2 . Starting a daily running routine needs determination. Looking back on my old running routine, it wasn’t so much the passion that affected my sticking to a regular schedule — but it was the environment. There had to be no rain pouring down, there had to be not many people on the basketball court and the ambient (周围的) temperature had to be just right. Or maybe I was just making an excuse for myself not to get up at 5 in the morning?

I was quite successful at doing so when I was 15 and when it was summer. When I was overweight, I ate more snacks than the actual full meals in a day, and I hardly got off the sofa. One summer day, I decided that it was time to put a stop to the idea that I was just the fat kid. I didn’t want to put in that box anymore. There was a tipping point (临界点) where inspiration happened, and discipline (自律) just took over from there. I needed to make sure that I ran 10 laps of the park a day — this was the contract (契约) I made with myself that summer. And if I achieved that, I knew I’d be closer to my goal of being just a kid with normal weight.

Ten laps, six days a week — sometimes no breakfast, hardly a bite at dinner, one snack a day—this lasted two months. I’d lost over 30 pounds that summer, which was roughly a quarter of my body weight. Some days, I didn’t have the motivation. But the contract I made with myself kept reminding me — if I’d break it, would I even bother making future self-contracts anymore? There were sleepy days, and there were days when I should have rested my trembling knees, but discipline won over them all.

1. What do we know about the author’s past running routine?

A．It was made by the author’s parents.	B．It mainly depended on the environment.
C．It referred to many people at site.	D．It failed in the end.

2. What can we infer from the fact that the author was overweight?

A．The author didn’t live a healthy lifestyle.

B．Summer is a season for people to be fat.

C．Good eating habits could make one put on weight.

D．Getting up late made him a fat kid.

3. Why did the author keep the contract that made with himself?

A．He felt looked down upon when he was fat.

B．He couldn’t find a right word to describe his size.

C．He made up his mind to achieve his goal of losing weight.

D．He was too fat to find the right size of clothes or shoes.

4. What can be the best title for the passage?

A．My Running Routine Was Affected by the Environment.

B．It Was Unpleasant to Be Overweight.

C．I Made a Contract on Running.

D．Discipline Helps Achieve My Goal.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. Who is the organizer of the football event?

A．A senior school.

B．The school football team.

C．The Education Council.

2. When will the football event be held?

A．From August I to August 7.

B．From August 11 to August 17.

C．From August 17 to August 20.

3. What do the speakers decide to do?

A．Practice football hard.

B．Join the school football team.

C．Learn football skills from other students.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did Amy go to the contest?

A．To have some fun.

B．To win some money.

C．To prove her cooking skills.

2. How does Amy most probably feel now?

A．Regretful.

B．Upset.

C．Happy.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When does Gomez watch a football game on TV?

A．When the stadium is crowded.

B．When his friends are too busy.

C．When he fails to get a ticket.

2. How much did Gomez pay for the football game last time?

A．$ 20.

B．$25.

C．$50.

8 . Competing for a Trip to Soma Bay, Egypt

Soma Bay is a perfect place for sunny relaxation. If you take a trip there, you can also take part in the competition we organize.

The Destination

Lapped by the Red Sea on three sides and with views of sandy beaches and desert mountains, Soma Bay can attract nature lovers most, Spreading across almost 2,500 acres, the Egyptian tourist attraction has an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, a golfing enthusiast, as well as the largest Thalasso spa in Africa. Kiteboarding, diving and horse riding are all on offer, too.

Of Soma Bay’s five accommodation options, a five-star hotel enjoys a fantastic location on the highest point of the Soma Bay peninsula. It has a number of guest rooms and suites with private balconies, as well as four on-site restaurants, You can enjoy beach-side pizza, take afternoon tea, or stop for a drink by the 18th hole. They are all offered by the hotel.

The Prize

With the official permission of Soma Bay, the winner can enjoy a four-night stay in a classic room at the five-star hotel on a half-price basis. The prize includes return economy class flight tickets with overhead cabin luggage from the UK to Hurghada International Airport up to the value of £650 per person, with direct routes available from cities including London, Manchester and Bristol, plus return airport transfers to Soma Bay (UK transfers aren’t included).

To Enter

Answer the following question online at natgeotv,com/uk/competitions:

ON WHICH SEA IS SOMA BAY LOCATED?

Competition closes on 31 October 2023.

The winner must be a UK adult resident, aged 18 or over.

1. What does the five-star hotel offer?

A．Games on a golf course.	B．Tickets for kiteboarding.
C．Something to eat and drink.	D．Accommodation on the beach.

2. What can the winner get?

A．A free stay in the perfect hotel.	B．A return airport transfer to the UK.
C．A possible direct flight ticket from Bristol.	D．A first class flight from the UK to Hurghada

3. What do we know about the competition?

A．It welcomes children.	B．It covers multiple questions.
C．It targets at Egyptian citizens.	D．It ends on the last day of October.

10 . 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.

A．Increase your focus.

B．Increase your sense of self-worth.

C．Regular exercise keeps your mind calm.

D．They fill you with positive and happy feelings.

E．Exercise is a quite wonderful way to reduce stress.

F．Here’re several important mental benefits of exercise.

G．This is especially important for learning and memory.