Those who are concerned that robots are taking over the world can rest easy—for now. Though the androids have proved useful at performing ordinary tasks, they are not ready for the greatest time. At least that appears to be the case at Japan’s Henn-na Hotel chain where over half of the robot staff are being replaced by humans.
The first location of the unique hotel opened in July 2015 was at Nagasaki’s Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park. The hotel’s owner, Hideo Sawada, promised the hotel to be managed primarily by robots. Guests were greeted and checked-in by a dinosaur robot, while a cute android called Churi, placed inside each room, provided information about attractions. Not surprisingly, the lodging, recognized in 2016 as the world’s first robot-staffed hotel by Guinness World Records, drew in curious visitors from all around the world.
But as the years have passed, the hotel’s main draw is becoming less novel and more unsatisfactory. Also as the robots are “aging”, they are costing more to repair. Among the 283 androids being replaced are the chain’s two dinosaur receptionists. In addition to scaring young guests, they are also unable to photocopy guests’ passports, forcing human employees to step in each time. Also out are the cute Churi robots, which annoyed guests by interrupting their conversations. For example, one guest told The Wall Street Journal that Churi mistook his snoring for a command and kept asking him to repeat his request all night.
Sawada told The Wall Street Journal, “When you actually use robots you realize there are places where they aren’t needed—or just annoy people.” While Sawada may be cutting back on his use of androids, the recently-opened Smart LYZ Hotel and the Fly Zoo Hotel in China, are run entirely by robots, with not a human in sight. Whether the employees have more competence than those “hired” by the Henn-na Hotel chain remains to be seen.
1.What makes Japan’s Henn-na Hotel unique?
A.Its robot employees. B.Its advanced equipment.
C.Its convenient location. D.Its successful management.
2.What is the author’s purpose with the example in paragraph 3?
A.To entertain readers. B.To prove Churi’s drawback.
C.To introduce Churi’s functions. D.To persuade people not to book the hotel.
3.What does the owner of Japan’s Henn-na Hotel think of his robot staff now?
A.Attractive. B.Costly.
C.Pioneering. D.Disappointing.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Robots Are Taking Over the World.
B.The Boom of Robots-staffed Hotel.
C.Robot Staff Are Fired For No Competence.
D.The First Robots-staffed Hotel Won Guinness World Record.
高三英语阅读理解困难题
Those who are concerned that robots are taking over the world can rest easy—for now. Though the androids have proved useful at performing ordinary tasks, they are not ready for the greatest time. At least that appears to be the case at Japan’s Henn-na Hotel chain where over half of the robot staff are being replaced by humans.
The first location of the unique hotel opened in July 2015 was at Nagasaki’s Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park. The hotel’s owner, Hideo Sawada, promised the hotel to be managed primarily by robots. Guests were greeted and checked-in by a dinosaur robot, while a cute android called Churi, placed inside each room, provided information about attractions. Not surprisingly, the lodging, recognized in 2016 as the world’s first robot-staffed hotel by Guinness World Records, drew in curious visitors from all around the world.
But as the years have passed, the hotel’s main draw is becoming less novel and more unsatisfactory. Also as the robots are “aging”, they are costing more to repair. Among the 283 androids being replaced are the chain’s two dinosaur receptionists. In addition to scaring young guests, they are also unable to photocopy guests’ passports, forcing human employees to step in each time. Also out are the cute Churi robots, which annoyed guests by interrupting their conversations. For example, one guest told The Wall Street Journal that Churi mistook his snoring for a command and kept asking him to repeat his request all night.
Sawada told The Wall Street Journal, “When you actually use robots you realize there are places where they aren’t needed—or just annoy people.” While Sawada may be cutting back on his use of androids, the recently-opened Smart LYZ Hotel and the Fly Zoo Hotel in China, are run entirely by robots, with not a human in sight. Whether the employees have more competence than those “hired” by the Henn-na Hotel chain remains to be seen.
