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UNIT 1　SCIENCE FICTION
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
Science fiction writers create imaginary worlds.The way things work in your imaginary worlds will be based on actual science.So it’s important for you to be familiar with the scientific principles and inventions that are related to your creation.For example,if you’re writing about humans living on a planet with zero gravity,then you need to know the effects of zero gravity on the human body.
Then you have to figure out the exact rules of your imaginary worlds.And you have to follow them.If humans are able to breathe underwater in Chapter 1,your characters can’t drown in a swimming pool in Chapter 3.The issue here is maintaining your readers’ trust.That means readers are willing to pretend along with you.If you start out with an ordinary detective novel and then throw in someone breathing underwater in the 6th chapter,you will pull the readers out of their imagination.The same thing happens if you change the rules halfway.
Part of your preparation work for the novel is to map out its world in great detail.You should decide the following issues: the history of the world,the geography,what possibilities it offers,how everything works in this new reality,and how all of these factors affect the way your characters think,feel,and react to things.You don’t have to tell your readers all the rules in the first chapter.But you have to let readers know enough to understand what’s going on.This also allows you to work out logical problems and contradictions before you start writing.
When you are writing,remember to make it feel real.You are inviting readers to visit a new world.They will want to be able to see,hear,feel,smell,and even taste what it’s like.Whether your novel is about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet,help your readers feel like they’re actually there.
(　　)1.What’s the relationship between actual science and science fiction
[A] Science fiction promotes the development of actual science.
[B] Science fiction often reflects the development of actual science.
[C] Actual science provides basic principles for science fiction.
[D] Actual science limits the imagination described in science fiction.
(　　)2.What does the third paragraph focus on
[A] Part of the preparation work for science fiction writing.
[B] The different types of novels.
[C] The detail in the first chapter of science fiction.
[D] The reality of science fiction.
(　　)3.What’ s the best title for the passage
[A] How to Do Scientific Research
[B] How to Write Science Fiction
[C] What to Expect from Science Fiction
[D] How to Raise Interest in Science
B
To persist,life must reproduce.Scientists at the University of Vermont,Tufts University,and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have discovered an entirely new form of biological reproduction and applied their discovery to create the first-ever,
self-replicating (自我复制的) living robots.
Named Xenobots after the African clawed frog from which scientists take their stem cells,the machines are less than 0.04 inches wide—small enough to travel inside human bodies.They can walk and swim,survive for weeks without food,and work together in groups.They even have regenerative capabilities; when the scientists sliced into one robot,it healed by itself and kept moving.
The Xenobots could potentially be used toward a host of tasks.Xenobots could be used to clean up radioactive waste and collect microplastics in the oceans.Some Xenobots had holes in their centre,which could potentially be used to transport drugs or medicines.“Traditional robots degrade (降解) over time and can produce harmful ecological and health side effects,” researchers said in the study,which was published in a famous journal.As biological machines,Xenobots are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health.Aside from these immediate practical tasks,Xenobots could also help researchers to learn more about cell biology—opening the doors to future advancement in human health and longevity.
While the prospect of self-replicating biotechnology could spark concern,the researchers said that the living machines were entirely contained in a lab and easily destroyed,as they are biodegradable and regulated by experts.“There are many things that are possible if we take advantage of this kind of plasticity (可塑性) and ability of cells to solve problems,” said Joshua Bongard,one of the lead researchers at the University of Vermont.
(　　)4.Which of the following can best explain the underlined word“regenerative” in
Paragraph 2
[A] Fighting diseases.
[B] Replacing old cells.
[C] Recovering and growing again.
[D] Self-cleaning regularly.
(　　)5.What can we learn about Xenobots from Paragraph 3
[A] They can be widely applied to curing diseases.
[B] They are harmless to the environment by degrading plastics.
[C] They are specially designed to collect radioactive waste.
[D] They can serve well the research on human health.
(　　)6.What is Bongard’s attitude towards the self-replicating biotechnology
[A] Positive. [B] Doubtful.
[C] Indifferent. [D] Negative.
(　　)7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] An application of a machine in medicine.
[B] The invention of the first self-replicating robots.
[C] The trend of developing biotechnology.
[D] An experiment on African clawed frogs.
C
Scientists are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) — from developing “self-driving” laboratories to replacing human participants in social-science experiments with robots.Many disadvantages of AI systems have been discussed.In an article social scientists say that AI systems carry a further risk: that researchers perceive such tools as possessed of superhuman abilities when it comes to objectivity,productivity and understanding complex concepts.
