“Does my smile look big in this?” Future fitting-room mirrors in clothing stores could subtly adjust your reflection to make you look ─ and hence feel ─ happier, encouraging you to like what you see.
That’s the idea behind the Emotion Evoking System developed by Shigeo Yoshida and colleagues at the University of Tokyo in Japan. The system can manipulate, or in other word, control your emotions and personal preferences by presenting you with an image of your own smiling or frowning face.
The principle that physiological changes can drive emotional ones ─ that laughter comes before happiness, rather than the other way around ─ is a well-established idea.
The researchers wanted to see if this idea could be used to build a computer system that manipulates how you feel. The system works by presenting the user with a web-camera image of his or her face ─ as if they were looking in a mirror. The image is then subtly altered with software, turning the corners of the mouth up or down and changing the area around the eyes, so that the person appears to smile or frown (皱眉).
Without telling them the aim of the study, the team recruited (招募) 21 volunteers and asked them to sit in front of the screen while performing an unrelated task. When the task was complete the participants rated how they felt. When the faces on screen appeared to smile, people reported that they felt happier. On the other hand, when the image was given a sad expression, they reported feeling less happy.
Yoshida and his colleagues tested whether manipulating the volunteers’ emotional state would influence their preferences. Each person was given a scarf to wear and again presented with the altered webcam image. The volunteers that saw themselves smiling while wearing the scarf were more likely to report that they liked it, and those that saw themselves not smiling were less likely.
The system could be used to manipulate consumers’ impressions of products, say the researchers. For example, mirrors in clothing-store fitting rooms could be replaced with screens showing altered reflections. They also suggest people may be more likely to find clothes attractive if they see themselves looking happy while trying them on.
“It’s certainly an interesting area,” says Chris Creed at the University of Birmingham, UK. But he notes that using such technology in a shop would be harder than in the lab, because people will use a wide range of expressions. “Attempting to make slight differences to these and ensuring that the reflected image looks believable would be much more challenging,” he says.
Of course, there are also important moral questions surrounding such subtly manipulative technology. “You could argue that if it makes people happy what harm is it doing?” says Creed. “But I can imagine that many people may feel manipulated, uncomfortable and cheated if they found out.”
1.What’s the main purpose of the Emotion Evoking System?
A. To see whether one’s feeling can be unconsciously affected.
B. To see whether one’s facial expressions can be altered.
C. To see whether laughter comes before happiness.
D. To replace the mirrors in future clothing-store fitting rooms.
2.What can we learn about the web-camera image in the study?
A. It recorded the volunteers’ performance in the task.
B. It gave the volunteers a false image.
C. It attempted to make the volunteers feel happier.
D. It beautified the volunteers’ appearance in the mirror.
3.What does Creed mention as a limitation of the technology?
A. It only changes the areas around the mouth and the eyes.
B. It only works in clothing stores.
C. It only makes subtle changes to people’s expressions.
D. It only deals with a limited number of facial expressions.
4.What does Creed’s comment on the moral issues with this technology imply?
A. Nothing is more important than happiness.
B. Technology is unable to manipulate people.
C. People should make their decisions independently.
D. People should neglect the harm of the technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
“Does my smile look big in this?” Future fitting-room mirrors in clothing stores could subtly adjust your reflection to make you look ─ and hence feel ─ happier, encouraging you to like what you see.
That’s the idea behind the Emotion Evoking System developed by Shigeo Yoshida and colleagues at the University of Tokyo in Japan. The system can manipulate, or in other word, control your emotions and personal preferences by presenting you with an image of your own smiling or frowning face.
The principle that physiological changes can drive emotional ones ─ that laughter comes before happiness, rather than the other way around ─ is a well-established idea.
The researchers wanted to see if this idea could be used to build a computer system that manipulates how you feel. The system works by presenting the user with a web-camera image of his or her face ─ as if they were looking in a mirror. The image is then subtly altered with software, turning the corners of the mouth up or down and changing the area around the eyes, so that the person appears to smile or frown (皱眉).
