The ideal companion machine would not only look, feel, and sound friendly but would also be programmed to behave in an agreeable manner. Those (36) that make interaction with other people enjoyable would be simulated as closely as possible, and the machine would appear to (37) stimulating and easygoing. Its informal conversation style would make interaction comfortable, and yet the machine would remain slightly (38) and therefore interesting. In its first (39) it might be somewhat honest and unsmiling that it came to know the user it would progress to a mere (40) and intimate style. The machine would not be a passive (41) but would add its own suggestions, information, and opinions; it would sometimes take the (42) in developing or changing the topic and would have a (43) of its own.

The machine would convey presence. We have all seen how a computer’s use of personal names (44) . Such features are wholly written into the software (45) .

Friendships are not made in a day, and the computer would be more acceptable as a friend (46) . At an appropriate time I might also express the kind of affection that simulates attachment and intimacy.

Part Ⅳ Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)

Section A

Direction: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete stamens. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.

Question 47 to 51 are based on the following passage

Highly proficient musicianship is hard won. Although it’s often assumed musical ability us inherited, there’s abundant evidence that this isn’t the case. While it seems that at birth virtually everyone has perfect pitch, the reasons that one child is better than another are motivation and practice.

Highly musical children were sung to more as infants and more encouraged to join in song games as kids than less musical ones, long before any musical ability could have been evident. Studies of classical musicians prove that the best ones practiced considerably more from childhood onwards than ordinary orchestral players, and this is because their parents were at them to put in the hours from a very young age.

The same was true of children selected for entry to specialist music schools, compared with those who were rejected. The chosen children had parents who had very actively supervised music lessons and daily practice from young ages, giving up substantial periods of leisure time to take the children to lessons and concerts.

The singer Michael Jackson’s story, although unusually brutal and extreme, is illumination when considering musical prodigy(天才). Accounts suggest that he was subjected to cruel beatings and emotional torture ,and that he was humiliated (羞辱) constantly by his father, What sets Jackson’s family apart is that his father used his reign of terror to train his children as musicians and dancers.

On top of his extra ability Michael also had more drive. This may have been the result of being the closest of his brothers and sisters to his mother. “He seemed different to me from the other children — special,” Michael’s mother said of him. She may not have realized that treating her son as special may have been part of the reason be became like that.

All in all, if you want to bring up a Mozart or Bach, the key factor is how hard you are prepared to crack the whip. Thankfully, most of us will probably settle for a bit of fun on the recorder and some ill-executed pieces of music-on the piano from our children.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

47.According to the author, a child’s musical ability has much to do with their .

48. In order to develop the musical ability of their children, many parents will accompany them during their practice sacrificing a lot of then own .

49. Because of their father’s pressure and strict training, Michael Jackson and some of his brothers and sisters eventually became .

50. Michael’s extra drive for music was partly due to the fact that he was

by his mother.

51. To bring up a great musician like Mozart or Bach, willingness to be strict with your child is

Section B

Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 52 to 56 are based pm the following passage.

In 2011, many shoppers chose to avoid the frantic crowds and do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their computer. Sales at online retailers gained by more than 15%, making it the biggest season ever. But people are also returning those purchases at record rates, up 8% from last year.

What went wrong? Is the lingering shadow of the global financial crisis making it harder to accept extravagant indulgences? Or that people shop more impulsively—and therefore make bad decisions—when online? Both arguments are plausible. However, there is a third factor: a question of touch. We can love the look but, in an online environment, we cannot feel the quality of a texture, the shape of the fit, the fall of a fold or, for that matter, the weight of an earring. And physically interacting with an object makes you more committed to your purchase.

When my most recent book Brandwashed was released, I teamed up with a local bookstore to conduct an experiment about the difference between the online and offline shopping experience. I carefully instructed a group of volunteers to promote my book in two different ways. The first was a fairly hands-off approach. Whenever a customer would inquire about my book, the volunteer would take them over to the shelf and point to it. Out of 20 such requests, six customers proceeded with the purchase.

The second option also involved going over to the shelf but, this time, removing the book and them subtly holding onto it for just an extra moment before placing it in the customer’s hands. Of the 20 people who were handed the book, 13 ended up buying it. Just physically passing the book showed a big difference in sales. Why? We feel something similar to a sense of ownership when we hold things in our hand. That’s why we establish or reestablish connection by greeting strangers and friends with a handshake. In this case, having to then let go of the book after holding it might generate a subtle sense of loss, and motivate us to make the purchase even more.

A recent study also revealed the power of touch, in this case when it came to conventional mail. A deeper and longer-lasting impression of a message was formed when delivered in a letter, as opposed to receiving the same message online. Brain imaging showed that, on touching the paper, the emotional center of the brain was activated, thus forming a stronger bond. The study also indicated that once touch becomes part of the process, it could translate into a sense of possession.

This sense of ownership is simply not part of the equation in the online shopping experience.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

52. Why do people prefer shopping online according to the author?

A) It is more comfortable and convenient.

B) It saves them a lot of money and time.

C) It offers them a lot more options and bargains.

D) It gives them more time to think about their purchase.

53. Why do more customers return their purchases bought online?

A) They regretted indulging in costly items in the recession.

B) They changed their mind by the time the goods were delivered.

C) They had no chance to touch them when shopping online.

D) They later found the quality of goods below their expectations.

54. What is the purpose of author’s experiment?

A) To test his hypothesis about online shopping.

B) To find out people’s reaction to his recent book.

C) To find ways to increase the sale of his new book.

D) To try different approaches to sales promotion.

55. How might people feel after letting go of something they held?

A) A sense of disappointment C) A subtle loss of interest

B) More motivated to own it. D) Less sensitive to its texture.

56. What does train imaging in a recent study reveal?

A) Conventional letters contain subtle messages.

B) A lack of touch is the chief obstacle to e-commerce.

C) Email lacks the potential to activate the brain.

D) Physical touch helps form a sense of possession.

Passage Two