“Scientists planning to use AI must evaluate these risks now,” write co-authors Lisa and Molly.The article is a warning about what could be lost if scientists embrace AI systems without thoroughly considering such risks.
Researchers examined around 100 papers and books,published mainly over the past five years.From these,they put together a picture of the ways in which scientists see AI systems as enhancing human capabilities.
In one vision,AI tools are seen as being able to tirelessly read and digest scientific papers.In another vision,AI systems are thought to be more objective than humans in evaluating scientific findings.In a third vision,AI tools seem to perform better than the human mind in analysing data sets.
They also predict risks that arise from these visions.One is the illusion (幻觉) of explanatory depth,in which people relying on another person—or in this case an algorithm (算法) — for knowledge are likely to mistake that knowledge for their own.Another risk is that research becomes skewed (偏颇的) towards studying the kinds of things that AI systems can test.
If you’re a scientist planning to use AI,you can reduce these dangers through a number of strategies.All members of the scientific community must view AI use not as unavoidable for any particular task,but rather as a choice with risks and benefits that must be carefully weighed.
(　　)8.What is a further risk that AI systems carry according to Paragraph 1
[A] They perform better than humans.
[B] Researchers overestimate their capabilities.
[C] They are able to understand complex concepts.
[D] Researchers use them in self-driving laboratories.
(　　)9.What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us about AI
[A] Its benefits in analysing scientific data.
[B] Its roles in helping doing scientific research.
[C] Its strengths in digesting scientific papers.
[D] Its advantages in evaluating scientific findings.
(　　)10.What is the illusion of explanatory depth
[A] Finding the accuracy in the algorithm.
[B] Denying the mistake of the algorithm.
[C] Accepting the complexity of the algorithm.
[D] Considering algorithmic insights as personal understanding.
(　　)11.What’s the author’s attitude towards the use of AI in scientific community
[A] Cautious. [B] Approving.
[C] Unclear. [D] Intolerant.
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
I was an obsessive (痴迷的) lover of books who would read at two a.m.and polish off chapter books in kindergarten.In grammar school I 　1　 my way through the huge amount of books in the library,gradually getting less picky(挑剔的) as the options 　2　.However,
what I wanted to read was science fiction.It was 　3　 to find.A sixth-grade teacher lent me a copy of Watership Down,which was a(n) 　4　 experience.
Unluckily,I was sick.My symptoms (症状) were odd,and no one really knew what my
　5　 was.I grew weaker and more isolated,but I got a ride to the library once a week and
　6　 all the novels I could carry.I kept reading 　7　 my disability.
Later,I met a technical nonfiction writer,who explained to me how to make a living by
　8　 for magazines.At last,there was something I could 　9　! I subscribed to a famous magazine but wrote a 　10　 novel instead.
After　11　 the first novel,I made friends with writers online.I thought my life
　12　 at last.Here was a career path where all my reading would 　13　 and where my disability wouldn’t shut me out.I wrote two science fiction novels,which later got published.
It turns out that in writing science fiction being unique can be a　14　,practice eventually works,and persistence is what really matters.Without science fiction,I wouldn’t have had anything to desire,and I would never have 　15　 something I could share with the world.
(　　)1.[A] found [B] worked
[C] inched [D] felt
(　　)2.[A] increased [B] remained
[C] appeared [D] thinned
(　　)3.[A] quick [B] good
[C] hard [D] popular
(　　)4.[A] transformative [B] disappointing
[C] imaginative [D] embarrassing
(　　)5.[A] possibility [B] occupation
[C] operation [D] disability
(　　)6.[A] kept back [B] gave away
[C] checked out [D] turned down
(　　)7.[A] without [B] beyond
[C] besides [D] despite
(　　)8.[A] writing [B] drawing
[C] editing [D] recording
(　　)9.[A] change [B] do
[C] possess [D] read
(　　)10.[A] detective [B] fantasy
[C] comic [D] romantic
(　　)11.[A] finishing [B] adapting
[C] translating [D] declaring
(　　)12.[A] settled down [B] fell apart
[C] moved on [D] made sense
(　　)13.[A] pay off [B] come back
[C] run out [D] take off
(　　)14.[A] nature [B] challenge
[C] benefit [D] restriction
(　　)15.[A] expressed [B] presumed
[C] created [D] accepted
UNIT 1　SCIENCE FICTION
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
Science fiction writers create imaginary worlds.The way things work in your imaginary worlds will be based on actual science.So it’s important for you to be familiar with the scientific principles and inventions that are related to your creation.For example,if you’re writing about humans living on a planet with zero gravity,then you need to know the effects of zero gravity on the human body.
