Transcript Artificial intelligence

21st Century College English: Book 1
Unit 8 : Part B
Unit 8: Part B
• Review of Text A
• Text B
• Listening Practice
• Assignment
Review of Text A
• Dictation
• Assignment Checkup
 Cloze
 Translation
Dictation
You are going to hear 5 sentences. Each will be read three
times. Write down the sentences according to the dictation.
1
2
3
4
5
Check-up
Dictation
1
The past twenty years have been an incredible
adventure for me.
2
We are all beginning another great journey.
3
The major changes coming will be in the way
people communicate with each other.
4
Thousands of informed and uninformed people are
now speculating publicly about the information
highway.
5
I hope this book can serve as a travel guide for the
forthcoming journey.
Cloze
《读写教程 I》: Ex. XII, p. 221
Cloze
XIII. Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.
Over the last 20 years, there have been
_____________________
incredible/tremendous changes in the computer industry.
When the personal computer was first introduced, the only
in it were technologists. But over time,
people interested_____
essential
the PC has become an ____________
part of our modern
society. Today, reliable computer applications are
___________
to international business. And everyday people
crucial
communicate
use the PC to go on-line and ________________
with
Internet
millions of other _____________
users around the world.
Cloze
XIII. Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.
Now a new ____________
revolution is beginning. Once again we
territory
are heading into unexplored _____________.
We can only
about/on all the changes which new technology
speculate__________
bring
will _________
about in the coming years. The purpose of
make
The Road Ahead is to ___________sure
that common
people are able to take part in ___________
about these new
debates
technologies. This book is intended to ___________
stimulate
discussion about what the new technologies should do and
how they should operate. Making the right decisions now —
least asking the right questions — is necessary in
or at ________
order to ensure that electronic needs are ______
met in the
future.
Translation
《读写教程 I》: Ex. XIII, p. 222
Translation
1. 没有一个科学家确切地知道信息高速公路将在未来十年把
我们带往何处。
exactly
No scientist
in the decade ahead
where the information
highway will lead us
No scientist knows exactly where the information highway
will lead us in the decade ahead.
Translation
2. 至关重要的是，发达国家和发展中国家应通过更多的交流
增进相互间的理解和尊重。
It is crucial
that
developed
countries
and
through
more
communication
developing countries
increase understanding
and respect
It is crucial that developed countries and developing
countries increase mutual understanding and mutual
respect through more communication.
Translation
3. 从一开始，大众传媒就对这部关于个人电脑的专著给予了
特别的关注。
From the very
beginning
treatise
the mass media
particular
From the very beginning, the mass media paid particular
attention to this treatise on the personal computer.
Translation
4. 我的侄子以为日文跟中文在很多方面相似，很容易学，但
结果并不是那样。
had thought
is similar to Chinese
in many ways
it didn’t turn out that way
My nephew had thought that Japanese, which is similar to
Chinese in many ways, was easy to learn, but it didn’t turn
out that way.
Translation
5. 你本该知道得更多些。大学教授讲课的方式并不只限于告
诉学生基本事实，他还激发讨论和争论。
should have
known better
stimulates
is not confined only to
The way a college
professor teaches
You should have known better. The way a college professor
teaches is not confined only to telling his students the basic
facts. He or she also stimulates
discussions and debates.
Translation
6. 原来估计这项工程将费时五年。但由于工人和工程师们的
创造性劳动，工程大大提前完成了。
take
well ahead of schedule
the creativity
It was originally estimated that
It was originally estimated that the project would take 5
years. But because of the creativity of the workers as well
as the engineers, it was finished well ahead of schedule.
Translation
7. 构思和写作自传花费了那位美国作家三年多的时间,其间
他遇到了许多无法想象的困难。
during which
ran into
The process of thinking
about and writing
unimaginable
The process of thinking about and writing his
autobiography took the American writer more than three
years, during which he ran into many unimaginable
difficulties.
Translation
8. 医生们不能肯定他患了什么病，这就是他已决定提前退休
的原因。
is suffering from
aren’t sure
that’s why
The doctors aren’t sure what illness he is suffering from.
That’s why he has decided to retire ahead of schedule.
Text B
Text B: Smart Machines:
Our Tireless Helpers
• Language Points
• Reading Skill VI
• Comprehension Exercises
Language Points
Smart Machines: Our Tireless Helpers
by Joan Young & Joan Russell
1 Can machines be as intelligent as human beings? There is a
lot of discussion these days about artificial-intelligence machines
and their relation to human intelligence. Some computer scientists
are developing machines that can be programmed to think and act
in some ways like human beings. As inventors work on their
projects, they are learning more about a computer’s capabilities in
relation to a human’s. One team of experts in California is
developing an artificial-intelligence research machine. It will offer
services and advice like a thoughtful assistant.
