1 . Jump to It

Jumping rope is an activity that contributes to a healthy lifestyle and helps meet your fitness and wellness goals. Here’s how jumping rope benefits you.

It burns calories. How many calories does jumping rope burn? While this depends on your pace on average, you may burn about 100 calories jumping rope for 10 minutes.     1    

It’s easy to do. You can jump rope almost anywhere, making it a great option for on-the-go or when you’re traveling. Some people keep the habit of working out in the open air.     2     Being able to pick up a rope is a great option.

It builds bone density (骨密度). Your bone density decreases as you age. Luckily, jumping rope helps keep your bones strong.     3     The impact or stress from landing after a jump helps strengthen your bones.

It improves your heart and lungs. Jumping rope strengthens your heart and lungs by raising your heart rate quickly. Those who do rope-jumping exercise have better vital capacity.     4     Strong vital capacity contributes to better cardiorespiratory (心和肺的) fitness, which means you can exercise longer with less effort.

It makes you feel good. Did we mention it’s fun? After exercise, your body will release a special chemical, which can help with depression. Therefore, if you get anxious sometimes, being active can also help calm ourselves down.     5    

7 . Participating in art competitions is essential for students to gain formal recognition and impress college admission officers. Today, we have a list of art competitions on regional, national, and international scales.

EarthX Eco-Art Competition

It invites young artists aged 5-22 to create 2-D or 3-D art that illustrates the theme: Protectors for the Planet. The theme can be interpreted in various ways, including individuals taking action towards a more sustainable planet, or highlighting the efforts of environmental leaders working to sustain ecosystems.

Deadline: March 8, 2024

The Children’s Drawing Contest

Sponsored by International Certification Organization Network, the contest, whose theme this year is “Passing on Our Precious Earth to The Future”, invites children aged 7-15 worldwide to draw the kind of natural environment they would like to live in. 48 winners will receive special memorabilia. All entrants will receive a participation prize. Medium: Drawings with any type of paint, pastel, etc.

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Science without Borders Challenge

The competition is open to children and young people under the age of 16. We welcome entries from both groups and individuals to create art to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore nature. The theme is “The Sixth Extinction” and you can focus on the protection of endangered species. Acceptable media include paint, pencil, marker, crayon, ink, felt, and oil pastel.

Deadline: March 4, 2024

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the longest-running literary and art competition in the US, provides opportunities and academic awards for creative young people to express their talent. The theme this year is “Tell Your Climate Story”. Students in the 9th to 12th grades can submit poetry, fiction and nonfiction to show their understanding of environmental issues.

Deadline: June 10, 2024

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

While its movements are slow and gentle, Tai Chi is actually a     1     (power) martial art (武术). Now, a new study shows that it can not only help people learn movements grounded in self-defence, but slower the progression of Parkinson’s disease (帕金森病).

Attempts at identifying the root cause     2     Parkinson’s and battling against its effects are increasing. Tai Chi, which patients with Parkinson’s disease can practice     3     (they), has been proved to be a simpler way to help. Previous studies showed short-time practice of Tai Chi brought benefits. For the new study, researchers wanted to see     4     the long-term practice of Tai Chi would have an even greater impact.     5     (attain) the results, they did a series of surveys and saw a     6     (significant) slowed progression of the disease in the long-term Tai Chi practitioners. Those who engaged in     7     exercise put in a better performance across the study based on an amount of measurement. The Tai Chi group also experienced fewer complications of the disease.

The researchers point out that their study doesn’t show cause and effect, and that it     8     (make) based on a relatively small sample size. Still, it’s a great     9     (inspire). For the patients with Parkinson’s disease, Tai Chi practice “could extend the time without disability,     10     (lead) to a higher quality of life, a lower burden to caregivers, and less drug usage”.

9 . Here are four writing contests available for high school students.

Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards

Skipping Stones magazine recognizes high school students that are working to promote multicultural and environmental awareness. The written submissions can include short stories, poems, and essays. Winners will receive an honor award certificate, and a year-long subscription to the magazine.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Noteworthy former winners include John Updike, Truman Capote, and Joyce Carol Oates. Each submission is judged on technical skill, originality, and the presence of a clear vision and voice. Regional and national award winners are qualified for a variety of different monetary awards in addition to publication in the National Catalog.

Bennington Young Writers Awards

Submissions are accepted in the fiction category. Students in 10th through 12th grade can submit a one-act play or a short story, recommended by a high school teacher. The first-place fiction winner receives $500 and the second-place winner receives $ 250.

The Claremont Review Writing Contest

The Claremont Review holds an annual contest in fiction and poetry writing. Submissions are welcome from writers aged 13 to 18 and must be previously unpublished. Winners and those receiving honorable mentions will be published in the autumn issue of The Claremont Review and will receive a year-long subscription to the magazine.