UNIT 8

Renovator of Lives

革新者的一生

(1)Sitting at her desk, Betty Hines ripped open a letter marked “personal” and started to read. “You may not remember me. I graduated in 1985,” it began. Hines glanced at the signature, and her mind filled with memories of Mendez and her first days at a Detroit high school. She had battled with Mendez almost from the beginning, dogging the truant junior to shape up. It was the same challenge she had faced with so many students.

(2)In 1984 Hines came to Southwestern High School as the new principal. The windows rattled in the wind. The roofs leaked. Every room seemed to need repair.

(3)Worse, students roamed the halls, some wearing gang colors. Classrooms were often empty due to truancy and a 38-percent dropout rate. After first surveying the school, Hines returned to her office, pulled out a writing pad and began writing. “We can’t teach them if they’re not here. We can’t get them here if we don’t offer training they can use. Once here, we must provide a safe, clean, caring environment.” Hines didn’t just want to redecorate a school. She wanted to renovate the lives of her students.

(4)Hines first organized parent, student and teacher groups to improve the site. It took four years, but every window was eventually replaced, and repairs were made to the damaged areas.

(5)She also tackled the attendance problem, marked by the regular absence of nearly 30 percent of the students. She initiated incentive programs, including internships with local businesses, and she guaranteed to teach useful skills to all those who maintained a certain grade level. Today, attendance is at 90 percent.

(6)When Hines realized that the majority of students getting scholarship assistance were athletes, she started banging on corporate doors and applying for grants. Since 1988, scholarship awards totaling nearly $9 million have gone to her students for academic achievements.

 (7)In the earliest days, however, there were few incentives for kids to stick with school. To get them back, she sometimes drove through the community to find them.

（8）She hounded a gang member in just this way. One afternoon she went to the boy’s home to see if he was doing his schoolwork, only to find he wasn’t there. Without a second thought, she drove through every street. When she spotted him “hanging” with his buddies, she pulled up. “Get in the car,” she said calmly.

（9）”No way,” he said.

（10）”Get in, or I’ll drag you in,” insisted Hines. Unwillingly, the boy complied, and Hines took him home to his mother where the three talked for more than an hour. Afterward, the boy slowly began to improve. He still needed constant supervision, but the principal never flinched.

（11）The night he graduated, he caught Hines completely off guard. He took his diploma, then embraced her. He buried his head on her shoulder, sobbing without shame as his classmates erupted in cheers.

（12）Now, Betty Hines has built a teaching staff that mirrors her beliefs about renovating the lives of students who have been worn down or broken. Hines explains, “There’s something in every young person that can be cultivated into greatness.”

Questions

问题
1. What was the challenge that Hines faced when she first became a principal?

B. Many students played truant.


2. What was the first step in her renovation of the school?

A. She organized the people concerned to improve the school facilities.


3. How did Hines tackle the problem of truancy?

D. She started incentive programs which promised a bright future for students.

她启动了激励计划，承诺给学生一个光明的未来。
4. Why did the boy embrace Hines, sobbing without shame when he graduated?

为什么这个男孩在毕业的时候抱着海恩斯，毫无羞耻地抽泣?

B. Because he felt grateful to Hines and reluctant to leave her.

因为他感激海恩斯，不愿离开她。

5. What can be inferred about Hines?

我们能从海因斯身上推断出什么?

C. She was a woman of ability and determination.

她是一个有能力、有决心的女人。

UNIT 10

Look Great for Free

免费看起来很棒

（1）Michael and Susan can’t even buy a pair of shoes these days without being recognized. Since they appeared on the TV show “Extreme Makeover” earlier this month, undergoing $300,000 worth of plastic surgery and then marrying each other at the Disney World Wedding Pavilion, the couple have become minor celebrities. But three months ago, their life was quite different.

迈克尔和苏珊现在买双鞋都会被认出来。自从本月初他们上了电视节目《大变身》(Extreme Makeover)，接受了价值30万美元的整容手术，然后在迪士尼世界婚礼馆举行婚礼后，这对夫妇就成了小明星。但三个月前，他们的生活完全不同。

（2）In their apartment on Valentine’s Day, the couple explained how and why they decided to join their wedding day with the remodeling of their bodies, and why they decided to do it on national television. As much as they loved each other for what was inside, both were unhappy with their own looks. They felt they suffered when others judged them on their appearances. After losing more than 100 pounds, Susan, a 42-year-old drama teacher at a high school, was embarrassed by excess skin on her stomach. Michael said he had always hated his nose, calling it big and beak-like. Both were looking into the costs of plastic surgery, but learned they would have to save up for a long time to have one or two procedures. They agreed to apply for an appearance on “Extreme Makeover,” a reality television show that pays for participants to have extensive plastic surgery and broadcasts their experiences. After they were accepted for the show, Michael privately told producers he would ask Susan to marry him in the live broadcast.

