1 . Several years ago, I was at a pre-season football practice at a high school where I was working with the team on a concussion (脑震荡) research project. The players were lined up in two rows facing each other and with little more instruction from the coach than, “on the whistle, hit the man across from you”, great concern rushed through my mind.

Professional sports get the lion’s share of attention, but over three million children and teenagers in the United States play the same game. This directly places concussions as a significant public health concern for all.

However, for decades, concussion has been considered a temporary injury with no long-term consequences. Many athletes will do just about anything to stay on the field and “play through the pain” as a sign of toughness. In 2005, with the release of the brain tissue pathology (病理学) report of Mike Webster a, a retired National Football League player, our thinking on concussion began to shift. Since then, public attention has focused on this link between brain injury and blows to the head. As our understanding of concussion progressed to understanding its significance as an injury, so too did the development of player equipment.

In the early 1900s football was played without helmets (头盔), but severe injuries, like skull fractures, led to the occasional use of leather helmets in the 1920s.The first facemask entered the game in the 1950s. Modern helmets use advanced shell materials, have moveable panels to absorb forces, and multi-layered padding that responds to different impacts. Companies will continue to improve helmets as new materials become available, guided by the newest science.

Sports are an important part of a society’s culture and they give millions of children much-needed exercise. Yet, participation in any sport carries injury risk, and concussion will always be part of that. As those children become adults and make sport their hobby or even career, ensuring them play safely at all levels is essential.

1. What made the author feel concerned?

A．The coach’s in experience.

B．The physical conflicts among the players.

C．Unawareness of the potential injuries.

D．Unpredictable outcome of the project.

2. What did athletes use to do when meeting with sports-related concussion?

A．They tended to ignore it.

B．They felt scared about it.

C．They quit playing immediately.

D．They refused medical assistance.

3. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about concerning the helmet?

A．Its gradual improvement.

B．Its widespread influence.

C．The discovery of its new materials.

D．The difficulty of its mass production.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Exercise is vital for children.

B．Sports safety can’t be overemphasized.

C．No participation in sports is without injuries.

D．Concussion is the most common injury in sports.

2 . Recess for Kids

Ask a group of kids about their favorite part of the school day and many will talk about something that happened at recess. Maybe they finally made it across the monkey bars (单杠). Maybe somebody kicked the ball over the fence. Maybe a fruit tree in a neighboring yard started to drop apples on the playground.     1    

It’s true not just according to kids, but also to adults who study recess for kids. Whether they’re inventing a new game or sitting under a tree, kids need a break — or several of them — during the school day.

Why Kids Need Recess.

There's no debate that recess, or mainly referred to as physical activity, is good for kids.

You can’t have your brains go hours at a time and retain and store information in working memory.     2     Besides, activity that involves arms and legs — running, climbing, crawling — builds new neural connections, which helps kids regulate their emotions. Studies show that after recess children are more attentive in class, perform better and have fewer emotional problems.

How Much Recess Should Kids Get.

“Ideally, children should get four 15-minute recesses every day”, says Debbie Rhea, a professor from Texas Christian University, who advocates for outdoor play in schools.     3     It is noted that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently expanded the idea to encourage recess for all students, including those in middle and high school.

    4    

In addition to simply providing enough time for recess, schools should teach skills that will make recess more successful. For instance, letting kids run fast will help them develop coordination.     5    . And even falling, is something kids need to practice to avoid getting badly hurt. To allow children to take reasonable risks with their bodies is also a wise move.

A．How to Make Recess Better.

B．Who should help kids recess.

C．You need time away to process it.

D．This recommendation has been widely accepted.

E．Any one of these things is a marker of a good recess.

F．Maybe running up the slide is not as unsafe as it looks.

G．We wouldn’t have kids sitting there for math or reading for long hours.

3 . Online training is one of the fastest growing parts of the fitness industry. If you’re considering joining the online fitness community, consider these benefits and drawbacks.

One of the most popular reasons for working out following an online video is that it offers ultimate convenience. No need to roll out of bed at 5 a. m. to attend that 6 a. m. boot camp class, which may end up being full when you arrive.    1    And what if you’re on the road? No problem. You can access your workout video through your phone.

    2    Most online fitness programs are much less expensive than similar offline programs—most range in cost from $ 10 to $ 20 per month. Some are even free. For example, the online Les Mills+program offers a free 30-day trial of its 1,500-plus workouts.

Online training also has broad offerings. When you head online, you have instructors from around the globe, all ready and willing to help you master your favorite moves.    3    Just because there isn’t a Krav Maga class in your area doesn’t mean you can’t go online to find one led by qualified instructors.

