1 . “The Worthington Christian defeated the Westerville North by 2—1 in an Ohio boys’ soccer game on Saturday.” That’s according to a story that appeared last month in The Columbus Dispatch. That lead was written not by a sportswriter, but by an artificial intelligence (AI) tool.

Many news organizations are now examining how AI might be used in their work. But if they begin their “experimenting” with high school sports because they are less momentous than war, peace, climate change and politics, they may miss something crucial. Nothing may be more important to the students who play high school sports, and to their families, neighborhoods, and sometimes, the whole town. That next game is what the students train for, work toward, and dream about. Someday, almost all student athletes will go on to have jobs in front of screens, in office parks, at schools, in hospitals or on construction sites. They may suffer blows and setbacks. But the high school games they played and watched, as well as their hopes and cheers, will stay vivid in their memories.

I have a small idea. If newspapers will no longer send staff reporters to cover high school games, why not hire high school student journalists? News organizations can pay students an hourly wage to cover high school games. The young reporters might learn how to be fair to all sides, write vividly, and attract readers. That’s what some celebrities in sports did, and do.

And think of the great writers who were inspired by sports: Hemingway on fishing, Bernard Malamud and Marianne Moore on baseball, Chen Zhongshi on football, and CLR James on cricket, who said, “There can be raw pain and bleeding where so many thousands see the inevitable (不可避免的) ups and downs of only a game.” A good high school writer, unlike a robot, could tell readers not just the score, but the stories of the game.

1. Why is the lead mentioned in the first paragraph?

A．To introduce an original idea.	B．To show AI’s wide application.
C．To bring in the opinion about AI.	D．To stress AI’s importance to news.

2. What does the author think of high school games?

A．Hopeful.

B．Eye-catching.

C．Competitive.

D．Far-reaching.

3. What is good sports news like according to the author?

A．Rich in contents.	B．Fair in comments.
C．Centered on results.	D．Targeted on readers.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．News Organizations Are Abusing AI	B．High Schoolers Can Do What AI Can’t
C．Great Writers Are Crazy About Sports	D．AI Ruins High School Students’ Memory

2 . 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。

Last year, Chinese from far-off cities flocked to Rongjiang County to watch an amateur village football super league, the VSL, or, CunChao. There was an audience of 50,000 once     1     (attract) to just one game, with millions more watching on Weibo and Douyin.

Football in Rongjiang County has a time-honored history,     2     (date) back to the 1940s. Back then, villagers made appointments to“play football together,”which could happen on any surface — whether it was on a grassland     3     on a concrete courtyard. At present, Rongjiang County has 14 standard football fields, all of     4     open for free. Every village has     5     (it) own team or even teams, with over 1000 players registered in the county. Let’s “play football together,”— a line villagers have     6     (repeat) said for over eight decades, has taken on an evolving implication with time.

The league’s cultural     7     (diverse) is another draw. During breaks in the matches, performances like the grand song of the Dong ethnic group, and the Lusheng dance of the Miao ethnic group were on show just on the pitch with their traditional ethnic costumes     8    .

People’s hopes for the     9     (harmony) countryside as well as the vigor of rural life     10    (bring) out to the fullest on this CunChao game.

3 . Tai Chi, a gentle martial art originating from China and involving slow movements with a focus on breathing and on what your body is doing in that moment, provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Here are five convincing reasons to bring Tai Chi into your routine.

●It’s easy on the body.

Tai Chi offers gentle exercise suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels.     1    , as muscles remain relaxed without any stretching or straining. It’s an exercise that can be easily adapted for less able people, including those in wheelchairs.

●It could prevent falls.

A review of studies conducted in 2019 indicated that Tai Chi could lower the risk of falls among older people. Certainly, the emphasis is on balance, with sideways and backwards movements aiding in the strengthening of the muscles necessary for stability.     2    .

●It may boost brain power.   

    3    . Research shows that practising Tai Chi on a regular basis can enhance cognitive abilities in older adults, both those with and without memory issues. Given that it’s considered safe and suitable for the elderly, this is a definite win.

●    4    .

A reduction in stress and anxiety, along with an increase in confidence, is another mental health benefit of Tai Chi, as indicated by research findings, though further research is needed to comprehensively understand and confirm these effects.

●You can do it at home.

Attending classes can be beneficial for receiving structured instruction and connecting with like-minded individuals.     5     , providing an alternative for practicing at home. You’re bound to find one that matches your fitness level and exercise preferences. Practicing Tai Chi at home can also offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility.

A．It has the feel-good factor

B．It can improve heart health

C．The benefits aren’t just physical

D．But there are videos available online too

E．They also improve flexibility and spatial awareness

F．Its low-impact nature minimizes the risk of joint injury

G．You can share experiences with these people face-to-face

4 . For anyone who has exercised for some purposes, you probably have experienced disappointment and even a sense of lack of fulfillment.     1     Below are just some of the many reasons why you should exercise every day.

    2    

One of the biggest reasons is that it helps in weight loss. Exercising every day helps you burn a lot of calories. It also helps in toning (调整) your body and giving it a better appearance.

Regular exercise gives you better sleep quality

Sleep is very important because it enables your minds to rest for a while and this helps you reenergize. However, while you may be able to sleep, the quality of sleep you get might not always be the best.     3     It helps you increase your body’s physical activity so that you fall asleep faster and even more soundly.

Regular exercise increases your endurance

Exercising regularly will make it easier for you to work harder for a longer period without feeling fatigued. Whenever you’re under physically stressful circumstances, it’s only natural for your bodies to get tired because there is a shortage in the amount of oxygen that fuels your muscles.     4    

Exercising every day increases your brain function

When you exercise daily, you are able to boost the power of your brain and your memory.       5     The best part is that for you to achieve this, you don’t have to do tough exercises out there. You can just do moderate or light ones and achieve the same.

