上海交通大学附中2015-2016学年高一英语下册期中考试题

上海交通大学附属中学2015-2016学年度第二学期高一英语期中试卷（满分150分，130分钟完成，答案一律写在网上阅卷答题纸上）第I卷I.Listeningcomprehension(30%)SectionADirections:InSectionA,youwillheartenshortconversationsbetweentwospeakers.Attheendofeachconversation,aquestionwillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Theconversationsandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaconversationandthequestionaboutit,readthefourpossibleanswersonyourpaper,anddecidewhichoneisthebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.1. A.Husbandandwife. B.Doctorandpatient. C.Teacherandstudents. D.Repairmanandcustomer.2. A.5:15 B.5:30 C.5:45 D.6:003. A.It’sTuesday. B.It’sThursday. C.It’sFriday. D.It’sSaturday.4. A.Shewon’ttakepartinthepartytomorrow. B.Hersisterisactuallyarudeperson. C.Theyshouldhaveinvitedherearlier. D.Shewondersifshecanbringsomeonetotheparty.5. A.Hewillbuytheapartment. B.Hewillbuyabetterapartment. C.Hewillselltheapartmenttothewoman. D.He’dliketofindacheaperapartment.6. A.TakingMarytoJapanfordinner. B.TakingMarytoJapaneseGarden. C.TakingMarytotheKoreanrestaurant. D.TakingheroutinsteadofMary.7. A.Bygoingonadiet. B.Bydoingphysicalexercise. C.Byhavingfewermeals. D.Byeatingfruitandvegetables.8. A.It’sthecheapestshoppingmallnearby. B.It’sthewoman’sfavouriteshoppingmall. C.Itsoldout50%ofthegoodslastweekend. D.Thegoodswereonsaletherelastweekend.9. A.Jonathanwaswellknownduringhischildhood. B.Jonathanwaspopularwithyoungmoviestars. C.Jonathanwrotesomestoriesaboutamoviestar. D.Jonathanmademoviesbecauseofhisunusualchildhood.10. A.Thewomandoesn’tagreewiththeman. B.Drunkdrivingcausesmanyaccidentsontheroad. C.Mostpeoplekilledintheaccidentsareheavydrinkers. D.Peopleshouldbecarefulwiththetrafficwhencrossingtheroad.SectionBDirections:InSectionB,youwillheartwoshortpassages,andyouwillbeaskedthreequestionsoneachofthepassages.Thepassageswillbereadtwice,butthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Whenyouhearaquestion,readthefourpossibleanswersonyourpaperanddecidewhichonewouldbethebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.Questions11through13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.11. A.In1889. B.In1854. C.In1900. D.In2004.12. A.Volleyball. B.Surfing. C.Basketball. D.Skiing.13. A.MajorsportsatUniversityofMelbourne,Australia. B.Reasonswhymanyyoungpeoplewanttostudyaboard. C.ThehistoryoftheUniversityofMelbourne,Australia. D.AbriefintroductionoftheUniversityofMelbourne.Questions14through16arebasedonthefollowingpassage.14. A.ThesurfaceofEarthwillberisingwiththetemperature. B.Animalsandplantswillbemadetomovetowarmerplaces. C.Birdsaregoingtostarttheirtravellaterintheyear. D.Manykindsofwildlifewillhavetogiveuptheirnativeenvironments.15. A.Treefloweringistakingplaceearlierthanbefore. B.Thescientistswarnthatsomecreaturescouldbecomeextinct. C.Environmentaldamageandlocallossesofwildlifeleadtoclimatechanges. D.Plantsandanimalshavealwayshadtorespondtothechangingenvironments.16. A.Therewere99kindsofbirds,insectsandplantsinAmericaandEurope. B.Onaverage,theareahasmovednorthby16kilometerseverytenyears. C.Theseexaminedplantsandanimalssurvivedthechangesbymovingnorth. D.InEurope,somebutterfliesnowmove100kilometerstothesouth.SectionCDirections:InSectionC,youwillheartwolongerconversations.Theconversationswillbereadtwice.Afteryouheareachconversation,youarerequiredtofillinthenumberedblankswiththeinformationyouhaveheard.Writeyouranswersonyouranswersheet.Blanks17through20arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Completetheform.WriteONEWORDforeachanswer.RecipeforChocolateCookies▲mixtogether2cupsof__17__andateaspoonofbakingsoda▲addateaspoonofsalt▲mixtogetheracupofbutterandacupofsugarina__18__bowl▲add2eggsand__19__allthethings▲slowlymixinacupofchocolateandacupofnuts▲formlittlecookiesfromthemixture▲bakefor8minutesat__20__degreescentigradeBlanks21through24arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Completetheform.WriteNOMORETHANTHREEWORDSforeachanswer.Whatisazipcodeusedfor?It’susedfor__21__.Whatisanareacodeusedfor?It’susedformaking__22__phonecalls.Wheredoestheboywritethezipcode?Hewritesit__23__Howmanyareacodesdoesastatehave?It__24__thenumberoftelephones.=2\*ROMANII.GrammarandVocabulary（20+16+10%）SectionADirections:BeneatheachofthefollowingsentencestherearefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheoneanswerthatbestcompletesthesentence.25.Americacannotunderstanditsownhistory________theAfrican-AmericanexperienceisacceptedasacentralfactorinshapingwhoweareandwhatwehavebecomeasAmericans. A.when B.onconditionthat C.unless D.incase26.UntilAlicetoldmethatastonishingsecret________. A.Ididn’thaveanyideawhathadhappenedtoourcompany. B.didIhavenoideawhathadhappenedtoourcompany. C.didn’tIhaveanyideawhathadhappenedtoourcompany. D.hadInoideawhathadhappenedtoourcompany.27.________isoftenthecasewithallfriendship,ahusbandandwifeneedtoshareactivitiestogivethemcontinuingcommoninterests.________atthesametimetheymustspendenoughtimeonseparateintereststodeveloptheirseparatepersonalitiesandkeeptheirrelationshipfresh. A.As…While B.Such…But C.As…But D.Such…Although28.Diamondissopreciousatreasure________manyladieswanttoown________itmaycost. A.what…however B.as…whatever C.that…whatever D.for…nomatterwhat29.Hardly________thepuzzle________itcombineswithseveralhardest-everquestionsmenhaveeverknown. A.caneverybodysolve…although B.anybodycansolve…inthat C.hadeverybodysolved…when D.cannobodysolve…since30.________,andsecondslater,________,withtearsrollingineyes. A.Fromthebackoftheclassroomburstaroaroflaughter…outthelittlegirlrushed B.Fromthebackoftheclassroomdidaroaroflaughterburst…outrushedshe C.Fromthebackoftheclassroomburstaroaroflaughter…outrushedthelittlegirl D.Fromthebackoftheclassroomdidaroaroflaughterburst…outsherushed31.–Ihearditwassevenyears________heestablishedhisowncompany.–Right.Itwas________hedidalargequantityofresearches________costhimsomuchtime. A.before…as…which B.since…that…that C.since…since…that D.before…because…which32.Lastnight,Iwaspackingmybagandtextingamessagetomyboss________Iheardthecryforhelpfromoutsidetheoffice. A.when B.as C.before D.while33.