All these are undoubtedly positive-online training provides fitness resources to general consumers wherever they are, without requiring access to a gym or fitness studio.    4    

Very few online fitness programs enable the instructor to see you, check your form, and offer corrections based on your performance.    5    This is particularly concerning for beginners, as they’re more likely to do incorrectly. Besides, if you struggle with self-motivation and prefer a social workout environment, online fitness may not be for you.

A．Another is the price.

B．But it’s not without problems.

C．The same goes for different types of exercise.

D．However, online personal training isn’t for everyone.

E．Instead, you can turn it on at home at your convenience.

F．That being said, online workouts aren’t perfect when it comes to safety.

G．This means you could perform exercises wrongly, or even unsafely, without knowing it.

4 . There are some great winter sports that are just waiting to be explored. Some or more extreme than others, but still definitely worth a try...

Ice Skating

Invented more than 4000 years ago by the Finnish, it remains loved by so many all over the world. People of all ages can take advantage of this fun sport, as it is a great way to be outdoors and get a bit of exercise. Experts say that the more you practice, the belter your balance, co-coordination, and flexibility will become. So put on a pair of skates and get moving on the rink.

Snowcross

Snowcross is a sport suitable for people who are a bit more adventurous. Over the last several years, snowcross has increased in popularity and is one of the most sought-after forms of snowmobile races and a really trendy winter sport. Snowcross is popular in the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Sound fun? Why not give it a try?

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is not just one of the most popular winter Olympic sports but has also recently become a common international sport. Ice hockey is fast passed and full of energy that also involved numerous intricate (复杂精细的) tricks and movements. It doesn’t only have a competitive side, it also is super fun!

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is another really fun snow sport that is definitely worth trying this winter. It’s not the same as skiing, the main difference between snowboarding and skiing is that snowboarding does not use poles and most people use softer boots for flexibility. Snowboarding has only recently been added to the winter Olympics. There are hundreds of different resorts around the world that allow you to experience this popular sport.

1. What can we know about Snowcross?

A．It needs more practice.	B．It suits those willing to take risks.
C．It covers numbers of tricks and movements.	D．It is popular only in Europe.

2. Of the following sports, which is new in the winter Olympics?

A．Ice Skating.

B．Snowcross.

C．Ice Hockey.

D．Snowboarding.

3. What do the listed sports have in common?

A．They have a long history.	B．They appeal to people of all ages.
C．They are full of fun.	D．They are more extreme than any other sport.

6 . The Importance of Getting Kids to Be Active

Everyone knows that kids should be physically active and need to exercise regularly to be physically fit.     1    , regular physical activity is considered by most experts to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, that doesn’t mean every child needs to spend four or five hours a day exercising.

How Much Exercise Do Kids Need?

It is recommended that kids should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.     2    . For example, if your eight-year-old played soccer for 20 minutes during PE at school and then played basketball with his friends for 40 minutes after school, he would meet the recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity for that day.

Exercise and Calories

    3    . It can help them build self-respect, sleep better, have more energy, and reduce depression. And as most people know, along with a healthy diet, regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and prevent childhood obesity (肥胖). Since your child is not likely to get his exercise using exercise equipment, it can be hard to always tell how many calories he is burning while exercising.     4    , as long as your child is getting his 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day and maintaining a healthy diet.

Youth Exercise and Fitness

Remember that kids, even teens, don’t usually stick with exercise programs.     5    . Instead, kids do better with lifestyle exercise programs, such as active free play and organized team sports.

A．Fortunately, it doesn’t matter

B．Regular exercise is good for kids

C．So they will be able to burn even more calories

D．That’s why you don’t see many kids in health clubs

E．Whether they are overweight or at a healthy weight

F．If your child is very active and is still gaining weight

G．But that doesn’t have to be 60 minutes of continuous activity

7 . Although a gym membership can be nice, you don't have to have one to get into great shape! All you need is a little bit of time and space at home for yourself.     1    

Spend 5 to 10 minutes warming up before every workout.     2     Try jumping jacks, leg or arm circles, or even dancing. Just get your blood pumping. Do a progressive aerobic activity that uses the same muscles you want to work out. For instance, slowly jog if you are going for a longer run.

    3     Strength training, also called resistance training, makes you stronger and builds endurance. Try to do exercises that work a lot of muscles and add weight to increase your resistance. This helps you do a harder workout every time you exercise.

    4    You might be eager to just stop your workout when you've finished your last set of activity, but take a few minutes to do low-intensity exercises that lower your heartrate. You might drop your run into a walk or slow down your cycling, for instance.

