Physical exercise is good for our mind, body and spirit. Today, working out(锻炼) through online videos is becoming very popular. We can work out anytime anywhere.

One of my friends, Li Fei, followed short workout videos to do daily exercise. “With live programs, I feel like working out with my friends, which encourages me to hold on to the last minute.” she said. Another friend of mine, Michael, told me that workout videos let him feel so comfortable. “I have a fear of working out at the gym(健身房) because I don’t like being watched by others.” he said.

With their examples, I decided to give it a try. When I told my plan to my elder sister, a P.E. teacher, she reminded me that workout videos could be helpful, (A) ________, it might still carry some problems.

“Without being with someone in person, you will be less willing(愿意的) to work out to your best. Working out at the gym allows you to have advice in real time and get pushed harder.” my sister said to me. “Well, if you really want to have a try. First, choose proper programs or videos. And then ask your friends for advice. Anyway, don’t be addicted(沉迷的) to it. You should try different ways to work out to be healthy.”

At her suggestions, I finally followed an online workout program. I felt it very practical and helpful. Compared with going to the gym, using online videos to work out is a much cheaper and time-saving choice. But it can be difficult sometimes when I’m too lazy or too busy to stick to it.

【推荐2】Close your eyes and imagine you are living in the next two centuries or more. You’ll be living in a world filled with smart robots, which will help you to take care of your children, or your elderly parents in your home. You’ll live much longer thanks to the medicine made by genetic (基因的) science. And mankind may be going farther in space than ever before—you will be living on the Moon or Mars.

How should we view the changes that wait for us in the future? Should we be optimistic (乐观的) about the years ahead, or worried about what the future holds? Some scientists and experts are having a discussion about how technology, science and society will develop in the future.

“I’m looking forward to the day when more technology will come to my life,” says John Searle, a professor at the University of California Berkeley Philosophy, “because I think further research in such areas as genetics, physics, chemistry and medicine will help us to live longer and happier.”

Hugh Herr, at MIT’s Biomechatronics Group, says, “The growing role of technology in our lives is a big problem. Machines taking over what humans do is not a good thing. The long-term future we are building will have no space left for human beings because computers are much better than humans.”

Wearing long robes(长袍) and tall hats, a group of foreigners went on stage and performed Peking Opera and ballads(民谣), as well as spoke Chinese.

You can see scenes like this at the 12th “Chinese bridge”—Chinese Proficiency(能力) Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students. The competition took place in Zhengzhou, Henan on November 2.

More than 120 students, representing 105 countries, gave Chinese speeches and showed off their talent in areas such as kung fu, tai chi and calligraphy(书法).

Mackova Victoria, a 15-year-old girl from Slovakia, performed Wuqinxi at the competition. She imitated the movements of a tiger, deer, hear, ape and bird on stage. “It could help me relax myself and stay fit. The 2,000-year-old exercise is cool, but few people have heard of it. I want more foreign people to appreciate it, as well as appreciate Chinese culture.”

Raissa, 17, from the Union of the Comoros, sang the Chinese song Wish You Safe and Well. “It is also my wish for the people of China and the Comoros,” said Raissa. After doctors on the Chinese medical team in Africa cured her grandmother three years ago, she came to China. “My dream is to study medicine in China so that I could cure patients like the Chinese doctors who treated my grandmother,” said Raissa.

Germole Iacopo from Italy, who has studied Chinese for four years, won as the champion. For him, the competition gave him a chance to communicate with young people all around the world. “We should learn to appreciate each other’s differences,” Germole said.