________otherssaystome,itisdefinitelymygreatpleasuretodo________youaskmeto. A.Nomatterwhat…nomatterwhat B.Nomatterwhat…whatever C.Whichever…whatever D.Whatever…nomatterwhat34.Putamark________youhaveaquestionsothatyouwon’tforgettoask________youopenthebook. A.atwhere…nexttime B.attheplacewhere…nexttimewhen C.where…nexttime D.wherever…nexttimewhen35.Thatmultinationalcompanyisadoptinganaggressiveexpandingstrategy,withtheresultthatithasrecruited________intheyearof2015astheydidtwoyearsago. A.threetimesasmanynewemployees B.threetimesmanynewemployees C.threetimesasmanyasnewemployees D.threetimesmorenewemployeesthan36.Handsome________Shawnis,________manystudentsholdthebeliefthathecanbemorehandsome________helosesalittleweight. A.though…but…ifonly B.as…/…ifonly C.though…/…onlyif D.as…but…onlyif37.–Iprobablylostmywalletsomewhere!–Canitbeinthebiologylab________Dr.Petersondidalltheexperiments? A.where B.that C.which D.when38.________thecomplexityoftheworkthathadbeenassignedtothemonsuchashortnotice,theydidareallygoodjob,sothemanagerwasconvincedthat________moretime,theywouldhavedoneabetterjob. A.Given…given B.Giving…giving C.Considering…beinggiven D.Inlightof…togive39.In1965,itwasthefirsttimethatAfrican-AmericansinUSA________tovote,whileahigherpercentageofblacksthanwhitesvotedinapresidentialelection________inhistoryin2012. A.hadhadtheright…thefirsttime B.hadhadtheright…forthefirsttime C.hadtheright…forthefirsttime D.hadtheright…thefirsttime40.“Excuseme,”hesaid,withmoredignitythanIwouldhavethought________hisappearance.A.itpossibletoconsider B.possibleconsidering C.itpossibleconsidering D.possibletoconsider41.Inthisrestauranthefoundnodishescompletelytohis________. A.tongue B.mouth C.taste D.style42.BecauseAmericansemphasizeindependence,youngpeopleareexpectedto________theirparentalfamiliesbythetimetheyhavereachedtheirearlytwenties,butthatdoesn'tmean________relationswiththeirfamilies.A.breakoff,breakingoff B.breakup,breakingdownC.breakthrough,breakingup D.breakawayfrom,breakingoff43.Havingdonewhateverhecanandpreparedwellfortheexam,hesteppedintotheexamhall________. A.purposely B.purposefully C.intentionally D.withintention44.Wordcamethattheneedy________warmlywelcomedbythoselocalcommunitiesandtomysurprise,Ifounditwasindeedthe________. A.were…matter B.was…matter C.were…case D.was…caseSectionBDirections:Afterreadingthepassagesbelow,fillintheblankstomakethepassagescoherentandgrammaticallycorrect.Fortheblankswithagivenword,fillineachblankwiththeproperformofthegivenword;fortheotherblanks,useonewordthatbestfitseachblank.(A) OnSept.6theChineseHealthMinistryissueda41setofguidelines.Thetopic?TechnicalGuidelinesonInterventionWhenanOldPersonHasFallenDown. Sowhat'sawitnesstoafallenelderlycitizeninChina(45)___________(do)?Lotsofbasicmedicaladvice(46)___________(contain)intheguide.ButtheHealthMinistry'shandbookalsotellsbystanders“nottohelpthemupinahurry,(47)___________toobserveandinquireabouttheirhealthconditionsfirstandthenactaccordingly.” Actually,helpinghandscanbeuncommoninChinaandyoumighthavereadalotabout(48)___________itishappening.SomepeopleblamethecorrosiveeffectsofaflawedideologyinChina.ButtherealsomaybealegalobstacletoGoodPersoninstincts,accordingtolocalmedia.“Thegovernmentshouldfocusonre-establishingsocialtrust(49)___________thetoppriorityafteraseriesofcasesacrossthecountrywherepeople(50)___________(try)tohelpthosewhowereintroubleorsomethingwereinsteadwronglyaccusedofcausingtheaccident,”wrotethe

Shanghai

Daily.Itthenreferredtoanotoriouscasein“Nanjingin2006,whenPengYuhelpedanoldwomanupaftershefellnearabusstop,butshethenaccusedPengofpushingherdown.AcourtruledinherfavorandPengwasorderedtopay40,000yuancompensation.”Apollbythe