情人节那天，这对夫妇在他们的公寓里解释了他们是如何以及为什么决定在重塑自己的身体参加婚礼，以及为什么他们决定在国家电视台上做这件事。尽管他们很爱对方的内在，但他们都对自己的外表不满意。当别人对他们的外表评头论足时，他们觉得自己很痛苦。42岁的苏珊是一所高中的戏剧老师，在减掉100多磅后，她因为腹部多余的皮肤而感到尴尬。迈克尔说他一直讨厌自己的鼻子，说它又大又像嘴。两人调查了整形手术的费用，但得知他们要攒很长时间才能做一两次整形手术。他们同意申请参加电视真人秀节目《极致改头换面》(Extreme Makeover)，该节目出钱让参与者做大量整形手术，并播放他们的经历。在他们被接受参加节目后，迈克尔私下告诉制片人，他会在直播中向苏珊求婚。

 （3）They parted for nearly two months because of operations and workouts. They would not see each other again until their wedding ceremony. Then the two would appear looking dramatically different. Susan said that while it was hard not to see Michael for seven weeks, the wait enhanced her anticipation of the big day. “There’s something very romantic and old-fashioned about being separated from your spouse until the wedding day,” Susan said.

因为手术和训练，他们分开了近两个月。直到他们举行婚礼，他们才再次见面。然后两者看起来就会截然不同。苏珊说，虽然七周不见迈克尔很难受，但等待增强了她对这个大日子的期待。苏珊说:“在结婚前和配偶分开是一件非常浪漫和传统的事情。”

 （4）Doctors completed Michael’s surgeries in a single, eight-hour session. Meanwhile, Susan spent three days under the knife. While they were healing from the operations, the pair made wedding plans and stuck to a strict physical exercise plan at the gym. “Extreme Makeover” taped everything – Michael shopping for a wedding ring, Susan shopping for a wedding dress with the bandages still on her stomach.

医生们只花了8个小时就完成了迈克尔的手术。与此同时，苏珊动了三天的手术。在手术恢复期间，这对夫妇制定了婚礼计划，并在健身房坚持严格的体育锻炼计划。“极致改造”录下了一切——迈克尔去买结婚戒指，苏珊在肚子上绑着绷带的时候去买婚纱。

（5）The whirlwind ended with a December wedding in Disney World, decorated with $25,000 worth of red roses. About 100 family members and friends came, and there were 10 bridesmaids and groomsmen. Michael showed off his new look, to a cheering and baffled wedding audience, before Susan walked down the aisle. Those gathered gasped when Michael lifted her bridal veil.

这场事件以去年12月在迪士尼世界举行的婚礼而告终，婚礼上装饰着价值2.5万美元的红玫瑰。大约有100名家庭成员和朋友来了，还有10名伴娘和伴郎。在苏珊走上红毯之前，迈克尔向欢呼和等待着的婚礼观众展示了他的新造型。当迈克尔掀开新娘的面纱时，在场的人都倒吸了一口气。

（6）ABC paid for the wedding, the wedding dress, the plastic surgery, the doctor appointments, and room and board costs. Michael estimated the final cost was more than $1 million. “The whole thing was an adventure,” said Michael. “We don’t get enough adventures in life, and it totally enhanced the wedding experience for me.”

美国广播公司支付了婚礼、婚纱、整形手术、预约医生以及食宿费。迈克尔估计最终花费超过100万美元。“整件事就是一次冒险”，迈克尔说。“我们在生活中没有足够的冒险，这次整容完全提升了我的婚礼体验。”

（7） Neither have regrets about the operations or the wedding, or being shown on television in their underwear undergoing plastic surgery. Indeed, they hope their story is an inspiration to others.