Then you have to figure out the exact rules of your imaginary worlds.And you have to follow them.If humans are able to breathe underwater in Chapter 1,your characters can’t drown in a swimming pool in Chapter 3.The issue here is maintaining your readers’ trust.That means readers are willing to pretend along with you.If you start out with an ordinary detective novel and then throw in someone breathing underwater in the 6th chapter,you will pull the readers out of their imagination.The same thing happens if you change the rules halfway.
Part of your preparation work for the novel is to map out its world in great detail.You should decide the following issues: the history of the world,the geography,what possibilities it offers,how everything works in this new reality,and how all of these factors affect the way your characters think,feel,and react to things.You don’t have to tell your readers all the rules in the first chapter.But you have to let readers know enough to understand what’s going on.This also allows you to work out logical problems and contradictions before you start writing.
When you are writing,remember to make it feel real.You are inviting readers to visit a new world.They will want to be able to see,hear,feel,smell,and even taste what it’s like.Whether your novel is about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet,help your readers feel like they’re actually there.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。科学为科幻小说提供了基本的原理,文章就如何写科幻小说给出了一些注意事项。
(　　)1.What’s the relationship between actual science and science fiction
[A] Science fiction promotes the development of actual science.
[B] Science fiction often reflects the development of actual science.
[C] Actual science provides basic principles for science fiction.
[D] Actual science limits the imagination described in science fiction.
【答案】 C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第一段的前两句可知,科学为科幻小说提供了基本的原理。
故选C。
(　　)2.What does the third paragraph focus on
[A] Part of the preparation work for science fiction writing.
[B] The different types of novels.
[C] The detail in the first chapter of science fiction.
[D] The reality of science fiction.
【答案】 A
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第三段内容可知,第三段的主旨是科幻小说写作的部分准备工作。故选A。
(　　)3.What’ s the best title for the passage
[A] How to Do Scientific Research
[B] How to Write Science Fiction
[C] What to Expect from Science Fiction
[D] How to Raise Interest in Science
【答案】 B
【解析】 标题归纳题。通读全文可知,文章主要介绍了如何写科幻小说,B项最适合作本文的标题。故选B。
B
To persist,life must reproduce.Scientists at the University of Vermont,Tufts University,and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have discovered an entirely new form of biological reproduction and applied their discovery to create the first-ever,
self-replicating (自我复制的) living robots.
Named Xenobots after the African clawed frog from which scientists take their stem cells,the machines are less than 0.04 inches wide—small enough to travel inside human bodies.They can walk and swim,survive for weeks without food,and work together in groups.They even have regenerative capabilities; when the scientists sliced into one robot,it healed by itself and kept moving.
The Xenobots could potentially be used toward a host of tasks.Xenobots could be used to clean up radioactive waste and collect microplastics in the oceans.Some Xenobots had holes in their centre,which could potentially be used to transport drugs or medicines.“Traditional robots degrade (降解) over time and can produce harmful ecological and health side effects,” researchers said in the study,which was published in a famous journal.As biological machines,Xenobots are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health.Aside from these immediate practical tasks,Xenobots could also help researchers to learn more about cell biology—opening the doors to future advancement in human health and longevity.
While the prospect of self-replicating biotechnology could spark concern,the researchers said that the living machines were entirely contained in a lab and easily destroyed,as they are biodegradable and regulated by experts.“There are many things that are possible if we take advantage of this kind of plasticity (可塑性) and ability of cells to solve problems,” said Joshua Bongard,one of the lead researchers at the University of Vermont.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了有史以来第一款可以自我复制的机器人。
(　　)4.Which of the following can best explain the underlined word“regenerative” in
Paragraph 2
[A] Fighting diseases.
[B] Replacing old cells.
[C] Recovering and growing again.
[D] Self-cleaning regularly.
【答案】 C
【解析】 猜测词义题。根据第二段的“when the scientists sliced into one robot,it healed by itself and kept moving”可知,机器人有自我愈合和修复功能,由此可推断regenerative意为“恢复并再次生长”。故选C。
(　　)5.What can we learn about Xenobots from Paragraph 3
[A] They can be widely applied to curing diseases.
[B] They are harmless to the environment by degrading plastics.
[C] They are specially designed to collect radioactive waste.
