1 . Torsongan Bullik is a 28-year-old cross-country skier. When he was a freshman in junior high school in 2009, he excelled at long-distance running. As an amateur in 2016, he finished third in the Xinjiang Wusu International Marathon. And then a passion for cycling revealed itself as his hometown hosted the Tour of Sayram Lake, a national road race for amateur cyclists.
“The high-spirited cyclists, their flashy costumes and helmets fascinated me,” he recalls. “I felt that cycling was really cool.”
In 2012, Torsongan’s father gave him a mountain bike that cost 5,000 yuan ($695), which was a lot of money for his family. He loved the bicycle so much that he used it at every opportunity. Two years later, he entered his first competition, although there was no fairy-tale ending as he lost his balance on a steep slope. But he was determined and kept testing his limits. This paid off as he has won medals at all levels of the sport in China.
On Oct 18, 2018, Torsongan was the first to cross the finish line during a high-altitude bike race in the Xizang autonomous region. But surprisingly, it was the national cross-country skiing team that he impressed with his endurance (耐力). They were in search of new talented athletes for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Accepting the invitation from the team marked a turning point for Torsongan’s career, but challenges remained. “After training with the team during the day, I had to go to the gym to level up my upper-body strength in the evening,” Torsongan said in an earlier interview.
He didn’t make the final list, but worked as a technician assisting (帮助) in the operations of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Regardless of the outcome of the 14th National Winter Games, Torsongan enjoyed the challenge of competing, and has his eyes set on the next race.
“I will continue with my efforts. As long as I don’t give up, I still have a chance to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” he says.
1. What set Torsongan on the cross-country skiing road?| A．He felt that skiing was really cool. |
| B．He studied on cross-country skiing. |
| C．A professional team looked for someone with talent. |
| D．He hoped to fulfill his father’s expectations. |
| A．Determined and hard-working. | B．Cautious and responsible. |
| C．Strong and humorous. | D．Talented and productive. |
| A．He used to be a professional long-distance runner. |
| B．His hard work of bike training didn’t paid off. |
| C．He didn’t accept the invitation from the team. |
| D．He was a technician in the Beijing Winter Olympics. |
| A．Encouraging others to join in his activity. |
| B．Becoming a technician assistant in his hometown. |
| C．Continuing his dream at the next Winter Olympics. |
| D．Becoming a long-distance running player. |
2 . Reasons to Put on Your Rollerblades and Hit the Pavement
Rollerblading (旱冰) is great for building balance, strengthening muscles, and improving mental health. It’s also a cheap, fun, and eco-friendly way to get your daily exercise in.
It’s fun
We all know that we should be exercising several times a week, and picking a workout that is fun naturally motivates us to get up and get going.
It’s cheap
Rollerblading is also a great exercise choice because it costs very little.
It’s eco-friendly
Skater and climate activist, Gerhard Ladstatte explains why he started Friday Night Skating, a free street skating event. “We want to move without burning fuel.” People looking for an oil-free way to get to a workplace that isn’t too far from home, while combining daily exercise into their routine, can consider rollerblading to work.
It’s good for your mental health
Like any form of aerobic exercise, skating is associated with a number of wellness benefits.
| A．In other words, rollerblading has it all. |
| B．Exercise and fresh air can reduce stress. |
| C．Not only is skating cheap, it also benefits nature. |
| D．All you need is a pair of skates and some safety equipment. |
| E．Rollerblading is an exciting way to get in fresh air and exercise. |
| F．It’s easy to see why so many people are discovering the joys of skating. |
| G．Unlike a bicycle, you don’t need to find a place to store your skates while you work. |
1. Where does the man live?
| A．In the city. | B．Near the club. | C．In the countryside. |
| A．Prizes. | B．Games. | C．Festivals. |
| A．Club members. | B．Experienced persons. | C．Running beginners. |
| A．Practise step by step. | B．Train with old players. | C．Run as much as possible. |
4 . Participating in photography competitions can bring you various benefits. The following are four great photography competitions you may want to attend this year.
