1 . How to Be Good at Sports

If sports are something that interests you, it stands to reason that you would want to be good at them. Here are some tips that can help you become a good player.

Set ambitious but realistic goals. If you want to be great at sports, you need to set your aims high.

    1     Instead, you should take a look at what you are, and figure out where you think you would like to be. Give yourself a suitable amount of time to achieve that goal.

Be patient.     2     Impatient athletes tend to make poor ones. If you're not patient, you'll try to jump into advanced techniques long before you're ready. You'll feel discouraged when you don't see immediate improvement.

Join a sports team. Most of the sports teams are free to join. If you go to school, you should go for team tryouts when they're happening.     3    

Accept criticism. When you play sports, you will unavoidably receive criticism, whether from a coach or other players.     4     Are they angry because you missed a pass, or do they sincerely want to help you improve? In a lot of cases, you can use criticism as motivation to get better.

    5     A skill become mastered when you’re able to do it without thinking. Given enough time and practice, a skill will eventually fall under this category. When in a game, you won't have time to think everything through, so practice until it's all automatic.

A．Skills are often slow to build.

B．This does not mean being unrealistic.

C．You need to take most of it with a grain of salt.

D．Practice until your skills become second nature.

E．You also need to be clear about what you are good at.

F．If you're not in school, you can find a sports club online.

G．An important reason people join sports teams is to make friends.

2 . Winter-swimming has become popular in Beijing. Three years ago, few people would go swimming in the icy waters. But now there is a Winter-swimming Enthusiasts’ Club（冬泳爱好者协会）and it has more than 2 000 members. The oldest is 84 years old and the youngest is only 7. The members are from all walks of life. They may be workers, peasants, soldiers, teachers, students…

Though it is now the coldest part of the season and the water temperature in the city’s lakes is around 0℃, many winter-swimmers still swim in the icy waters, even when it is snowing. They enjoy themselves in the lake, while the people by the side of the lake are wearing heavy clothes.

Why are so many people interested in winter-swimming? Because winter-swimming can be good for one’s health.

Bei Sha is a good example. He is 69, and he once suffered from（患……病）heart trouble for 26 years. After ten years of winter-swimming he is now in good health. Scientists are now studying the effects of winter-swimming on health.

1. Among the winter-swimmers the oldest man is_______ years older than the youngest one.

A．91	B．84
C．77	D．7

2. Guess what “The members are from all walks of life” means?

A．The members do different jobs at different places.

B．They come from all parts of Beijing.

C．They are persons of different ages.

D．They are men and women, old and young.

3. The winter-swimmers are able to swim in the icy waters, even on snowy days because_________________________.

A．they are not afraid of coldness

B．they often swim in the icy waters

C．they know that they can benefit（得益）from it

D．winter-swimming can make people healthy

4. Winter-swimming has become popular in Beijing because ________________.

A．more and more people like to swim in Beijing

B．it is more interesting than swimming in summer

C．winter-swimmers are brave men

D．winter-swimming does a lot of good to one’s health

3 . If you want to keep fit, please refer to the following.

Move More

Make it a daily thing to find ways to move your body.     1     Climb stairs instead of taking the elevator. Walk your dog. Play with your kids. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute dance class. But that’s great when you’re up to it. At the same time, move more.

Quit Smoking

Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we’ve seen more and more teens smoking. Could it be the Hollywood influence?     2     Take care! Warn your children against smoking.

    3    

While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney(肝肾)disease and cancer.

Reduce Stress

Easier said than done, stress comes in many ways.     4       Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like such as walking on the beach or in a park, reading a good book, visiting a friend, listening to relaxing music, and watching a funny movie.

Protect Yourself from Pollution

If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms.     5    Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good.

A．Avoid Excessive（过度的） Drinking

B．Keep a Positive Mental Outlook

C．Think carefully about what you will do.

D．Exercise outside when the smog rating is low.

E．It seems that the stars in every movie smoke cigarettes.

F．There are many things you can do to move your arms and legs.

G．Some techniques given by experts are to think positive thoughts.

4 . Mary had feared the day she would draw a blank during a presentation. Then one day during a 45-minute speech, it happened.     1    . To help herself get back on track, Mary asked the audience to look at the handout and tell her what topic was up next. At the end of her presentation, audience members gave her top marks for organization.

