1 . “Barefoot Mike” gets a lot of attention when he shows up at the beginning of a race. He loves to run and has been running since he was a kid. He loves to and often competes in 10K races. But That’s not the reason he gets so much attention. People notice him because when he runs, “Barefoot Mike” runs barefoot.
Running barefoot has become a huge trend in the world of running. “I didn’t set out to be a trend setter,” laughed “Barefoot Mike”, otherwise known as Mike Whitaker. “I’ve always been a runner, but until a few years ago, I always wore shoes. Then one day I was running after a rainstorm. I stepped off into the grass to avoid a puddle (水坑) on the sidewalk, and accidentally stepped into a huge muddy puddle that had been hidden in the grass. I tried to keep running, but the wet and dirty shoe made it really hard. I figured the best solution was to just get rid of the shoes.”
Mike took off his shoes and dropped them into the nearest trash can. “Then I started running. At first I went really slowly because I was watching out for rocks or other things that could hurt my feet, but there really weren’t any problems.” He started going faster. “It felt so good!” Mike said. “My knee, which always ached, didn’t ache. My foot was able to spread out so I had better balance. And my feet didn’t feel all hot and sweaty. It was awesome!”
“There are actually potential health benefits to running barefoot” said Dr. Nancy Bower, a podiatrist (足科医师).
A recent study agrees. A team of researchers recently videotaped several people running—first wearing shoes and then barefoot. In almost every case, when wearing shoes, the runners tended to land on the heel of their foot, which they call “heel-striking.” Many runners have impact injuries such as knee pain. Heel-striking may be the cause of these injuries or may make an existing injury worse. When running barefoot, the runners tended to land on the middle part of the foot. The force is spread out throughout the foot. The ankle, shin (胫部), knee and hip don’t get the shock of a hard landing with every step.
1. Why does Mike receive a lot of attention while running?| A．Because he runs very fast. | B．Because he loses his shoes. |
| C．Because he wears no shoes. | D．Because he wears strange clothes. |
| A．He liked running barefoot. |
| B．He was advised to run barefoot. |
| C．His shoe became very uncomfortable. |
| D．His dream of becoming famous motivated him. |
| A．was very tired | B．was badly hurt |
| C．gave up running | D．felt unexpectedly great |
| A．is bad for one’s health |
| B．is caused by existing injuries |
| C．happens when one runs barefoot |
| D．can be avoided by wearing sports shoes |
| A．How to choose shoes. | B．Why people need shoes. |
| C．Useful tips on running barefoot. | D．The advantages of running barefoot. |
2 . Riding through the World
Ready to ride? The Hershey Harrisburg Region offers a variety of scenic pathways and rugged (崎岖的) trails for all skill levels in any season.
Stony Valley Rail TrollEnjoy 19 miles of family-friendly trail near Dauphin, PA. This peaceful trek through Stony Valley is part of the second largest roadless wilderness tract of land of Pennsylvania.
Trails: 1 Trail length: 19. 2 miles
Trail type: primitive Difficulty: easy
Average time: 2. 5 hrs Average trail grade: 1 degree
Capital Area GreenbeltEnjoy 21 miles of beautiful scenery, historic architecture, and magnificent views of the river and Pennsylvania Capitol complex. Combining urban, wooded, and paved trails, the Greenbelt Trail System is also popular for hikes, walks and recreational biking.
Trails: 5 Trail length: 21. 89 miles
Trail type: paved and primitive Difficulty: easy to moderate
Average time: 3. 5 hrs Average trail grade: 1. 5 degrees
Hershey Medical Center TrollTen miles of new trails wind their way through the Pean State University at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Campus. The trails are divided into two sections, with one side geared toward more challenging sides and the other hosting more: open and flowing pathways.
Trails: 10 Trail length: 9. 7 miles
Trail type: paved and primitive Difficulty: moderate
Average time: 1. 5 hrs Average trail grade: 2 degrees
Rattling Creek Troll SystemExpert riders looking for a challenging track with varied terrain (地形) will love this trail. The Rattling Creek trail network covers over 20 miles of rugged singletrack terrain, as well as miles of tamer gravel (砾石) forest roads. The trail network comprises trails in the Weiser State Forest and in Lykens Borough.