Without telling them the aim of the study, the team recruited (招募) 21 volunteers and asked them to sit in front of the screen while performing an unrelated task. When the task was complete the participants rated how they felt. When the faces on screen appeared to smile, people reported that they felt happier. On the other hand, when the image was given a sad expression, they reported feeling less happy.
Yoshida and his colleagues tested whether manipulating the volunteers’ emotional state would influence their preferences. Each person was given a scarf to wear and again presented with the altered webcam image. The volunteers that saw themselves smiling while wearing the scarf were more likely to report that they liked it, and those that saw themselves not smiling were less likely.
The system could be used to manipulate consumers’ impressions of products, say the researchers. For example, mirrors in clothing-store fitting rooms could be replaced with screens showing altered reflections. They also suggest people may be more likely to find clothes attractive if they see themselves looking happy while trying them on.
“It’s certainly an interesting area,” says Chris Creed at the University of Birmingham, UK. But he notes that using such technology in a shop would be harder than in the lab, because people will use a wide range of expressions. “Attempting to make slight differences to these and ensuring that the reflected image looks believable would be much more challenging,” he says.
Of course, there are also important moral questions surrounding such subtly manipulative technology. “You could argue that if it makes people happy what harm is it doing?” says Creed. “But I can imagine that many people may feel manipulated, uncomfortable and cheated if they found out.”
1.What’s the main purpose of the Emotion Evoking System?
A. To see whether one’s feeling can be unconsciously affected.
B. To see whether one’s facial expressions can be altered.
C. To see whether laughter comes before happiness.
D. To replace the mirrors in future clothing-store fitting rooms.
2.What can we learn about the web-camera image in the study?
A. It recorded the volunteers’ performance in the task.
B. It gave the volunteers a false image.
C. It attempted to make the volunteers feel happier.
D. It beautified the volunteers’ appearance in the mirror.
3.What does Creed mention as a limitation of the technology?
A. It only changes the areas around the mouth and the eyes.
B. It only works in clothing stores.
C. It only makes subtle changes to people’s expressions.
D. It only deals with a limited number of facial expressions.
4.What does Creed’s comment on the moral issues with this technology imply?
A. Nothing is more important than happiness.
B. Technology is unable to manipulate people.
C. People should make their decisions independently.
D. People should neglect the harm of the technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
“Does my smile look big in this?” Future fitting-room mirrors in clothing stores could subtly adjust your reflection to make you look--and hence feel--happier encouraging you to like what you see.
That’s the idea behind the Emotion Evoking System developed by Shigeo Yoshida and colleagues at the University of Tokyo in Japan. The system can manipulate, or in other words, control your emotions and personal preferences by presenting you with an image of your own smiling or frowning face.
The principle that physiological changes can drive emotional ones that laughter comes before happiness, rather than the other way around- is a well-established idea.
The researchers wanted to see if this idea could be used to build a computer system that manipulates how you feel. The system works by presenting the user with a web-camera image of his or her face as if they were looking in a mirror. The image is then subtly altered with-software, turning the corners of the mouth up or down and changing the area around the eyes, so that the person appears to smile or frown.
Without telling them the aim of the study, the team recruited(招募)21 volunteers and asked them to sit in front of the screen while performing an unrelated task. When the task was completed, the participants rated how they felt. When the faces on screen appeared to smile, people reported that they felt happier. On the other hand, when the image was given a sad expression, they reported feeling less happy.
Yoshida and his colleagues tested whether manipulating the volunteers emotional state would influence their preferences. Each person was given a scarf to wear and again presented with the altered webcam image. The volunteers that saw themselves smiling while wearing the scarf were more likely to report that they liked it, and those that saw themselves not smiling were less likely.
“The system could be used to manipulate consumers’ impressions of products,” say the researchers. For example, mirrors in clothing-store fitting rooms could be replaced with screens showing altered reflections. They also suggest people may be more likely to find clothes attractive if they see themselves looking happy while trying them on.
