Cortana. Alexa. Siri. These are names of robotic voices that are often programmed on electronic tablets. They also become default(默认) identities for people with speech disorders who rely on technology to communicate. Now some speech scientists are developing personalized voices to reflect the broader diversity of the people who use them. To do it，they are tapping into a vast network of volunteers who are donating their voices to share with people who cannot speak.
The effort to build an international “Human Voicebank” has attracted more than 17，000 volunteers from 110 countries，including Priyanka Pandya，a 16－year－old from Columbia，Md. ，who plans to spend her winter vacation recording a string of sentences into her computer. “To be able to give somebody the gift of voice，I think that’s really，really powerful，” she said.
“Everyone has a voice，” said Rupal Patel，founder of VocaliD，the company that started the voicebank. “Even people who are unable to speak have sounds that are unique to them. ” Her company designs personalized voices by recording the unique sounds of the user，and then mixing them with 6 to 10 hours of recordings from a voice donor，matched by age，gender and region. The company is developing voices now for its first 100 customers.
Also，people’s voices change. The company is looking for donors who are willing to record their voices，and then record them again a few years later，as they get older. But some of the first customers say they are happy with the results.
John A. Gregoire was one of the first customers to receive a personalized voice from VocaliD last December. The voice came eight years after he developed ALS (肌萎缩侧索硬化症)and more than six years since his voice became unintelligible to everyone except his wife and youngest son. “Having a distinctive voice is like getting something back that was stolen，” John said.
1.What does the author say about the voicebank?
A.It collects all kinds of voices.
B.It gains strong public support.
C.It helps to recognize special voices.
D.It offers people personalized voices free.
2.The example of John A Gregoire is given in the text to stress ________.
A.customers’ desire for personalized voices
B.VocaliD’s efforts to develop personalized voices
C.customers’ satisfaction with personalized voices
D.VocaliD’s success in designing personalized voices
3.What does the underlined word “unintelligible” mean?
A.Unclear. B.Soft.
C.Incomplete. D.Rough.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.VocaliD is devoted to building a voicebank.
B.Volunteers donate their voices to VocaliD.
C.The Human Voicebank helps people with speech problems.
D.The Human Voicebank wins fame among speechless people.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
We’ve had a good start, but next, more work needs _____to achieve the final success.
A.being done B.do C.to be done D.to do
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Most of them were ___________ my opinion while David was against it.
A.in honor of B.in favor of C.in search of D.in memory of
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
The accused man ___________ himself innocent.
A.conducted B.abolished C.resigned D.declared
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Everyone makes mistakes, and ____________, he is only a child.
A.after all B.above all C.at all D.in all
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Stars ___________ their own light, while planets only ___________ the light.
A.give off; reflect B.give away; reflect C.reflect; give off D.reflect; give away
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
What frustrated Joanna most was ___________ to go abroad alone.
A.not her being allowed B.her not being allowed
C.her being not allowed D.her being allowed not
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The people trapped in the ruins ____________ that rescue teams ____________ here without delay.
A.desire; are sent B.desiring; were sent
C.desire; be sent D.desiring; be sent
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
He could do nothing but __________ for the bus ___________.
A.to wait; coming B.to wait; to come C.wait; coming D.wait; to come
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Such a film ___________ was shown in the cinema yesterday is not suitable for children.
A.as B.that C.which D./
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The desks and seats can be ____________ the height of any child.
A.adapted with B.adapted to C.adjusted with D.adjusted to
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
One of the secretary’s jobs is to ___________ letters and mails.
A.help out B.dry out C.sort out D.stick out
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Heat the water. ___________, it will freeze.
A.However B.Otherwise C.Meanwhile D.Therefore
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
My money __________. I must go to the bank to draw some of my savings out before I’ve none in hand.
A.has run out B.has been run out C.is to be run out D.is running out
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The bank is reported in the local newspaper ______ in broad daylight yesterday.