“What I learned is that the audience doesn’t care if you mess up, and what they care about is what you are going to do about it,” Mary said. “My nervousness went away when I concentrated not on myself, but instead just thought, ‘How is my speech going to help the audience?’    2    . Every single step of the way，ask yourself, ‘What’s in it for them?’”
●     3    
Carter is the founder of Canada-based presentation skills training company. When possible, he gets to the location of his presentation the day before to make sure all the electronic aids work. He wants to ensure the screen, lighting and inputs all work properly. “In addition, build an extra plan before you present.” he said.
●  Involve the audience
Whether you are giving a one-on-one talk or a speech in front of 400 people, think “story-telling”.     4    . The way to a person's head is through his heart. Sometimes all it takes is a few seconds to connect an audience member with a story.

Moreover, one thing that shocks people back into attention is to leave an almost uncomfortably long pause.     5    .

A．Keep order

B．Be prepared

C．That brings them back to the speaker

D．She forgot what she was going to say

E．Once you do that, it gets rid of the fear

F．Story-telling makes messages easy to remember

G．Stories combine data and information with emotion

5 . ※Health, Wellness and the Politics of Food
9:00—9:45 a.m. Blue Tent
Panelists (成员)：Jami Bernard, David Kamp, Marion Nestle and Peter Singer.
Hosted by Denise Grady, science writer for the New York Times.
How does what we eat not only affect our bodies, but also the world？The food and nutrition experts debate the role that the diet plays in both personal and global health, and present a look at food politics.
※Sports Writing：For the Love of the Game
9:50—10:35 a.m.   Blue Tent
Panelists：Christine Brennan, Ira Rosen, Joe Wallace and Joe Drape.
Hosted by William C. Rhoden, sports writer for the New York Times.
Whether catching that key moment of victory or defeat, or covering breaking news, sports writers are anything but audience. Listen as some professionals discuss the special experience in reporting of sports news.
※The Art of the Review
11:15—12:00 a.m.   Green Tent
Panelists: John Freeman, Barry Gewen, David Orr, Celia McGee and Jennifer Schuessler.
Hosted by Sam Tanenhaus, editor for the New York Times Book Review.
How much of an effect does the book review have on book sales？Join this group of critics(评论家) as they discuss the reality of book review and best­seller lists, and how they choose books for review.
※New York Writers, New York Stories
3:00—3:45 p.m.   Green Tent
Panelists: Cindy Adams, Richard Cohen, RicKlass and Lauren Redness.
Hosted by Clyde Haberman, columnist (专栏作家) for the City Section of the New York Times.
Join this inspiring group of New York­centric writers as they talk about why New York is a gold mine of ideas for their work.
1. If you are free in the afternoon, you can attend_____________.

A．Health, Wellness and the Politics of Food

B．Sports Writing: For the Love of the Game

C．The Art of the Review

D．New York Writers, New York Stories

2. All the four activities above ______________.

A．are about writing	B．will last 45 minutes each
C．can be attended freely	D．will attract many readers

3. We can learn from the text that______________.

A．sports writers are a type of audience

B．the New York Times is popular

C．Denise Grady will discuss politics

D．book reviews may affect book sales

6 . Sports are all about change. A team gets better. A kid practices more and swims a personal best or learns a new move on the basketball court. In 2006, two things happened that got me thinking about change—in sports and in life.
One of them is tennis champion Andre Agassi, who retired in 2006. Agassi was a terrific player who won 60 titles, including eight major championships(冠军称号). But his greatest accomplishment（成就）might have been how much he changed during his career.
When he was young, Agassi was a show off who seemed to care only about himself. He didn't train very hard, but he won matches because of his tremendous（极大的）talent.Eventually, though, injuries and his bad attitude caught up with him. He fell from No.1 in the world ranking to No.141.
So Agassi changed. He trained harder and became a world-class player again. More importantly, he changed as a person. He was nicer to fans and opponents（对手）. He stopped thinking just about himself and started thinking about others. Through his Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, he raised more than $60 million to help disadvantaged kids around his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. He even started a school, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, for at-risk kids.
At the start of a new year, lots of people promise themselves they will change. They might vow to get in good physical shape, do better in school or be nicer to others. Changes such as those can be difficult. But they do happen. Just remember Andre Agassi: It wasn't easy, but he changed, and changed for the better.
1. According to the writer, which of the following may be the greatest achievement for Agassi?

