2 . Fourteen-year-old Harini Logan won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last Thursday, defeating 12-year-old Vikram Raju in a tiebreaker. It’s the first time that the contest has ever been decided by a tie-breaking round of spelling.

A spelling bee is a contest where players take turns spelling words. Though the bee is mainly about spelling, it also focuses on the meaning of the words. During parts of the contest, students were asked to choose the correct meaning of a word.

That caused trouble for Harini. She was asked about the meaning of the word “pullulation”. She said the word described the nesting of birds. The contest organizers had expected the answer to be the “swarming of bees”. Harini was removed from the contest. But soon she was back in- the judges double-checked and learned that Harini’s definition was also correct. One by one, the other students spelled a word wrong and got out. Finally, only Harini and Vikram were left.

To make ties much less likely, a “spell-off” was added to the contest in recent years. In the spell-off, Vikram and Harini each took turns trying to spell the words they were asked, but both made blunders. At one point, Harini could have won by spelling the word “drimys” (a kind of plant) correctly. But she missed it.

That put the two into a super tie-breaking event, where they were each given 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as they could. The New York Times reports that the two spelled so quickly that the judges needed to review the video to see who had won. In 90 seconds, Vikram had spelled 15 words correctly, Harini had 21 correct spellings, making her the new winner.

This was Harini’s fourth at the Bee and it’s the first time she’s made it to the finals. Describing her win, she said, “This is just such a dream!”

3 . A video of Tommy Carroll skating near his home has been viewed millions of times around the globe, gaining him fame as a skateboarder. He can’t see, but he can pull off some of the most incredible _______ on his skateboard without showing any _______. “I think everybody should know that everything happens for a reason and that there’s always a way to _______ an obstacle if you really want it enough”. Carroll said in the video.

Carroll, was born with the retinal (视网膜) cancer and lost his _______when he was two years old. He _______ to skateboard at the age of ten and has been on the board ever since. In the video, he explains how he uses sound to _______, listening for what’s around him and gaining a sense of his surroundings through his ears.

“I am always constantly using the sound of my wheels to _______ if there’s anything in my way and get my sense of _______ ,” he says. Carroll used to get lots’ of doubts from ‘his classmates about his _______for mastering’ the sports. “There were people who ________ me. ” Carroll smiled, adding, “They considered it no way, taking it for granted that people like me, can’t skateboard. But I just ________ them. ”

Though courageous, Carroll learns to be ________. When he skateboards in the new location, he gradually ________ himself with the surroundings. After a number of rides he then starts trying tricks. “Falling is as ________ as the sport itself. ” he said, “I have proved peers ________.”

5 . If you hope to improve your health, exercise is obviously a good way. But do you know that it has great effects on the mind too? We often pay little attention to the great mental benefits that exercising regularly can have. It will allow you to stay active and healthy for a long time, allowing you to have both the physical and mental (身心的) benefits.    1    

Improve your mood (心情) . Exercise is just what you need if you’re looking for some positive feelings. It is possible that you have experienced a happy time after exercise. While you are exercising, “happiness hormones (荷尔蒙)” are released.     2    

Reduce stress. If you’re feeling stressed, this feeling will disappear after exercise.    3    Because it helps reduce the level of the “stress hormone” which leaves you feeling tired and stressed.

    4    If you take regular exercise, you’ll find the results last longer too. So over time, you’ll have a higher ability to stay focused while completing tasks if you exercise regularly.

Improve your memory. According to a study by the University of British Columbia, regular exercise increases the size of the hippocampus (a part of the brain).    5    

So, it is clear to see that there are many different benefits regular exercise can have. With these benefits for the mind, there now shouldn’t be any excuse not to start and lead an active, balanced life.

8 . Nowadays, Tai Chi has already spread throughout the world and is practiced by millions of people. It’s a major division of Chinese martial art.     1     It involves slow movements with a focus on breathing and on what your body is doing in that moment. There are four reasons to try Tai Chi.

▲It’s easy on the body.

Tai chi is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It is low-impact, meaning there is minimal risk of damage to your joints.     2     It’s an exercise that can be easily adapted for less able people, including those in wheelchairs.

▲Falls could be prevented.

A 2019 review of studies suggested that Tai Chi might reduce the risk of falls in older people.     3     It also improves flexibility and spatial awareness.

▲     4    

Tai Chi may boost brain power. Studies have found that regular Tai Chi can improve cognitive functioning in older people with dementia(痴呆)and without. Given that it’s considered safe and suitable for the elderly, this is a definite win. It also has the feel-good factor. A reduction in stress and anxiety, and increased confidence, are other mental health benefits of Tai Chi, according to research, though further research is needed.

▲You can do it at home.

Classes are useful not just for teaching the movements but also for meeting like-minded people.     5     You’re bound to find one that matches your fitness level and exercise preferences.