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Unit 4　Meeting the muse
Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
Robots are separated into two parts:the brain and the body.An AI brain can help run the traffic system of a city,but many robots still struggle to open a door—why is that
“Software has advanced rapidly in recent years,but hardware has not kept up.Currently,all robots rely on electricity and software to function.The robotic brain composed of software translates information to the body or hardware through an encoder(编码器),which then performs an action,” said Dr Antonio Forte,a senior lecturer in engineering at King’s College London.
To overcome this,Forte’s team developed a circuit by integrating liquid-based circuits with an adjustable valve(阀) placed within a robot’s hardware.This valve acts like a switch in a normal circuit and engineers can send signals directly to hardware using variations in pressure from liquid inside,allowing the robot to perform complex tasks without the need for electricity or instruction from the central brain.This leads robots to function independently in challenging environments,such as low-income countries that do not have reliable access to electricity.
Independent from the software running it,the advanced hardware system carries the majority of computational load by itself.This opens up the possibility of a new generation of robots,whose bodies could operate independently of their built-in control centre,with this space potentially being used instead for more complex AI-powered software,and consequently they can be more aware of their social context,which provides for a new kind of robotics in places like social care and mass production.
“Ultimately,without investment in such field robots will stay at a certain level after a period of growth.Soon,if we do not offload the computational tasks that modern-day robots take on,computing improvements will have little impact on their performance.The work is just a first step on this path,but the future holds smarter robots with smarter bodies,” Mostafa Mousa,a post-graduate researcher at King’s College London,commented.
1.What is holding back the development of robots nowadays
A.Backward hardware.
B.High electricity cost.
C.Low-speed encoders.
D.Complex calculations.
2.How does the valve function in a robot
A.It translates information.
B.It adjusts liquid pressure.
C.It sends electrical signals.
D.It powers robots’ brains.
3.What sets the new generation of robots apart from others
A.Autonomy with adaptability.
B.Resistance to physical damage.
C.Understanding of users’ likes.
D.Capability to control softwares.
4.What does Mousa think of the work of Forte’s team
A.Eventful.　　　 　　B.Doubtful.
C.Promising. D.Dismissive.
【语境猜词】
①overcome　　　　　_______________________
②hardware _______________________
③software _______________________
④computational _______________________
⑤offload(熟义:v.卸下)
生义(文义):v. _______________________
⑥independent _______________________
B
The growing interaction between humans and artificial intelligence(AI) is shaping a new way of thinking,known as System 0.This new cognitive framework exists outside the human mind and works as an external “thinking assistant”.System 0 works alongside the two established models of human thought:System 1,which is fast,intuitive(直觉的),and automatic,and System 2,which is slower,more analytical,and more reflective.
Just as an external drive allows us to store data that are not present on the computer and work anywhere by connecting to a PC,AI—with its powerful data-handling capabilities—functions as an external cognitive circuit that enhances human brain capacity.Hence the idea of System 0,which is essentially a form of “external” thinking that relies on the capabilities of AI.
By managing enormous amounts of data,AI can process information and provide suggestions based on complex algorithms(算法).However,unlike intuitive or analytical thinking,System 0 can perform calculations,make predictions,and generate responses without truly “understanding” the content of the data it works with.
The integration of System 0 into human cognition raises some concerns.One of the most pressing ones is the potential damage to our critical thinking and reasoning abilities.If we blindly trust the output of System 0 without questioning it,we risk losing our ability to think independently,leading to a weaker capacity for innovation and creativity.At the same time,it is important to acknowledge the potential benefits of System 0 in increasing our cognitive capabilities and addressing complex challenges that may be beyond the capacity of human intelligence alone.
Despite the polarised visions on the topic of the evolution of AI,we recommend that this revolutionary system be the object of a deep,shared reflection on how we plan to integrate it into the future of human thought.To ensure that AI remains a tool to enhance—rather than decrease—our cognitive autonomy,clear boundaries must be established.
5.What is the main function of paragraph 1
A.To explain how AI impacts daily routines.
B.To introduce a new cognitive framework.
C.To compare three human thinking systems.
D.To analyse AI’s role in decision-making processes.
6.Which statement captures the essence of System 0
A.It seeks profound meanings in data.
B.It pioneers analytical thinking methods.
C.It enhances human cognition externally.
D.It makes intelligent decisions independently.
7.What is the author’s tone carried in paragraph 4
A.Objective. B.Indifferent.
C.Aggressive. D.Dismissive.
8.What will the follow-up paragraph most probably talk about
A.Moral dilemmas in human-AI integration.