Language Points
2
A “smart” machine such as this one would be capable of
helping people in a variety of professions. For example, it could
work tirelessly to help a doctor identify a person’s illness. It might
summarize a reporter’s news story, help a lawyer fight a court case,
and even make up a quiz for an English teacher. Someday doctors,
reporters, lawyers, and teachers might want to consult an artificialintelligence psychologist for advice on their personal problems.
Language Points
3
When a team of scientists working in Antarctica wanted to
explore the volcano Mount Erebus, they designed Dante to do the
job. Dante is a robot. It is over nine feet long, over five feet wide,
and weighs almost one thousand pounds. It looks like a giant
spider with eight legs that can move in all directions at a speed of
six and a half feet a minute. In the center of its body is a pole
holding six video cameras, three looking forward and three
looking back to give a 360° view of an area.
Language Points
4 The scientists gave Dante instructions on how to climb down a
steep slope. They taught it how to step over rocks and how to avoid
dangerous objects in its path. They figured that it would take Dante
twenty-four hours to complete its journey seven hundred feet down.
Once at the bottom of the volcano, Dante would take temperature
readings, measure the composition of the gases, and collect
samples of minerals. Filled with the knowledge of how to do
everything, Dante seemed ready for its job. Placed at the edge of
the volcano, it started down. But after traveling only a few feet,
Dante stopped dead. The cable connecting it to its controllers had
broken. Even the smartest, most extraordinary robots, like people,
can become disabled.
Language Points
5 Dante’s controllers were disappointed with their experiment,
but they didn’t give up. They say that they can learn from their
failures, and as they get smarter, so will Dante. An improved Dante
can then provide them with information never before available
about the gases and minerals inside a volcano. The gases and
minerals in Mount Erebus may be responsible for the hole in the
ozone layer that develops over Antarctica each year. The hole
allows increased rays from the sun that can cause cancer. The
scientists say that Dante is an important new tool that can help
solve some of our environmental problems. They also say that
someday more advanced descendants of Dante will be sent to
explore the planet Mars.
Language Points
6
Some robots of the future may also do ordinary jobs. There
may be robot gas-station attendants that can fill a tank without the
driver leaving the car. Robot dressmakers will construct a dress to
exact measurement while the woman is having a cup of coffee in
the dress shop. Perhaps everyone will have a personal robot for
the home. Imagine what a robot will do for you!
Language Points
7 Can science and technology take us too far by programming
intelligence into machines? Some people think there is a danger in
this. They say that these machines will take over jobs and leave
many people unemployed. Scientists think differently. They say that
artificial-intelligence will free people from difficult, dangerous, or
boring work. Then people can use their abilities and time for more
creative occupations. Some people see another kind of danger. They
are afraid that intelligent machines or robots will become smarter
than humans and turn into evil monsters. Scientists answer this fear
simply: People will always be in control of “smart” machines. The
prediction is for a good working relationship between human beings
and their tireless helpers.
Text-related information
Robot
A scientist protected behind a glass
wall, uses robotic arms to
maneuver a rod of radioactive
cobalt-60.
A bomb robot used to handle
suspicious objects is a
product
of
mechanical
engineering.
Text-related information
Robot
Robots perform many functions of factory
automation in automobile assembly plants
… a computer’s capabilities in relation to a human’s
— the qualities and abilities which a computer has, in
comparison with those of a human being
They figured that ...
— They estimated or predicted that ...
… stopped dead.
— stopped suddenly and completely
… more advanced descendants of Dante
— robots more powerful than Dante that will be created
in the coming years
Can science and technology take us too far by
programming intelligence into machines?
— Is there a danger that artificial intelligence will lead
to the development of machines that are so
advanced that they are harmful, rather than
beneficial, to humans?
The prediction is for a good working relationship
between human beings and their tireless helpers.
— It seems most likely that people in the future will be
able to depend on machines to do work for us, but
there is no need to worry about being controlled by
them.
Reading Skills
《读写教程 I》: Ex. A, p. 228
Reading Skills
Skimming for Main Ideas
Skim means →
“read quickly”.
Skim gives you →
a quick overview of the topic & the main points.
Skim helps you →
to take in information more efficiently on your
second, more thorough reading.
Reading Skills
1. The topic of the text is “______________”.
A) Artificial-intelligence machines
B) Dante: a tireless helper in scientific research
C) Robots of the future
D) Fears people have about the use of artificial
intelligence
Reading Skills
2. This text mainly discusses ________________ .
A) artificial-intelligence machines and their relation to
human intelligence
B) the relationship between smart machines and
human beings
C) what robots of the future could do as a valuable
domestic help
D) different opinions about the use of artificial
intelligence
Reading Skills
3.
