2017-2018学年第29期总第 646期
Phones show who we are (P4)
江苏省江阴市第一中学 张培弘
Lead-in
 
Pre-reading
By reading the title “Phones show who we are”, what do you think the article is about?
While reading
Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions.
1.What does the phrase in the first paragraph “leave behind a little bit of yourself” mean?
Every time you use your phone, you also reveal personal information about things like your lifestyle and personality. 
2.What are the sentences in the text that have similar meaning to the title?
Smartphones are becoming a mini digital version of the user.
3. What are people’s attitudes toward the wide use of cell phones?
As much as having our phone nearby makes us feel comfortable and connected with the world, some people are worried that we’re also bound by technology.
4. What is the solution suggested by the author to solve the problem?
It’s time to figure out how to make the relationship between ourselves and our phones a more healthy one. After all, good friendships are all about finding the right balance.
1. What do you think the author is going to write next?
How to make the relationship between ourselves and our phones a more healthy one.
2. Please discuss with your group members about the approaches to find the right balance.

Writing
Some people think the wide use of mobile phones causes problems and they should be banned. Inconsiderate use of them can be quite annoying. For example, loud conversations on mobile phones in public interrupt other people. Using mobile phones while driving can also be a distraction for drivers and is a major cause of road injuries.       
The use of mobile phones in public is regarded as annoying as smoking. Since smoking is banned in certain places, shouldn’t mobile phones be banned in certain places as well? 
One possible version
Mobile phones are now a huge part of our everyday lives. Some people say that mobile phones should be banned in public areas, as various problems arise from the use of them. However, I hold a different view. 
Firstly, the important role of mobile phones in modern life cannot be denied. For the majority of users, mobile phones provide an easy and convenient method of communication that nothing else can offer. Compared with letters - which take a couple of days or even weeks to reach the recipient - calls or text messages via mobile phones enable us to stay connected with our social circles in a more efficient way.
Secondly, mobile phones have functions that are of great use, bringing more convenience to as the technology grows. They enable us to pay all kinds of bills or shop online, saving us time to get on with work and life.
      And while smoking is physically harmful to smokers and the people around them, mobile phones can benefit people if they are properly used. Therefore, I do not think it is advisable to ban mobile phones, but guidelines about how to use them in a civilized way should be introduced.
Language focus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homework
1.Summarize the passage in 30 words and polish your composition.
 
2. Review the useful expressions in the text.

Time to control rise of AI (P6)
江苏省南菁高级中学  秦虞

Lead-in
Do you think human beings should be proud or worried about the development of AI? Will it be a blessing or a curse?

While reading
Skimming:
Structure of the article:
Para 1-5: Amazon’s Alexa let out unprompted laughs.
Para 6-9 Opposing opinions concerning AI.
Para 10-12: Hawking’s suggestion of how to control AI.

Scanning
1. What drew the public’s attention to Amazon’s Echo smart speakers recently?
The speakers’ AI, Alexa, scared their users with a seemingly unprompted laugh.

2. What caused Alexa to laugh, according to Amazon?
Amazon said the laugh was triggered by Echo devices mistakenly thinking that users had said the command “Alexa, laugh”.

3. Why did Musk say “With artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon”?
Because he’s worried that some day, AI will take over the world, leaving the fate of humans unknown.

4. What did Hawking advise doing to control AI?
Hawking suggested that best practice and effective management are very important to control AI. He believed that “We simply need to be aware of the dangers, identify them, employ the best possible practice and management, and prepare for its consequences well in advance.” 

Identifying and comparing opinions
1. What is Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee’s opinion of AI?
They believe AI has huge potential in domains that used to be exclusively human, so it will benefit human beings more in the future.

2. In what way do Elon Musk and  Stephen Hawking resemble and differ in their opinions of AI ?
They shared the concern that highly developed AI may pose a threat to human beings. Compared to Musk, Hawking was more optimistic and offered suggestions to avoid negative consequences.

Critical thinking:
Is technology making us less human?
The development of technology blurs the line between man and machine. When we rely on machines to think for us, we become lazy, so our critical thinking and problem-solving skills may be ruined. The best way to make technology work for us is to make use of it to spare us more time and energy to engage in higher-level activities, rather than be controlled by machines. 

Language focus
1. However, ever since the earliest days of AI, there have been concerns that some day, software will take over the world, leaving the fate of humans unknown.
concern:
n. 焦虑；担心：There is growing concern that AI will pose a threat to human civilization.n. 对某人来说最关心或最感兴趣的事：What’s your main concern as a writer?
v.与……有关；涉及Don’t interfere in what doesn’t concern you.
concerned: adj. 有关的；担心的 Concerned parents held a meeting.
concerning: prep. 关于；有关
Concerning his proposal, there are pros and cons.

2. I am an optimist and I believe that we can create AI for the good of the world
optimist : n. 乐观者
Only an optimist would expect the decision to be implemented without a struggle. 
adj. optimistic乐观的
Ant. pessimist n.悲观主义者  pessimistic adj. 悲观的

Homework
Read Frankenstein and explore the themes of the novel.