阅读理解Hollywood's theory that machines with evil(邪恶) minds will drive armies of killer robots is just silly. The real problem relates to the possibility that artificial intelligence(AI) may become extremely good at achieving something other than what we really want. In 1960 a well-known mathematician Norbert Wiener, who founded the field of cybernetics（控制论）, put it this way: ＂If we use, to achieve our purposes, a mechanical agency with whose operation we cannot effectively interfere(干预), we had better be quite sure that the purpose put into the machine is the purpose which we really desire. ＂A machine with a specific purpose has another quality, one that we usually associate with living things: a wish to preserve its own existence. For the machine, this quality is not in-born, nor is it something introduced by humans; it is a logical consequence of the simple fact that the machine cannot achieve its original purpose if it is dead. So if we send out a robot with the single instruction of fetching coffee, it will have a strong desire to secure success by disabling its own off switch or even killing anyone who might interfere with its task. If we are not careful, then, we could face a kind of global chess match against very determined, super intelligent machines whose objectives conflict with our own, with the real world as the chessboard. The possibility of entering into and losing such a match should concentrate the minds of computer scientists. Some researchers argue that we can seal the machines inside a kind of firewall, using them to answer difficult questions but never allowing them to affect the real world. Unfortunately, that plan seems unlikely to work: we have yet to invent a firewall that is secure against ordinary humans, let alone super intelligent machines. Solving the safety problem well enough to move forward in AI seems to be possible but not easy. There are probably decades in which to plan for the arrival of super intelligent machines. But the problem should not be dismissed out of hand, as it has been by some AI researchers. Some argue that humans and machines can coexist as long as they work in teams—yet that is not possible unless machines share the goals of humans. Others say we can just ＂switch them off＂ as if super intelligent machines are too stupid to think of that possibility. Still others think that super intelligent AI will never happen.

1. 阅读理解

Hollywood's theory that machines with evil(邪恶) minds will drive armies of killer robots is just silly. The real problem relates to the possibility that artificial intelligence(AI) may become extremely good at achieving something other than what we really want. In 1960 a well-known mathematician Norbert Wiener, who founded the field of cybernetics（控制论）, put it this way: ＂If we use, to achieve our purposes, a mechanical agency with whose operation we cannot effectively interfere(干预), we had better be quite sure that the purpose put into the machine is the purpose which we really desire. ＂

A machine with a specific purpose has another quality, one that we usually associate with living things: a wish to preserve its own existence. For the machine, this quality is not in-born, nor is it something introduced by humans; it is a logical consequence of the simple fact that the machine cannot achieve its original purpose if it is dead. So if we send out a robot with the single instruction of fetching coffee, it will have a strong desire to secure success by disabling its own off switch or even killing anyone who might interfere with its task. If we are not careful, then, we could face a kind of global chess match against very determined, super intelligent machines whose objectives conflict with our own, with the real world as the chessboard.

The possibility of entering into and losing such a match should concentrate the minds of computer scientists. Some researchers argue that we can seal the machines inside a kind of firewall, using them to answer difficult questions but never allowing them to affect the real world. Unfortunately, that plan seems unlikely to work: we have yet to invent a firewall that is secure against ordinary humans, let alone super intelligent machines.

Solving the safety problem well enough to move forward in AI seems to be possible but not easy. There are probably decades in which to plan for the arrival of super intelligent machines. But the problem should not be dismissed out of hand, as it has been by some AI researchers. Some argue that humans and machines can coexist as long as they work in teams—yet that is not possible unless machines share the goals of humans. Others say we can just ＂switch them off＂ as if super intelligent machines are too stupid to think of that possibility. Still others think that super intelligent AI will never happen.

(1) Paragraph 1 mainly tells us that artificial intelligence may ____. A. run out of human control B. satisfy human's real desires C. command armies of killer robots D. work faster than a mathematician

(2) Machines with specific purposes are associated with living things partly because they might be able to ____. A. prevent themselves from being destroyed B. achieve their original goals independently C. do anything successfully with given orders D. beat humans in international chess matches

(3) According to some researchers, we can use firewalls to ____. A. help super intelligent machines work better B. be secure against evil human beings C. keep machines from being harmed D. avoid robots' affecting the world

(4) What does the author think of the safety problem of super intelligent machines? A. It will disappear with the development of AI. B. It will get worse with human interference. C. It will be solved but with difficulty. D. It will stay for a decade.

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推理判断题; 细节理解题; 段落大意; 说明文; 科普类;

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1.阅读理解

Every year, an average American produces more than 250 pounds of plastic waste. Recycling is part of the solution, but many of us are confused about what can be recycled and what can't.

Plastic film

At the store we find it covering vegetables, meats and cheeses. It's common, but it can't be recycled because it's hard to deal with at the MRF（材料回收厂）. The thin and soft film gets stuck around the equipment and can bring it to a stop.

Plastic bags

Plastic bags—like those used for bread, sandwich as well as grocery bags—create similar problems for recycling machines as thin plastic film. Therefore, most of the plastic bags end up in landfills（垃圾填埋地） and oceans.

Yogurt and butter cups

These containers often mix with other kinds of materials. It's not possible to separate them. In addition, this type of packaging flattens out（变平）on the MRF's conveying belt（传送带）and can bring the equipment to a stop, too.

