A.I. (人工智能) is just starting to become part of our lives, and books and movies have been talking about A.I. and robots for years. Mostly, in these books and movies, the computers and robots turn out to be the enemies of the human race. Here is a selection of some famous A.I. movies..
2001: A Space Odyssey
In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL is one of the first computers to talk like a human. HAL is very frightening because it speaks in a calm voice as it goes on a killing spree (疯狂杀戮). When the astronauts attempt to hide in a smaller spaceship and switch off the microphones, HAL uses a camera to read their lips and understand what the astronauts are saying.
The Terminator
In The Terminator, a computer thinks that its deadly enemies are human beings. As a result, the computer launches missiles (导弹) to start international wars and then builds killer robots to destroy the human race.
The Matr/x
In The Matrix, a computer takes over the world and uses human beings for energy. The computer keeps people alive by making them think that they are still living normal lives. A few brave rebels (叛逆者) decide to fight against the computer. 


Star War movies
In the Star War movies, computerised robots are used as servants and soldiers. R2-D2, a small cylindrical (圆柱形的) robot, and C-3PO, a tall talking robot, help some humans defeat the evil ruler, Darth Vader, in a dangerous battle between the forces of good and evil.
1, In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, the astronauts switch off the microphones to
A. prevent HAL hearing whom they axe calling
B. prevent HAL hearing what they are saying
C. force HAL to use a camera
D. force HAL to speak loudly
2. If you want to know how an intelligent computer uses human beings for energy, you should watch __
A. The Terminator. 
B. 2001: A Space Odyssey'
C. Star War movies
D. The Matrix
3. R2-D2 and C-3PO stand for
A. the scientific forces
B. the natural forces
C. the good forces
D. the evil forces
4. What do the four movies have in common?
A. They all have the same ending.
B. They are about a similar theme.
C. They are all based on science fiction books.
D. They started heated discussions about A.I. 
Science can't explain the power of pets, but many studies have shown that the company of pets can help lower blood pressure (血压) and raise chances of recovering from a heart attack, reduce loneliness and spread all-round good cheer.
Any owner will tell you how much joy a pet brings. For some, an animal provides more comfort than a husband/wife. A 2002 study by Karen Allen of the State University of New York measured stress (紧张) levels and blood pressure in people— half of them pet owners —while they performed 5 minutes of mental arithmetic (算术) or held a hand in ice water. Subjects completed the tasks alone, with a husband/wife, a close friend or with a pet. People with pets did it best. Those tested with their animal friends had smaller change in blood pressure and returned most quickly to baseline heart rates. With pets in the room, people also made fewer math mistakes than when doing in front of other companions. It seems people feel more relaxed (放松)around pets, says Allen, who thinks it may be because pets don't judge.
A study reported last fall suggests that having a pet dog not only raises your spirits but may also have an effect on your eating habits. Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital spent a year studying 36 fat people and their equally fat dogs on diet-and-exercise programs; a separate group of 56 people without pets were put on a diet program. On average, people lost about 11 pounds, or 5% of their body weight. Their dogs did even better, losing an average of 12 pounds, more than 15% of their body weight. Dog owners didn't lose any more weight than those without dogs but, say researchers, got more exercise overall-mostly with their dogs - and found it worth doing.What does the text mainly discuss?
| A.What pets bring to their owners. | B.How pets help people calm down. |
| C.People's opinions of keeping pets. | D.Pet's value in medical research. |
We learn from the text that a person with heart disease has a better chance of getting well if_________.
| A.he has a pet companion | B.he has less stress of work |
| C.he often does mental arithmetic | D.he is taken care of by his family |
According to Allen, why did the people do better with pets around when facing stressful tasks?
| A.They have lower blood pressure. | B.They become more patient. |
| C.They are less nervous. | D.They are in higher spirits. |
The research mentioned in the last paragraph reports that________.
| A.people with dogs did more exercise |
| B.dogs lost the same weight as people did |
| C.dogs liked exercise much more than people did |
| D.people without dogs found the program unhelpful |
Exploit your parking space
An unused parking space or garage can make money. If you live near a city center or an airport, you could make anything up to £200 or £300 a week. Put an advertisement(广告)for free on Letpark or Atmyhousepark.
Rent(出租)a room
Spare room? Not only will a lodger(房客)earn you an income, but also, thanks to the government-backed “rent a room” program, you won’t have to pay any tax on the first £4500 you make per year. Try advertising your room on Roomspare or Roommateeasy.
Make money during special events
Don’t want a full-time lodger? Then rent on a short-term basis. If you live in the capital, renting a room out during the Olympics or other big events could bring in money. Grashpadder can advertise your space.
Live on set
Renting your home out as a “film set” could earn you hundreds of pounds a day, depending on the film production company and how long your home is needed. A quick search on the Internet will bring up dozens of online companies that allow you to register your home for free—but you will be charged if your home gets picked.
Use your roof
You need the right kind of roof, but some energy companies pay the cost of fixing solar equipment(around£14,000) and let you use the energy produced for nothing. In return, they get paid for unused energy fed back into the National Grid. However, you have to sign a 25-year agreement with the supplier, which could prevent you from changing the roof.If you earn £5000 from renting a room in one year, the tax you need to pay will be based on ______.
| A.£300 | B.£500 | C.£4500 | D.5000 |
Where can you put an advertisement to rent out a room during a big event?
| A.On Letpark. | B.On Roomspare. |
| C.On Grashpadder. | D.On Roommateeasy. |
If you want to use energy free, you have to_____.
| A.sign an agreement with the government |
| B.pay around £14,000 for the equipment |
| C.sell the roof to some energy companies |
| D.keep the roof unchanged within 25 years |
For whom is the text most probably written?
| A.Lodgers. | B.Advertisers. |
| C.House owners. | D.Online companies |
When I was six, Dad brought home a dog one day, who was called “Brownie”. My brothers and I all loved Brownie and did different things with her. One of us would walk her, another would feed her, then there were baths, playing catch and many other games. Brownie, in return, loved each and every one of us. One thing that most touched my heart was that she would go to whoever was sick and just be with them. We always felt better when she was around.
