The New York Marathon (马拉松) is my goal for this year. I know I am never going to win a race but now, when I get anything negative, I will think of the kind gentleman who really believed, “You very good… you very fast.”
At the time, I was living in the Bay Area, and my mother had come to visit for a few days. On the last day of her stay, I was preparing to go out for a run. I picked up a T-shirt I just bought the other day from a Chinese clothing shop — it had some Chinese characters on the front, and a scene of Honolulu Chinatown on the back. I didn’t speak Chinese, but somehow this special T-shirt was quite soft and good for exercise.Working in a very negative environment, I found morning runs very beneficial — body tired but mind awake.
And I had always met an elderly Chinese gentleman walking on the opposite side of the trail (道路) when I was running on other mornings. I had always said, “Good morning,” and he had always smiled warmly and nodded his head slightly.
As I was going out the door, my mother suddenly said, “I don’t think running is so hot — that famous runner died.” I started to recount what I had read about Jim Fixx, and how running had probably been the contributing factor to his living far longer than most of the other members of his family, but I knew there was absolutely no point.
As I started running on my favorite trail, I found I couldn’t shake my mother’s statement. I was so discouraged that I could hardly run. I began thinking, “Why do I run at all? Serious runners probably think I look silly! I might have a heart attack on the trail — my dad had a fatal (致命的) heart attack at 50 years old, and he was seemingly in better shape than I am.”
注意:1. 续写词数应为150个左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
My mother’s statement remained in my mind like a giant blanket.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Upon hearing the man’s words, I felt more unexplained strength in my step.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . “The benefits brought to my life from running are not only physical. Running gets me out of home,” says Youyou, a visually impaired (视觉障碍) runner.
Yachi has been pacing (领跑) for Youyou for several years. They crashed into each other repeatedly when they first tried running with the 30cm-long rope between them. When they run, a 30cm-long blue rope connects Youyou’s left wrist (手腕) to Yachi’s right. They move like each other’s mirror image, using the rope as a form of communication. When Yachi’s and Youyou’s speeds are the same, the rope will naturally relax. The two don’t actually need to talk too much about running. Now, they run like each other’s clones.
Thanks to the rope, running is no longer a lonely task, explains Yachi. “This is a matter of achievements for both of us. Not only am I helping him improve, he is also pushing me to hold on and be strong,” he says.
When preparing for a competition, more pacers join them, forming a running formation. During training, Yao Ying runs in front, Yachi is on Youyou’s left, and Xiao Yu’er is at the back. Watching them run from behind, the unbreakable formation seems to surround (包围) Youyou; but in fact, all of them are surrounded by the unbreakable force of friendship.
Training is no longer the only purpose of their runs. It also allows them to hang out together as friends. When they go out to eat, Youyou doesn’t really like the restaurants that are overly attentive because he’s visually impaired, which makes him feel uncomfortable.
Yachi, Yao Ying and Xiao Yu’er all know Youyou well. No matter what they do, how much progress in running is made, and what exciting competitions are waiting, running has allowed them to connect and head into the unknown together, which in itself is a great achievement.
1. What can be inferred when the rope connecting the runner and the pacer relaxes?A.They have different speeds. | B.Their rope should be removed. |
C.They need further communication. | D.Their running pace is harmonious. |
A.It is a boring task. | B.It is a win-win practice. |
C.It stops him from running faster. | D.It requires him to push the runner. |
A.The food is not pleasing. | B.He isn’t treated normally. |
C.He isn’t offered enough care. | D.There are too many people there. |
A.Pacing Is More Than Just Running | B.Friendship Develops with Competitions |
C.An Excellent Running Team Is Being Formed | D.A Visually Impaired Runner Achieves Success |
3 . Swimming is well known to offer many health benefits, including building endurance and muscle strength. But what about swimming in icy cold water? This might not sound very appealing, but there’s evidence that it can actually be good for us.
Cold-water swimming is also called wild swimming, where people swim in natural bodies of water such as ponds, rivers, and the sea. Although jumping in might give a quick shock to the body, many enthusiasts claim they get used to it over time. In fact, research has found it to have many physical and mental benefits.
Apart from being a great way to exercise, spending time in the outdoors and near water can improve overall wellbeing. There’s plenty of anecdotal (传闻的) evidence suggesting that cold-water swimming has cured people’s illness, ranging from pain relief to an overall sense of feeling amazed.