“It’s certainly an interesting area,” says Chris Creed at the University of Birmingham, UK. But he notes that using such technology in a shop would be harder than in the lab, because people will use a wide range of expressions. “Attempting to make slight differences to these and ensuring that the reflected image looks believable would be much more challenging,” he says.
Of course, there are also important moral questions surrounding such subtly manipulative technology. “You could argue that if it makes people happy, what harm is it doing?” says Creed. “But I can imagine that many people may feel manipulated uncomfortable and cheated if they found out.”
1.What’s the main purpose of the Emotion Evoking System?
A. To see whether one’ s facial expressions can be altered.
B. To replace the mirrors in future clothing-store fitting rooms.
C. To see whether laughter comes before happiness.
D. To see whether one’s feeling can be unconsciously affected.
2.What can we learn about the web-camera image in the study?
A. It recorded the volunteers’ performance in the task.
B. It attempted to make the volunteers feel happier.
C. It gave the volunteers a false image.
D. It beautified the volunteers appearance in the mirror.
3.What does Creed mention as a limitation of the technology
A. It only deals with a limited number of facial expressions.
B. It only works in clothing stores.
C. It only makes subtle changes to people’s expressions.
D. It only changes the areas around the mouth and the eyes.
4.What does Creeds comment on the moral issues with this technology imply?
A. People should make their decisions independently.
B. Technology is unable to manipulate people.
C. Nothing is more important than happiness.
D. People should neglect the harm of the technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Welcome to your future life!
You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. Your face is firm and young-looking. In 2035, medical technology is better than ever. Many people your age could live to be 150, so at 40, you’re not old at all. And your parents just had an anti-aging(抗衰老的) treatment. Now, all three of you look the same age!
You say to your shirt, “Turn red.” It changes from blue to red. In 2035, “smart clothes” contain particles(粒子) much smaller than the cells in your body. The particles can be programmed to change clothes’ color or pattern.
You walk into the kitchen. You pick up the milk, but a voice says, “You shouldn't drink that!” Your fridge has read the chip (芯片) that contains information about the milk , and it knows the milk is old . In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip.
It’s time to go to work. In 2035, cars drive themselves. Just tell your “smart car” where to go. On the way, you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve. Such “smart technology” is all around you.
So will all these things come true? “For new technology to succeed,” says scientist Andrew Zolli, “it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example --- what will be the next?
1. We can learn from the text that in the future__________.
A. people will never get old
B. everyone will look the same
C. red will be the most popular color
D. clothes will be able to change their pattern
2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
A. Milk will be harmful to health.
B. More drinks will be available for sale.
C. Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer.
D. Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information.
3. Which of the following is mentioned in the text?
A. Fridges will know what people need.
B. Jacket sleeves can be used as a guide.
C. Cars will be able to drive automatically.
D. Nothing can replace the Internet.
4. What is the text mainly about?
A. Future technology in everyday life.
B. Food and clothing in 2035.
C. Medical treatments of the future.
D. The reason for the success of new technology.
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Welcome to your future life!
You get up in the morning and look into the mirror.Your face is firm and younglooking.In 2035，medical technology is better than ever.Many people your age could live to be 150，so at 40，you're not old at all.And your parents just had an antiaging（抗衰老的） treatment.Now，all three of you look the same age!
You say to your shirt，“Turn red.” It changes from blue to red.In 2035，“smart clothes” contain particles（粒子） much smaller than the cells in your body.The particles can be programmed to change your clothes' color or pattern.
You walk into the kitchen.You pick up the milk，but a voice says，“You shouldn't drink that” Your fridge has read the chip （芯片） that contains information about the milk，and it knows the milk is old.In 2035，every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip.
It's time to go to work.In 2035，cars drive themselves.Just tell your “smart car” where to go.On the way，you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve.Such “smart technology” is all around you.