A．He once ranked No.1 in the world rankings.

B．He won 60 titles.

C．He changed much during his career.

D．He won 8 major championships.

2. What does the underlined work “vow” in the 6th paragraph probably mean?

A．promise.

B．agree.

C．wish.

D．prove.

3. What do you know about Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation?

A．It is intended to help at-risk kids.

B．It is a charity school set up by Agassi.

C．Some disadvantaged kids can get help from it.

D．Agassi runs it with his prize money.

4. What might be talked about in the paragraphs following this passage?

A．What achievements Agassi has made after he changed for the better.

B．How we can change for the better.

C．Another thing happened in life that got the writer thinking about change.

D．Some assessments(评价) about Agassi from different people.

7 . Training for a marathon (马拉松) requires careful preparation and steady, gradual increases in the length of the runs.     1    , buy the best-fitting running shoes you can find. No one can say which brand will work best for you or feel best on your feet, so you have to rely on your experience and on the feel of each pair as you shop. When you have found shoes that seem right, walk in them for a few days to double-check the fit.     2    . As always, you should stretch (伸展) at least ten minutes before each run to prevent injuries.

During the first week, do not think about distance, but run five minutes longer each day.     3    , it is wise to take a day off to rest. But during the next week, set a goal of at least a mile and a half per run.     4    . After two weeks, start timing yourself.     5    . Depending on the kind of race you plan to enter, you can set up a timetable for the remaining weeks before the race.

A．After six days

B．For a good marathon runner

C．Before you begin your training

D．With each day, increase the distance by a half mile

E．If they still feel good, you can begin running in them

F．Time spent for preparation raises the quality of training

G．Now you are ready to figure out a goal of improving distance and time

8 . Babysitter Wanted
I am seeking a babysitter for my 6-month-old son. A few hours on Saturdays and Sundays to help me and then additional times as needed. Applicant should be over 18, responsible, loving, warm, drug-free, and have experience caring for babies. A college student looking for a part-time job is also OK. The pay is $ 10 an hour.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, please reply to: rebecharv @ aol.com or call 800-4964. It is urgent!
Office Manager wanted
A company is looking for a full-time manager to be in charge of the business aspects. Strong skills are needed in organization and business management. The office manager is responsible for keeping financial records, so he/she should be familiar with computer.
Please send your resume to jim @ californiaaquatics. com or call 800-6978.
Waiter/ Waitress wanted
Specialty Restaurant is looking for an experienced and well seasoned waiter/ waitress. A knowledge of wines and fine dining experience are necessary. Must work well under pressure and understand the basics of fine dining and customer service.
If you're interested, please reply to job-tkupe 1329358152 @ craigslist. org.
This is a part-time job. Please, no phone calls about this job!
Office Cleaner Wanted
Looking for Part-time work?
Position available in the Mississauga area!
Part-time 4 hours per day from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Duties include:
--Clean Washrooms
--Dust Furniture
-- Mopping floors
--Other general cleaning
Some experience is necessary
Pay: $ 15 per hour
Reply to: job-p3b7u-1365632206 @ craigslist.org or call 800-8197
1. The position of a(n) ___________ is full-time job.

A．babysitter	B．office manager
C．waiter/ waitress	D．office cleaner

2. Where can you send e-mail as a college girl?

A．job-p3b7u-1365632206 @ craigslist.org

B．job-tkupe 1329358152 @ craigslist. org.

C．jim @ californiaaquatics. Com

D．rebecharv @ aol.com

3. Which of the following is the most important for waiter/ waitress job?

A．Being familiar with computers.

B．Having a knowledge of wines.

C．Knowing more about menus.

D．Working well under pressure.