A.being robbed B.having been robbed
C.to have been robbed D.robbed
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Which of the following sentences is correct?
A.We urge effective measures taken immediately.
B.What a tiny spot I was this enormous world!
C.That’s quite difficult as I don’t speak much of the local English dialect yet.
D.There was a newly made platform for Jenny and me to sleep.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
One night many years ago I was on the bridge of a ship passing one of our large cities on a quiet night. I saw its lights _______ in the sky and heard the city's noises.
I have spent twenty-five years on boats. Now I am a _______. My job is to bring in the large luxury___________ and stay with them until they are safely stopped in their ports.
I felt very _______ the first time I ever docked a big liner. She came riding up the harbor on a flood tide and _______ high over the short little boat. As we drew alongside, a doorway opened _______ at water level and two smartly dressed sailors helped me aboard.
I was escorted (护送) to the bridge where I _______ from the captain. I realized I was in _______ of a great ship worth millions of dollars. Having docked several of the large liners, I realized I was not important, _______ simply the quarterback(四分卫) who called the signals.
In spite of what we ________ in the newspapers, I have great faith in this country, praying that a peaceful understanding will come to this ________ world, so that my children can grow up in a world full of happiness. I believe this will ________.
I remember the ________ and pity that took over this country, back in 1949, when a little girl named Kathy Fiskus fell into a(n) ________ well in California. Engineers and sandhogs and people in all __________ of life worked almost three days, and when they got her out she was dead.
People sent in thousands of dollars in ________ funds, but those who did the work and furnished the equipment wouldn't take the money. They worked for bigger things. I talked to captains of foreign ______________ that came into New York Harbor, and they were just as ________ as us over the tragedy.
I believe some way will be found to work together for world peace with the same ________ and understanding that people worked to rescue little Kathy Fiskus. I believe this will ________ come true.
1.A.reflected B.decorated C.included D.occupied
2.A.cook B.designer C.swimmer D.pilot
3.A.hotels B.shops C.liners D.offices
4.A.interesting B.proud C.lucky D.smart
5.A.towered B.shipped C.walked D.lifted
6.A.often B.never C.almost D.hardly
7.A.picked up B.took over C.got out D.brought in
8.A.place B.need C.search D.control
9.A.but B.so C.and D.or
10.A.look B.read C.watch D.listen
11.A.undiscovered B.unexpected C.unplanned D.unsettled
12.A.go on B.go out C.come about D.come in
13.A.teamwork B.understanding C.judgment D.concept
14.A.shallow B.occupied C.abandoned D.grand
15.A.walks B.works C.journeys D.sorts
16.A.school B.rescue C.business D.loan
17.A.buses B.planes C.trains D.ships
18.A.worried B.satisfied C.amazed D.concerned
19.A.sympathy B.desire C.favor D.privilege
20.A.nowhere B.forever C.someday D.therefore
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
International Volunteering in New Zealand
If you’re visiting New Zealand and would like to volunteer, DOC (Department of Concentration) welcomes you to get involved.
Before you come to New Zealand
You do not need a work visa to volunteer with DOC. You can volunteer on entry to New Zealand as long as you do not receive payment or benefits.
You may need a police certificate
Depending on the volunteer work you do with us, you may be required to provide a police certificate to DOC. Your police certificate would need to be written and certified in English. It’s easier for you if you get a police certificate before you leave your country.
How to get a new police certificate if you’re already in New Zealand. (Click here)
International students
Volunteering with DOC is an option to gain experience. However, DOC does not offer opportunities to students who study at universities outside New Zealand, or other education providers outside New Zealand.
Insurance
For all volunteers with DOC, we strongly advise you gel comprehensive (综合的) travel insurance and unlimited medical cover. DOC does not accept responsibility for any:
● personal medical or accident events.
● loss or damage to personal items of equipment, or other associated costs while you're volunteering with DOC.
1.What may you offer to DOC if you want to volunteer as a foreigner in New Zealand?
A.A police certificate B.A work visa.