Beverage（饮料）bottles

These containers are firm. They don't flatten out like yogurt cups and they're made from one kind of plastic that recyclers can easily sell for making products such as carpet, clothing or even more plastic bottles.

Warning: Be aware that we cannot recycle as much as we want. For example, plastic bottles are a highly desirable product for recyclers, but just about a third finds their way into the MRFs. Therefore, it's more important for us to reduce packaging.

(1) What do the first two kinds of packaging have in common? A. They are used for the same products. B. They are mixed with other materials C. They are too thin and soft to be recycled. D. They are usually recycled in special MRFs.

(2) Which can be recycled easily? A. Plastic film. B. Beverage bottles. C. Plastic bags. D. Yogurt and butter cups.

(3) What does the author hope us to do in the last paragraph? A. Reduce packaging B. Try to build more MRFs. C. Use recyclable bags. D. Separate the waste properly.

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2.阅读理解

Going to the post office is usually a weekly event for me. However, our world has changed and now I must give careful consideration to this journey, as my age and health condition put me into the "vulnerable" category. There are decisions that I need to make. Is this a package that must go out now? Which of the post offices is closest to me? Before I set out from my home, I need to make two decisions!

On the drive over, I determined that I should wait for someone to come out and ask them to take my package in. One more decision was made. Then I realized that I would be making contact with a perfect stranger, and what is the difference between talking to that stranger and just going in and talking to the clerk? Another decision was made and then I walked inside and waited for my turn.

Shortly, I was called to the window, where the postal clerk was aware of the fear in my eyes. She quietly stepped back from her station and signaled me to come forward. I stepped up to the counter and placed my package on the scale. She then signaled me to step back. I moved away and she began the process of weighing it and determining the proper postage. She told me the price and signaled me forward as she took a step back. Again. I believed she saw the terror in my eyes and said,

"One moment. Ma'am. " She leaned under the counter and picked up a wipe. She thoroughly cleaned the credit card machine and the entire counter around it. She then stepped back and again signaled me forward. As I inserted my card, my tears started to roll down. I was so moved by the care with which she accomplished this usually very simple task. When I had completed the transaction(交易), she again signaled me back as she stepped forward. She took the receipt, wiped it down, and lay it on the counter. Beside it, she placed a clean tissue as she could see my tears were still streaming down my cheeks. She again stepped away from the counter. I picked up the receipt and took a step back. In gratitude, I bowed to her. She bowed to me with equal respect.

(1) What does "vulnerable" underlined in Paragraph 1 refer to? A. Easily lost. B. Easily hurt. C. Easily surprised. D. Easily overlooked.

(2) Why did the clerk step back and forward several times? A. To clean the writer's card. B. To relieve the writer's fear. C. To signal the writer better. D. To show the writer politeness.

(3) What moved the author to tears? A. The clerk's care. B. The cheap price. C. The clerk's tissue. D. The clean counter.

(4) What is the most suitable title for the text? A. A Tough but Simple Decision. B. A Silly but Wise Person. C. An Ordinary but Special Day. D. A Kind but Cruel Clerk.

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3.阅读理解

Children grow taller in rural households where their mothers are supported to grow their own food, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). The research, which looked at households in some developing countries, showed growing their own food helped mothers to prevent their children from being stunted( 发育不足的), wasting away and underweight. Their children's food was more varied, meaning these children had access to different classes of food nutrients.

The team from UEA analyzed studies that introduced women to home farming in some African and Asian countries. The home farming included growing brightly colored vitamin A-rich fruit and vegetables, and sometimes also included chicken farming. The health of these women s children was assessed over the next year or more, and they did better than children of other women. No studies, however, reported on children's eye health. The researchers concluded that high-quality trials are needed to assess the impact of home fo0a production on nutritional blindness in children, which is caused by an insufficient intake of vitamin A.

Around 250 million pre-school children are deficient in vitamin A, according to the World Health Organization. Vitamin A deficiency is the main global cause of childhood blindness, which also increases the risk of dying from other childhood diseases and vitamin A plays a significant role in normal immune function. It remains one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiencies globally.

Mrs Chizoba Bassey led the team conducting the systematic review. She said," Well-evidenced interventions such as vitamin A supplementation programs should be adopted and expanded to children at greatest risk to prevent nutritional blindness. "

Currently there is not enough evidence of the effects of home gardening on xerophthalmia(干眼症), night blindness or the death rate in children, but the evidence from the research shows that if women take up home gardening, the risk of being stunted, wasting away and underweight in their children will be reduced. Home farming may help to achieve sustainability in controlling vitamin A deficiency and can assist vitamin A supplementation programs where they are available.

(1) What does the new study focus on? A. Fruit and vegetables suitable for family gardening. B. The development of farming in Africa and Asia. C. Rural children's health problems. D. Benefits of home farming.

(2) What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 3? A. The importance of nutrients. B. Causes of childhood blindness. C. Health risks of lack of vitamin A. D. Ways to improve kids'immune function.

(3) Which of the following may Mrs Bassey agree with? A. Nutritional blindness is preventable. B. Most of pre-school kids suffer from a nutrient deficiency. C. Home food production has proved good for children's eyes. D. Vegetables grown by housewives have higher nutritional value.

(4) What does the author want to express in the last paragraph? A. The urgency of doing further research. B. The necessity of encouraging home farming. C. The difficulty in controlling vitamin A deficiency. D. The relationship between home gardening and xerophthalmia.

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