People'sDaily,foundthatnearly90%of2,425people(51)___________(survey)onlinewouldrefusetohelpanelderlypersonwhohadfallendown,(52)___________theyshouldbetrappedinlegalhotwater.(B)HowtoGrowOld Someoldpeopleareoppressedbythefearofdeath.Intheyoungthereisajustificationforthisfeeling.Youngmenwhohavereasontofearthattheywillbekilledinbattle(53)___________justifiablyfeelbitterinthethoughtthattheyhavelostthebestthingsthatlifehastooffer.Butinanoldmanwhohasknownhumanjoysandsorrows,and(54)___________(achieve)everything,thefearofdeathissomewhatshameful.Thebestway(55)___________(overcome)it--soatleastitseemstome--istomakeyourinterestsgraduallywiderandmoreimpersonal(超脱个人感情的),(56)___________bitbybitthewallsoftheego(自我)becomegraduallyweakerandsmaller,andyourlifeisincreasinglycombinedwiththeuniversallife.Anindividualhumanexistenceshouldbelikeariver--smallatfirst,narrowlycontainedwithinitsbanks,and(57)___________(rush)passionatelypastbigrocksandoverwaterfalls.Graduallytherivergrowswider,thebanksmoveaway,thewatersflowmorequietly,andintheend,(58)___________anyvisiblebreak,theybecomemerged(融合)inthesea,andpainlesslylosetheirindividualbeing.Themanwho,inoldage,canseehislifeinthisway,willnotsufferfromthefearofdeath,sincethethingshecaresforwillcontinue.And(59)___________,withthegradualdisappearanceofenergyandenthusiasm,tirednessincreases,thethoughtofrestwillbenotunwelcome.Ishouldwishtodie(60)___________stillatwork,knowingthatotherswillcarryonwhatIcannolongerdo,andsatisfactioninthethoughtthatwhatwaspossiblehasbeendone.

SectionCDirections:Completethefollowingpassagebyusingthewordsinthebox.Eachwordcanonlybeusedonce.Notethatthereisonewordmorethanyouneed.A.strikinglyA.strikingly B.supposing C.critical D.regarding AB.issueAC.practices AD.addressingBC.burden BD.flooding CD.practicalABC.seeminglyAsworldleadersgatheredinBrusselsonMondayforanEuropeanUnion-Turkeysummit(峰会)focusedontherefugee(61)________,journalistsinTurkeystronglycriticizedtheEUfor"turningablindeye"tothecountry'sattemptstoputanendtoitsfreepress.LateFriday,Turkishauthoritiesraided(突袭)thecountry’sleadingnewspaper,Zaman,turningwhathadbeenamediaoutlet(62)________ofthegovernmentintoavirtualstatemouthpiece(喉舌)overnight.Somefightshappenedlater,withpoliceusingtear-gastostopdemonstratorsfromgatheringoutsideZaman’sofficetoprotest.Justthreedayslater,TurkishPrimeMinister

DavutoglushookhandswithEUheadsofstateduringseveraltalks(63)________thehugenumberofmigrantsandrefugeesusingTurkeyasapassingpointtoEurope.ThereseemedtobeonlywhispersofFriday’s(64)________opendisrespectforpressfreedom.TheEUhas

reportedlypromisedTurkey$6billion

tosupport2.7millionSyrianrefugees

currentlylivinginthecountry.WhilehundredsofthousandsofrefugeeshavemadethelongjourneytoEurope,muchofthe(65)________inthelastfiveyearshasbeenplacedonTurkeytosupportthe(66)________endlessflowofmen,womenandchildrenfleeingwar.“ThereisnofreedomofexpressionleftinTurkey."SeveralEUleadersreportedlyspokefranklywithDavutogluaboutrecentworryingevents(67)________

pressfreedominTurkey.AnEUspokespersononSaturdaystressedthatTurkey,asan