The major points of the text (the answer for paragraph 1
is given as an example):
(1) para. 1:
People would like to know whether machines could be
as intelligent as human beings.
Reading Skills
3.
The major points of the text:
(2) para. 2:
A “smart” machine would be capable of helping
? in a variety of professions.
people
Reading Skills
3.
The major points of the text:
(3) para. 3, 4 & 5:
The story of Dante, a robot.
?
Reading Skills
3.
The major points of the text:
(4) para. 6:
Some robots of the future may also do ordinary jobs.
?
Reading Skills
3.
The major points of the text:
(5) para. 7:
People have different opinions about the relationship
? the human being and “smart” machines.
between
Reading Skills
4. What do you think AI stands for?
It stands for artificial intelligence.
Comprehension
《读写教程 I》: Ex. B, p. 229
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
1. “Artificial intelligence” refers to _____.
A) scientists’ brain-child
B) ordinary computers
C) smart computer programs
D) the human brain
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
2. From the first paragraph we learn that _________ .
A) scientists are developing new machines with humanlike intelligence
B) the more you are involved in computer science projects,
the more you will learn about what a computer can do
for human being
C) by developing new and more powerful computers, we
will gain a better knowledge of computers’ capabilities
and limitations as compared with those of human beings
D) all of the above
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
3. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as
a computer capability ?
A) To draw imaginative pictures.
B) To do dangerous work.
C) To offer professional services.
D) To provide legal advice.
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
4. The topic of paragraph 3 is _____.
A) the exploration of Mount Erebus in Antarctica
B) the features of Dante — an extraordinary robot
explorer
C) how a team of scientists developed a giant robot
D) a “smart” machine: a good helper to scientists
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
5. Which of the following facts is NOT true about Dante?
A) Dante was designed to explore the volcano Mount
Erebus in Antarctica.
B) Dante had hardly started to work when it broke
down.
C) Dante could move in all directions and get an overall
view of the area.
D) Heavy as it was, Dante could walk quite smoothly.
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
6. The clause “as they get smarter, so will Dante” could
best be replaced by _____.
A) “whatever they learn from their mistakes the
scientists will use to improve Dante”
B) “Since the scientists become smarter, Dante will
improve as a result”
C) “Dante will improve in pretty much the same way as
the scientists do (by learning from their failures)”
D) “Dante will improve just because the scientists get
smarter”
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
7. An improved Dante may provide the scientists with the
information that _____.
A) can help solve some environmental problems
B) could lead to a cure for cancer
C) can be used for the exploration of the moon
D) all of the above
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
8. With which of the following might computer scientists
agree?
A) Artificial intelligence will improve people’s lives by
providing greater comfort and more leisure time.
B) Artificial-intelligence machines will take the place of
human beings in most dangerous jobs.
C) Inventors are making great efforts to work on artificialintelligence projects mainly because they can cut down
the cost of production.
D) We needn’t worry about the use of artificial intelligence,
for it will always be kept under human control.
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
9. From the tone of this article we may safely conclude
that the author adopts attitude towards the
development of artificial intelligence.
A) a cautious
B) a detached
C) an optimistic
D) an indifferent
Comprehension
Select the best answer to each of the following questions.
10. This article is written mainly to _____.
A) instruct
B) inform
C) predict
D) persuade
Listening Practice
《听说教程 I》: Part 5.3, p. 109
Listening Practice
Short Conversations
You will hear 10 short conversations. After
each conversation you will hear a question. Listen
carefully and choose the best answer from the four
choices given.
Listening Practice
1. A) He’s sensible.
B) He’s foolish.
C) He’s right.
D) He’s stubborn.
Listening Practice
2. A) The service is very slow.
B) The food is very poor.
C) They can’t find the manager.
D) They can never shop here.
Listening Practice
3. A) He thinks that the announcer is very good at his
work
B) He doesn’t believe what the announcer says.
C) He doesn’t have an opinion of the announcer.
D) He always does what the announcer says.
Listening Practice
4. A) She thinks he should call to check his score.
B) She thinks he should take the test again.
C) She thinks he should wait.
D) She thinks he should be more worried than he is.
Listening Practice
5. A) Yes, after they return from their vocation.
B) No, because they can’t find a smaller one.
C) No, because they don’t have enough money.
D) Yes, they found one while they were on vocation.
Listening Practice
6. A) It isn’t very expensive.
B) It was impossible to find a cheap place close to the
man’s office.
C) It’s practical to live there only if it’s cheap.
D) It’s convenient to live there although it’s expensive.
Listening Practice
7. A) Spain and France.
B) Sweden and Germany.