[D] They can serve well the research on human health.
【答案】 D
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段的最后一句可知,Xenobots可以很好地服务于人类健康的研究。故选D。
(　　)6.What is Bongard’s attitude towards the self-replicating biotechnology
[A] Positive. [B] Doubtful.
[C] Indifferent. [D] Negative.
【答案】 A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段的最后一句可知,Joshua Bongard认为自我复制生物技术让很多事都有可能实现,因此他对自我复制生物技术持积极的态度。故选A。
(　　)7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] An application of a machine in medicine.
[B] The invention of the first self-replicating robots.
[C] The trend of developing biotechnology.
[D] An experiment on African clawed frogs.
【答案】 B
【解析】 主旨大意题。根据第一段内容可知,作者在第一段引入了文章的主题,即第一款可以自我复制的机器人的发明。故选B。
C
Scientists are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) — from developing “self-driving” laboratories to replacing human participants in social-science experiments with robots.Many disadvantages of AI systems have been discussed.In an article social scientists say that AI systems carry a further risk: that researchers perceive such tools as possessed of superhuman abilities when it comes to objectivity,productivity and understanding complex concepts.
“Scientists planning to use AI must evaluate these risks now,” write co-authors Lisa and Molly.The article is a warning about what could be lost if scientists embrace AI systems without thoroughly considering such risks.
Researchers examined around 100 papers and books,published mainly over the past five years.From these,they put together a picture of the ways in which scientists see AI systems as enhancing human capabilities.
In one vision,AI tools are seen as being able to tirelessly read and digest scientific papers.In another vision,AI systems are thought to be more objective than humans in evaluating scientific findings.In a third vision,AI tools seem to perform better than the human mind in analysing data sets.
They also predict risks that arise from these visions.One is the illusion (幻觉) of explanatory depth,in which people relying on another person—or in this case an algorithm (算法) — for knowledge are likely to mistake that knowledge for their own.Another risk is that research becomes skewed (偏颇的) towards studying the kinds of things that AI systems can test.
If you’re a scientist planning to use AI,you can reduce these dangers through a number of strategies.All members of the scientific community must view AI use not as unavoidable for any particular task,but rather as a choice with risks and benefits that must be carefully weighed.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章主要讲述了人工智能系统带来的风险。
(　　)8.What is a further risk that AI systems carry according to Paragraph 1
[A] They perform better than humans.
[B] Researchers overestimate their capabilities.
[C] They are able to understand complex concepts.
[D] Researchers use them in self-driving laboratories.
【答案】 B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第一段的最后一句可知,人工智能系统带来的进一步风险是研究人员高估了它们的能力。故选B。
(　　)9.What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us about AI
[A] Its benefits in analysing scientific data.
[B] Its roles in helping doing scientific research.
[C] Its strengths in digesting scientific papers.
[D] Its advantages in evaluating scientific findings.
【答案】 B
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第四段内容可知,第四段主要讲述了人工智能在帮助进行科学研究方面的作用。故选B。
(　　)10.What is the illusion of explanatory depth
[A] Finding the accuracy in the algorithm.
[B] Denying the mistake of the algorithm.
[C] Accepting the complexity of the algorithm.
[D] Considering algorithmic insights as personal understanding.
【答案】 D
【解析】 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的第二句可知,“解释深度的幻觉”是指将算法的见解视为个人理解。故选D。
(　　)11.What’s the author’s attitude towards the use of AI in scientific community
[A] Cautious. [B] Approving.
[C] Unclear. [D] Intolerant.
【答案】 A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段内容可知,作者对科学界使用人工智能是持谨慎态度的。故选A。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
I was an obsessive (痴迷的) lover of books who would read at two a.m.and polish off chapter books in kindergarten.In grammar school I 　1　 my way through the huge amount of books in the library,gradually getting less picky(挑剔的) as the options 　2　.However,
what I wanted to read was science fiction.It was 　3　 to find.A sixth-grade teacher lent me a copy of Watership Down,which was a(n) 　4　 experience.
Unluckily,I was sick.My symptoms (症状) were odd,and no one really knew what my
　5　 was.I grew weaker and more isolated,but I got a ride to the library once a week and
　6　 all the novels I could carry.I kept reading 　7　 my disability.
Later,I met a technical nonfiction writer,who explained to me how to make a living by
　8　 for magazines.At last,there was something I could 　9　! I subscribed to a famous magazine but wrote a 　10　 novel instead.