EUcandidatecountry,"needstorespectandpromotehighdemocraticstandardsand(68)________,includingfreedomofthemedia.Thepressmustbefreeeverywhere."Butthingsarefarmorecomplicated."TheEUwillactinaccordancewithAnkara’s(安卡拉,土耳其首都)prioritiesandprobablywillnotdothingsagainstitswill(69)________theEUwantsTurkeytowillinglyandactivelycopewiththerefugeeproblem,"saidGulten,anemployeeofToday’sZaman.Hethenadded,"Withtherefugees(70)________inEurope,TurkeyhasbeenusingthatproblemasacardagainstEuropeanleadersinordertosilencethemabouttheviolationsinTurkey."III.ReadingComprehension（15+22+8%）SectionADirections:ForeachblankinthefollowingpassagetherearefourwordsorphrasesmarkedA,B,CandD.Fillineachblankwiththewordorphrasethatbestfitsthecontext. ArnoldAbbotthandedoutfourplatesoffoodtohomelesspeopleinaSouthFloridapark.Thenpolice__71__the90-year-oldfromservingupanotherbite."Anofficersaid,'Dropthat__72__rightnow--likeIhadaweapon,'"Abbottsaid. Abbottandtwopastors(牧师)inFortLauderdale,Florida,were__73__withfeedingthehomelessinpubliconSunday,thecity'sfirstcrackdowns(镇压)underanewban__74__onpublicfoodsharing.Nowtheyfacepossiblejailtimeanda$500__75__,CNNsaid. __76__somecriticismfromhomelessadvocates,cityofficialshavevowedthenewruleswill__77__."Justbecauseofmediaattentionwedon'tstopenforcingthelaw."MayorJackSeilertoldCNN.Healso__78__thelawinaninterviewwiththeSun-Sentinelnewspaper. "I'mnotsatisfiedwithhavingacycleofhomelessinthecityofFortLauderdale,"

Seilersaid."__79__amealforthemandkeepingtheminthatcycleonthestreetisnotproductive."__80__Abbott,whohasbeenhelpingfeedhomelesspeopleintheareathroughhisLoveThyNeighbornonprofitsince1991,saidauthoritiesaretargetingthecity'smost__81__residents."Thesearethepoorestofthepoor.Theyhavenothing.Theydon'thavearoofovertheirhead,"hesaid."Andevidently,whocanthey__82__?" "Thelawthatthecitypassedisridiculous.ThewholethingwasdesignedtoridFortLauderdaleofitshomeless,"Abbottsaid."Policetoldmeanyonewhotouchesapan...anyonewhois__83__,willbearrested."Healsosaidthethreatofchargeswon'tstophimfromdoingitagain."I'mnotafraidofjail.I'mnot__84__it,butifIhavetogodownthere,Iwill,"hesaid. OnWednesday,Abbottsaidhe'dbeatFortLauderdaleBeach,readyto__85__anothermeal.71.A.allowed B.stopped C.criticized D.suspected72.A.gun B.bomb C.plate D.sample73.A.charged B.accused C.blamed D.arrested74.A.aimed B.lifted C.imposed D.held 75.A.punishment B.fine C.sting D.suspicion76.A.Although B.Dueto C.When D.Despite77.A.takeup B.takeover C.takeeffect D.takein78.A.declared B.justified C.proved D.offended79.A.Giving B.Supplying C.Offering D.Providing80.A.But B.However C.Moreover D.So81.A.privileged B.disadvantaged C.invulnerable D.affluent82.A.turnaway B.turnup C.turnto D.turndown83.A.contained B.included C.involved D.participated84.A.lookingon B.lookingforwardto C.lookingdownon D.lookinginto85.A.reserve B.deserve C.serve D.preserveSectionBDirections:Readthefollowingfourpassages.Eachpassageisfollowedbyseveralquestionsorunfinishedstatements.ForeachofthemtherearefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatfitsbestaccordingtotheinformationgiveninthepassageyouhavejustread.