B.Potentially promising prospects of System 0.
C.Technical challenges in sharpening System 0.
D.Specific guidelines on using System 0 critically.
【语境猜词】
①framework　　　　_______________________
②reflective _______________________
③analytical _______________________
Ⅱ.完形填空
A 90-year-old great-grandmother graduated from Southern New Hampshire University recently,fulfilling a lifelong dream after decades of sacrifice.
“It’s so 　9　,” Annette Roberge spoke of her 　10　.“It’s like still being in a dream world.”
Roberge first 　11　 at New Hampshire College(now SNHU) in 1972.　12　 to her kids at that time,Roberge 　13　 her studies.“You need to get your 　14　 right,” she explained.“The children came first.I can’t put my education ahead of them.”
Roberge later took on part-time jobs to 　15　 her young children’s schedules before 　16　 building a long career in the insurance industry.In 2017,Roberge set about exploring options to 　17　 her education but failed to 　18　 due to health reasons.However,after some research by her daughter,Roberge discovered that she had earned enough 　19　 to graduate with an associate’s degree in business administration.
At her 90th birthday celebration,around two weeks before she 　20　 the graduation ceremony,Roberge announced the exciting news to her family.When the big day came,she walked across the stage to cheers and applause from other attendees,proudly 　21　 her diploma.But Roberge isn’t stopping there—she plans to start working towards her bachelor’s degree in January.
When she 　22　 her journey,Roberge shared a message of 　23　,“If you have a dream,don’t let it just sit there.Do something.No matter your age,you can still achieve it.”
9.A.close B.unreal
C.hopeless D.intense
10.A.generation B.prospect
C.achievement D.resolution
11.A.called B.aimed
C.worked D.enrolled
12.A.Sympathetic B.Fair
C.Devoted D.Cruel
13.A.paused B.disturbed
C.ignored D.furthered
14.A.details B.priorities
C.responses D.strategies
15.A.fit B.revise
C.adjust D.set
16.A.passively B.strictly
C.intentionally D.ultimately
17.A.continue B.afford
C.transform D.handle
18.A.bounce back B.turn up
C.follow through D.settle down
19.A.credits B.funds
C.titles D.rewards
20.A.missed B.informed
C.held D.attended
21.A.expecting B.receiving
C.showing D.issuing
22.A.switched B.documented
C.recalled D.completed
23.A.warmth B.knowledge
C.tolerance D.inspiration
【语境猜词】
①graduate　　　　_______________________
②lifelong _______________________
Ⅲ.语法填空
Robots have increasingly become a part of our lives.They can perform various tasks,from simple household chores to complex industrial operations.
On January 28,2025,a special performance called YangBOT amazed audiences at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala,China’s most-watched TV show.24.(direct) by famous filmmaker Zhang Yimou,the show mixed modern robot technology with traditional Chinese yangko dance.
In the performance,humanoid robots dressed in colourful costumes danced yangko,25.　　　　　　 joyful folk dance from northern China.They spun handkerchiefs instantly and formed creative group patterns.These robots were developed by Unitree,a Chinese robotics company.In fact,this company 26.(throw) itself into robotics research in 2016.In 2021,their robot cows,27.　　　　　　(serve) as backup dancers for a famous singer,showed off their dancing skills.
The robots learnt dance moves through AI and used laser navigation to move 28.　　　　　　(safe) on the uneven stage.Their strong 29.　　　　　　(joint) helped them balance perfectly during fast steps.Zhang Yimou explained,“This dance isn’t just fun—it shows what technology can bring 30.　　　　　 traditions.”
The robots’ 31.　　　　　(impress) performance greatly took audiences’ breath away.Thanks to these innovations,the robots won the hearts of millions.The performance YangBOT,32.　　　　　 has been praised by fans nationwide,is a perfect mix of China’s tech progress 33.　　　　　　 cultural pride.
【语境猜词】
①humanoid　　　　_______________________
②navigation _______________________
③uneven _______________________
④handkerchief _______________________
参考答案
Ⅰ.
1.A
2.B
3.A
4.C
5.B
6.C
7.A
8.D
Ⅱ.
9.B
tly”可知,90岁的Roberge从大学毕业,这是她的一项成就(achievement)。
11.D
12.C
13.A
14.B
15.A
16.D
17.A
18.C
19.A
20.D
21.B
22.C
23.D
Ⅲ.
24.Directed
25.a
26.threw
27.serving
28.safely
29.joints
30.to
31.impressive
32.which
33.and

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