Communication Arts Photography Competition
Most photo competitions come with cash prizes. This competition doesn’t. But it is still a respected competition. To be qualified (符合资格的), your images need to be first produced or published in a period from the previous March to this March. Each participant can present five images at most, and the images must be created for the same project. The winning images will spread worldwide in Communication Arts and on commarts.com.
Sony World Photography Awards
The competition provides winners with cash prizes as well as Sony equipment. Another great thing about this competition is its travelling exhibition. No matter which country you are in, you can always notice the winning images. Participants are allowed to present five to ten images. You will love this competition because it is free to enter, and you can choose from many different categories (类别).
Moscow International Foto Awards
The goal of the competition is to discover and recognize talented photographers worldwide and introduce them to the creative community in Russia. There is a discount on entry fees for students. Participants can enter up to twenty images, both individual images and photo series in any of its nine categories.
Nikon Small World
Being a long-standing camera producer, Nikon has been running this competition since 1975. This competition is all about photomicrography. Anyone can enter, and each participant can present three images. If you don’t feel like entering even if it is free, checkout the previous winners. The images are amazing, and that might just get you in the mood for application.
1. What can we know about the Communication Arts Photography Competition?| A．It awards winners a large sum of money. |
| B．It accepts images that have been published only. |
| C．It enables the winning works to be widely seen. |
| D．It allows a participant to present works on various topics. |
| A．Nikon Small World. |
| B．Moscow International Foto Awards. |
| C．Sony World Photography Awards. |
| D．Communication Arts Photography Competition. |
| A．They both enable one participant to compete in many categories. |
| B．They both offer the winning images worldwide exhibition tours. |
| C．They both only qualify photos taken by their own-brand cameras. |
| D．They both give participants free entrance. |
5 . Surf’s Up
Riding the wave can be the thrill of a lifetime. But what does it take to become a surfer?
Surfing—it’s addictive
Surfing is the most exciting watersport there is. Serious surfers must be very brave, love adventure and have lots of energy. Once they’ve experienced the excitement of a ride on top of the waves, they never want to stop.
Finding the waves
Many surfers travel around the world searching for the perfect wave, moving from one surf festival to another and checking weather forecasts to see where the really exciting waves are expected next. A surfer’s greatest disappointment would be missing the opportunity to surf in the best weather conditions.
The international sports
Hawaii is where the sports began—the place which most surfers see as their “true home”. They love nature and the excitement they get from the deep waters. Enormous waves crash along mile after mile of beautiful sand, and every surfer dreams of experiencing surfing in Maui or Oahu. Other greatest locations include Australia, the west coast of the US, the Caribbean, Brazil, South Africa, The Canary Islands, and Cornwall.
Two essentials: strength and fearlessness
It takes time for a beginner to learn the technique, but during a long hot summer, who minds practising? The professionals are in the sea every day, and then come back onto the beach to do some exercise. They need to be strong swimmers with good balance and plenty of courage to be expert surfers.
Never easy—but always enjoyable
It can take a few weeks or a whole summer for you to learn to catch a wave at the right moment, stand up on your board and stay there. It’s an amazing feeling when you look down and see your feet on the board and realize you are finally standing up on the sea, even if you aren’t very steady.
1. What is the special concern of the surfers participating in a succession of festivals?| A．The local weather information. |
| B．Personal experiences and qualities. |
| C．The training process and technique. |
| D．Geographical situation and equipment. |
| A．Australia. | B．South Africa. |
| C．The west coast of the US. | D．Maui or Oahu in Hawaii. |
| A．An advice leaflet. | B．A sports textbook. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．A travel and fitness guide. |
Tennis super star Naomi Osaka lit the 2020 Tokyo Olympics flame. The Games
Only 950 people attended the opening ceremony. Attendees
7 . When 36-year-old Andy Duran decided to return to his favorite high school hobby-skateboarding— in January 2021，the only problem he expected to run into was his own ability to get back into the sport after the long break. However, the 340-pound skateboarder from Oakland, California, soon realized that was the least of his problems.