So will all these things come true？“For new technology to succeed，” says scientist Andrew Zolli，“it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example—what will be the next?
1.We can learn from the text that in the future______
| A．people will never get old |
| B．everyone will look the same |
| C．red will be the most popular color |
| D．clothes will be able to change their pattern |
2.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
| A．Milk will be harmful to health. |
| B．More drinks will be available for sale. |
| C．Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information. |
| D．Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer. |
3.Which of the following is mentioned in the text?
| A．Nothing can replace the Internet. |
| B．Fridges will know what people need. |
| C．Jacket sleeves can be used as a guide. |
| D．Cars will be able to drive automatically. |
4.What is the text mainly about?
| A．Food and clothing in 2035. |
| B．Future technology in everyday life. |
| C．Medical treatments of the future. |
| D．The reason for the success of new technology. |
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Welcome to your future life!
You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. Your face is firm and young-looking. In 2035, medical technology is better than ever. Many people your age could live to be 150,so at 40, you’re not old at all. And your parents just had an anti-aging(抗衰老的) treatment. Now, all three of you look the same age !
You say to your shirt , “Turn red.” It changes from blue to red. In 2035, “smart clothes” contain particles(粒子) much smaller than the cells in your body. The particles can be programmed to change clothes’color or pattern.
You walk into the kitchen . You pick up the milk ,but a voice says , “ You shouldn't drink that!” Your fridge has read the chip (芯片) that contains information about the milk , and it knows the milk is old . In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip .
It’s time to go to work . In 2035, cars drive themselves. Just tell your “smart car” where to go. On the way , you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve . Such “smart technology” is all around you.
So will all these things come true? “For new technology to succeed,” says scientist Andrew Zolli , “it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example --- what will be the next?
1.We can learn from the text that in the future__________.
A.people will never get old
B. everyone will look the same
C. red will be the most popular color
D. clothes will be able to change their pattern
2.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
A. Milk will be harmful to health.
B. More drinks will be available for sale.
C. Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer.
D. Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information.
3.Which of the following is mentioned in the text?
A. Fridges will know what people need.
B. Jacket sleeves can be used as a guide.
C. Cars will be able to drive automatically.
D. Nothing can replace the Internet.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A. Future technology in everyday life.
B. Food and clothing in 2035.
C. Medical treatments of the future.
D. The reason for the success of new technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Welcome to your future life!
You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. Your face is firm and young-looking. In 2035, medical technology is better than ever. Many people your age could live to be 150, so at 40, you’re not old at all. And your parents just had an anti-aging(抗衰老的) treatment. Now, all three of look the same age!
You say to your shirt, “Turn red.” It changes from blue to red. In 2035, “smart clothes” contain particles(粒子) much smaller than the cells in your body. The particles can be programmed to change clothes’ color or pattern.
You walk into the kitchen. You pick up the milk, but a voice says,“ You shouldn’t drink that!” Your fridge has read the chip (芯片) that contains information about the milk , and it knows the milk is old . In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip.
It’s time to go to work. In 2035, cars drive themselves. Just tell your “smart car” where to go. On the way, you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve. Such “smart technology” is all around you.
So will all these things come true? “For new technology to succeed,” says scientist Andrew Zolli ,”it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example—what will be the next?
1.We can learn from the text that in the future__________.
A. people will never get old
B. everyone will look the same
C. red will be the most popular color
D. clothes will be able to change their pattern
2.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
A. Milk will be harmful to health.
B. More drinks will be available for sale.
C. Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information.
D. Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer.
3.Which of the following is mentioned in the text?
A. Nothing can replace the Internet.
B. Fridges will know what people need.
C. Jacked sleeves can be used as a guide.
D. Cars will be able to drive automatically.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A. Food and clothing in 2035.