1.What makes Japan’s Henn-na Hotel unique?
A.Its robot employees. B.Its advanced equipment.
C.Its convenient location. D.Its successful management.
2.What is the author’s purpose with the example in paragraph 3?
A.To entertain readers. B.To prove Churi’s drawback.
C.To introduce Churi’s functions. D.To persuade people not to book the hotel.
3.What does the owner of Japan’s Henn-na Hotel think of his robot staff now?
A.Attractive. B.Costly.
C.Pioneering. D.Disappointing.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Robots Are Taking Over the World.
B.The Boom of Robots-staffed Hotel.
C.Robot Staff Are Fired For No Competence.
D.The First Robots-staffed Hotel Won Guinness World Record.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
_____ concern about food safety seems to be ______ subject that is being discussed all over the world.
| A．The; a | B．A; ／ | C．The; the | D．／; the |
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
In the future those who are taking care of old people may get help from the house itself.
Over the last few years, new technology, such as the Internet, Wi-Fi and flat TV screens, has changed our homes and the way that we live. Now, another technology revolution is happening. A new project at the University of Hertfordshire wants to create a home that monitors people living in it who are elderly.
The researchers have developed a wristband device（装置）which helps us to watch the elderly person who is wearing it. The device collects information to see if the person has fallen or has wandered away from where he or she should be.
The assisted-living project is part of the university’s wider Interhome project, which is the development of a smart house. The house remembers the habits of the person who lives there and it uses very low amounts of energy. The Interhome team hope that offering this service will help take care of the elderly. They say, “It’s very important that these technologies are there to help and support and not replace any of the existing services.”
The Interhome is not just a research method. It’s also a way for students from different scientific backgrounds to learn and develop technology. The university uses the latest technology to help students get experience by developing new hardware and software themselves. The team includes design, engineering and computer science students working together.
“We are working on a smart-home project in Watford with some companies at the moment,” says the project leader. “We are looking at how a smart home can provide even more services.” This could help millions of old people around the world have a better and safer life in the future.
1.The wristband device benefits its users by .
A.changing the living habits of the elderly
B.monitoring people who live in a smart home
C.offering information to the person wearing it
D.watching over the elderly who may fall or get lost
2.Whom does the University of Hertfordshire have in its research team?
A.Students who want to find a job eagerly.
B.Students who prefer to work on their own.
C.Students from different scientific backgrounds.
D.Students with a lot of rich working experience.
3.What is the project leader’s attitude towards the future of the smart home project?
A.Uncertain. B.Uninterested.
C.Optimistic. D.Disappointed.
4.What might be the main idea of the passage?
A.A wristband device has changed the way that we live.
B.A smart home helps students develop hardware and software.
C.An Interhome project has been put into use to help the elderly.
D.An Interhome project will help the old live a better and safer life.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In the future those who are taking care of old people may get help from the house itself.
Over the last few years, new technology, such as the Internet, Wi-Fi and flat TV screens, has changed our homes and the way that we live. Now, another technology revolution is happening. A new project at the University of Hertfordshire wants to create a home that monitors people living in it who are elderly.
The researchers have developed a wristband device（装置）which helps us to watch the elderly person who is wearing it. The device collects information to see if the person has fallen or has wandered away from where he or she should be.
The assisted-living project is part of the university’s wider Interhome project, which is the development of a smart house. The house remembers the habits of the person who lives there and it uses very low amounts of energy. The Interhome team hope that offering this service will help take care of the elderly. They say, “It’s very important that these technologies are there to help and support and not replace any of the existing services.”
The Interhome is not just a research method. It’s also a way for students from different scientific backgrounds to learn and develop technology. The university uses the latest technology to help students get experience by developing new hardware and software themselves. The team includes design, engineering and computer science students working together.
“We are working on a smart-home project in Watford with some companies at the moment,” says the project leader. “We are looking at how a smart home can provide even more services.” This could help millions of old people around the world have a better and safer life in the future.