After　11　 the first novel,I made friends with writers online.I thought my life
　12　 at last.Here was a career path where all my reading would 　13　 and where my disability wouldn’t shut me out.I wrote two science fiction novels,which later got published.
It turns out that in writing science fiction being unique can be a　14　,practice eventually works,and persistence is what really matters.Without science fiction,I wouldn’t have had anything to desire,and I would never have 　15　 something I could share with the world.
【语篇导读】 本文是记叙文。文章讲述了作者热爱阅读科幻小说并因写科幻小说找到生活的意义的故事。
(　　)1.[A] found [B] worked
[C] inched [D] felt
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据语境可知,此处表示在小学,作者从头到尾在图书馆阅读了大量图书。work one’s way through sth意为“自始至终做某事(尤指耗费时间或力量的事)”。故选B。
(　　)2.[A] increased [B] remained
[C] appeared [D] thinned
【答案】 D
【解析】 由空前的“gradually getting less picky(挑剔的)”以及空后的“However,what I wanted to read was science fiction.”可知,因为可选择的读物变少了(thinned),作者逐渐对书没那么挑剔了。故选D。
(　　)3.[A] quick [B] good
[C] hard [D] popular
【答案】 C
【解析】 由上文中的“However,what I wanted to read was science fiction.”以及空后的“A sixth-grade teacher lent me...”可知,科幻小说很难(hard)找到。故选C。
(　　)4.[A] transformative [B] disappointing
[C] imaginative [D] embarrassing
【答案】 A
【解析】 由上文作者很难找到科幻小说来读以及空前讲一位六年级老师借给作者一本科幻小说的复制本可推知,这对于作者来说是一次带来改变的(transformative)经历。故选A。
(　　)5.[A] possibility [B] occupation
[C] operation [D] disability
【答案】 D
【解析】 由下文中的“I kept reading　7　 my disability.”及“where my disability wouldn’t shut me out”可知,本题考查原词复现。故选D。
(　　)6.[A] kept back [B] gave away
[C] checked out [D] turned down
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据语境可知,作者变得更虚弱了,但依然坚持每周去一次图书馆,把自己能拿的小说都借出来(checked out)。故选C。
(　　)7.[A] without [B] beyond
[C] besides [D] despite
【答案】 D
【解析】 结合语境可知,尽管(despite)身患残疾,作者依然坚持阅读。故选D。
(　　)8.[A] writing [B] drawing
[C] editing [D] recording
【答案】 A
【解析】 由下文中的“but wrote a　10　 novel instead”可知,作者遇到一位专业的纪实文学作家,这位作家向作者解释了如何通过为杂志社写作(writing)来谋生。故选A。
(　　)9.[A] change [B] do
[C] possess [D] read
【答案】 B
【解析】 由下文中的“but wrote a　10　 novel instead”可知,此处是说这是作者能做(do)的事情。故选B。
(　　)10.[A] detective [B] fantasy
[C] comic [D] romantic
【答案】 B
【解析】 由上文中的“what I wanted to read was science fiction”和下文中的“I wrote two science fiction novels”可知,作者写了一部奇幻小说。fantasy novel意为“奇幻小说”。故选B。
(　　)11.[A] finishing [B] adapting
[C] translating [D] declaring
【答案】 A
【解析】 由语境可知,此处指在完成(finishing)第一本小说之后,作者在网上交了很多作家朋友。故选A。
(　　)12.[A] settled down [B] fell apart
[C] moved on [D] made sense
【答案】 D
【解析】 由下文中的“Here was a career path...wouldn’t shut me out.”可知,作者觉得自己的生活终于变得有意义了(made sense)。故选D。
(　　)13.[A] pay off [B] come back
[C] run out [D] take off
【答案】 A
【解析】 由下文中的“where my disability wouldn’t shut me out”可知,此处指作者之前的阅读终于有了回报(pay off)。故选A。
(　　)14.[A] nature [B] challenge
[C] benefit [D] restriction
【答案】 C
【解析】 由上文对作者成功发表科幻小说的描述可知,此处是指在写科幻小说的时候,做到与众不同也会有益处(benefit)。故选C。
(　　)15.[A] expressed [B] presumed
[C] created [D] accepted
【答案】 C
【解析】 通读全文可知,作者喜欢阅读科幻小说,也出版过科幻小说,所以此处是指如果没有科幻小说,作者就不会有任何渴望的东西,也永远不会创作(created)出可以与世界分享的东西。故选C。
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第
10
页
)(共51张PPT)
UNIT 1　SCIENCE FICTION
选择性必修　第四册
题组训练
(限时:35分钟　总分:42.5分)
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
Science fiction writers create imaginary worlds.The way things work in your imaginary worlds will be based on actual science.So it’s important for you to be familiar with the scientific principles and inventions that are related to your creation.For example,if you’re writing about humans living on a planet with zero gravity,then you need to know the effects of zero gravity on the human body.