对于手术和婚礼，或者穿着内衣在电视上接受整形手术，他们都没有后悔。事实上，他们希望自己的故事能激励他人。

判断：

1、Michael and Susan were lucky enough to appear on the TV show “Extreme Makeover” and were able to hold their wedding ceremony at Disney World and to have it broadcast on TV.  （T）

迈克尔和苏珊很幸运地出现在电视节目“极端改造”中，并能够在迪士尼世界举行他们的婚礼，并在电视上播放。

2、As both Michael and Susan were unsatisfied with each other’s physical appearances, they decided to undergo cosmetic surgery. （F）  不是互相，是对自己不满意

由于迈克尔和苏珊对彼此的外表都不满意，他们决定做整容手术。

3、Susan, a middle-aged high school teacher, was upset by the excess skin on her stomach resulting from her loss of weight.（T）

苏珊是一名中年高中教师，她因体重减轻而腹部赘肉而苦恼。

4、The couple could not afford the high cost of the surgery and turned to “Extreme Makeover” for help to realize their dream.（T）

这对夫妇无法承担高昂的手术费用，于是求助于“极致改造”来实现他们的梦想。

5、Michael’s surgery lasted several days, much longer than that of Susan.（F）迈克8小时，苏珊3天

迈克尔的手术持续了好几天，比苏珊的手术时间长得多。

6、During their recovery from surgery, the couple were allowed only once to see what the other looked like. （F）7周没见过面

在手术恢复期间，这对夫妇只被允许看一次对方的样子。

7、During and after the operations, Michael and Susan were not allowed to meet until their wedding day.（T）

手术期间和手术后，迈克尔和苏珊在结婚前都不允许见面。

8、About 100 family members and friends attended their wedding ceremony held at Disney World. The red roses alone cost $25,000.（T）

大约100名家庭成员和朋友参加了他们在迪士尼世界举行的婚礼。光是红玫瑰就花了2.5万美元。

9、Michael estimated that their surgical operation cost more than $1 million, far beyond the original estimate.（F） 手术费用30万，加上其余的费用100万

迈克尔估计他们的手术花费超过100万美元，远远超过了最初的估计。

10、The couple viewed their experience as an adventure and did not regret being shown on television in their underwear while undergoing plastic surgery.（T）

这对夫妇认为他们的经历是一次冒险，他们并不后悔穿着内衣在电视上做整形手术。

UNIT 13 

Man vs. Machine

挑战人工智能

（1）November 18, 2003, New York City. I stayed home to watch the final game of the man vs. machine epic: Garry Kasparov vs. X3D Fritz. One is the renowned world chess champion and the other the best computer chess program in the world.

2003年11月18日，纽约。我待在家里观看了人机大战的决赛:加里·卡斯帕罗夫对阵X3D弗里茨。一个是世界著名的国际象棋冠军，另一个是世界上最好的计算机国际象棋程序。

（2）To most folks, all of this man vs. computer stuff is anticlimax. After all, the barrier was broken in 1997 when man was beaten. Kasparov lost to Deep Blue in a match that was truly frightening, frightening not because the computer won, but because of how it won, making moves of subtlety. And subtlety makes you think that machines will achieve consciousness.

对大多数人来说，所有这些人机大战的东西都是令人扫兴的结尾。毕竟，在1997年，当人类被打败的时候，这个障碍就被打破了。卡斯帕罗夫在一场真正令人恐惧的比赛中输给了“深蓝”，这种恐惧不是因为计算机赢了，而是因为它的获胜方式，它采取了微妙的行动，会让你觉得机器有意识

（3）That’s the bad news. In the meantime, the good news is that the latest man-machine chess matches are reasons for some relief.

这是坏消息。与此同时，好消息是最新的人机象棋比赛让人们松了一口气。

（4） We assume that as computers get better, they are going to pull away from us, beating us more and more easily, particularly in such logical exercises as chess. Not so. Since 1997 machines have gotten so much stronger that even off-the-shelf ones now routinely massacre the ordinary player. But the great players are learning to adapt. Genius is keeping up.

我们想当然地认为，随着计算机变得越来越好，它们将会超越我们，越来越容易击败我们，特别是在国际象棋这样的逻辑练习中。但事实不是这样的。自1997年以来，机器变得越来越强大，以至于现在即使是现成的机器也经常打败普通玩家。但优秀的玩家正在学习适应，天才就是要迎头赶上。

（5）Given Moore’s Law, that is, computers double in power every 18 months, you would have expected that six years after Deep Blue’s epic victory, humans would be helpless. In fact, they are not. Earlier this year, Kasparov played a match against Deep Junior and drew. And his four-game match with Fritz, the strongest chess program in the world, ended dead even: two draws and a win each.

