1、Period Two Learning about Language & Using Language.阅读理解AAsk anyone what is the most difficult part of changing their lifestyle habits and they are most likely to say，“ staying motivated”But a 36yearold professor from Carnegie Mellon University claims it may have the answer in the form of robot weig
2、ht loss coach that dishes out daily health advice and encouragement.Autom is the work of Intuitive Automata，a company which claims to be a pioneer in commercial sociallyinteractive robots.The robot，which stands around 38 centimeters tall，has a head that swivels( 转动)，blue eyes，and a touch screen whic
3、h allows the user to input information daily about exercise and diet.Its creators say Autom will have daily conversation with its user lasting up to five minutes，giving feedback and encouragement.Over time，it will interact more with the user as it gathers more information about them.Cory Kidd，a rese
4、arch team manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency，claims research has shown that people find robots a more credible source of information than onscreenbased character.In a controlled study in Pittsburgh City Council,15 dieters were given Autom for six weeks.Another 15 received a touchsc
5、reen computer with identical software and 15 were given a paper log.The study found，people using the robot were more likely to stick with their diets longer， in fact twice as long as those using just a paper log.“While not one person among the computer or paper groups continued past six weeks， most
6、who had Autom did not want to give her back at the conclusion of the study，” he said.The bottom line is that a robot creates a more powerful and longlasting relationship with the user than a character on the screen.Autom is expected to go on sale later this year in the United States for around 500.T
7、he robots which speak and understand Cantonese and Mandarin in addition to English according to the demands are also being developed.语 篇 解 读 本 文 介 绍 了 一 种 能 给 人 们 激 励 的 机 器 人 。1What can we know about the controlled study?AThe subjects were divided by two.BEvery person with Autom continued past six w
8、eeks.CThe study was led by Cory Kidd.DPeople using Autom gained more benefit than other people.答案 D解析 细节理解题。根据第五、六段可知实验是在三组内进行的，所以 A 项错误；根据第六段可知 B 项错误；第四段只是提到 “Cory Kidd，a research team manager”，并没有说他领导进行了这个实验，故排除 C 项；实验的结论为 D 项。2Which institution is responsible for the development of Autom?ACarnegi
9、e Mellon University.BIntuitive Automata.CFederal Emergency Management Agency.DPittsburgh City Council.答案 B解析 细节理解题。根据第二段中“Autom is the work of Intuitive Automata.”可知是Intuitive Automata 研发出这种机器人。3What can we infer from the passage?AThe robot cant speak English except Cantonese and Mandarin.BThe robot
10、 that can speak many languages has been popular with the users.CThe robot can help people change their lifestyle habits.DThe robots that can speak many languages meet the demands of the customers.答案 C解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段可知这种机器人会说英语，并且还没有真正投入生产和使用，故排除选项 A、B；文章最后一段说根据人们的需求会三种语言的机器人正在研发中，故选项 D 表述也不准确。根据第一段的
11、开始和后面的阐述可知 C 项正确。B(2018陕西榆林一中高二期中)A tenyearold from Howell， Michigan is being praised as a hero thanks to his persistence(坚持) that led to saving the life of an elderly neighbor.The event happened late on an evening when Danny DiPietro was being driven home from hockey practice by his mom.Thats when
12、the young boy noticed an open garage and a figure that he believed was a dog outside an apartment building near his house.Given the freezing cold weather，the young boy got a feeling that something was not right.But instead of dismissing it like most kids his age would have，he insisted that his mothe
13、r，Dawn ，find out what was going on.Dawn tried to make Danny believe that no one would leave a dog out in such cold weather，but he refused to take no for an answer.Dawn finally gave in and decided to drive to the area with the family dog and see if there was any truth to Dannys hunch(直觉)Sure enough，a
14、s she got closer to the apartment building she noticed a garage that was wide open and someone waving madly for help.Upon getting there，she realized that it was not a dog the young boy had seen，but Kathleen St.Onge.The 80yearold had fallen down on some ice in her garage and had been lying there for