Then you have to figure out the exact rules of your imaginary worlds.
And you have to follow them.If humans are able to breathe underwater in Chapter 1,your characters can’t drown in a swimming pool in Chapter 3.The issue here is maintaining your readers’ trust.That means readers are willing to pretend along with you.If you start out with an ordinary detective novel and then throw in someone breathing underwater in the 6th chapter,
you will pull the readers out of their imagination.The same thing happens if you change the rules halfway.
Part of your preparation work for the novel is to map out its world in great detail.You should decide the following issues: the history of the world,
the geography,what possibilities it offers,how everything works in this new reality,and how all of these factors affect the way your characters think,
feel,and react to things.You don’t have to tell your readers all the rules in the first chapter.But you have to let readers know enough to understand what’s going on.This also allows you to work out logical problems and contradictions before you start writing.
When you are writing,remember to make it feel real.You are inviting readers to visit a new world.They will want to be able to see,hear,feel,smell,
and even taste what it’s like.Whether your novel is about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet,help your readers feel like they’re actually there.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。科学为科幻小说提供了基本的原理,文章就如何写科幻小说给出了一些注意事项。
(　　)1.What’s the relationship between actual science and science fiction
[A] Science fiction promotes the development of actual science.
[B] Science fiction often reflects the development of actual science.
[C] Actual science provides basic principles for science fiction.
[D] Actual science limits the imagination described in science fiction.
C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第一段的前两句可知,科学为科幻小说提供了基本的原理。故选C。
(　　)2.What does the third paragraph focus on
[A] Part of the preparation work for science fiction writing.
[B] The different types of novels.
[C] The detail in the first chapter of science fiction.
[D] The reality of science fiction.
A
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第三段内容可知,第三段的主旨是科幻小说写作的部分准备工作。故选A。
(　　)3.What’ s the best title for the passage
[A] How to Do Scientific Research
[B] How to Write Science Fiction
[C] What to Expect from Science Fiction
[D] How to Raise Interest in Science
B
【解析】 标题归纳题。通读全文可知,文章主要介绍了如何写科幻小说,B项最适合作本文的标题。故选B。
B
To persist,life must reproduce.Scientists at the University of Vermont,
Tufts University,and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have discovered an entirely new form of biological reproduction and applied their discovery to create the first-ever,
self-replicating (自我复制的) living robots.
Named Xenobots after the African clawed frog from which scientists take their stem cells,the machines are less than 0.04 inches wide—small enough to travel inside human bodies.They can walk and swim,survive for weeks without food,and work together in groups.They even have regenerative capabilities; when the scientists sliced into one robot,it healed by itself and kept moving.
The Xenobots could potentially be used toward a host of tasks.
Xenobots could be used to clean up radioactive waste and collect microplastics in the oceans.Some Xenobots had holes in their centre,which could potentially be used to transport drugs or medicines.“Traditional robots degrade (降解) over time and can produce harmful ecological and health side effects,” researchers said in the study,which was published in a famous journal.
As biological machines,Xenobots are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health.Aside from these immediate practical tasks,Xenobots could also help researchers to learn more about cell biology—opening the doors to future advancement in human health and longevity.
While the prospect of self-replicating biotechnology could spark concern,the researchers said that the living machines were entirely contained in a lab and easily destroyed,as they are biodegradable and regulated by experts.“There are many things that are possible if we take advantage of this kind of plasticity (可塑性) and ability of cells to solve problems,” said Joshua Bongard,one of the lead researchers at the University of Vermont.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了有史以来第一款可以自我复制的机器人。
(　　)4.Which of the following can best explain the underlined word“regenerative” in Paragraph 2
[A] Fighting diseases.
[B] Replacing old cells.
[C] Recovering and growing again.
[D] Self-cleaning regularly.
C
【解析】 猜测词义题。根据第二段的“when the scientists sliced into one robot,it healed by itself and kept moving”可知,机器人有自我愈合和修复功能,由此可推断regenerative意为“恢复并再次生长”。故选C。
(　　)5.What can we learn about Xenobots from Paragraph 3
[A] They can be widely applied to curing diseases.