C.A university diploma. D.A driver license.
2.Who cannot volunteer with DOC in New Zealand?
A.An American official who is travelling in New Zealand.
B.An English college student who has just been visiting his uncle in New Zealand.
C.A Chinese exchange student in the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
D.A Chinese businessman with some volunteering experiences.
3.Where is this passage probably from?
A.A story book. B.A newspaper.
C.A travel guide book. D.A website.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Our non-profit organization had just received a large donation of clothing. As three of us walked home for dinner, we saw a woman begging by the bridge. She was old and had no legs. She shivered in her thin sari(纱巾), which offered little protection from the cold wind. Her hunger forced her to beg. My friends and I looked at each other: here was a perfect opportunity, but first it was necessary to do a little bit of research.
We went up to the woman to hear her story. She spoke very little due to her poor health and fear, but we learned enough. She lived alone in her small home. She had no one to look after her and ate whatever people gave her. The desire to help her grew stronger. After speaking to her, we headed back to get something to keep her warm. Finding the perfect sweater, we set out again to see the woman. This time, the fear was replaced by distrust as we presented her with the sweater.
“Are you robbers?” she asked. “You came here before and are back so suddenly with clothes.” I was surprised by her principles. Even in her state, she did not want to wear anything that was stolen and gained through ill means.
“No, we are out doing service work.” Her shoulders relaxed a bit. I then helped her put the sweater on and said, “Please don’t sell the sweater.” “I swear, I won’t,” she said.
A week later, I was out walking with my mother to get some food when I saw the woman again. This time the picture was a little different. She was still begging, but with the gray sweater wrapped around her body and a smile on her face when she saw us. I guarantee that the smile on my face was bigger.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A.The writer offered help without hesitation.
B.The writer wanted to learn more about the beggar.
C.The organization had too many clothes.
D.The woman wanted to make a fortune by begging.
2.What do the underlined words “her principles” in the third paragraph refer to?
A.She never trusted strangers.
B.She never accepted donations from the poor.
C.She wouldn’t accept anything gained illegally.
D.She wouldn’t take advantage of others’ kindness.
3.What contributed to their smiles at last?
A.Caution and fear. B.Kindness and trust.
C.Doubt and distrust. D.Optimism and generosity.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A.We Should Trust Beggars B.How to Judge a Real Beggar
C.Learn Morality from a Beggar D.The Most Wonderful Gift I Gave to a Beggar
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
China's Bao Yongqing has been named the overall winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for 2019, claiming one of the world's top photography awards.
The competition is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London. This year's competition, the 55th, drew more than 48,000 entries from 100 countries. The winning entry by Bao, a native of Qinghai province, is titled The Moment. It captures a remarkable standoff between a Tibetan fox and a marmot(土拨鼠), and was taken on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "Photographically, it is quite simply the perfect moment," said Roz Kidman Cox, the chairwoman of the judging panel. "The expressive intensity of the postures holds you transfixed, and the thread of energy between the raised paws seems to hold the protagonists in perfect balance", Cox said. To have captured such a powerful interaction between a Tibetan fox and a marmot — two species key to the ecology of this high-grassland region — is extraordinary. Museum Director Michael Dixon said the picture captured "nature's ultimate challenge——the battle for survival".
Bao, in a group interview on Wednesday, said of the photo: "It is very difficult and rare to capture this kind of moment, so I knew it was something very special. It took about two or three hours to get this photo. I was watching them for a long time. I have paid attention to this competition for a long time, and my first purpose was to show my image to the world, and secondly to protect the environment and my homeland," he said. " In my hometown, everyone looks after the animals, so when I go home with this award, it will be an encouragement to our people to be more protective of animals and the environment." In addition, the photographer said : "This competition is one of the most important among photographers in China, so I wanted to draw people's attention to animal protection. I hope it will introduce a passion for animals to more people."
The exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Kensington will open on Friday and run through the end of May next year, when it will go on a national and international tour. Entries for next year's competition will be accepted beginning on Oct. 21.
