2 . Exercise is important in all phases of life, but for seniors, it’s crucial to maintaining independence. Exercise ensures that seniors can get around and continue to do the things they enjoy and helps to prevent serious health conditions.     1    

Strength exercises are among the best exercises for seniors.     2     These exercises can also improve a senior citizen’s metabolism(新陈代谢), which can be important for the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels and normal weight.

Balance exercises are good for senior citizens as well because they build up muscles in the legs and strength in the lower body. They can help a senior citizen have better stability, translating into lowered risk of serious falls.     3    

    4     They help improve flexibility, making it easier for an older person to remain physically active and move around without stiffness(僵硬) and pain. Additionally, stretching exercises help senior citizens avoid muscle­related injuries, which can occur in the course of exercising as well as during daily living.

Though exercise is good for senior citizens, it is smart for seniors to speak with their doctors before starting any new exercise program.     5     In some cases, they may also recommend avoiding certain exercises altogether.

4 . When I was a four-year-old boy,my legs were amputated(截肢).This was my first lesson about the harsh realities of life.But the adversity gave me the _________to persevere when everyone else quit.

The following years zipped by,and seemingly in a single heartbeat,I _________ myself standing at the start line of the 2018 Chicago Marathon.Waiting for the starting gun,I stood there and _________ all that happened to put me on that _________.I started training seriously as a(an)_________ in August 2016.From the start,there was always training to be done and new goals to achieve.The lessons of overcoming and triumphing in the face of obstacles were_________ to me.

The gun cracked,and I _________ to run.The race dragged on ,and with about ten miles to go,my body started to feel the _________ of running for long.I felt slightly _________ as I thought I’d have to run another hour.But I knew this low moment would pass with each _________,so I reminded myself to smile and hang on.________,shortly after mile 22,I was making a right turn when a disaster _________—I stepped in a hole.As my head hit the pavement,my whole world went _________.

I didn’t know if it was seconds or minutes before I _________ myself with volunteers helping _________me off the ground.I felt dizzy.But I managed to_________ by myself and went on racing.When I _________ it to the 23-marker,I considered dropping out.But I knew I was strong enough to finish the race if I just stayed upright.

The _______ 2.2 miles was like a long trip across America.The dizziness was worse,my _________ was blacking out periodically, and my legs felt like lead _________,but I didn’t quit.Eventually, I crossed the finish line in three hours,and three minutes, 22 seconds--a new double amputee world record!