[B] They are harmless to the environment by degrading plastics.
[C] They are specially designed to collect radioactive waste.
[D] They can serve well the research on human health.
D
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段的最后一句可知,Xenobots可以很好地服务于人类健康的研究。故选D。
(　　)6.What is Bongard’s attitude towards the self-replicating biotechnology
[A] Positive. [B] Doubtful.
[C] Indifferent. [D] Negative.
A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段的最后一句可知,Joshua Bongard认为自我复制生物技术让很多事都有可能实现,因此他对自我复制生物技术持积极的态度。故选A。
(　　)7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] An application of a machine in medicine.
[B] The invention of the first self-replicating robots.
[C] The trend of developing biotechnology.
[D] An experiment on African clawed frogs.
B
【解析】 主旨大意题。根据第一段内容可知,作者在第一段引入了文章的主题,即第一款可以自我复制的机器人的发明。故选B。
C
Scientists are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) — from developing “self-driving” laboratories to replacing human participants in social-science experiments with robots.Many disadvantages of AI systems have been discussed.In an article social scientists say that AI systems carry a further risk: that researchers perceive such tools as possessed of superhuman abilities when it comes to objectivity,productivity and understanding complex concepts.
“Scientists planning to use AI must evaluate these risks now,” write co-authors Lisa and Molly.The article is a warning about what could be lost if scientists embrace AI systems without thoroughly considering such risks.
Researchers examined around 100 papers and books,published mainly over the past five years.From these,they put together a picture of the ways in which scientists see AI systems as enhancing human capabilities.
In one vision,AI tools are seen as being able to tirelessly read and digest scientific papers.In another vision,AI systems are thought to be more objective than humans in evaluating scientific findings.In a third vision,AI tools seem to perform better than the human mind in analysing data sets.
They also predict risks that arise from these visions.One is the illusion (幻觉) of explanatory depth,in which people relying on another person—or in this case an algorithm (算法) — for knowledge are likely to mistake that knowledge for their own.Another risk is that research becomes skewed (偏颇的) towards studying the kinds of things that AI systems can test.
If you’re a scientist planning to use AI,you can reduce these dangers through a number of strategies.All members of the scientific community must view AI use not as unavoidable for any particular task,but rather as a choice with risks and benefits that must be carefully weighed.
【语篇导读】 本文是议论文。文章主要讲述了人工智能系统带来的风险。
(　　)8.What is a further risk that AI systems carry according to Paragraph 1
[A] They perform better than humans.
[B] Researchers overestimate their capabilities.
[C] They are able to understand complex concepts.
[D] Researchers use them in self-driving laboratories.
B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第一段的最后一句可知,人工智能系统带来的进一步风险是研究人员高估了它们的能力。故选B。
(　　)9.What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us about AI
[A] Its benefits in analysing scientific data.
[B] Its roles in helping doing scientific research.
[C] Its strengths in digesting scientific papers.
[D] Its advantages in evaluating scientific findings.
B
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第四段内容可知,第四段主要讲述了人工智能在帮助进行科学研究方面的作用。故选B。
(　　)10.What is the illusion of explanatory depth
[A] Finding the accuracy in the algorithm.
[B] Denying the mistake of the algorithm.
[C] Accepting the complexity of the algorithm.
[D] Considering algorithmic insights as personal understanding.
D
【解析】 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的第二句可知,“解释深度的幻觉”是指将算法的见解视为个人理解。故选D。
(　　)11.What’s the author’s attitude towards the use of AI in scientific community
[A] Cautious. [B] Approving.
[C] Unclear. [D] Intolerant.
A
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段内容可知,作者对科学界使用人工智能是持谨慎态度的。故选A。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
I was an obsessive (痴迷的) lover of books who would read at two a.m.
and polish off chapter books in kindergarten.In grammar school I 　1　 my way through the huge amount of books in the library,gradually getting less picky(挑剔的) as the options 　2　.However,what I wanted to read was science fiction.It was 　3　 to find.A sixth-grade teacher lent me a copy of Watership Down,which was a(n) 　4　 experience.
Unluckily,I was sick.My symptoms (症状) were odd,and no one really knew what my 　5　 was.I grew weaker and more isolated,but I got a ride to the library once a week and 　6　 all the novels I could carry.I kept reading 　7　 my disability.