Trails: 15 Trail length: 22. 3 miles
Trail typo: primitive and rocky Difficulty: difficult
Average time: 3. 5 hrs Average trail grade: 3 degrees
1. Which of the following trails is the most suitable for family cycling?| A．Stony Valley Rail Trail | B．Capital Area Greenbelt |
| C．Hershey Medical Center Trail | D．Rattling Creek Trail System |
| A．Roadless wilderness. | B．Stunning views of a lake. |
| C．Skyscrapers and towers. | D．Buildings with a long history. |
| A．Both are 21 miles long. | B．Both are easy for riders. |
| C．Both are paved and primitive. | D．Both are divided into two sections. |
| A．Experienced riders. | B．Someone new to cycling. |
| C．Those who love urban views. | D．Those who want to relax themselves. |
| A．In a textbook | B．In an outdoor program brochure. |
| C．In a sportswear advertisement | D．In a gym notice. |
3 . The family of a gifted chess player living in London has been given the right to stay in Britain because of his “world-class talent”.
Nine-year-old Shreyas Royal had to leave the country with his parents when his father’s work visa (签证) couldn’t be used next month, the UK Press Association (PA) reported.
In a post (帖子) on his Facebook page Friday, Shreyas celebrated the news that they could now stay, saying it was a “deep pleasure for all of us”. “I would like to say a big thank-you to each and everyone from the bottom of my heart!” he wrote.
Shreyas, who plays for Battersea Chess Club, was born in India but moved to Britain when he was three years old after his father, an IT project manager, was offered a job there, according to PA.
The Home Office said the boy’s father, Jitendra Singh, had been given permission to ask for another five-year work visa without leaving the United Kingdom due to Shreyas’ talent, according to PA.
“After much research, I have taken the personal decision to allow Shreyas and his family to stay in the UK,” Home Secretary Sajid Javid said. “The UK is a country that brings up world-class talent and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players in his generation (代).”
Battersea Chess Club, which was established in 1885, welcomed the Home Office’s decision in a statement on its website.
“Shreyas is a very nice, down-to-earth young man who has a big future ahead of him on the world stage hopefully representing England,” said club secretary Leon Watson. “We strongly believe he will make us proud. We wish him every success going forward. In 10 years’ time we hope he’ll be a famous name as England’s first world champion.”
In a Facebook post on Monday, Shreyas announced that following his performance at the British Chess Championship he was now ranked second in the world for his age group.
1. What led to the special treatment of Shreyas Royal’s family?| A．Sajid Javid’s help. | B．Leon Watson’s support. |
| C．Jitendra Singh’s requirement. | D．Shreyas Royal’s special talent. |
| A．Thankful. | B．Surprised. | C．Confused. | D．Regretful. |
| A．For about three years. | B．For about six years. |
| C．For about nine years. | D．For about ten years. |
| A．Very interested. | B．A little worried. |
| C．Very confident. | D．A little doubtful. |
| A．He has moved to India now. |
| B．He does well at school too. |
| C．He has achieved fame in playing chess internationally. |
| D．He moved to England to learn to play chess. |
4 . I’ve been a professional athletic trainer for about 16 years. And I’ve worked with a range of athletes from high school students to those of the
Recently, as I’ve been seeing the videos of Kobe’s dunking (扣篮) and people’s
I was once invited to Las Vegas to help
On the night before the first scrimmage (分组对抗赛). I suddenly heard my cell ring. It turned out to be Kobe. I nervously
When I arrived at the main practice room, I saw Kobe being there alone, drenched (湿透的) in
I was expected to be at the practice room at about 11 am. I woke up feeling
Many stories about his
| A．average | B．academic | C．consistent | D．professional |
| A．influence | B．mercy | C．reflection | D．congratulation |
| A．share | B．print | C．read | D．polish |
| A．organize | B．train | C．interview | D．photograph |
| A．negotiation | B．competition | C．interaction | D．consultation |
| A．address | B．account | C．instruction | D．number |
| A．turned up | B．picked up | C．caught up | D．hung up |
| A．checked | B．wound | C．fixed | D．adjusted |
| A．admitted | B．hesitated | C．agreed | D．refused |
| A．sweat | B．tears | C．rain | D．blood |
| A．focus | B．speed | C．strength | D．balance |
| A．repeated | B．parted | C．changed | D．returned |
| A．rest | B．assist | C．defend | D．shoot |
| A．worn out | B．held back | C．calmed down | D．followed up |
| A．grateful | B．fearful | C．sleepy | D．confident |
| A．vaguely | B．vividly | C．gradually | D．barely |
| A．practicing | B．complaining | C．calling | D．searching |
| A．excuse | B．case | C．reason | D．surprise |
| A．independent | B．outstanding | C．expensive | D．optimistic |
| A．ambition | B．generosity | C．commitment | D．leadership |
5 . National Music Theater Competition
The 2024 National Music Theater Competition (NMTC) will be held. It was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional music theater soloist (独唱者). NMTC has provided industry connections for past competitors and winners that have led to their success on Broadway and other venues.