B. Future technology in everyday life.
C. Medical treatments of the future.
D. The reason for the success of new technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Normally when I pop in to see my parents, my mum bursts out of the house with a big smile. Not today. "Your brother," she says, "he's showered twice this afternoon. Does he know how much it costs to run this house?" Are we limiting water now? I didn't think the recession(萧条) had got that bad. My poor brother is a boomerang kid. Like 60 percent of guys immediately after university, he's back at home. Graduating ￡15,000 in debt and faced with unpaid internships(实习期) or low wages thanks to the flooding of the market with graduates, a lot of twenty some things simply don't have the necessary income or parental support to live independently.
Three years after getting their degree, most graduates are still not earning above the average salary. They have a near 50 percent tax burden, thanks to student loan repayments and council tax on top of income tax and national insurance. Unless you have parents who can afford to finance what is effectively a second home for them, returning to the parental nest is often the only affordable option.
The boomerang effect is becoming even more pronounced thanks to the recession. One in four of those losing their job during the downturn is under 25. Only 13 percent of final-year students have jobs. Home is the only place many are going: 111,000 16-29 year olds moved back home in 2008, five times the average of previous years.
Boomeranging is bad news. It poses serious problems for parents' finances. They've already supported their children through university, topping up loans with handouts, averaging ￡12,300 in total, to keep twenty somethings afloat. Now their retirement savings are being eaten away by continuously dependent children.
It’s bad for the returning kids too. Ambitious young people will be left frustrated, seeing their university peers from more wealthy backgrounds excel only because parents' money was there to support them through the initial period of poverty wages. Those living in rural areas are further disadvantaged by lack of access to cities where most new jobs are located. Half of all young people now feel they will not achieve their goals. Research by the Prince's Trust reveals that one-quarter of all 16-25 year olds are regularly down or depressed. And depression does not help self-motivation, the very trait needed to seek out job opportunities.
1.In paragraph 1, the mother’s criticizing her son for showering too often shows _________.
A. the price of water has increased
B. she thinks her son is selfish
C. her son is an economic burden
D. she wants to have a shower herself
2.What is the boomerang mentioned in the passage?
A. A person earning low income.
B. A person who has heavy tax burden.
C. A youth who cannot get parental support.
D. A youth returning to parents after graduation.
3.According to the passage, which of the following does NOT contribute to the tax bill of most young graduates?
A. National insurance. B. Income tax.
C. Council income. D. Student loans.
4.Who is comparatively most affected by the recession according to the passage?
A. Those who haven’t completed their university studies.
B. Those who are supported through by their parents.
C. Those who can have access to the urban facilities.
D. Those who were born into the well-off families.
5.Which is the best title of the passage?
A. Global Recession
B. Boomerang Kids
C. Unemployment Rate
D. Falling Incomes
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
I looked out at the smiling faces in the school auditorium. The applause filled my ears. I had really done it!
Just a few months earlier I would never have ______ myself acting in a play in front of two hundred people. But when the time came, I got up on stage and ______ one of my greatest fears. I found a new person inside me, a much more ______, outgoing person who had been hidden all along, just waiting for the opportunity to come. If not for my teacher, Mrs. Sather, I might never have found that ______.
I was extremely ______. I had friends, but it just wasn’t in my personality to be very outgoing, even when I knew someone well. I was even ______ with strangers.
One day, Mrs. Sather ______ that our class was going to perform a play. “I need someone to play the lead part of Dorothy,” she said. “Anybody want to try?” A few ____ hands shot up—mine, of course, was not one of them.
After class Mrs. Sather came to join me. “Dallas, I was thinking you would be the person for Dorothy. But I was ______ you didn’t raise your hand.”
Was she ______? Me, the lead? I was ______ just thinking of standing on stage in front of a lot of people.
“Dallas, you’re great at ______ things, so you won’t worry about lines. And you have such a sweet personality. Perfect for Dorothy!” She said.
Mrs. Sather stared into my eyes as if seeing my inner self locked away inside. “I’d love you to give this a ______ for me. But if you really don’t want to, I won’t make you. It’s your ____.” Mrs. Sather wanted me in this role. She ______ me. I realized it was time to ____ my shy cloak (披风).