1.What does the underlined word "protagonists" in the 2nd paragraph mean?
A.Onlookers. B.Photographers.
C.Hunters. D.Main characters.
2.Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year originated from London.
B.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a domestic competition in China.
C.The competition drew worldwide attention, making it the best event in photography.
D.Entries are strictly restricted, mainly focused on endangered animals.
3.What is the reason for Bao's winning the award?
A.His capturing a crucial moment between two typical species.
B.His expertise in photography.
C.His passionate devotion to wildlife protection.
D.His publicizing the knowledge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.In Bao’s hometown, everyone looks after animals.
B.Taking photos can sometimes be painstaking.
C.Photograph is sure to raise public awareness of animal protection.
D.The exhibition will go on a tour in China next year.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Do you regularly get together to talk with your family about problems or the day’s events?1.Want to improve your family's communication skills? Try these simple steps.
Create opportunities for talking.
2.And if you do find yourself in the car running from place to place, turn off the cell phones, and use that opportunity to catch up on the day’s activities.
Insist on family meals.
In addition to bringing everyone together for a wrap-up(总结) of the day’s activities, insist on a few standing family meals. Use the family dinner table as an opportunity to share what’s going on in each other’s lives.
3.
Spend time with each of your children and let them know that they matter. Older teens might enjoy going out for a hamburger or a coffee at their favorite coffee place. Younger children often enjoy going to the supermarket, especially when you let them select their favorite food.
Listen more and speak less.
When trying to improve any relationship, listening is far more important than talking.4. It makes kids feel respected.
5.Children feel comfortable sharing their problems with their parents, reducing the risk of peers having a negative influence on their lives. Parents remain connected with each other and their children, strengthening the family bond. And the whole family develops a communication style that can help improve the quality of relationships outside the home.
A.Think twice about where you go.
B.Go on individual dates with your children.
C.Do you want to understand your children better?
D.Make time for talking by reducing the number of unnecessary activities your family is involved in.
E.When it comes to family communication, listen four times longer than you speak.
F.Conversation is the key to any strong relationship, and it is especially true of family communication.
G.Maintaining positive family communication benefits your family in many ways.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
根据首字母或中文提示，用单词的恰当形式填空。
1.If you are not satisfied with your p___________, we will give you a full refund.
2.Not matter of the today will d_____________ tomorrow.
3.Recent years have w____________ the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence.
4.Every student should have a______________ to the school library.
5.She prided herself on nothing more than her t____________ for observation.
6.He found the climate there _____________(有益的) to his illness.
7.The Chaoshan diet should be perfectly ____________ (足够的) for most people.
8.___________(陪伴) by his friends, he went to the teacher’s office to admit what he had done was wrong.
9.The first thing I became ______________ (意识到) of was all the vivid colors surrounding me.
10.The applicant sits _______________(对面) the interviewer.
11.Some ______________(资历较浅的) employees might lack the courage to approach the boss.
12.Our gifts are ______________(自愿的) contributions to the students in the quake-hit area.
13.Sometimes I wonder how ______________(有关的) chemistry is to these students.
14.Never sound the fire ____________(警报) unless there is an emergency.
15.You can _______________(祝贺) yourself on having done an excellent job.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是某高中学生李华，你在一次夏令营结识的德国朋友Andrew 今年2月初了解到中国爆发的新冠肺炎疫情，组织了中学合唱团倾情演唱中文歌曲《让世界充满爱》，为中国加油。你看了这个小视频非常感动，请给他写一封英文感谢信。要点如下：
1. 表达感动和感谢。
2. 告诉他你的现状: 学校延迟开学，居家上网课，不外出；有时间培养自己的兴趣爱好等。
3. 表达信心和愿望。
注意：1. 词数100左右；2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：中学合唱团 school chorus
疫情 epidemic situation
新型冠状病毒novel corona virus
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难度: 困难查看答案及解析