Duran’s problems began before he even stepped on a skateboard. “I couldn’t find any resources (资源) for fat skaters, what types of boards to try, or where to buy branded (名牌的) shirts in sizes 2XL or 3XL,” he says.
What Duran did find instead was an unfounded belief that fat people should not be skating. “I started to find people who were saying that if you’ re over 190 pounds you shouldn’t be on a skateboard, or that the board won’t support you,” he says.
Determined to do something to change that, Duran founded Chub Rollz— a skating and skateboarding community for overweight skaters. “If you feel like your size makes you feel uncomfortable about skating with others, you are welcome to skate with us,” Duran says.
Duran created a list of recommended (推荐的) products for fat skaters. He also held skating and skateboarding classes to teach beginners. He received a lot of messages from strangers expressing gratitude. “This means so much to me; I didn’t think I could skate,” said one. “A person at the skate shop laughed at me, but this club makes me feel like I can still do it,” wrote another.
Though encouraged, Duran believes a lot more needs to be done to change the idea that fat bodies can’t do and aren’t interested in the activity. He thinks that is simply not true. “I want to see more changes in communities. Maybe skate shops have more training for creating a more welcoming environment for all types of skaters or boards to be made in different sizes,” he explains.
1. What difficulty did Duran have when he decided to start skateboarding again?| A．He couldn’t afford a branded skateboard. |
| B．He couldn’t find proper products for him. |
| C．He realized the board couldn’t support him. |
| D．He found it hard for him to step on a skateboard. |
| A．He wrote them encouraging messages. |
| B．He found them excellent teachers. |
| C．He raised money for them. |
| D．He started a club for them. |
| A．Worries. | B．Thanks. | C．Pride. | D．Doubt. |
| A．More members will join Chub Rollz. |
| B．More support will be given to fat skaters. |
| C．Skate shops will provide more affordable boards. |
| D．There will be more communities like Chub Rollz. |
8 . “My Edinburgh” photography competition
Edinburgh Libraries invites you to take part in the “My Edinburgh” competition on Edinburgh Collected. Add a photo of your favourite place in Edinburgh to Edinburgh Collected and tell us what makes it special to you.
The photography competition is free to enter but all entries must be entered via the Edinburgh Collected website (www.edinburghcollected.org). The competition is open to all, students and professionals alike. Your photo might show the place that offers your favourite view of the city, your favourite park, street, or local pub. It doesn’t matter, so long as you tell us what makes that place special to you.
Entries will be judged by a group of experts from Edinburgh College of Art, Museums and Galleries Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University. Entries will be judged on their photographic qualities as well as descriptions.
The closing date for entries is 31 August and winners will be chosen in September.
We will give a canvas print (照片帆布油画) for1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries and the winner will also receive a voucher for a Jessops Academy Photography Course.
Entrants must create an account with Edinburgh Collected to upload your photo(s). There is no limit to the number of entries you can upload, but there will be only one winning entry per entrant.
1. What do we know about the photography competition?| A．It asks entrants to pay to enter. | B．It is held by Edinburgh College of Art. |
| C．It is only for professional photographers. | D．It accepts photos of a place in Edinburgh. |
| A．Prize money. | B．A canvas print. |
| C．A voucher for photography courses. | D．A chance to visit Edinburgh Napier University. |
| A．Enter only one photo. | B．Send the entry by email. |
| C．Upload the entry before 31 September. | D．Create an account with Edinburgh Collected. |
9 . An Olympic Village is a place that houses Olympic competitors. It is a place where they prepare for what might be the most important moment in their life. But we want to know more about this mysterious place: What really happens in the village?
We asked swimmer Natalie Coughlin, a three time Olympian and 12 -time medalist. She says, “People think it’s a lot more attractive and interesting than it is. It isn’t. It’s like a huge college campus, including a bank, a salon, a post office, and a huge cafeteria- except that everyone is anxious, getting ready for their biggest event under unbelievably high pressure (压力).”