Prizes (each prize only for a person)
The champion: $5,000 plus a concert at the next national conference of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a $1,000 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard, a Career Management Services package from Stage Door Connections.
The runner-up: $2,500 plus a $500 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard.
The third place: Louise Lerch Prize; $1,000 cash prize.
The fourth place: Bill Hayes Prize; $750 cash prize.
Qualification
Singers aged from 20 to 28 as of September 15, 2023.
Entrance Procedure
Application requires a fee of $900, but for these students of NATS members the fee is $75. Application fees due to cancellation by the applicant won’t be returned. All application materials must be submitted by September 15, 2023. If you are planning to submit your application for the online round, you must complete the submission by September 15, 2023, but you’ll have 30 days after the deadline to upload your audition (试唱) videos. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Where to Audition
The preliminary (预选的) round
Live auditions: November 1 to 10, 2023 in New York City.
Online auditions: Video submission deadline is October 15, 2023.
Semifinal and final rounds
Live auditions: The semifinal round: January 3 to 9, 2024; the final round: January 15 to 20, 2024.
The semifinal and final rounds will be held in New York City as part of the 2024 NATS Winter Workshop.
1. Why was the National Music Theater Competition launched?| A．To make people like music. |
| B．To promote the leisure industry. |
| C．To popularize Broadway musicals. |
| D．To seek promising talents. |
| A．A $500 Gift Certificate and Louise Lerch Prize. |
| B．$2,500 in prize money and a Gift Certificate. |
| C．A Career Management Services package. |
| D．A chance to perform at a concert. |
| A．Being at least 28 years old. |
| B．Applying for membership of NATS. |
| C．Submitting application materials on time. |
| D．Uploading audition videos by September 15. |
| A．Competitors can enter the semifinal round on January 18, 2024. |
| B．Both online and live auditions are available in any round. |
| C．There are three rounds in the competition in total. |
| D．Application submission deadline is October 15, 2023. |
| A．To call on people to explore their potential in music. |
| B．To attract young singers to apply for the competition. |
| C．To appeal to young singers to become NATS members. |
| D．To encourage people to enter the musical industry. |
6 . It will come as no comfort to a child shivering (打哆嗦) on a playing field on a cold winter’s day. But regular organized school sport helps children in their academic studies in years to come. The researchers said other “structured” activities such as music or religious activities were not as beneficial for attention as taking part in a games lesson. The difference in academic ability was noticeable even at age ten, with those who had taken in sports since the start of junior school performing better than those who hadn’t.
The Canadian study looked at children aged six and then ten. Professor Linda Pagani said:“We worked with information provided by parents and teachers to compare kindergarteners’ activities with their classroom activities as they grew up. By the time they reached the fourth grade, kids who played structured sports were clearly better at following instructions and remaining focused in the classroom. There is something special to the sporting environment — perhaps the sense of belonging to a team to a special group with a common goal — that appears to help kids understand the importance of respecting the rules and honoring responsibilities.”
Researchers began studying 2,694 Canadian children around the age of six, with teachers filled in questionnaires about their behavior in school. Meanwhile, the children’s parents were interviewed by phone or in person about their home life. The exercise was the repeated four years later to test what effect the behavior had.
Professor Pagani said: “We found children who had better behavior in the kindergarten class were more likely to be involved in sport by age ten. Nevertheless, we found those children who were specifically involved in team sports at kindergarten scored higher by the time they reached the fourth grade.” The researchers believe sporting activities and attention skills go hand in hand. Professor Pagani added: “The results should be encouraging for schools looking to cut childhood obesity rates and low attainment in schools.”
1. What kinds of children may do better in their academic study according to paragraph one?| A．Those who join in structured activities. |
| B．Those who don’t shiver on a cold winter’s day. |
| C．Those who don’t like school sports. |
| D．Those who take part in game lessons. |
| A．The classroom activities. | B．The results of the exams. |
| C．The performance at kindergarten. | D．The time spent in classrooms. |
| A．understand each other better | B．follow the rules |
| C．respect the teachers | D．give up |
| A．How scientists carried out the research. |
| B．Why parents were interviewed by phone. |
| C．How kids behaved at home or at school. |
| D．How many sports kids did at school. |
| A．The research will be of great benefit. |
| B．It’s necessary for children go to kindergartens. |
| C．Childhood obesity rates can lead to low attainment. |
| D．Team sports will be reduced at kindergartens. |
