1 . There is something magical about hiking. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, hiking offers lots of benefits for mind, body and soul.
Boost physical fitness.
Improve mental well-being. Hiking has a profound impact on your mental well-being, offering a much needed break from the stresses of daily life.
In addition to the fun and enjoyment you can experience, there are other real benefits you can start to observe.
Improve cognitive (认知的) function. An amazing added benefit to hiking is improved cognitive function. Engaging in physical activity while being surrounded by nature stimulates the brain, leading it to improve focus, creativity and problem-solving skills. Spending time in nature can improve cognitive function and attention span.
| A．And the opposite is also true. |
| B．Strengthen social connections. |
| C．Experience the joy of getting close to nature. |
| D．Why not make use of the precious time to enjoy yourself? |
| E．Hiking is an excellent way to improve your overall fitness. |
| F．Spending time in nature, including hiking, improves mental health. |
| G．So grab your hiking tools and explore the benefits to make you energized! |
2 . In this post, we’ll introduce some top robotics competitions open to high schoolers. Keep reading to learn more.
Botball Educational Robotics Program
Level: Regional and national competitions available
Grades: 9th, 10th. 11th, 12th
Over a period of about seven weeks, students learn to code(编程) and develop complex strategies to use artificial intelligence. This allows them to create an autonomous robot together that competes in an annual game challenging against other teams in competitions at various levels across the country.
FIRST: Robotics Competition
Level: Local, regional and national competitions available
Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Teams work together with professional teachers to design, assemble(装配), and test an industrial-sized robot .The robot then competes in a head-to-head field game against other teams.
Robo Games
Level: International
Grades: All ages and backgrounds
This self-claimed “Olympics of robots” and current largest open robot competition challenges participants in a wide variety of events to display various skills. Amateurs, professionals, young and old alike are invited to participate with the goal of winning prizes, expanding educational service, and recognizing robot-builders in the public eye.
Zero Robotics High School Tournament
Level: International, including the U.S. and member countries of the European Space Agency
Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
This fascinating competition begins with robots called SPHERES inside the International Space Station. The first phase of the competition is entirely online, in which competitors code the SPHERES to meet a yearly challenge. Finalists compete in person, onboard the International Space Station, conducted live in microgravity by a real astronaut!
1. What do the first and second robotics competitions have in common?| A．Teamwork is a must in competitions. |
| B．They have the same goals and rules. |
| C．The robot is tested before competitions. |
| D．They are completely of the same level. |
| A．Bot ball Educational Robotics Program. | B．FIRST: Robotics Competition. |
| C．Robo Games. | D．Zero Robotics High School Tournament. |
| A．It is held by the European Space Agency. |
| B．It is a local robotics competition. |
| C．The whole competition is conducted online. |
| D．The final competition is held at the International Space Station. |
1. Who can take part in the contest?
| A．Students in grades 2 to 9. | B．Students in grades 2 to 8. | C．Students in grades 2 to 7. |
| A．Once a year. | B．Twice a year. | C．Once every two years. |
| A．Solve 45 problems in an hour. |
| B．Solve 10 problems in half an hour. |
| C．Solve 20 problems in 45 minutes. |
| A．A “Team Winner” medal. |
| B．A “Team Achievement Plaque”. |
| C．A “ National Honor Roll” medal. |
4 . In a recent game of pickleball, my teammate and I were falling far behind other teams. It was her turn to serve. We were both standing behind the baseline, paddles(球拍) up in ready position, when she nodded at me and said, “In it to win it.”
“Really?” I looked at her, surprised by her use of a catchy expression that was new to me. My inner self was never ready to accept even the tiniest suggestion that we should be trying to win the game.
In my life off the pickleball court, I enjoy yoga, folk dancing—anything but games with winners and losers, and I always prefer to be a observer rather than a participant in the world of sports.
Then pickleball came along. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be an observer any longer. I wanted to be a player myself. Like many people, I was first drawn to the game simply as a safe COVID-19 activity. Playing outdoors with people in my neighborhood allowed me to break out of social isolation(隔离).
But my addiction to the game comes from the sport’s low barrier of entry. The equipment isn’t particularly expensive. It’s a relatively easy game to learn, and a participant doesn’t need to be especially strong, tall or fast. Little wonder that everyone can now be seen throwing a green, orange or yellow plastic ball with holes in it across a net.
