies in the U. S. are caused in part by medical debts. Only people over 65 are entitled to the medicare. So people under that age face enormous bills and many of them lack insurance. If your company provides medical benefits, you have the most cost-efficient coverage available. Sign up. If you’re responsible for your own medical insurance ,you may want to look into health savings accounts ( HSAs ), a combination of a high deductible health plan and a tax-deductible savings account allocated to health care expenses. The funds in the account grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for any qualified medical expenses, including over-the-counter medications, dental care, eyeglasses and other costs not usually covered by conventional health insurance plans. Disability insurance. Over 80% of Americans don’t have adequate disability coverage, according to a survey by the Consumer Federation of America and the American Council of Life Insurers. You may already have disability insurance through your employee benefits plan, either as paid sick leave or actual disability payments if you’re unable to work for an extended period of time. But these programs tend to pay far less than your weekly salary. For the self-employed, having a financial safety net is even more crucial. Life insurance. If your family member dies prematurely, a life-insurance policy will provide immediate funds for funeral expenses, and may help replace your lost income. "Life insurance isn’t a priority if you are single, but if you have a spouse or dependents, you want to make sure they’re taken care of, "says Barbara Raasch. Employers frequently offer coverage as part of their benefits package. One of the most thoughtful legacies that anyone call leave is peace of mind. No one wants to mar the memory of a loved one with" I think this is what Mom wanted but she never said" doubts. You can prevent that with the right advance directives (指示) and documents: A will. Over half of the adult population in this country dies without a will. This is not just senseless; it’s downright irresponsible. "If you die without a will, "says Karin Barkhorn, an estate planning attorney at Bryan Cave LLP," the state determines how your assets are dispersed." What’s more, the government could end up collecting a lot more tax than necessary. A living will. Also known as a health care directive, a living will specifies what medical measures should be used to keep you alive if you are incapacitated. The agonizing Terri Schiavo case earlier this year showed how the absence of a living will can rip a family apart. Health care providers are generally required to comply with the wishes you describe in your living will. Durable power of attorney. This document authorizes a loved one to make financial decisions on your behalf should you become unable. It allows someone to renew your CD at the bank, pay bills, sell stock or even sell your home or business, based on the agent’s determination of what is best for you. "If you are in the hospital and cannot pay your bills or sign a check, someone will have to do it," says Raasch. "If any of your assets are held in your name only, your spouse can’t touch that money unless the court appoints him guardian. The emotional turmoil of your loved ones having to go to court will only add to your misery. "Although it’s best to have these documents prepared by a family-law attorney, you can cover the basics on your own with software such as Quicken’ s WillMaker Plus or Kiplinger’s WillPower. Retirement savings. Insurance coverage. Estate planning. These are the foundations of a financial well-being plan. Take care of your family and yourself today.We work out a budget so as to ______. A．avoid unnecessary spendingB．buy the favorite DVDC．earn more creditsD．spend freely on favorite things

1、A. It determines people´s moods.B. It can impact people´s wellbeing.C. It can influence people´s personalities.D. It is closely related to people´s emotions.2、E. They make people more reproductive.F. They tend to produce positive feelings.G. They increase people´s life expectancy.H. They may alter people´s genes gradually.3、I. The Americans are apparently more outgoing than the Chinese.J. People in the same geographical area may differ in personality.K. People share many personality traits despite their nationalities.L. The link between temperature and personality is fairly weak.