1 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.
But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.
According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.
To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.
“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.
Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.
It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.
1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?| A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression. |
| B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids. |
| C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running. |
| D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood. |
| A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms. |
| B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high. |
| C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high. |
| D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released. |
| A．Effect. | B．Goal. | C．Opinion. | D．Question |
| A．They can help ease depression symptoms. |
| B．They are the best way to treat depression. |
| C．They only work for those with serious depression. |
| D．They can help people completely recover from depression. |
2 . For people suffering from depression, there’s an all-natural treatment they should use — getting more exercise. It could help fight depression, even if people have a genetic risk, new research shows.
For the study, researchers collected information from nearly 8,000 people and found those with related genes were more likely to have depression over the next two years after examining them. But that was less likely for people who were more active at the study’s start, even if they had a family history of depression. Higher levels of physical activity helped protect even those with the highest genetic risk of depression.
Both high-intensity (高强度) exercise and low-intensity activities were associated with a reduced risk of depression. Adding four hours of exercise a week could lower the risk of a new episode (一段经历) of depression by 17%, according to the study. “Our findings strongly suggest that, when it comes to depression, being physically active has the potential to remove the added risk of future episodes in individuals who are genetically risky,” said lead author Karmel Choi. “On average, about 35 additional minutes of physical activity each day may help people to reduce their risk and protect against future depression episodes.”
Depression is a common mental illness globally, with more than 264 million people affected. “Depression is so ubiquitous, and that underlines the need for effective approaches that can impact as many people as possible,” Choi said. And mental health and primary care providers can use the findings to advise patients that there’s something meaningful they can do to lower their risk of depression.
1. How did the researchers reach their conclusion?| A．By analyzing a mass of data. |
| B．By conducting genetic research. |
| C．By comparing various levels of activity. |
| D．By tracking the subjects for many years. |
| A．Physical activity betters medical treatment. |
| B．Exercise is able to decrease and prevent it. |
| C．Different levels of exercise intensity matter the same. |
| D．Exercising 35 minutes daily is the most effective treatment. |
| A．Harmful. | B．Complex. |
| C．Unusual. | D．Common. |
| A．To discuss a disease. |
| B．To introduce a method. |
| C．To analyze a genetic risk. |
| D．To explain a phenomenon. |
The 19th Asian Games, also known as the Hangzhou Asian Games,
The design of the mascots was a long process. After fierce competition, “Memories of Jiangnan” finally stood out of more than 4000 candidates. The designer of the mascots, Zhang Wen, said: “Apart from the various cultural
4 . Doing fitness routines is challenging and sometimes boring. Here is some advice on how to make exercise as fun as video games.
Have an objective
When you’re playing a game, there’s always an objective. It helps us focus on the task at hand and motivates us to keep playing until we win the game.
Compete against others
Adding an element of competition to your exercise routine can actually help you work out harder. If you’re seeking a similar motivation, look into fitness programs that encourage friendly competition. The app Zwift, for example, is a good choice.
Team up with others
Getting a group to work together toward a common goal was also an effective way to increase physical activity. You can try to recreate this dynamic by working toward an exercise goal with other people, particularly those who you have a close relationship to.
Add a sense of playfulness
Some people love video games because there’s a lot of unpredictability and surprise.
| A．Exercise should be no different. |
| B．Just remember every moment of playful engagement is a victory. |
| C．But how to apply these techniques to our everyday fitness routines? |
| D．Similarly, you can do many things to bring back a sense of childlike wonder. |
| E．It allows you race against others around a virtual world using your own bike. |
| F．This approach encouraged each member of the group to try to meet the day’s step goal. |
| G．They can help you hold yourself accountable in a way you might not do with a stranger. |
5 . Games and sports teach people a lot of useful skills, as well as helping them to
Lots of people love team sports. They enjoy being a member of a team so they have the chance to
Whether team sports or individual activities, always lead positive lives!
1.| A．continue | B．keep | C．grow | D．bring |
| A．take part in | B．wait for | C．apply for | D．look up |
| A．score | B．effort | C．success | D．result |
| A．become | B．save | C．support | D．find |
| A．when | B．unless | C．if | D．though |
| A．losing | B．playing | C．challenging | D．winning |
| A．Therefore | B．However | C．Suddenly | D．Lastly |
| A．places | B．time | C．space | D．ways |
| A．experience | B．information | C．direction | D．interest |
| A．excited | B．strict | C．poor | D．good |
| A．order | B．watch | C．perform | D．teach |
| A．seldom | B．gradually | C．usually | D．completely |
| A．dangerous | B．crazy | C．careful | D．stressful |
| A．At last | B．In all | C．Of course | D．For example |
| A．trainer | B．office | C．taste | D．computer |
6 . After graduation, I decided to take the gym seriously. Accompanied by a friend, I
One day, he suggested that we
But several weeks later, he managed to
“We’re not getting enough
“Tennis? I can’t play tennis! That
However, weeks later, I started playing tennis. After several months of painful practice, one day, as the ball came flying towards me, my racket and the ball met in what tennis players
I learned a valuable
| A．started | B．changed | C．quit | D．designed |
| A．confident | B．familiar | C．content | D．careful |
| A．focus on | B．take up | C．make up | D．check in |
| A．refused | B．supported | C．revised | D．admired |
| A．remind | B．attract | C．request | D．persuade |
| A．imagined | B．wanted | C．scheduled | D．arranged |
| A．fluent | B．impressive | C．curious | D．skillful |
| A．exercise | B．adventure | C．movement | D．time |
| A．includes | B．explores | C．improves | D．requires |
| A．behaviour | B．strategy | C．suggestion | D．goal |
| A．view | B．comment | C．doubt | D．express |
| A．obviously | B．formally | C．finally | D．actually |
| A．lecture | B．lesson | C．message | D．responsibility |
| A．flash | B．contact | C．follow | D．narrow |
| A．calm | B．positive | C．confused | D．interested |
Team China bagged a total of 383 medals, including 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze,
The first gold of the Games was awarded
The 19th Asian Games, which featured 40 sports, 61 disciplines, and 481 events,
Chinese swimmers Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang were jointly awarded the Most
Sports Day was getting close in the school. All the children were very excited and were practicing for the big race. John, one of the fast runners of the school, was confident that he would win for he was not doing anything at all. “You have to work hard to come first in the race John. You are not practicing at all,” said John’s mother.