C) Scotland and Spain.
D) Switzerland and France.
Listening Practice
8. A) She’d rather stay in to watch TV.
B) She’d rather see a new movie than watch TV.
C) She’d rather go to the park than see a movie.
D) She’d rather go out than stay in.
Listening Practice
9. A) Go to class at 1:00.
B) Go to the library at 2:00.
C) Go home immediately after his class.
D) Go home around 3:00.
Listening Practice
10. A) John and the man.
B) Fred and the woman.
C) May and John.
D) May and the man.
Check-up
Listening Practice
1.
M: Is there any way to convince John he’s wrong?
W: Well, he’s likely to be stubborn. I wouldn’t be
1. A) He’s sensible.
surprised if he didn’t listen.
B) He’s foolish.
M: I’m willing to try talking to him if you think it’ll do
C) any
He’sgood.
right.
D) It’s
He’s
stubborn.
W:
hard
to say.
Q: What can we learn about John from the
conversation?
Listening Practice
2.
M: Why is it so hard to get fast service in this store?
why I never
here.
2. W:
A) That’s
The service
is veryshop
slow.
M:
ought
to complain
to the manager.
B) IThe
food
is very poor.
C) You’ll
They probably
can’t findnever
the manager.
W:
find him!
D) They can never shop here.
Q: What are they complaining about?
Listening Practice
3.
M: Maybe we should take Front Street this morning.
The radio announcer said traffic on the freeway is
3. A) He thinks that the announcer is very good at his
really
workheavy.
W:
if he says
to take
Front
Street, we should
B) Well,
He doesn’t
believe
what
the announcer
says. go
the other way!
C) He doesn’t have an opinion of the announcer.
D) He always does what the announcer says.
Q: What is the man’s opinion of the radio announcer?
Listening Practice
4.
M: I still haven’t received my score on the computer
should
callcall
to check
on it.
4. A) test.
She Maybe
thinks Ihe
should
to check
his score.
B) Don’t
She thinks
shouldIttake
W:
worry he
so much.
takesthe
at test
leastagain.
two weeks to
C) get
Sheyour
thinks
he should wait.
score.
D) She thinks he should be more worried than he is.
Q: What does the woman think that the man should do?
Listening Practice
5.
W: Oh, great — the car won’t start. We really need to
new one!
5. A) buy
Yes,aafter
they return from their vocation.
M:
only
we hadn’t
much
money on
our
B) IfNo,
because
theyspent
can’tsofind
a smaller
one.
C) vocation.
No, because they don’t have enough money.
D) Yes, they found one while they were on vocation.
Q: Will the man and the woman buy a new car?
Listening Practice
6.
W: Isn’t that a rather expensive neighborhood?
M: We couldn’t find anything elsewhere.
6. A) It isn’t very expensive.
W: Well, it must be convenient to live so close to your
B) Itoffice.
was impossible to find a cheap place close to the
man’s office.
M: Yes, living there does have its good points, even
C) It’s
practical
to liveexpensive.
there only if it’s cheap.
though
it is awfully
D) It’s convenient to live there although it’s expensive.
Q: What do these people think about living in that part
of the city?
Listening Practice
7.
W: Did you have a good vocation?
I did.
best part was France.
7. M:
A) Yes,
Spain
andThe
France.
W: Where else did you go?
B) Sweden and Germany.
M: We spent three days in Scotland, one week in Spain
C) Scotland
and
Spain.
and five
days
in Switzerland.
D) Switzerland and France.
Q: Which of the countries listed was not mentioned?
Listening Practice
8.
M: Would you like to go out tonight? There’s a good
movie at the Park Cinema.
8. A) She’d rather stay in to watch TV.
W: There’s going to be a good TV show on tonight. I’d
B) She’d rather see a new movie than watch TV.
rather stay in.
C) She’d rather go to the park than see a movie.
D) She’d rather go out than stay in.
Q: What would the woman rather do?
Listening Practice
9.
W: Ray, are you going straight home after school
9. A) today?
Go to class at 1:00.
M:
class until
1 o’clock, and after that I’m
B) No.
Go Itohave
the alibrary
at 2:00.
going to spend a couple of hours at the library
C) Go home immediately after his class.
before going home.
D) Go home around 3:00.
Q: What is Ray going to do this afternoon?
Listening Practice
10. M: I hear not many people went to the lecture.
did, the
andman.
so did Fred.
10.W:
A) Well,
JohnIand
M: Did May and John?
B) Fred and the woman.
W: I don’t think they did.
C) May and John.
D) May and the man.
Q: Who attended the lecture?
Assignment
1. Review Text A.
2. Analyze the structure of Text A.
3. Reading Skills VI,
P.223.