1.The wristband device benefits its users by .
A. changing the living habits of the elderly
B. monitoring people who live in a smart home
C. offering information to the person wearing it
D. watching over the elderly who may fall or get lost
2.Whom does the University of Hertfordshire have in its research team?
A. Students who want to find a job eagerly.
B. Students who prefer to work on their own.
C. Students from different scientific backgrounds.
D. Students with a lot of rich working experience.
3.What is the project leader’s attitude towards the future of the smart home project?
A. Uncertain. B. Uninterested.
C. Optimistic. D. Disappointed.
4.What might be the main idea of the passage?
A. A wristband device has changed the way that we live.
B. A smart home helps students develop hardware and software.
C. An Interhome project has been put into use to help the elderly.
D. An Interhome project will help the old live a better and safer life.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Oh my God, the robots are taking over! We’re doomed! Doomed! Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, it’s become clear that while we may or may not be doomed, the robots are taking over. The latest example is the government’s new guidelines for self-driving cars.
Tesla, Google and Uber are already testing driverless cars in cities across America. Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick is among those predicting that by 2021, self-driving cars will play a big part in urban settings.
Nearly 40,000 people died last year in this nation in automobile-related accidents, and we believes driverless cars can save tens of thousands of lives annually.
Makes sense. Robot drivers are less likely to get drunk, drive without a license, text while driving or feel agitated at the scene of a pileup. On the other hand, I wonder how these highly sensitive cars will react, with walkers constantly dashing into the street. Will they jam on the brakes every 10 seconds?
But there’s a bigger picture. Not only are robots replacing humans behind the wheel, but behind the work desk, in warehouses, senior homes, you name it. Robots aren’t just taking over in the workplace.
The question is, where can’t a robot function better than a human? How about writing songs? A robot can go through every combination of notes in record time and come up with a pleasing melody. The lyrics might be a different story. Is a Grammy-winning song co-written by Hank Human and R-3071 in our future?
Finally, it’s only a matter of time until we have robot politicians and presidential candidates. Why not? They can be programmed to be experts in world and domestic affairs and come up with the best solutions without corruption and bad humors.
Actually, it’s too bad such technology isn’t available in 2016. Pretty sure the robot would win in a landslide.
1.What does the underlined word “agitated” mean?
A. Tired B. Cautious
C. Careful D. Anxious
2.What doubt does the writer have about self-driving cars?
A. How passengers behave in it.
B. How robot drivers get the license.
C. How they avoid crashing into other car.
D. How they respond to walkers on a busy street.
3.The last questions asked in the sixth paragraph reflects the writer’s ________.
A. confidence in robots, winning Grammy Awards
B. eagerness to listen to songs written by robots
C. doubt about robots’ ability to write songs
D. curiosity about the future Grammy songs
4.What might be the most suitable title for the text?
A. Robots will control the world in every field
B. Robots are coming but not soon enough
C. Robots are being used in our daily life
D. Robots can drive cars and write music
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Oh my God, the robots are taking over! We’re doomed! Doomed! Now that I’ve got that out of my system, it’s become clear that though we may or may not be doomed, the robots are taking over. The latest example is the government’s new guidelines for self-driving cars.
Tesla, Google and Uber are already testing driverless cars in cities across America. Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick is among those predicting that by 2021, self-driving cars will play a big part in urban settings.
Nearly 40,000 people died last year in this nation in automobile-related accidents, and we believe driverless cars can save tens of thousands of lives annually.
Makes sense. Robot drivers are less likely to get drunk, drive without a license, text while driving or feel anxious at the scene of a pileup. But I wonder how these highly sensitive cars will react, with walkers constantly dashing into the street. Will they jam on the brakes (紧急刹车) every 10 seconds?
But there’s a bigger picture. Not only are robots replacing humans behind the wheel, but behind the work desk, in warehouses, senior homes, you name it. Robots aren’t just taking over in the workplace.