(A)BrighamYoungUniversitystudentscannowreceivetheunconditionalloveofdogswithoutbreakingrulesprohibitingpetsinuniversityhousing.JennaMillerstartedhercompanyPuppiesforRentthissummerintheProvoareaasawayforstudentsandotherstorentpuppiesbythehour.Thepupshavebeenrentedforfirstdatesandsurprisepartiesandbymothersrewardingtheirchildren.Aftersigningacontract,customerscanrentthemfor$15anhour,$25fortwohoursand$10foreachadditionalhour.Milleroffershersevenpuppiesforplaytimerentals,witheachdoghanddeliveredstraighttothecustomers’door.Herlawyerbrotherhelpsherwithlegalcontractsandfees.Shenowhasfouremployeeshelpinglookafteranddelivertheanimal.CarlArky,spokesmanfortheHumaneSocietyofUtahsaidhisgroupisagainstthebusiness.Puppiesneedconsistencyandstabilityintheirlives,hesaid,andrentingthemtovariouspeoplemightaffecttheanimals’growthanddevelopment.Millersaidtheanimalsaretreatedwellandshehasa100percentsuccessratesofarfindingthemapermanenthome.Moneypaidbyrentersgoestowardadoptionfeesiftheydecidetoownapuppy.86.Whichofthefollowingarenotpossiblerentersofthepuppies?A.Younglovers. B.Partyorganizers. C.Mothers. D.Scientificgroupmembers.87.Miller’sbrother’smainresponsibilityisto_____.A.draftcontracts B.deliveranimals C.findadoptionfamilies D.walkdogs88.WhyisCarlindisagreementwiththeservice?A.Becauseplayingwithpetsisharmfultochildren’shealth.B.Becausesomepeoplewillbecrueltotherentedanimals.C.Becauseunstablelivingenvironmentisnotgoodforanimal’sgrowth.D.Becauseitwillprohibitthepuppiesfromfindingapermanenthome.(B)TENANCYAGREEMENTDEFINITIONSTHELANDLORDMrsGloriaBlackof6SuttonRoad,CambridgeCB57AQTHETENANTMarinaKahnPROPERTY24aWoodRoad,CambridgeCB28BGTOGETHERWITHCONTENTS(fixtures,furnitureandequipment)specifiedintheinventory(attached)TERMfrom1stJanuary20___to31stDecember20___(12months)RENT£500percalendarmonth,payableinadvanceonthefirstdayofeachmonthDEPOSIT£500,payableoncommencement(开始)ofthisAgreementAGREEMENTSATheLandlordmayre-enterthePropertyandterminatethisAgreementiftheRentoranypartofitisnotpaidwithinfourteendaysafteritbecomesdue.BTheLandlordmaybringthetenancytoanendatanytimebeforetheexpiryoftheTerm(butnotearlierthansixmonthsfromtheCommencementDateofthisContract)bygivingtheTenantnotlessthantwomonths’writtennoticestartingthattheLandlordrequirespossessionoftheProperty.CTheLandlordshallputthedepositwiththeDepositProtectionService,andshallinformtheTenantwithin14daysoftakingthedepositofthecontactdetailsofthisserviceanddetailsofhowtoapplyforthereleaseofthedepositfromthisservice.TENANT’SOBLIGATIONS1PaytheRentintotheLandlord’sbankaccountatthetimesspecified.2Payforallwater,gasandelectricityconsumedonthePropertyduringtheTerm;andpayinfullforallchargesmadefortheuseoftelephoneonthePropertyduringtheTerm.3KeeptheinteriorofthePropertyduringtheTerminagoodandcleanstateofrepair,conditionanddecoration.4PermittheLandlordtoenterthePropertyatallreasonabletimes;toinspectthePropertyanditscontents;andtocarryoutanyworksofmaintenanceorrepairtotheProperty;toshowprospectivenewTenantsaroundthePropertyattheendofthetenancy.5NottakeinanypayingguestwithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheLandlord.6NotusethePropertyotherthanasaprivatedwelling;norcarryonanyprofession,tradeorbusinessintheProperty.7Notuseanymusicalinstrument,wirelessortelevisionbetweenmidnightand7am,norpermitanysingingordancingbetweenthesehours.8NotkeepinthePropertyanycat,dogorotherpetwithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheLandlord.SIGNATURESTenant: Name(print):MARINAKAHN Signed:MarinaKahnWitnessedby: Name(print):ALICERACE Signed:A.RACEOccupation:SECONDARYSCHOOLTEACHERAddress:16SchoolHouseLane,Cambridge,CB28GHTenant: Name(print):GLORIABLACKSigned:GloriaBlackWitnessedby: Name(print):OLIVELYDIALEE Signed:OliveLLeeOccupation:LibrarianAddress:3FieldheadRoad,PeterboroughPB48DU89.What’sthemonthlyrentoftheproperty?A.