One reason why getting into cold water might be beneficial is that it causes a stress response in the body. The more people do it, the better their reaction to stress becomes. Additionally, some experts believe that cold-water swimming helps the body prepare for other forms of stress by adapting to similar stressors. For example, it also helps reduce the stress of exercising at high altitudes.
People who want to try cold-water swimming should approach it with caution, swim with a friend if possible, and start during the summer when the temperatures are warmer. It might not be for everyone, but for those willing to take risks, the extra health benefits might be worth it.
1. What are some physical benefits of cold-water swimming?A.Building endurance and muscle strength. |
B.Greater lung capacity and building endurance. |
C.Improved joint mobility and muscle strength. |
D.Increased muscle flexibility and greater lung capacity. |
A.It has been proven to cure many illnesses. |
B.It can be dangerous and should not be attempted. |
C.People feel amazed after doing cold-water swimming. |
D.Doctors recommend cold-water swimming for everyone. |
A.Increasing lung capacity. | B.Reducing inflammation. |
C.Adapting to similar stressors | D.Building muscle strength. |
A.The Health Benefits of Swimming. |
B.The Benefits of Cold Water Swimming. |
C.How Cold Water Swimming Makes You Healthy. |
D.Why Cold Water Swimming Helps Reduce the Stress. |
1. What is the probable relationship between the speakers?
A.Coach and athlete. | B.Teacher and student. | C.Interviewer and interviewee. |
A.Sailing. | B.Snowboarding. | C.Ice diving. |
A.Frightening. | B.Exciting. | C.Boring. |
5 . Choose what you want to do, and don’t stop until getting there. You can
My goal for myself last year was to
I completed my first 10 km last April. Feeling happy, I
My attitude finally changed. I made up my mind to participate in the match with some friends, and with all of them
A.hesitate | B.stress | C.succeed | D.admire |
A.run | B.organize | C.research | D.host |
A.compare | B.dislike | C.match | D.complete |
A.disappointment | B.excitement | C.regret | D.pain |
A.refused | B.agreed | C.decided | D.begged |
A.nervous | B.bored | C.confident | D.delighted |
A.meeting | B.match | C.exam | D.training |
A.Still | B.Meanwhile | C.Otherwise | D.Though |
A.time | B.chance | C.excuse | D.place |
A.important | B.awkward | C.proud | D.puzzled |
A.jump up | B.give up | C.take part | D.stand out |
A.separated | B.protected | C.borrowed | D.removed |
A.against | B.beside | C.between | D.before |
A.carried | B.made | C.threw | D.failed |
A.farthest | B.shortest | C.worst | D.easiest |
1. 运动的意义;
2. 推荐一项运动项目。
注意:1. 词数100左右;
2. 可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Dear Mike,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
7 . During the Halloween season, many people visit pumpkin (南瓜) fields or carve pumpkins. But paddle (用桨划) a 1,000-pound pumpkin in a race? On October 22 in Oregon, paddlers in Halloween clothes did just that.
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta took place on the lake in Tualatin, a small city outside Portland. Back in 2004, a club called the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG) came up with the idea for the event. The PGVG wanted to alter their large pumpkins into boats and paddle them. They asked the city of Tualatin if they could use the lake for a party.
The first year, about 100 people showed up. Now, about 20,000 come to watch the races. “It’s just a good time to finally have some fun with these pumpkins that we’ve spent countless hours all year long trying to grow,” said Jim Sherwood, a champion pumpkin grower, who is one of the Regatta’s founders and organizers.
The PGVG provides pumpkins for the Regatta’s five races. This year, paddlers came from across the country and from as far away as France and Japan. “Surprisingly, it’s on a lot of people’s wish list to paddle a pumpkin,” said Heidi Marx, the event’s director for the city of Tualatin.
Just before the races began, the growers emptied the pumpkins. The paddlers dressed in holiday clothing jumped in, and the first race started.
Gary Kristensen from Happy Valley, Oregon, won the first race. He was dressed as the movie character Mrs. Doubtfire. It was Kristensen’s fourth year winning a pumpkin race. “Once everybody thinks you will win, it starts to give you a little bit of pressure,” he said. “Fortunately, my pumpkin was pretty fast.”
For the less competitive players, the Regatta was all about fun. “The best part is just watching all the families enjoying the day.” Marx, a player, said. People are going to remember it for a long time.”