One day, as I was getting her food, she chewed up(咬破) one of Dad’s shoes, which had to be thrown away in the end. I knew Dad would be mad and I had to let her know what she did was wrong. When I looked at her and said, “Bad girl.” She looked down at the ground and then went and hid. I saw a tear in her eyes.
Brownie turned out to be more than just our family pet. She went everywhere with us. People would stop and ask if they could pet her. Of course she'd let anyone pet her. She was just the most lovable dog. There were many dines when we'd be out walking and a small child would come over and pull on her hair. She never barked (吠) or tried to get away. Funny thing is she would smile. This frightened people because they thought she was showing her teeth. Far from the truth, she loved everyone.
Now many years have passed since Brownie died of old age. I still miss the days when she was with us.What would Brownie do when someone was ill in the family?
| A.Look at them sadly. | B.Keep them company. |
| C.Play games with them. | D.Touch them gently. |
We can infer from Paragraph 2 that Brownie ______.
| A.would eat anything when hungry | B.felt scary for her mistake |
| C.loved playing hide-and-seek | D.disliked the author's dad |
Why does the author say that Brownie was more than just a family pet?
| A.She was treated as a member of the family. |
| B.She played games with anyone she liked. |
| C.She was loved by everybody she met. |
| D.She went everywhere with the family. |
Some people got frightened by Brownie when she______.
| A.smiled | B.barked | C.rushed to them | D.tried to be funny |
A dog has a horse. The horse was beautiful and also it had many good qualities. 61It especially wanted to become the most beautiful horse in the world.
One day the horse said to the god, “You have given me beauty. You have given me other good qualities.62 But how I wish you could make me more beautiful! I would be extremely, extremely grateful if you could make me more beautiful.”
The god said, “I’m more than ready to make you more beautiful. 63” Then the horse said, “My neck is too short .If you can make neck a little longer, my upper body will be more beautiful. And if you can make my legs much longer and thinner, then I will look more beautiful in my lower body.”
Then immediately the god made a camel appear in place of the horse. The horse was so sad that it started to cry, “Oh, no, I do not want to become a camel. 64 As a horse, everybody appreciated my good qualities. Nobody will appreciate me as a c I’m more than ready to amel.”
The god said, “This is exactly what you asked for. You have become a camel.
65if you cry for a longer neck and legs, this is what will happen. Each thing in my creation has its own good qualities. The camel is not as beautiful as you are, but it carries heavy loads and has a great sense of duty.”
| A.I’m so grateful to you. |
| B.Why not remain a horse? |
| C.I wish you to change me into a horse again. |
| D.Tell me in what way you want to be changed. |
E.But it wanted to be more perfect in every way.
F.Never try to receive more than I have given you
G.I am glad to know that you feel good with yourself now
What kind of pets do people have in your country? Dogs? Cats? How about a duck, hippo(河马) or lion? Here are two cases of animal owners with unusual pets.
Barrie Hayman has a pet duck called Star. Barrie adopted(领养) him after his brothers and sisters stayed away from him at birth. Barrie, a duck breeder, realized the little duck needed special attention. So he began taking Star with him everywhere he went. “I would put him in my pocket while I did my shopping,” said Barrie. Now, at five months, Star is too big for Barrie’s pocket, but the two are still inseparable. They watch sports, together and even share a drink together. Barrie said, “He is a fantastic duck. I’ve never known any like him.” Star even has his own Facebook page, with more than 2,000 Face book friends.
Then there is the case of Tonie and Shirley Joubert in South Africa. They live with their hippo, Jessica. Tonie saved Jessica from floodwaters when she was only a day old. Jessica lives outside their riverside house, but she knows how to open the kitchen door, and often goes there for a snack. Tonie recently said, “I don’t know whether Jessica sees me as a hippo or whether she sees herself as a human.” Shirley is more certain, “Jessica sees herself as our child and I see Jessica as my daughter. I can’t imagine my life without Jessica.” Jessica is free to leave, and often visits wild hippos that live nearby. But she always returns home at night. Jessica’s website notes that she has three hippo boyfriends, but one in particular,Fred, is her favorite. They often go grazing(吃青草) together and Fred has recently moved onto the Joubert’s house as well.What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A.Some websites are set up to protect pets. |
| B.Some unusual pets are adopted by people |
| C.People should take good care of their pets |
| D.Pets sometimes can be very interesting |
What does the underlined word “inseparable” in Paragraph 2 mean?
| A.Always together | B.Always separated |
| C.Always friendly | D.Always healthy |
Barrie took Star everywhere he went because______.
| A.he had never seen a duck like Star |
| B.he set up a Facebook page for Star |
| C.he wanted care more about Star |
| D.he needed Star to drink with him |
We can learn from the passage that Jessica ______
| A.came to Joubert’s home when she was 5 months old |
| B.loves eating in the Joubert’s kitchen |
| C.doesn’t see herself as a human being |
| D.has more than three boyfriends |