But some other Olympians look differently at their campus. “It’s like the first day of college,” water polo player Tony Azevedo says. “You’re super excited. Everyone s meeting people and trying to socialize with others,”
Coughlin says the best spot to be in the village is the cafeteria. Not only does it provide a place to talk with the rest of the athletes from your country but it’s a great chance for people watching. One of her favorite games was to tell what sport someone in front of her took based on their body type.
Living in the same village means athletes run into one another all the time. Coughlin shares this story: While in London in 2012, at one point applause (欢呼) broke out at the arrival of someone. Coughlin thought it was one of the British royals (王室成员), but it ended up being Jamaica’s Usain Bolt (the world’s greatest runner alive). Runner Allyson Felix— a winner of six gold Olympic medals— has also had her run-ins. In 2008, she came across the world-famous U. S. men’s basketball team, including Anthony, Bryant, Wade and other top players.
It’s “a pretty wild scene, the biggest melting pot— a place where large numbers of people, ideas, and cultures are mixed together— you’ve been in,” said swimmer Eric Shanteau. Felix agrees, saying, “You get to meet people from other countries that you wouldn’t even come into contact with. To me that’s the coolest thing.
1. What does Coughlin say about the Olympic villagers?| A．They spend most of their time relaxing. |
| B．They enjoy the village very much. |
| C．They like to make friends. |
| D．They are very nervous. |
| A．She often tried guessing a person’ s sport. |
| B．She often tasted food from other countries. |
| C．She often listened to other athletes’ stories. |
| D．She often spent time with basketball players. |
| A．Why Olympians are so popular. |
| B．Why the Olympic Village is mysterious. |
| C．How they met superstars in the village. |
| D．How they communicated with other players. |
| A．Spending time with some old foreign friends. |
| B．Mixing with people from around the world. |
| C．The positive influence of the Olympic spirit. |
| D．The competitive atmosphere in the village. |
10 . Races
Virtual(虚拟的）races-but the running is real! Here are some of the best online races.
RAINBOWS VIRTUAL 5K
This is a fun run designed to be completed in any way that is proper for you-whether you run or walk in the garden,dance and walk fast along with your dog. All the organisers ask is that you complete 5K—in one go or over several days of your choice.
￡20,rainbows.co,uk/events/rainbows-virtual-5k
MILTON KEYNES MARATHON WEEKEND VIRTUAL 5K
Part of the yearly September Milton Keynes running festival, this year you can complete the 5Kvirtually. Complete it in your own time—in the garden or on an exercise machine if need be. You can also complete it in smaller runs.
From ￡18,mkmarathon. com/virtual-race
10K GARDEN CHALLENGE
A virtual race you can complete in your garden or at a local open space or park. Put on your shoes and complete 10K as speedily as you can. The event helps raise money for mental(精神的)health,with 15% of the entry fee being given to Bath Mind.By the way,the medal(奖牌)is environment-friendly.
￡15,womensrunning.co. uk/ neus/ keep-motivated-with-our-womens-runing-virtual-challenges
ROCK 'N' ROLL VIRTUAL
Sign up with the virtual running club and compete in weekly events alongside runners from around the world. Challenges include running an 8K and 15K in one weekend or running a l5Kwithin a 30-hour time window. Running challenges are all free to enter, but you can buy merchandise(商品）and medals if you want to add to your wall.
Free to join,buy your medals from ￡20,runrocknrollvr.com
1. If Mary wants to run just for fun,she will most likely visit________.| A．womensrunning.co.uk/news /keep-motivated-with-our-womens-running-virtual-challenges |
| B．rainbows.co.uk/events/rainbows-virtual-5k |
| C．mkmarathon.com/virtual-race |
| D．runrocknrollvr.com |
| A．10K GARDEN CHALLENGE. |
| B．RAINBOWS VIRTUAL 5K. |
| C．ROCK ' N' ROLL VIRTUAL. |
| D．MILTON KEYNES MARATHON WEEKEND VIRTUAL 5K. |
| A．It is held once a year. |
| B．It welcomes local runners only. |
| C．It offers different choices to people. |
| D．It requires people to pay the entry fee. |
