1 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.

With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.

Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”

Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.

And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”

But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.

1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?

A．Its slow pace.	B．Its great intensity.
C．Its complex rules.	D．Its cheap equipment.

2. What does Cedric Bryant mainly want to tell us about pickleball?

A．It is demanding.	B．It is enjoyable.
C．It is beneficial.	D．It is practical.

3. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Making quick decisions.

B．Training cognitive ability.

C．Brain activity during physical exercise.

D．The proper frequency to play pickleball.

4. What might the author talk about next?

A．Pre-workout preparations.	B．The rules of this exercise.
C．Comments on this game.	D．Disadvantages of pickleball.

2 . If you have watched the amazing Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, chances are that you have fallen in love with some winter sports and you’re already making sure your equipment is ready for them.     1     However, there’s another element to get ready for the slopes (坡)—your body. Even if you exercise regularly, skiing, snowshoeing or skating challenges your muscles in ways other activities don’t.

    2     Your metabolism (新陈代谢) increases to warm you up. Your heart and lungs also need to work harder to warm air before it enters your body. Depending on the sport, certain muscles may also be used more frequently compared to activities in other seasons. The good news is that most winter sports involve heart endurance (耐力), muscle strength and muscle endurance.     3    

But there are still some other things to think about. Skiing and snowboarding are great winter sports that provide a total body workout.     4     As anyone who has spent time skiing or snowboarding can prove, after a long day on the slopes, the body becomes extremely tired.     5     To avoid this, you need to take some time to strengthen your body and improve endurance. Before the winter season, a regular exercise program should include exercises that get the blood running while challenging the entire body, such as stair climbing or running. The intensity should vary from 20—45 minutes at least 3 to 5 days a week. As winter nears, adding a cardio (有氧的) workout longer in duration but lower in intensity can help increase endurance.

A．Maybe you haven’t bought all the equipment.

B．And that is when injuries are more likely to occur.

C．Exercising in the cold decreases your body temperature.

D．You should take advantage of this opportunity to have a rest.

E．Probably, you have got your skis tuned and skates sharpened.

F．All of them are areas that can be trained before the winter season.

G．However, it can be hard on the body the first time you hit the slopes.

4 . Welcome to the International Science Drama Competition 2022

This competition is an annual event aimed to promote science through drama. It involves teams from Singapore and overseas, and will be a great opportunity for you to showcase your talents on an international level.

What is the theme for the International Science Drama Competition 2022?

The theme for 2022 is “Sustainable Agriculture for a Better Future”.

Your performance should combine scientific content and drama. Examples of some possible topics include but are not limited to the following:

 Farming using renewable energy sources

 Hydroponics(水栽培)and Aquaponics(养种共生)

 Food security

 Protecting the environment as we meet society's food and textile needs

How do I participate in the International Science Drama Competition 2022?

 Junior Category

All participants must be age 12 or below, excluding teachers or adults who can help as backstage crew.

 Open Category

Teams will compete in this category when at least one member is above age 12.

 Short Films Category

There is no age limit for participants. You may participate with your friends, families or community groups. You may represent your school or an organization or just form a team and compete on your own.

Mark your calendars!

Date	Programme
March 8,2022	Submission of Entry Forms
May 5,2022	Video Submission Deadline
May 19,2022	Announcement of Shortlisted Finalists' Videos
June 7,2022	Video Submission Deadline for Finalists
June 14~23,2022	LIVE Online Polling of Finalists' Videos
June 28,2022	Results Announcement
July ~ September,2022 (Date to be confirmed)	GRAND FINALS! (Online)

1. What do we know about the competition?

A．Its theme is limited to four topics.

B．It's held in many different countries.

C．It's intended to promote science through drama.

D．Its participants will go from one category to another.

2. What is required for Open Category?

A．You must have an adult coach.

B．You must represent your school.

C．At least one member is above age 12.

D．All participants must be age 12 or below.

3. When should finalists' videos be submitted?

A．By March 8, 2022.	B．By June 7, 2022.
C．By June 28, 2022.	D．By September 14, 2022.