1、课时作业(十二)Unit 4Section Developing ideas & Presenting ideas阅读理解AResearchers from the Water，Peace and Security Partnership (WPS) have announced the creation of a global forecasting tool that can predict where conflicts arising from water insecurity are most likely to break out. The system uses artifici
2、al intelligence to create patterns from a wide range of geographical and socioeconomic data and can identify potential conflict hotspots up to a year in advance.Susan Schme，a senior lecturer at Delft Institute for Water Education, which leads the WPS, explains predicting these types of conflicts isn
3、t as simple as it might first appear. It isnt simply a case of conflicts increasing every time a water security incident occurs. Several regional and cultural factors also play a part, making prediction difficult.The researchers tested the AI tool in Mali. They found that it predicted more than thre
4、equarters of the waterrelated conflicts there. To achieve this, the system is fed with a variety of data. “First theres the natural side of thingsso rainfall data, soil moisture and many other natural factors，” explains Schme. This enables it to identify areas where availability of water is likely t
5、o become a concern.“Then we also look at vulnerability in terms of socioeconomic and political developmentsanything from a regime type to the state of development in a region，” she adds. This additional information is weighed up to determine whether it increases or decreases the chance of conflict.
6、Other factors might include whether the water insecurity is likely to affect crops.The tool is just one part of a wider WPS project that aims to increase the availability of information which could help avoid waterrelated conflicts. Once artificial intelligence has made its predictions the WPS resea
7、rchers use other analytical tools to zoomin on a certain region and find out exactly whats driving water insecurity. This might be decreased rainfall，increased population，or water might be being diverted away from a community.The designers are now undergoing final tests of the new AI tool to make su
8、re its ready for a November launch date. Once widely available，Schme hopes that it will be used by local governments and also by international organisations with an interest in maintaining global stability.1What is the function of the tool?ACollecting all kinds of data.BPredicting conflict hotspots.
9、CEnsuring security of water.DStopping fractures of water pipes.2How did the AI tool work in Mali?AThe government discourages it.BMore improvement is needed.CIt works quite effectively.DIt attracts public attention.3What is the last paragraph mainly about?APeoples attitude to the AI tool.BThe study p
10、rocess of the AI tool.CDesigners of the AI tool.DThe future of the AI tool.BThere was once a girl named Ivy. She hardly talked. There was something strange about her. During “ Parent and Teacher Meeting Day”， only her mom would come not her dad. When she was asked about her father, she would just ig
11、nore the question.Ivy was bullied (欺凌) a lot. She would hide in the library when the bullying made her sad. She wrote many poems because it was her only source of relief from the cold reality. It was her dream to be a poet.The school year came to an end. It was Ivys least favorite school day, “ Pare
12、nt and Teacher Meeting Day”. A student asked where her dad was, and she ignored him and told the class that she was going to recite a poem.My fatherMy father was a happy man, never mad.Did I ever tell you he was a fireman?He saved lives and helped the poor.This makes me love him more.He always made
13、me happy，By surprising me with white lilies.He was a great dancer.Too bad I could not see him because of his cancer.Do not worry, Father.You are never too far.Because youre always in my heart.The whole class was silent. No one knew what they felt. Was it sadness? Was it guilt? Was it pity? For a mom
14、ent, they thought they could see her father. He gave her a white lily and disappeared into thin air.The whole class who was amazed by this sight gave her a round of applause (鼓掌). She was very happy because she felt lighthearted. The whole class learned something and that is to always cherish your l
15、oved ones because you never know when they might leave you.4What was strange about the girl?AShe hardly talked.BShe was often bullied.CShe would ignore questions.DShe rarely mentioned her father.5Why did she write many poems?ABecause she was a poem enthusiast.BBecause she had to release her emotions