Set achievable goals that you can break into smaller tasks. It's one thing to say you want to get fit, but that means something different for everyone.     5     It should be specific, realistic, and meaningful. Then, break down each goal into small, actionable steps so it feels like you're making progress regularly.

A．Not sure what to do?

B．Want to build muscle without buying equipment?

C．Do strength training twice a week to build muscle.

D．If you're struggling to fit in workout time, don't worry.

E．Spend five to ten minutes cooling down after each workout.

F．Figure out what you plan to achieve and make that your goal.

G．But before everything, you need to create an at-home fitness routine.

9 . Table tennis may not seem a reasonable option for someone with no arms — but Ibrahim Hamadtou doesn't believe in limits. The 48-year-old Egyptian Paralympian breaks the barrier by holding the paddle (球拍) in his mouth and using his right foot to serve the ball.

Hamadtou, who lost his arms in a train accident at the age of ten, was drawn to table tennis after being challenged by a friend. "I was once watching a match between two of my friends," Hamadtou explains. "They disagreed on a point, When I counted the point in favor of one of them, the other player told me, 'Mind your own business as you will never be able to play.' It was that statement that fired me up to decide to play table tennis."

It took Hamadtou three years to master the sport. He says the biggest challenge was figuring out the best way to control his body. "I was trying first to use the bat under the arm, and I also tried using other things, which weren't working so well. Finally, I tried using my mouth. It took me nearly a year of practice to get used to holding the paddle with my mouth and making the serve. With practice and playing regularly, this skill was improved."

The Egyptian's incredible talent came to light in 2014 when he was awarded the best Arab Athlete of the year. He won a silver medal at the 2016 African Championships, qualified for his first Paralympics in 2016 at 43, and then again for the 2020 Tokyo Games at 48.

The inspiring athlete says, "The disability is not in arms or legs but to give up in whatever you would like to do."

1. What made Hamadtou take up table tennis?

A．His passion for table-tennis.	B．His ambition to prove himself.
C．His willingness to inspire others.	D．His suffering in a train accident.

2. What was the most difficult for Hamadtou to play table tennis?

A．Serving the ball with his mouth.	B．Holding the paddle under his arm.
C．Practicing strengthening his muscles.	D．Playing the game with the right body parts.

3. What can we learn about Hamadtou from the text?

A．He was recognized as a gifted player at 41.

B．He was awarded the best athlete in Africa.

C．He won a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

D．He realized his dream of winning a gold medal.

4. What message does the story convey?

A．Well begun is half done.	B．Love breaks down barriers.
C．Success gives people delight.	D．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

10 . Watching a young, 21-year-old Jordan Spieth win the US Masters today, I could not help but think of the great qualities he displayed to win the most famous golf event on the calendar against the greatest players in the world.

Jordan Spieth has learned to keep himself in check. There is a great proverb: “A fool shares all his or her feelings while a wise man keeps them in check.” As I watched Spieth playing, I noticed a constant calm around him. Whether he hit the shot he wanted or not, he was the same and kept his emotions steady (稳定的) and strong. He never blamed the crowd, clubs or wind.

He knows which club he is going to drive with on every hole; he knows which side of the fairway (高尔夫球道) to land and exactly where he wants to be standing on every green when he is putting; he has played it through his minds for months. He is the person who makes things happen by planning in advance. Winning is not a fluke (侥幸击中); it’s a by-product of months and years of planning. Nothing happens by chance.

If there is an event that every golfer dreams of winning, it’s the US Masters. So, how would Spieth have felt in 2014 getting so close to winning but coming second? As good as second was, he only wanted to be first. The difference between great shots and poor shots at the Masters is only inches. In that 2014 final round, Spieth was standing on the 8th hole with a 2-shot lead, but through a number of small misses he lost it and never recovered it. However, he never stops learning. As a great person once said, “While you’re green, you’re growing; when you’re brown, you’re dying.” He stays green. He is always reading, learning, and he understands that the greatest teacher of all is failure.

1. Which description is suitable for Jordan Spieth?

A．He can control himself properly.	B．He likes to share his feelings.
C．He is a man of great knowledge.	D．He usually uses sayings when speaking.

2. What does the third paragraph want to tell about Jordan Spieth?

A．He always has a game plan and sticks to it.

B．He never does anything until it really happens.

C．He usually decides on a club to join in advance.

D．He can’t bear losing the chance of winning a game.

3. How did Jordan Spieth feel in the 2014 Masters?

A．Inspired.	B．Satisfied.
C．Doubtful.	D．Curious.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Feelings of losing the US Masters.	B．Sports qualities of Jordan Spieth.
C．Basic skills of winning a golf game.	D．Golfers’ dreams of joining the Masters.