The question is, where can’t a robot function better than a human? How about writing songs? A robot can go through every combination of notes in record time and come up with a pleasing melody. The lyrics might be a different story. Is a Grammy-winning song co-written by Hank Human and R-3071 in our future?
Finally, it’s only a matter of time until we have robot politicians and presidential candidates. Why not? They can be programmed to be experts in world and domestic affairs and come up with the best solutions without corruption and bad humors.
Hopefully, such technology will be available in the near future. Pretty sure the robot would win in a landslide.
1.According to the text, which statement is NOT true about self-driving cars?
A.New guidelines for self-driving cars have been set up by the government.
B.Some companies are testing self-driving cars in the US.
C.Self-driving cars will play an important role in rural areas.
D.Self-driving cars can help reduce car accidents.
2.What doubt does the writer have about self-driving cars?
A.How passengers behave in it.
B.How they respond to walkers on a busy street.
C.How robot drivers get the license.
D.How they avoid crashing into other cars.
3.The last question asked in the sixth paragraph shows the writer’s _________.
A.confidence in robots’ winning Grammy Awards
B.desire to listen to songs written by robots
C.puzzle about robots’ ability to write songs
D.curiosity about the future Grammy songs
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the future of robots?
A.Indifferent. B.Doubtful.
C.Pessimistic. D.Optimistic.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Most Americans are worried about new technology. They are concerned that machines, including robots, will take over work now done by humans. These findings come from a new report by the Pew Research Center of Washington D. C.
About 75 percent of Americans questioned by Pew said automation will increase income inequality between the rich and the middle class and poor. And 64 percent of people expect automation to be so common in America that people will face difficulty finding things to do with their lives.
Some of the concerns about technology come from a distrust about whether machines will always make the right decision. Many Americans believe humans have better judgement in dealing with. complex matters. One example is selecting a person for a job. Three-quarters of Americans said they would not want to apply for a job that uses a computer program to choose the most qualified person.
“Most Americans want the government to limit automation. For example, 87 percent support a requirement that all driverless vehicles have a human in the driver’s seat who can take control when an emergency occurs. And 85 percent want to limit machines to mostly doing jobs that are dangerous or unhealthy for humans. And only 25 percent expect more jobs to come from automation,” Pew said.
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, spoke last May to graduating seniors from Harvard University in Massachusetts. His talk centered on the uncertain future facing young people. “Our generation will have to deal with tens of millions of jobs replaced by automation like self-driving cars and trucks.” Zuckerherg told the graduates.
Zuckerberg said young people had better launch(发起)projects that will bring both jobs and direct benefits to the people of the world. He said in his speech that 30000 people worked to put a man on the moon, and millions of people built the Hoover Dam as well as other great projects over the last 100 years.
1.What do many Americans think of technology according to paragraph 3?
A. Useful.
B. Effective.
C. Dangerous.
D. Undependable.
2.Why do Americans want a human in driverless vehicles?
A. To test the new technology.
B. To make a driver.
C. To ensure personal safety.
D. To entertain the passengers.
3.W hat did Zuckerberg encourage the students to do?
A. Refuse self-driving vehicles.
B. Create new job chances.
C. Focus on small projects.
D. Fight against robots.
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. New Technology Creates More Jobs
B. New Technology Brings More Fairness
C. Americans Worry Machines Will Take Jobs
D. Robots Make Work Easy to Do for Workers
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Americans are worried about new technology. They are concerned that machines. Including robots, will take over work now done by humans. These findings come from a new report by the Pew Research Center of Washington DC.
About 75 percent of Americans questioned by Pew said automation will increase income inequality between the rich and the middle class and the poor. And 64 percent of people expect automation to be so common in America that people will face difficulty finding things to do with their lives.
Some of the concerns about technology come from a distrust about whether machines will always make the right decision. Many Americans believe humans have better judgment in dealing with complex matters. One example is selecting a person for a job. Three quarters of Americans said they would not want to apply for a job that uses a computer program to choose the most qualified person.