Later,I met a technical nonfiction writer,who explained to me how to make a living by 　8　 for magazines.At last,there was something I could
　9　! I subscribed to a famous magazine but wrote a 　10　 novel instead.
After　11　 the first novel,I made friends with writers online.I thought my life 　12　 at last.Here was a career path where all my reading would 　13　 and where my disability wouldn’t shut me out.I wrote two science fiction novels,which later got published.
It turns out that in writing science fiction being unique can be a　14　,
practice eventually works,and persistence is what really matters.Without science fiction,I wouldn’t have had anything to desire,and I would never have 　15　 something I could share with the world.
【语篇导读】 本文是记叙文。文章讲述了作者热爱阅读科幻小说并因写科幻小说找到生活的意义的故事。
(　　)1.[A] found [B] worked
[C] inched [D] felt
B
【解析】 根据语境可知,此处表示在小学,作者从头到尾在图书馆阅读了大量图书。work one’s way through sth意为“自始至终做某事(尤指耗费时间或力量的事)”。故选B。
(　　)2.[A] increased [B] remained
[C] appeared [D] thinned
D
【解析】 由空前的“gradually getting less picky(挑剔的)”以及空后的“However,what I wanted to read was science fiction.”可知,因为可选择的读物变少了(thinned),作者逐渐对书没那么挑剔了。故选D。
(　　)3.[A] quick [B] good
[C] hard [D] popular
C
【解析】 由上文中的“However,what I wanted to read was science fiction.”以及空后的“A sixth-grade teacher lent me...”可知,科幻小说很难(hard)找到。故选C。
(　　)4.[A] transformative [B] disappointing
[C] imaginative [D] embarrassing
A
【解析】 由上文作者很难找到科幻小说来读以及空前讲一位六年级老师借给作者一本科幻小说的复制本可推知,这对于作者来说是一次带来改变的(transformative)经历。故选A。
(　　)5.[A] possibility [B] occupation
[C] operation [D] disability
D
【解析】 由下文中的“I kept reading　7　 my disability.”及“where my disability wouldn’t shut me out”可知,本题考查原词复现。故选D。
(　　)6.[A] kept back [B] gave away
[C] checked out [D] turned down
C
【解析】 根据语境可知,作者变得更虚弱了,但依然坚持每周去一次图书馆,把自己能拿的小说都借出来(checked out)。故选C。
(　　)7.[A] without [B] beyond
[C] besides [D] despite
D
【解析】 结合语境可知,尽管(despite)身患残疾,作者依然坚持阅读。故选D。
(　　)8.[A] writing [B] drawing
[C] editing [D] recording
A
【解析】 由下文中的“but wrote a　10　 novel instead”可知,作者遇到一位专业的纪实文学作家,这位作家向作者解释了如何通过为杂志社写作(writing)来谋生。故选A。
(　　)9.[A] change [B] do
[C] possess [D] read
B
【解析】 由下文中的“but wrote a　10　 novel instead”可知,此处是说这是作者能做(do)的事情。故选B。
(　　)10.[A] detective [B] fantasy
[C] comic [D] romantic
B
【解析】 由上文中的“what I wanted to read was science fiction”和下文中的“I wrote two science fiction novels”可知,作者写了一部奇幻小说。fantasy novel意为“奇幻小说”。故选B。
(　　)11.[A] finishing [B] adapting
[C] translating [D] declaring
A
【解析】 由语境可知,此处指在完成(finishing)第一本小说之后,作者在网上交了很多作家朋友。故选A。
(　　)12.[A] settled down [B] fell apart
[C] moved on [D] made sense
D
【解析】 由下文中的“Here was a career path...wouldn’t shut me out.”可知,作者觉得自己的生活终于变得有意义了(made sense)。故选D。
(　　)13.[A] pay off [B] come back
[C] run out [D] take off
A
【解析】 由下文中的“where my disability wouldn’t shut me out”可知,此处指作者之前的阅读终于有了回报(pay off)。故选A。
(　　)14.[A] nature [B] challenge
[C] benefit [D] restriction
C
【解析】 由上文对作者成功发表科幻小说的描述可知,此处是指在写科幻小说的时候,做到与众不同也会有益处(benefit)。故选C。
(　　)15.[A] expressed [B] presumed
[C] created [D] accepted
C
【解析】 通读全文可知,作者喜欢阅读科幻小说,也出版过科幻小说,所以此处是指如果没有科幻小说,作者就不会有任何渴望的东西,也永远不会创作(created)出可以与世界分享的东西。故选C。

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