根据摩尔定律(Moore’s Law)，即计算机的能力每18个月翻一番，你可能会认为，在“深蓝”取得史诗般胜利的6年后，人类将会束手无策。事实上并不是。今年早些时候，卡斯帕罗夫与Deep Junior进行了一场比赛，打成平局。他与世界上最强的国际象棋程序弗里茨的四局比赛以平局告终:两平一胜。

 （6）Interestingly, in each game that was won, the loser was true to his nature. Kasparov lost Game 2 because, being human, he made a tactical error. Computers do not. When it comes to tactics, they play like God. Make one error, just one, and you’re toast.

有趣的是，在每一场获胜的比赛中，输家的原因都是由于自己的本性。卡斯帕罗夫输掉了第二场比赛，因为他是人，犯了一个战术错误。电脑没有。说到战术时，计算机就像上帝一样。犯一个错误，就一个，你就完蛋了。

（7）In Game 3 the computer lost because, being a computer, it has (for now) no imagination. Computers can outplay just about any human when the field is open, the pieces have mobility and there are millions of possible tactical combinations. Kasparov therefore steered Game 3 into a position that was utterly static – a line of immobile pawns cutting across the board like the trenches of the First World War.

在第三场比赛中，计算机输了，因为作为一台计算机，它(目前)没有想象力。当棋局开放时，电脑几乎可以击败任何人类，棋子具有机动性，有数百万种可能的战术组合。因此，卡斯帕罗夫将第三局控制在一个完全静止的位置 —— 一排静止的棋子横亘在棋盘上，就像第一次世界大战的战壕。

（8）Neither side could cross into enemy territory. Therefore there was nothing that Fritz could do. It can see 20 moves deep, but even that foresight yielded absolutely no plan of action. Like a World War I general, Fritz began pacing up and down behind its lines.

双方都不能越境进入敌方领土。因此，弗里茨什么也做不了。它可以看到20步棋的移动，但即使是这样的远见也绝对没有产生任何行动计划。像第一次世界大战的将军一样，弗里茨开始在防线后面来回踱步。

（9）Kasparov, on the other hand, had a deep strategic plan. Quietly and methodically, he used the bit of space he had on one side of the board to align his pieces, preparing for the push of a single pawn down the flank to queen – and won.

另一方面，卡斯帕罗夫有一个深远的战略计划。他安静而有条理地利用棋盘一侧的一点空间排列棋子，准备把一个兵从侧翼推到皇后——并且赢了。

（10）Meanwhile, Fritz was reduced to shuffling pieces back and forth. At one point, it moved its bishop one square and then back again on the next move. No human would ever do that. Not just because it is a waste of two moves. It is simply too humiliating. It is an open declaration to your opponent that you have no idea what you’re doing.

与此同时，弗里茨只能来回地拖着棋子。在某一时刻，它把它的主教移动了一个方格，然后在下一个方格中又移动了回来。没有人会这么做。不仅仅因为这是浪费了两步。这简直太丢人了。这是向你的对手公开宣布你不知道自己在做什么。

（11）In the meantime, Kasparov is showing that while we can’t outcalculate machines, we can still outsmart them. It even appears that we will be able to hold our own for a while. That’s victory enough. For now.

与此同时，卡斯帕罗夫向我们展示了，虽然我们无法在计算上胜过机器，但我们仍然可以在智力能力上胜过它们。甚至看起来我们还能坚持一段时间。这是一个眼下的胜利了。

Questions

问题
1. What is the bad news from the speaker’s point of view?

从讲述者的角度来看，坏消息是什么？

A. Machines are developing so fast that they will achieve consciousness.

机器发展得如此之快，以至于它们会有意识。

————————————————

2. What is the good news according to the speaker?

根据讲述者所说的好消息是什么?

C. Man is not totally a loser, as the latest man-machine chess matches show.

正如最新的人机象棋比赛所显示的那样，人类并不完全是失败者。

—————————————
3. How did the speaker feel about the good performance of computers in recent years?

讲述者如何看待近年来计算机的良好性能？

D. Concerned but optimistic

关注但保持乐观

—————————————
4. What was the outcome of this epic chess contest?

这场史诗级的国际象棋比赛的结果如何？

B. Two draws and a win for each player.

两平一胜

—————————————
5. What was the speaker’s attitude toward this man vs. machine contest?

讲述者对这场人机大战的态度是什么？

C. On the whole, he was satisfied with the result.

总的说来，他对结果很满意。