£500. B.£575. C.£1000. D.£1500.90.What’sthelandlord’switness?A.Ateacher. B.Alibrarian. C.Ahouseagent. D.Abankclerk.91.Whichofthefollowingisallowedintheproperty?A.WatchingTVatanytime.B.Holdinganall-nightdancingparty.C.Changingitintoabusinessoffice.D.Entertainingfriendswithself-cookedmeals.92.Whichofthefollowingistherightofthelandlord?A.Hecanshownewtenantsaroundthepropertyatanytime.B.Hecantakebackhispropertywithoutanynotice.C.Hecanenterthepropertytoinspectitscontents.D.Hecankeepthedepositforhimself.(C) Sincethe1990scomputershavecontinuallygottenbetteratbeatingusatmanygameslikechess,checkers,andpokers.Butthereisonegameatwhichexperthumanplayerscontinuetodominatemachines:Go(围棋).ButresearchersatGoogleDeepMindannouncedtodaythatthey’vecreatedasophisticatedartificialintelligenceprogramthathasbeatenaGochampionforthefirsttimeinhistory. TounderstandwhattheDeepMindresearchersdidtocreatesuchanimpressiveprogramyoufirsthavetoappreciatewhyGoissuchadifficultgameforcomputers.First,Gohasaridiculousnumberofpossiblemovesandoutcomes—accordingtotheresearchers,therearemorepossiblepositionsinGothanthenumberofatomsintheuniverse. ThereasonwhycomputerhadahardtimewithGo,explainsJonathanSchaeffer,acomputerscientist,isthatGoplayersneedalargepoolofknowledge—pastexperienceswiththegame—todrawfrom.“Inchessacomputercanfollowpreprogrammedrules,butitisnotworkableforGo,becausethegameislargelyaboutpatternsratherthanasetoflogicalrulesthatcanbewrittendown. TheDeepMindteam’ssystemaddressesboththemassivesearchandlackofknowledgeproblems.Inanewly-publishedstudy,theydescribecombiningasearchtechniqueanddeeplearningtoovercometheseobstacles. Tosolvetheknowledgeproblem,theresearchersused“deepneuralnetworks”—two13-layer-deepnetworksthatconsistofmillionsofconnectionsandtrainedthemwithtwomethods:Foronenetwork,theyshowedthecomputermorethan30millionmovesfromgamesplayedbyhumanexpertstohelpthesystemlearnhowthebestplayerswin;andforboth,theresearchershadthecomputerplaythousandsofgameswithitselftodiscovernewstrategiesandlearnthegameonitsown.Thesetwotrainingstrategiesallowedthecomputertorecognizepatternsinthegameandidentifywhatmovesgaveitthebestchanceofwinning. Forthesearchproblem,theresearchersexploitedtheMonteCarloTreeSearchTechnique,whichallowsthesystemtousestatisticstodeterminethebestmove,ratherthanplayouteverypossibleoutcome.ThesearchtechniqueusedbytheDeepMindteamisnotnew.WhatmakesDeepMind’sAlphaGosoadvancedisthewaytheyputtogetherallthetools,alongwiththehighperformanceofthedeepneuralnetworks.“Themainnoveltyisinhowthey’vecombinedthesedifferentingredientstogether—they’veinnovatedindoingthat,”saysYoshua,acomputerscientist. NowAlphaGohasanimmediateproblem:howtobeattheworld’sbestGoplayer,LeeSedol.ThisMarchthetwowillplayeachotherinSeoul,SouthKorea.AndalthoughAlphaGoplayedwellagainstFanHui,SchaefferstillpredictSedolwillwinthematch