“Mom, you know how fast I am! Why should I waste my time running? Only I will win; no one else will win!”said John. “John, you may be right but talent (天赋) without hard work is not good at all. This laziness of yours will cost you greatly,” his mother warned him. John just laughed. He was so confident that he would win the trophy (奖杯) as no one else in his class was as fast as he was!.
Tim, a classmate of John, was also participating (参加) in the running race. He was not a fast runner. However, he practiced till late at night and had developed great endurance (持久力) to run the race.
There were a few days left for the Sports Day but John did not practice at all. On the other hand, Tim practiced day and night.
The Sports Day was almost around the corner but John was confident that no one could beat him and had not practiced at all. But Tim with his hard work had become a very great runner.
At last, the Sports Day arrived. All the students showed up on the ground to cheer their favorites. The coach blew the whistle (口哨) and everyone began to run toward the finishing line. It was so exciting. John and Tim left all the racers far behind. Both of them were neck to neck.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Suddenly, John went ahead of Tim.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________John’s mother came up to Tim and praised him for his hard work.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . Dave Williamson Short Story Competition
By Manitoba Writers’ Guild
The Manitoba Writers’ Guild was started in August 1981 at Aubigny, Manitoba, as a grassroots organization for and of Manitoba writers. Our annual Dave Williamson Short Story Competitions open to writers across Manitoba. We actively encourage submissions from those who are 18+ years of age.
Prizes
Top prize: $ 1, 000 CAD
9 runners-up: $ 500 CAD
9 honorable mentions: Publication
All works from 10 prize winners and 9 honorable mention winners will be published in an e-book collection by the Manitoba Writers’ Guild. Proceeds from the sale of the e-book will be used to support future Manitoba Writers’ Guild writing competitions. Winners will be announced via e-mail a few weeks after the contest deadline.
Entry
Entry is free of charge to all writers. However, writers looking to improve their writing may choose to purchase an assessed entry ($ 10 CAD). With this option, you will receive a Google document with comments and suggestions on how to improve your writing on a sentence level, as well as a personal e-mail guiding you in growing as a writer.
Rules
Follow all the rules carefully to avoid being disqualified.
◆Write between 2, 500 and 5, 000 words and submit only your original, unpublished work.
◆Your submission will include a covering letter that contains your name, address, telephone number, and birth date.
◆We are accepting only e-mail submissions for this contest. Please make sure the file is sent as a. pdf,. doc/. docx or. txt document.
◆The deadline to submit your writing is December 19, 2023.
1. Who is the competition organized for?| A．University students. | B．Local writers in Manitoba. |
| C．Middle school students. | D．Writing enthusiasts in Canada. |
| A．They can receive a cash prize. | B．They are given guidance on writing. |
| C．They can have their entries published. | D．They are free to download e-books. |
| A．Posting your writing by express delivery. | B．Sending your entry on December 18, 2023. |
| C．Typing out a story of 4, 500 words. | D．E-mailing your entry as a. pdf document. |
It was a Saturday afternoon. I was having lunch when Dad told me to get ready. I became unhappy. I don’t like Saturdays! Even though it’s a holiday for most children, it is not for me because I need to go to football club.
Many kids love sports, but I am not one of them. I prefer to stay at home and read. I don’t like running, so in a team I am a bad player. The coach is tired of me and my teammates sometimes think I’m useless.
I have no idea how to play football. Usually, after practice my teammates would ask me to stay out of the game and I would just nod.
Last Thursday, the coach told us that we would be competing with another team in a month and many people would come to see the game. Our opponents (对手) were the winner last year and I froze and thought how awkward it would be if the team lost because of me.
So I decided to practice hard for the match and I went to practice every single day.
After one month, when the game day came, my teammates were unwilling to take me in the team, and I also wished to stay away from the ground as well. But they happened to be short of one player and had no choice but to take me in the team.
Our team was the Big Blues. There was a great cheer on our arrival in the field. I got very nervous. The game started and within two minutes, I got a blue card. By the time I was allowed back, the score was two goals for each team and the next goal would decide the winning team.
注意：
1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph l：
When the ball came towards me, I froze.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2：
Our team, The Big Blues, won the match!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