16、.CBecause she was required to do so.DBecause she was a poet at an early age.6What do we know about her father from the poem?AHe died of cancer.BHe went to a faraway place.CHe was once mad at the little girl.DHe cared little about others interests.7What is the message conveyed in the text?ANever teas
17、e other people.BLearn to appreciate poems.CValue those you love.DPractice kindness in daily life.CNext time you raise an eyebrow at the views of your partner, friend, sibling (兄弟姐妹) or colleague, remember they could be helping to make you smarter. New research shows that intelligence is not fixed bu
18、t can be improved throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching careers.The study challenges the commonly held opinion that intelligence is “static” (静止的) by the age of about 18. Current ideas suggest that intelligence is controlled by genes, with environmental f
19、actors such as schooling and nutrition playing a part up to this age. After this point, IQ scores become steady.But Professor James Flynn believes intellectual stimulation (刺激) from others is important as the brain seems to be rather like a musclethe more you use it, the stronger it gets. However, t
20、he opposite is also trueso people who share a home or workplace with the intellectually challenged risk seeing their IQ levels drop as a result.Flynn analyzed US intelligence tests from the last 65 years and connected the results with peoples ages. This enabled him to collect new IQ “age tables” . A
21、 bright tenyearold with siblings of average intelligence will suffer a five to ten point IQ disadvantage compared to a similar child with equally bright siblings, the “age tables” showed. However, children with a low IQ could gain six to eight points by having brighter siblings and special education
22、al treatment.Professor Flynn said, “As you leave childhood behind, a large part of your intelligence is now in your own hands. Your IQ can vary through life according to your own efforts. So even in your late twenties and beyond, your IQ is very much your own.”He proved since 1930 the intelligence o
23、f populations has resulted in an average IQ rise by three points a decade.8How can you improve your intelligence?ABy socializing with bright people.BBy finding a physically challenging job.CBy having a partner, a friend or a sibling.DBy working with the intellectually challenged.9Which of the follow
24、ing statements can best reflect Flynns IQ “age tables”？AHe that climbs high falls heavily.BHe who risks nothing gains nothing.CHe who does not advance loses ground. DKeep good men company, and you shall be of the number.10Which would be the best title for the text?AWhen Your Intelligence Remains Unc
25、hangedBHow You can Make Yourself Look CleverCWhy Clever Friends Make You SmarterDWhat Happens to Your Intelligence课时作业(十二)阅读理解A【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了全球预测工具AI工具预测水安全问题。1答案与解析：B细节理解题。根据第一段“the creation of a global forecasting tool that can predict where conflicts arising from water insecurity”以及“can i
26、dentify potential conflict hotspots”可知，预测冲突热点地区是预测工具的功能。故选B项。2答案与解析：C细节理解题。根据第三段“They found that it predicted more than threequarters of the waterrelated conflicts there.”可知，AI工具能有效预测。结合选项，故选C项。3答案与解析：D主旨大意题。根据第六段“The designers are now undergoing final tests of the new AI tool to make sure its ready
27、 for a November launch date.”可知，AI工具正在接受测试，确保准备好11月的试验。故选D项。B【语篇解读】本文为记叙文。名叫Ivy的女孩很少提及她的父亲，就连家长会也都是她的母亲参加，这让大家很奇怪。一次家长会上，她给大家读了一首自己创作的诗歌，大家的疑惑才得以消除，并由此懂得了要珍惜眼前人这一道理。4答案与解析：D细节理解题。根据文章第一段可知，她很少提及自己的父亲，而且都是她的母亲出席家长会，当问及和父亲相关的问题时，她也总是选择回避。5答案与解析：B推理判断题。根据文章第二段中的“because it was her only source of relief
28、 from the cold reality.”可知，诗歌创作是她发泄情绪的唯一途径。6答案与解析：A推理判断题。根据诗歌中的“Too bad I could not see him because of his cancer./Do not worry, Father./You are never too far./Because youre always in my heart.”可知，她的父亲在和癌症做斗争时不幸去世了。7答案与解析：C推理判断题。根据文章最后一段可知，作者想通过这篇文章传达一个信息：我们不知道未来和意外哪一个会先来，所以要珍惜当下，珍惜眼前人。C【语篇解读】本文为说明文
29、。新的研究指出，智力不是固定不变的，而是可以通过家庭成员、聪明的伙伴以及拓展智力的事业来提高的。8答案与解析：A细节理解题。由第一段中的“New research shows that intelligence is not fixed but can be improved throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching careers.”可知，A选项中的与聪明的人打交道正确。9答案与解析：D推理判断题。由第四段中Flynn的研究结果可知，他的IQ“age tables”揭示了“近朱者赤，近墨者黑”的道理。10答案与解析：C主旨大意题。本文主要介绍了一个人的智力不像人们认为的那样到了一定的年龄就不再改变了。拥有聪明的朋友、同事或者家人等都有助于你提高自己的智力。