Fast-forward through five months of practicing, we were ready. ______, I was as nervous as I had ever been. I proved to myself that I could do it in practice, ______ could I prove it to everyone else when it really mattered?
“It doesn’t matter how you do tonight,” said Mrs. Sather, ______ reading my thoughts when she came backstage for a final check. “You have already shown yourself how wonderful you are.”
At the end of the play, when the audience stood and applauded, I knew they were not just cheering for my performance that night, but for the performances they knew would come in later years because of my newfound ______.
1.A.praised B.agreed C.pictured D.remembered
2.A.expressed B.faced C.discussed D.shared
3.A.energetic B.daring C.generous D.sincere
4.A.story B.method C.solution D.opportunity
5.A.shy B.slow C.curious D.patient
6.A.colder B.calmer C.quieter D.happier
7.A.realized B.repeated C.found D.announced
8.A.firm B.excited C.powerful D.friendly
9.A.surprised B.annoyed C.amused D.embarrassed
10.A.objective B.crazy C.reliable D.nervous
11.A.ashamed B.regretful C.doubtful D.terrified
12.A.analyzing B.observing C.memorizing D.predicting
13.A.plan B.try C.guess D.promise
14.A.choice B.destination C.suggestion D.interest
15.A.reminded B.challenged C.trusted D.shocked
16.A.throw off B.keep off C.knock off D.call off
17.A.Therefore B.Otherwise C.Instead D.Still
18.A.but B.so C.or D.and
19.A.in case B.ever since C.as if D.even though
20.A.popularity B.ambition C.advantage D.confidence
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
As I opened my eyes, in ______ direction I looked, I could see smiling, peaceful, calm and content faces.
A. whatever B. however C. whichever D. wherever
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
My brother，Mark，died in a traffic accident four years ago. He was my big brother and 36 looked after me. I am 37 today for all of the special times we had as running partners，and times 38 driving to different races，where we had so many 39 about life in general. I 40 these talks terribly at this time of the year.
41，I am so happy he shared with me the 42 of his faith. He was always so 43 to people，and I had been with him many times 44we pulled over to help someone in need，45 a smile and helping them get back on the road. So I was not 46 when he told me of the time when he was 47 in college. It was the end of the month. To make matters worse，it was Friday and he had no 48 in his pocket for the weekend. Payday was Monday and he had no gas money to get home to 49 my dad and no money to buy food but he had faith that helping others 50 helping yourself.
On his way home from classes that day，as he was driving along，he noticed a guy ahead of him 51 his lumber (木材) all over the road as he turned the corner. Mark 52 right over and helped him load the lumber back into his truck. The guy was so thankful and 53 his hand to Mark，and in it was one hundred dollars. Mark couldn’t believe his 54. He told him that was unnecessary but the man 55 and off he drove.
I still think of Mark sitting there telling me that story, with tears in his eyes, and how faithful he was.
1. A．hardly B．never C．sometimes D．always
2. A．successful B．thankful C．cheerful D．hopeful
3. A．spared B．wasted C．spent D．saved
4. A．questions B．arguments C．differences D．conversations
5. A．miss B．remember C．keep D．fear
6. A．However B．So C．Then D．If
7. A．record B．belief C．story D．secret
8. A．careful B．helpful C．powerful D．grateful
9. A．because B．while C．until D．when
10. A．sharing B．forcing C．recognizing D．understanding
11. A．pleased B．worried C．surprised D．excited
12. A．never B．yet C．even D．still
13. A．food B．money C．paper D．key
14. A．change B．attend C．see D．persuade
15. A．means B．follows C．explains D．agrees
16. A．carry B．lose C．arrange D．place
17. A．pushed B．moved C．pulled D．walked
18. A．raised B．held C．offered D．shook
19. A．eyes B．ears C．mind D．feeling
20. A．complained B．apologized C．regretted D．insisted
高三英语完型填空中等难度题查看答案及解析