9 . Babies are born yogis. Once we were all able to pull our toes up by our ears and laugh about it. Then we aged, got injured, and began carrying stress in our shoulders and back. In short, we lost our balance.
Yoga（瑜伽） is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. It brings us balance. I was seriously out of balance when I started practicing yoga in 1999. I had plantar fascitis in both feet, and my doctor had warned me against all the things I loved to do: walking, hiking, and playing tennis. I was desperate for exercise. Yoga became my salvation and even enhanced my other fitness activities. I practice yoga at least twice a week, but I consider yoga to be part of my daily life because after a while you no longer just practice yoga—you love it.
Yoga becomes part of your physical life. Your body grows stronger, more toned, and more flexible as you move from one pose to the other. I spent a week in Mexico at a yoga retreat, and it was the first vacation on which I lost weight. “Rather than building muscle, yoga builds muscle tone,” says Shakta Kaur Khalsa, author of the K.I.S.S. Guide to Yoga. “Because yoga helps maintain a balanced metabolism (新陈代谢), it also helps to regulate weight. Additionally, yoga stretches muscles lengthwise, causing fat to be removed around the cells.” I do yoga poses throughout the day. After hours at my computer, I stretch my stiff shoulders and arms. When I need a boost of energy, I do energizing poses. When I am feeling exhausted at the end of the day, I do restorative poses.
Yoga becomes part of your mental life. Yoga teaches you to focus on breathing while you hold the poses. This attention to breath is calming; it dissolves stress and anxiety. I use yogic breathing on the tennis courts, in the dentist’s chair, and in traffic jams. You should always leave a yoga practice feeling energized, not tired. If you feel tired after yoga, it means you spent the time “fighting” yourself, trying to force yourself into poses. In yoga, you “surrender” to the pose by letting go of the tension.
Yoga becomes part of your spiritual life. Yoga is practiced by people from all religions; it is not restricted to any religious group. Yoga teaches “right” living in how we deal with ourselves and others. As I work on a difficult pose, I learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. Yoga advocates proper eating, but you don’t have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga.
1. What would be the best title for this passage?

A．What’s Yoga?	B．How I Do Yoga Poses
C．The Benefits of Yoga	D．The Varieties of Yoga

2. According to the third paragraph, yoga can help people __________.

A．grow taller	B．lose weight
C．become flexible in thinking	D．make more friends

3. People feel tired after yoga because __________.

A．they consume energy in practicing yoga

B．they respond well to yoga poses

C．they spend too much time on yoga

D．they force themselves into yoga poses

4. If s passage continues, what will the writer most probably write about in the next paragraph?

A．Yoga as a means to keep fit.	B．Different yoga poses.
C．Popularity of yoga all over the world.	D．Encouraging people to do yoga.

10 . B

Blindsided	In many ways, Natalie O’Reilly is a typical 14-year-old girl. But Natalie will lose her sight within a few short months. Natalie is sent to school for the blind to learn skills such as Braille(盲文). Outwardly, she does as she’s told; inwardly, she hopes for a miracle(奇迹) that will free her from a fearful life of blindness. But the miracle does not come. Will she go home to live scared? Or will she master the skills she needs to make it in a world without sight?
Crossing the Tracks	At 15, Iris seems to have no home, no family, no direction. After her mother’s early death, Iris’s father focuses on big plans for his new shoes stores and his latest girlfriend, and has no time for his daughter. Unknown to her, he hires Iris out as housekeeper and companion for a country doctor’s elderly mother. Iris is buoyed by the warmth and understanding the doctor and his mother show her, but just as she starts to break out of her trouble, a disaster strikes. Iris must find the courage to discover if she is really as helpless — or as hopeless — as she once believed.
The Education of Bet	Will and Bet were brother and sister. Being a girl, Bet’s world is contained within the walls of their grand home. Will is allowed — forced — to go to school. So Bet comes up with a plan: They’ll switch places. She’ll go to school as Will. Will can then live as he chooses. But once Bet gets to school, she soon realizes living as a boy is going to be much more difficult than she imagined.
X-Isle	Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X-Isle, the island where life is believed to be easier. Only young boys stand a chance of getting in, the smaller and lighter the better. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise(天堂). It’s a violent, unpredictable place, where terrible things can happen at any moment.

1. From the book Blindsided, we can learn that Natalie ______.

A．is longing to stay away from blindness

B．has been blind for several months

C．has to quit school because of her blindness

D．is unconfident in learning Braille

2. The underlined word “buoyed” probably means “______”.

A．spoiled

B．thrilled

C．annoyed

D．encouraged

3. X-Isle turns out to be ______.

A．easier for life	B．no paradise
C．chosen for lucky men	D．a romantic place

4. The main characters of the four books ______.

A．live a happy life

B．get out of trouble eventually

C．struggle for a better life

D．dream about better education