The human brain contains ten thousand million cells and each of these may have a thousand connections. Such enormous numbers used to discourage us and cause us to dismiss the possibility of making a machine with human-like ability, but now that we have grown used to moving forward at such a pace we can be less sure. Quite soon, in only 10 or 20 years perhaps, we will be able to assemble a machine as complex as the human brain, and if we can we will. It may then take us a long time to render it intelligent by loading in the right software or by altering the architecture but that two will happen. I think it is certain that in decades, not centuries, machines of silicon will arise first to rival and then exceed their human ancestors. Once they exceed us they will be capable of their own design. In a real sense they will be able to reproduce themselves. Silicon will have ended carbon's long control. And we will no longer be able to claim ourselves to be the finest intelligence in the known universe. As the intelligence of robots increased to match that of humans and as their cost declines through economies of scale we may use them to expand our frontiers, first on earth through their ability to withstand environments, harmful to ourselves. Thus, deserts may bloom and the ocean beds be mined. Further ahead, by a combination of the great wealth this new age will bring and the technology it will provide, the construction of a vast, man-created world in space, home to thousands of millions of people, will be within our power. A robot can be used to expand our frontiers when . A) its intelligence and cost are beyond question B) it is able to bear the rough environment C) it is made as complex as the human brain D) its architecture is different from that of the present ones
A
After ruling the tennis world for almost five years, Roger Federer is adjusting to life at NO.2. But, like any king whose throne has been taken away, the Swiss star is already planning secretly his return to power, beginning at this week's US Open. The problem is, many experts think he will never do it. They blame everything from age and tough competition to his racket and psychology. For years Federer, 27, had enjoyed the view from the top. Competitors saw him as undefeated, and for the most part he was. However, before the 2008 season began, Federer had an illness that stole his strength and clearly affected his play on the court. Ever since, he has struggled to return to form, winning just two of his last 14 tournaments. "Twenty-seven is an age when _ ." tennis great John McEnroe told the New York Times. Pancho Sefura, another tennis great, noted that Federer is also facing a maturing crop of young talents. "There are too many great players now," he said, naming Britain's Andy Murray, 21, and Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, 20. US magazine Sports Illustrated tennis columnist Jon Wertheim suggested that part of Federer's problem could be his insistence on using a small racket. He says that the smaller head demands ball control. But we see time and again that racket makers try to get players to use a certain stick -- one they would like to market to consumers and it has a negative effect the professional game. Sports psychologist Jim Loehr told the Times that Federer is probably feeling "a sense of doubt" after being considered as undefeated for so long. If Federer is to recover his state of being undefeated, Loehr said he must overcome his doubt. "Federer doesn't need fame and money. But he has to get better. He has to go to a whole new level. That's the only way he stays in the game," he said. As for beginning his first Grand Slam in ages as the NO.2 seed, Federer said it might be for the best. "Five years almost, I was expected to win every tournament I entered," he said, "so maybe Rafael Nadal now feels what I... What's the best title of the passage? A) Nadal -- The No.1 Tennis Player B) Federer -- Always Undefeated C) State of Mind Plays a Important Role D) Federer Hopes to Recover His Magic
D
Q: We bet that on cold wintry days, many of you love to stay in your warm home and, every now and then, come out into the kitchen for a snack. Unfortunately, plenty of creepy-crawly critters like to do the same thing! Winter is the time when bugs invade your house without an invitation. The season can be tough for such creatures. In winter the air is cold, the ground is hard and many trees have no leaves. So bugs do what they have to do to survive. Monarch butterflies head south to warmer climates. Ants crowd in deep underground colonies and eat food they have been storing all year. Many insects go into a deep sleep called diapause. There're different kinds of diapause, but all are similar to hibernation, a time when bigger animals become inactive in the cold. Insects go into an inactive period, too, but it often isn't when the temperature drops. They rely on more dependable signals in the environment. For example, many insects can tell how much sunlight there's each day. They use that to tell themselves when to shut down. Bugs are cold-blood-ed, meaning that their inside temperature is the same as the outside. They can't move much when it gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. So they search for any warm place. They're looking for protection. These guys have been doing this for 300 million years, so they don't really know they're coming into your house. The home is a recent event in terms of their evolutionary behav-ior. They enter through tiny cracks or come in unnoticed on your clothes or shoes. Remember that they may be invading your homes for warmth and food, but they don't care about humans. What is the main idea of the text? A) Bugs'life on cold wintry days. B) Why do bugs invade your home in winter? C) Good relations between humans and bugs. D) What does diapause mean?
A: B
(Question)
You can't hide a natural disaster from children, so how do we prepare them for it? First of all, you should explain to them that acts of nature aren't necessarily disasters but can become one. These may include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, wild fires, and earthquakes. The way to prepare children for these disasters is to educate them about what each type is and then make it fun by making them "Disaster Masters" or whatever title you can think of. Making them a Disaster Master won't be easy. They must know what's in a disaster emergency kit and why it's included. You can get your friends involved, too. If your friends have children, they may want to be involved in your emergency preparations. Make it a group project. This is the opportunity for everyone to become familiar with the equipment. We have to be aware of our conduct and the way we react to stress. The children will be easily influenced by your attitude and _ . The calmness, steady manner, and good humor of your spouse and you will go a long way toward the easing or the reduction of stress. Explain to them what they're likely to encounter or see and describe how people may react. Disasters can come and go very quickly and generally don't last long. If you must stay away from home, try to get into a routine quickly and encourage them to make new friends. Let them know they can look to their parents and other adults if they become scared or confused. And it's important to let them know it's OK to cry during a disaster. It's sometimes helpful to let the children draw pictures of what they've experienced. Encourage them to write what they learned and what could have been done better. Save the story. Make it part of a documented family history! It is a must that a Disaster Master knows _ . A) when a natural disaster will come B) why there are natural disasters C) how to use a disaster emergency kit D) how to teach others about emergency preparations
(Answer)
C