A．Regular exercise helps you lose weight.

B．Exercising every day can help with this.

C．This lessens your chances of falling into depression.

D．Some people look at it as hard work because it gets you all tired.

E．Exercise, therefore, enables your muscles to get the fuel they need.

F．Reminding yourself of its benefits, however, will help you stay motivated.

G．It boosts your ability to recall more things or events as it makes your neurons healthier.

5 . Defeating Daniil Medvedev in New York on Sunday, Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis player, bagging 24 Grand Slam (大满贯) singles titles, equalized the record held by Australian Margaret Court, the same number of singles titles in the all-time count.

With the victory, Djokovic became the oldest US Open men’s singles champion in the Open Era. In total, he has 10 Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, four US Opens and three Roland Garros titles, making him the only man to win all four majors at least three times. “When I realized that, I started to dream new dreams and set new goals. I never imagined that I would be here talking about 24 Slams,” he said afterwards.

Djokovic reached all finals in the Grand Slams in 2023, and the only loss was at Wimbledon, when Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, 20, brought home the champion after an intense battle lasting four hours and 43 minutes.

Djokovic, at 36, shows few signs of losing physical edge. He stays healthy, keeps exceptional skills and always desires to win more. Capturing his first Grand Slam in 2008, Djokovic bagged half of his 24 major titles after he turned 30.

“One of the biggest lessons I have learned probably mentally throughout my career is that even if you find a formula (方案) that works, it’s not a guarantee, and actually most likely it’s not going to work the next year, so I keep reinventing myself and always trying to find better ways to win,” said Djokovic.

For Djokovic, who always gets tough when the going gets tough, 24 is just a number that he can go beyond. “I’ll continue to prioritize Grand Slams as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis. That will stay the same in the next season, or I don’t know how many more seasons I have in my legs,” he added, “So, let’s see.”

1. What does the underlined word “equalized” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．Set.

B．Broke.

C．Levelled.

D．Approached.

2. What can we know about Djokovic according to the passage?

A．He won 12 Grand Slams in his thirties.

B．He won all the finals in the Grand Slams in 2023.

C．He attached the same importance to all the matches.

D．He is the oldest men’s singles champion in the open era.

3. What seems the “secret” of Djokovic’s great achievement?

A．Losing physical edge.	B．Attending more Grand Slams.
C．Following a good formula.	D．Finding flexible and proper strategies.

4. Which of the following can best describe Djokovic?

A．Confident and emotional.	B．Ambitious and devoted.
C．Aggressive and stubborn.	D．Enthusiastic and generous.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题
1. Why does the woman want to join the gym?

A．Out of curiosity.

B．For bodybuilding hobby.

C．To improve her fitness.

2. What does the man think of being active?

A．Beneficial.

B．Energy-consuming.

C．Challenging.

3. What does the man suggest the woman do before going to the gym?

A．Eat dry fruits.

B．Avoid drinking milk.

C．Get enough sleep.

4. What is the man mainly talking about?

A．The significance of doing exercise.

B．A balance between diet and exercise.

C．Some instructions on gym exercise.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man doing?

A．Preparing for a meeting.

B．Exercising.

C．Cooking.

2. How does the woman sound at the man’s weight loss?

A．Serious.

B．Surprised.

C．Happy.

3. How does the man get to work now?

A．By train.

B．By bus.

C．By bike.

4. What will the man do to help the woman?

A．Make salads for her.

B．Go jogging with her.

C．Lend a book to her.

10 . Pickleball. It’s got nothing to do with pickles — it’s a sport. It has been described as a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Picture a small plastic ball soaring through the air that you need to bat back to your partner, or partners.

Many Brits are listening to their inner athlete and picking up this racket game. In the UK, there are currently around 7,000 players, according to Pickleball England. But the association aims to have more than 25,000 players by 2025and is even attempting to get the sport played as part of promotion for the 2028 Olympics.

How exactly do you play this game? Well, it can be played indoors or outdoors and it can be played as a singles or doubles game. There are a few easy-to-understand rules. The ball is served underhand and should be batted diagonally across the court. On the first two hits, the ball has to bounce, but after that, players are free to volley. To win a point, the defending side must miss the ball.

So, why is it popular? Firstly, it appears to be a game for all ages. The ball is lightweight because it’s full of holes. This means that, when batting, there is much less impact on the body than when hitting a tennis ball, for example. Elaine Brown, who is in her 50s and a regular pickleball player, told news organisation, The Guardian why she loves the sport. “It’s good exercise, it’s strategic, it can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be, and most of the time it’s just good fun.”

And the social aspect and low-impact nature of the game has been attracting players worldwide, creating a blossoming community of pickleball enthusiasts, such as celebrities Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio. So, if you fancy picking it up, find your local pickleball court and give it a go!

1. What is Paragraph 2 of the text mainly talk about?

A．A new event in the Olympics.	B．The favorite sport of the British.
C．The promising future of pickleball.	D．The number of people playing pickleball.

2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?

A．It can be played like a volleyball.

B．You don’t have to follow any game rules.

C．Defeating the defending side is very easy.

D．The game must be played with at least one partner.

3. Why does playing pickleball have less effect on the body than sports like tennis?

A．Because it is lightweight.	B．Because it is full of holes.
C．Because it is easy to play.	D．Because it is just good fun.

4. What may be Bill Gates’ attitude towards playing pickleball?

A．Indifferent.	B．Supportive.
C．Unclear.	D．Doubtful.