Most Americans want the government to limit automation, For example, 87 percent support a requirement that all driverless vehicles have a human in the driver s scat who can take control when needed. And 85 percent want to limit machines to mostly doing jobs that are dangerous or unhealthy for humans. And only 25 percent expect more jobs to come from automation. Pew said,
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, spoke last May to graduating seniors from Harvard University in Massachusetts, His talk centered on the uncertain future facing young people. “Our generation will have to deal with tens of millions of jobs replaced by automation like self-driving cars and trucks,” Zuckerberg told the graduates,
Zuckerberg said young people will have to find projects that will bring both jobs and direct benefits to the people of the world. He said in his speech that 300,000 people worked to put a man on the moon, and millions of people built, the Hoover Dam as well as other great projects over the last 100 years.
1.What do Americans think of technology?
A. Useful.
B. Effective
C. Dangerous.
D. Undependable.
2.Which of the following do the majority of Americans want the government to do?
A. Use machines to do dangerous and harmful jobs.
B. Increase job chances by introducing machines
C. Select a person for a job by computer.
D. Get rid of all driverless vehicles.
3.What did Zuckerberg encourage the students to do?
A. Refuse self-driving vehicles.
B. Create new job chances.
C. Consider large projects.
D. Fight against robots.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. New Technology Creates More Jobs
B. New Technology Makes New Unfairness
C. Americans Worry Robots Will Take Jobs
D. Robots Make Work Easy to Do for Workers.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
As Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly complicated, there are growing concerns that robots could become a threat. This danger can be avoided, according to computer science professor Stuart Russell, if we figure out how to turn human values into a programmable code.
Russell argues that as robots take on more complicated tasks, it’s necessary to translate our morals into AI language.
For example, if a robot does chores around the house, you wouldn't want it to put the pet cat in the oven to make dinner for the hungry children. "You would want that robot preloaded with a good set of values," said Russell.
Some robots are already programmed with basic human values. For example, mobile robots have been programmed to keep a comfortable distance from humans. Obviously, there are cultural differences, but if you were talking to another person and they came up close in your personal space, you wouldn't think that's the kind of thing a properly brought-up person would do.
It will be possible to create more complex moral machines, if only we can find a way to set out human values as clear rules.
Robots could also learn values from drawing patterns from large sets of data on human behavior. They are dangerous only if programmers are careless.
The biggest concern with robots going against human values is that human beings fail to do enough testing and they've produced a system that will break some kind of taboo（禁忌）.
One simple check would be to program a robot to check the correct course of action with a human when presented with an unusual situation.
If the robot is unsure whether an animal is suitable for the microwave, it has the opportunity to stop, send out beeps, and ask for directions from a human. If we humans aren't quite sure about a decision, we go and ask somebody else.
The most difficult step in programming values will be deciding exactly what we believe in moral, and how to create a set of ethical rules. But if we come up with an answer, robots could be good for humanity.
1.What does the author say about the threat of robots?
A. It may be a challenge to computer programmers.
B. It accompanies all machinery involving high technology.
C. It can be avoided if human values are translated into their language.
D. It has become an inevitable danger as technology gets more sophisticated.
2.How do robots learn human values?
A. By interacting with humans in everyday life situations.
B. By picking up patterns from massive data on human behavior.
C. By following the daily routines of civilized human beings.
D. By imitating the behavior of properly brought-up human beings.
3.What will a well-programmed robot do when facing an unusual situation?
A. Keep a distance from possible dangers.
B. Do enough testing before taking action.
C. Set off its built-in alarm system at once.
D. Stop to seek advice from a human being.
4.What is most difficult to do when we turn human values into a programmable code?
A. Determine what is moral and ethical.
B. Design some large-scale experiments.
C. Set rules for man-machine interaction.
D. Develop a more sophisticated program.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Students who take notes during class have higher grades than who don’t.
A.those B.that C.ones D.the one
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析