Pickleball is the first game I’ve ever wanted to win. I think it’s because of the excitement I feel when I hit an unreturnable ball down the middle of the court and score a point. Participating in a sport myself rather than cheering for others provides real proof that I can still work hard to achieve goals.
So, I’ve made a long-term commitment to it. I am embracing the game as my pickleball buddies embrace me. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to socialize while, doing something active. In that playful space of the court, I am facing directly my fears of winning and losing. In the meantime, doing something outside of my comfort zone feels magical. Now I wonder what contests I might be brave enough to enter next.
1. Why was the author surprised by what her teammate said in the recent game?| A．She thought her teammate was too weak. | B．She hadn’t considered winning or losing. |
| C．She didn’t know what her teammate meant. | D．She misunderstood the rules of the game. |
| A．It is what she is good at. | B．It allows her to make new friends. |
| C．It is affordable and accessible. | D．It has many health benefits. |
| A．She has overcome her fears of competitive sports. | B．She has realized her own limitations. |
| C．She has become a more energetic person. | D．She has recognized her talents for sports. |
| A．Become a professional athlete. | B．Recommend pickleball to more friends. |
| C．Explore some extreme sports. | D．Continue playing pickleball. |
5 . Fitness and healthy well-being have become very popular during recent times with many consumers wanting to look after their body more and more now. Because of this, and especially because we are living in the digital age, many fitness fanatics are using technology to enable them to track their progress and improve how they are working out; due to this, we have created a list of gifts that you can buy for fitness fanatics this Christmas.
The first gift that we have found is perfect for fitness fanatics is actually the NutriBullet that has benefits for not just fitness go-ers but also perfect for every kitchen. The NutriBullet allows for consumers to blend their pre- and post-work out shakes perfectly and can mix virtually anything in them from fruit to nuts to supplements. The best thing about the NutriBullet is how quick and easy it is to use and more importantly how easy it is to clean and tidy up.
Next up for the perfect gift for a fitness goer would be that of a fitness smart watch, specifically a FitBit Sense. FitBit have always been the industry leader when it comes to fitness smart watches as they have hundreds of indicators for you to be able to track how your health is pre, during and post fitness session.
Not only that, but the benefits of messages and phone calls through your phone which is always an added extra for the fitness fans. And finally, a pair of wireless headphones are also a great gift for fitness fanatics and the best on the market are the Bose SoundSport Wireless. Not only do they deliver with the best sound quality, but they are also the comfiest and defo the best for wearing when competing in fitness due to the way they fit in the ear; they certainly won’t be falling out. Reasonably well priced compared to competitors too like the Apple Airpods Pro too so defo worth the gift.
Click here to learn more!
1. With the NutriBullet, people can __________.| A．clean up the kitchen in just several minutes |
| B．do exercise in the kitchen easily |
| C．drink cleaner and healthier water |
| D．mix a variety of things conveniently |
| A．FitBit is a smart watch that can only be used to make phone calls. |
| B．FitBit can track you to the place where you work out. |
| C．FitBit offer you hundreds of indicators for asking about your health problems. |
| D．FitBit can be a good present for those who love taking exercise. |
| A．Their sound quality is the best. |
| B．They are easy to take with and easy to clean. |
| C．They can make phone calls. |
| D．They are comfiest and fit in the ear. |
| A．a magazine | B．a web page | C．a daily newspaper | D．a science fiction |
6 . 2022 was another year for people all around the world to embrace the power and inspiration of sports and for athletes to enjoy victory and progress. The past year, sports brought honor and success as well as failure and frustration, all of which made the world more exciting. Here are 3 memorable moments of sports in 2022.
Friendship
Gu Ailing and Chloe Kim had a heartwarming moment at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Kim successfully defended the title and Gu was there to cheer her on. The US athlete went over to Gu in the crowd to give her a huge hug, celebrating the precious moment together.
Freestyle skier Gu Ailing, gaining two golds and a silver, has been the most-talked-about athlete at the Beijing 2022 with her sweeping influence. Kim, the first woman to win two snowboard halfpipe Olympic golds, has raised the women's halfpipe game to a whole new level.
Celebration
Zhang Weili restored her career in New York as she reclaimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship's strawweight title by defeating wrestling specialist Carla Esparza. Zhang first won the strawweight belt in August 2019 in China before losing it to Rose Namajunas in her second defense in April 2021.