15、two hours，unable to get up.Dawn rushed home to get her husband to help and called 911.The two then returned with some blankets to cover Ms.St.Onge，while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.Though still in hospital，the elderly woman is recovering well and forever grateful to Danny，for following u
16、p on his hunch!4When seeing a figure in an open garage，Danny .Arecognized it was an old manBthought it was a homeless dogCrealized something was wrongDbelieved it was nothing important答案 C解析 细节理解题。根据第二段第二句“Given the freezing cold weather，the young boy got a feeling that something was not right.”可知，D
17、anny 意识到发生了不对劲的事情。故选 C。5When Dawn got closer to the garage，she .Anoticed the dog had gone awayBknew Dannys hunch was wrongCfound an old lady waving for helpDfelt something must have been stolen答案 C解析 细节理解题。根据第三段第二句“Sure enough，as she got closer to the apartment building she noticed a garage that was
18、 wide open and someone waving madly for help.”可知，当 Dawn 更靠近车库时，她看到一位老妇人挥手寻求帮助。故选 C。6Which of the following can best describe Danny?ABrave and patient.BFriendly and honest.CConsiderate and optimistic.DPersistent and warmhearted.答案 D解析 推理判断题。根据第一段第一句和最后一段第二句可推断出，Danny 是一个坚持而又热心的孩子。故选 D。7What could be
19、the best title for the text?AAlways Follow Your HunchBBe Ready to Help Save the ElderlyCUnknown Hero Brings Love and HopeD10yearold Saves Elderly Neighbors Life答案 D解析 标题归纳题。由全文的主题句“A tenyearold from Howell，Michigan is being praised as a hero thanks to his persistence(坚持) that led to saving the life
20、of an elderly neighbor.”可知，本文主要讲了一个十岁的小男孩用自己的坚持，救了一位上了年纪的邻居的故事。故选 D。.读后续写阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。In a meeting room，I faced the judges seated behind a table holding my fate in their hands.These same judges had rejected me twice before.This was my last chance.Would it finally be my turn?“Tell us
21、, Jason，” one judge said，“why do you want to be Pistol Pete(一个吉祥物)？”My dream went back to one magical day when I was eight years old.That summer I watched a cowboy football game.I was attracted by Pistol Pete.He was larger than our body.He could get everyone in the entire stadium on their feet shout
22、ing “Come on！” and make sure they had fun.Being the mascot(吉祥物) fit my personality.I loved getting attention and laugh.I didnt have the arm or speed to play football.But no one could stop me when it came to school spirit.I entered a high school mascot competition and finished twelfth.When tryouts(选拔
23、)for Pistol Pete were announced during my first year at university，my academic advisor encouraged me to work hard at the mascot training.Then came the interview with the judges.The main question was，“ Why do you want to be Pistol Pete？”“Because Ive been training for this all my life，” I told the jud
24、ges.The judges gathered the candidates to announce their decision.Theyd selected two students.I could only watch as those two students jumped into the air.I talked up my dream to my coworkers at my parttime job，and they were behind me 100 percent.When tryouts came the following spring，I was more tha
25、n ready.Then I stepped before the judges again.“You know me from last year，” I said.“You know how badly I want this.And you know how good Id be.”I thought it was a done deal that Id spend my junior year being Pistol Pete，living my dream.注意：1所续写短文的词数应为 150 左右；2应使用 5 个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；3续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已
26、为你写好；4续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。Paragraph 1：The judges didnt call my name. Paragraph 2：I added my name to the list one last time， 参考范文The judges didnt call my name.This was supposed to be my turn！I left feeling cheated and defeated，lower than Id ever felt in my life.I talked to my academic advisor.“If
27、the pull of being Pistol Pete is still so strong，”he said，“maybe youre meant to try again.But you have to be prepared to accept the judges decision，no matter what it is.”I added my name to the list one last time，went through mascot training again.All that was left was the interview.For a moment，I wa
28、s puzzled.Then it occurred to me.The judges didnt want to hear about my accomplishments and experience.They wanted to hear from my heart.I took a deep breath and spoke from the heart.“Pistol Pete has attracted me since I was eight years old.” Later that day，one of the judges announced ，“The Pistol Petes for this year are Steven and Jason！”