1 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World

People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.

These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.

For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.

All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.

·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.

·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.

·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.

·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.

·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.

1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?

A．104,944.

B．107,601.

C．About 150,000.

D．About 250,000.

2. Of the following stadiums, which is the oldest?

A．Michigan Stadium.

B．Beaver Stadium.

C．Ohio Stadium.

D．Kyle Field.

3. What do the listed stadiums have in common?

A．They host big games.	B．They have become tourist attractions.
C．They were built by Americans.	D．They are favored by architects.

5 . 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.

2. What is the main reason for the author’s love for pickleball?

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.

3. How has the author benefited from playing pickleball?

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.

4. What does the author plan to do?

A．Become a professional athlete.	B．Recommend pickleball to more friends.
C．Explore some extreme sports.	D．Continue playing pickleball.

7 . 语法填空

Zhang Baoqi, an elderly man from the coastal city Tianjin in northern China, has built an ice rink (溜冰场) on his roof (屋顶) to show his love for ice hockey (冰球)．

The 66­year­old’s love for ice hockey     1    (begin) many years ago when he joined a local team at 16 years old. However, he became increasingly busy and was unable to take time     2     (do) the training.

“If I had a rink when the Winter Olympics opens, it would be     3    (wonder)．I started to think about it in the summer. I wanted to show that the Winter Olympics could be in your backyard, and we could all join in.”

“I said, why take the trouble to do that? We’re so close     4     the skating stadium,” Zhang’s wife said.

However, Zhang was determined to make the most of the month­long ice season in Tianjin and     5     took him four months to build the ice rink.

Zhang’s daughter has already seen the influence of ice hockey on her son.

“I felt my son has changed after     6    (play) hockey on our own ice rink,” she said. “When he plays hockey on other ice rinks, he is not afraid of falling any more. I believe the     7    (confident) is something that he’s got from the sport.”

Zhang’s grandson added: “My grandpa called     8    (we) to come over and said that there was     9     surprise on the roof. I went out and saw it all covered with ice! I felt     10    (extreme) proud.”

8 . Four Classic Games for Kids

Below are great games children can enjoy.

Egg and Spoon Race

Line players up, each with a boiled egg balanced on a spoon. Each person with a spoon and an egg must carry the egg on the spoon to the finishing line. If their egg drops, they must stop and put it back on their spoon before continuing. (Or, if you’re really tough, send them back to the start each time their egg drops!) The winner will be awarded a prize, such as candy, stickers and toys.

Pass the Parcel (包裹)

Prepare a small prize that kids will love and then cover it with many layers (层) of paper. To play, have the children sit in a circle and pass the parcel around the circle while you play some fun music. When you stop the music, the child holding the parcel removes the outer layer of paper. Start the music again and continue until one child removes the final layer of paper.

Wheelbarrow (独轮手推车) Race

The game is played in pairs.The first person is the wheelbarrow.He starts with his hands on the ground and his legs are held by the second person (the driver) in the pair. The wheelbarrow “walks” on his hands across the ground while the driver follows behind, holding his legs and directing the wheelbarrow. The first pair across the finishing line are the winners.

Limbo

Two adults hold either end of a stick at stomach height. The children take turns going under the stick without touching it. If all the children have gone under the stick, the stick will be lowered. Then another round begins. Anyone who falls, touches the ground with hands or touches the stick is out.

1. Who would most probably be the winner of Egg and Spoon Race?

A．The kid being good at running.

B．The kid being skilled at boiling eggs.

C．The kid doing well in balancing the egg.

D．The kid being willing to work with others.

2. Why is Pass the Parcel special compared with other three games?

A．Because it must be played with music on.

B．Because it will give the winner a prize.

C．Because it needs preparation in advance.

D．Because it asks kids to sing songs during the game.

3. What will kids probably need to do while playing Limbo?

A．Try to jump over the stick.

B．Lower their body.

C．Run fast with a stick in hand.

D．Touch the ground with hands.

10 . Many of us feel anger throughout the course of our daily lives.    1     If you find yourself getting angry often, yoga can help you to manage the feeling while you are at work or at home. It can help both calm you down when you feel angry and manage anger in the long term.

Develop a regular practice. Practicing yoga regularly will go a long way toward helping you manage your anger. Try to go to class or practice a routine at least three times a week. Practice for an hour to an hour and a half when possible.    2    

Join a class if you are a beginner. Sometimes it can be helpful for beginners to practice yoga with others to know the types of routines they can try.    3     However, if you have a competitive personality, practicing in a group might be bad for your efforts.

    4     Focus on the breath is the central part of yoga practice. It is necessary to focus on your breath to get the most out of the yoga poses you are trying. Take your time, and continue the exercise until you feel calmer.

Keep yoga journals. Keeping a yoga journal allows you to see over time how yoga is affecting your anger. It can also be a place to show the pleasure and frustrations (挫折) of yoga after your regular practice.    5    

A．Practice focusing on your breath.

B．You need to go to a class to practice basic yoga.

C．In the long term, it will be good for your heart.

D．In addition, writing can reduce the levels of your anger.

E．Exercise can be a great daily treatment for the bad feeling.

F．If you can’t, even 10 to 20 minutes of yoga at a time can bring down stress levels.

G．It is also helpful to reduce anger if you are feeling the support of the group when practicing.