“Every day I dreamed of this, my belt coming back. Now I feel like my dream (has come true),” Zhang said emotionally in English in the post-fight interview.
Bhang became the first Chinese and only the third woman in the world to hold the strawweight belt many times, joining Esparza and Namajunas who have both won it twice.
Victory
Argentina won thrilling World Cup final on penalties and Lionel Messi finally has the title that he has lost for so long. But they did it the hard way after what will go down as one of the greatest (if not the greatest) World Cup finals of all time.
Messi carried the team on his own shoulders for much of the tournament and scored twice in the final to finish the campaign with seven goals and three assists, a performance comparable to that of Maradona in 1986.
Messi fell to his knees inside the center circle at Lusail stadium, happiness showed on his face as his Argentina teammates ran towards him and then piled on top of him in cheerful celebration.
This was the best glory of a career that already had everything except for a World Cup.
1. How many metals has Gu Ailing gained in the freestyle skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games?| A．2. | B．1. | C．3. | D．5. |
| A．In 1986. | B．In 2019. | C．In 2021. | D．In 2022. |
| A．he ran too fast | B．his teammates would pile on him |
| C．he just scored a second time | D．Argentina had won the World Cup |
1. 比赛时间与地点；
2. 报名截止时间；
3. 参赛者需自带装备。
注意：写作词数应为80左右。
参考词汇：乒乓球拍pingpong racket
Good morning, everybody! May I have your attention, please?
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That’s all, thank you.
1. What is different about the bicycle tour every year?
| A．The distance. | B．The time. | C．The route. |
| A．12,000. | B．30,000. | C．45,000. |
| A．Bringing some water. |
| B．Taking candy and chocolate. |
| C．Having a good lunch before the tour. |
9 . Recently, I had the unexpected pleasure of witnessing a basketball game played by local villagers in Guizhou province. Despite being amateurs, the teams played with professional-level format and refereeing (裁判), creating an intense atmosphere. The rescheduled final game of the Guizhou country basketball league, known as the “Village Basketball Association (VBA),” took place in Taipan Village.
The game attracted a large audience, even on a weekday. The live stream of the game on social media platforms received 5.66 million views, generating buzz with hashtags like “what does ‘sold-out’ look like.” So, why are grassroots competitions like this more attractive to people like me than professional games? I believe it’s because sports arise from the grassroots level, allowing everyone to connect socially and find common ground.
The VBA reminded me of a basketball game I experienced during my visit to Yangshuo in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Bored of the scenic landscapes, I took a break and joined the locals and other visitors on the sidelines. Sitting on the bare ground, I felt so authentic and free that it released all my thoughts and emotions.
Similarly, in the VBA game, the winning team received modest prizes like live ducks and cooked meat, showcasing the genuine and down-to-earth nature of the competition. I even wondered if the players were cooks or farmers who could prepare the food right off the court.
The sudden popularity of the VBA can originate from the pervasive influence of social media and people’s desire to explore something different from their immediate surroundings. However, what truly resonates (共鸣) and has the potential for further growth is the pursuit (追求) of spiritual fulfillment. Grassroots sports offer an accessible and fulfilling experience, making them an ideal destination for individuals seeking a deeper connection.
1. What made the basketball game in Guizhou attractive?| A．The professional-level players. | B．The large number of viewers. |
| C．The involvement of local villagers. | D．The VBA offers better prizes. |
| A．A connection with other audience. | B．A sense of authenticity and freedom. |
| C．A sense of loneliness from the locals. | D．A sense of boredom from the landscape. |
| A．The impact of social media. |
| B．The attempt to achieve a spiritual satisfaction. |
| C．The eagerness for the newness in their surroundings. |
| D．The perfect opportunity to realize one’s sportsmanship. |
| A．VBA—an Online Hit | B．My Special Encounter with a VBA Game |
| C．The Game for Prosperity and Happiness | D．VBA—a Path to Grassroots’ Success |
1. What happened to the boy in the basketball match?
| A．He injured his leg. |
| B．He failed to score the ball. |
| C．He left the match half way. |
| A．His team lost the match. |
| B．He performed badly in the match. |
| C．His teammates didn’t treat him as a hero. |