1. What does the underlined word “alter” in paragraph 2 mean?A.Move. | B.Grow. | C.Change. | D.Hide. |
A.His pumpkin boat ran the fastest. |
B.He made the biggest pumpkin boat. |
C.He sold his pumpkins to the players. |
D.He won a competition by growing pumpkins. |
A.He had been expected to win the race. |
B.His pumpkin boat was not fast enough. |
C.He feared to make mistakes in the race. |
D.It was his first time to take part in the race. |
A.Pleasure. | B.The prize. |
C.Staying with their families. | D.The impression they left on others. |
The cafeteria (自助食堂) conversation on Monday was all about hockey (冰上曲棍球) again. Jade usually fit in with the sports crowd, but now she was not included in the conversation.
“When will you get out on the ice, Jade?” Hazel asked. Jade was a soccer star at her old school in California. “I’m inviting her to play hockey.” Hazel told other players at the table.
Jade lowered her voice. “I can’t make it to open skating time because I have to look after my younger brother Calvin until 6:30.”
But Hazel had been friendly since their first meeting and she wasn’t going to give upon this. “A rink (溜冰场) is behind the stadium. I can practice with you thereafter the closing time. You can buy skates from Ms. Silva, the facility manager. 7 o’clock this evening at the rink!” Hazel told Jade excitedly.
However, Jade didn’t tell Hazel she couldn’t afford the skates and hockey stick. After school Jade hurried home to look after Calvin. When she was cleaning the crumbs (面包屑) under Calvin’s highchair with a broom, she got an idea. At 6:35, Jade grabbed the broom and an old tennis ball.
At the rink, Hazel hadn’t turned up yet. In her dirty shoes, Jade practiced hitting the ball with the broom independently. Surprisingly, she scored a goal. But her smile disappeared as she saw Ms. Silva walking over.
She looked down at Jade’s feet pitifully. “Your shoes made the rink dirty. Those aren’t skates and hockey stick.”
“I’m really sorry for the dirt,” Jade apologized. “I don’t have money for those.”
“You didn’t tell me that!” Hazel appeared, holding Jade’s hands.
“Want a weekend job?” Ms. Silva advised gently. “I’ll teach you how to remove the dirt and leaves. A month later you may get new skates!” “Definitely.” Jade replied. “I’ll be there with you!” Hazel said.
注意:1.续写词数应为100词左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
In the following month, Jade was a dutiful staff and practiced with Hazel in the rink every night.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . We all want to keep fit and stay healthy, but a few things may prevent it: laziness, a busy schedule, and maybe even a limited spend.
Babysit.
If you have your own kids, you’ll probably agree that looking after kids can help keep you fit. If you don’t, you can experience the wonderful world of toddlerhood by volunteering or signing up for a babysitting job. The best ages to babysit are those toddler years (2 through 5). Why?
Care for your yard.
Have you checked your storeroom, basement and kitchen lately? Well, moving small items from their storage areas and turning them into boxes for sale, donation pick-ups or just further storage will get your blood exciting. Even just pushing around a dust cleaner, or sweeping your garage floor should oil your joints (关节).
Use someone else’s sports or exercise equipment (设备).
Have you checked under your bed lately? All around the nation, there is a flood of unused exercise equipment sitting around in garages and hiding in spare rooms and basements.
A.Be your own gardener |
B.Volunteer or get active work |
C.Clean out or organize your house |
D.Actually there are some free ways to move your body! |
E.You could have these things right under your very nose. |
F.It doesn’t really take much to get yourself into better shape. |
G.In that case, you have to carry, lift, run and follow them around all day. |
10 . “I’m gonna play basketball, Daddy.” Lauren flew into my arms when I came in from work. “That’s
I
The game day arrived. Lauren and her teammates moved out. Their serious game-faces seemed
Suddenly, the announcer’s voice boomed, “Number thirty-three, Lauren Wray, in.” My heart
The audience began clapping and
A.hard | B.enough | C.nice | D.true |
A.missed | B.displayed | C.pictured | D.reminded |
A.admired | B.ignored | C.criticized | D.resisted |
A.excitement | B.worry | C.interest | D.curiosity |
A.Strong | B.Short | C.Injured | D.Light |
A.power | B.advantage | C.challenge | D.basis |
A.easy | B.impossible | C.shocked | D.determined |
A.adapted to | B.picked up | C.reacted to | D.tried out |
A.avoided | B.recognised | C.gave | D.impressed |
A.from | B.for | C.against | D.with |
A.crashed | B.dropped | C.ached | D.beat |
A.Hopefully | B.Differently | C.Sadly | D.Amazingly |
A.cheering | B.leaving | C.arguing | D.complaining |
A.body | B.life | C.heart | D.school |
A.anxious | B.proud | C.stressed | D.patient |