2 . Scientists are now digging into precisely why exercise holds so many benefits for our mental health and memory. The answer, studies say, lies in our brain chemistry.

Each time you work up a sweat, your body releases feel-good happy hormones (荷尔蒙), including endorphins, dopamine and endocannabinoids, the latter being responsible for the so-called runner’s high. Now researchers are also pointing to myokines (肌肉因子) as an important contributor to the mental health benefits of exercise. When our muscles contract, myokines are released into the bloodstream, helping your muscles and organs communicate. They think this communication increases resilience to stress, reduces symptoms of mental suffering and anxiety and has a direct effect on depression.

A 2021 scientific report published in Neuropharmacology showed evidence that myokines boost brain function, like improving memory and mood. “Myokines reduce systemic inflammation (炎症), which is especially beneficial for people with drug-resistant depression whose low mood is linked to high inflammation,” explains Dr Jennifer Heisz, an expert in brain health and associate professor in the department of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that treatment for depression can be much more effective when physical activity is added to the usual care. Participants found benefits after 12 weeks of exercising for 30 to 60 minutes a day. “While exercise is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment, physical activity can complement and enhance the effects of the treatment,” says lead researcher Ben Singh, a research fellow at the University of South Australia.

“It is amazing to consider how moving our bodies can heal our minds,” says Heisz. Whether you’re cycling, walking around your neighbourhood or doing yoga, getting sweaty is good for your body and mind. To get the biggest overall health boost, the key is to zero in on sports and activities you enjoy, so you’ll keep going back to them.

1. How do myokines boost our mental health?

A．By bonding muscles with organs.

B．By slowing down our bloodstream.

C．By contracting muscles through the body.

D．By releasing happy hormones in our brain.

2. What is Ben Singh’s attitude towards physical activity in treatment for depression?

A．Doubtful.	B．Negative.
C．Uncertain	D．Approving.

3. What does the underlined phrase “zero in on” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Adapt to.	B．Give up.
C．Focus on.	D．Put off.

4. How does the author develop the text?

A．By making comparisons.

B．By presenting research findings.

C．By offering suggestions.

D．By conducting some experiments.

3 . The rise of body neutrality You define (定义) beauty yourself. You are more than a number in measurement. Love yourself the way you are. Body positive messages like theses seem to be everywhere from social media to TV advertisements.

Body positivity’s aim to boost acceptance and appreciation of a variety of body types and sizes may explain why it has such a broad appeal. While some find the body positivity movement to be helpful, others have begun calling the movement toxic and suggesting it may be time to move on from this way of thinking.

More recently, people have voiced concerns. Some feel that the focus on loving your looks actually strengthens society’s stress on appearance over other values. Much body positivity content in advertisements may bring a stereotype (刻板印象) to viewers because it does little to challenge the hidden assumption that people are valued mainly for their appearance. Therefore, the movement still encourages people to be graceful and engage in beauty practices from head to toe. And if you fail to be body positive, it’s you that are at fault.

Many are now moving away from the body positivity movement and the pressures that come from it entirely, and instead are getting behind the body neutrality (中立) movement. Instead of focusing on physical appearance, body neutrality is a profound idea that we can exist without having to think too much about our bodies.

We are all more than just our bodies. We are complicated beings with a range of emotions and feelings about our bodies. And because body neutrality de-emphasizes (不强调) the focus on appearance, it motivates us to better acknowledge all the things our bodies are able to do. Being grateful for being able to take up your hobbies and appreciating your body for what it’s capable of doing are both examples of body neutrality.

Body neutrality can be beneficial to us. It is associated with the positive body image and mental well-being. The good news is that there are many ways you can develop body neutrality, including writing-based treatment, yoga and spending time in nature.

1. What does the underlined word “toxic” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Inspiring.

B．Dangerous.

C．Influential.

D．Useless.

2. Why is body positivity criticised?

A．It upsets overweight people.

B．It overstates the role of advertising.

C．It attracts too much attention to appearance.

D．It challenges the traditional standards of beauty.

3. Which statement would supporters of body neutrality probably agree with?

A．Keep fit and you will be confident.

B．Accept the imperfection of your body.

C．Appreciate your abilities instead of your body.

D．Treasure your appearance rather than other values.

4. What is the structure of the text?

A．①②/③④/⑤/⑥	B．①/②③/④⑤⑥
C．①/②/③/④⑤/⑥	D．①②/③/④⑤/⑥

4 . Major Sports Leagues in the US

NFL

Formed in 1920, the National Football League has a religious following in the US and around the world. It’s one of the most profitable leagues in the whole world. The NFL consists of 32 teams, which are sub-divided into NFC and AFC, which compete against each other every year to win the Super Bowl, the halftime show of which features major hit musicians.

NBA

Initially formed in 1946 as the BAA (Basketball Association of America), it merged (合并) with National Basketball League in 1949 and changed its name to NBA. The National Basketball Association might not be the biggest sports league financially, but it has a larger international following than other leagues. The keyword “NBA” was among the most googled keywords in 2021, which indicates how popular it is in the world.

MLB

Baseball is considered to be the national pastime activity of the US and the Major League Baseball is its highest level in the country. The MLB might not be popular as NFL in other parts of the world, but international supporters still make a large portion of the total fanbase. Formed in 1903, the MLB is the oldest US sports league and now has 30 teams, which was a merger between the National League and the American League.

NHL

Founded in 1917, the National Hockey League is the second-oldest sports league in the US and Canada and consists of a total of 32 teams. Three of the best performing teams from each division make it to the playoffs plus two wild card teams. All teams compete to win the prestigious Stanley Cup. Most of NHL’s revenue comes from TV and gate receipts with hockey-crazed Canadians being the primary market.

1. Which American sports league enjoys highest popularity globally?

A．NFL.

B．NBA.

C．MLB.

D．NHL.

2. What can a football fan enjoy when watching NFL?

A．Religious celebrations.	B．Interactive games.
C．International competition.	D．Musical performances.

3. What sets NHL apart from other American sports leagues?

A．The oldest history.	B．The most teams.
C．The Canadian fanbase.	D．Divisions within the league.

5 . A lot of people find it difficult to do exercise regularly, even though they know it’s good for their physical and mental (身心上的) health. Yet keeping on a workout routine doesn’t necessarily go to the gym or run around your neighborhood. Gardening is a great example of a popular hobby that can be used as a workout.

Nashville resident Tom Adkinson, 72, is on board with the idea of gardening to stay fit. He has three gardens, which he uses primarily to grow tomatoes, sweet banana peppers and okra. Like traditional exercise, Adkinson does a lot of preparation before gardening, and then he spends hours watering and weeding (除草) all three gardens, involving bending and stretching, which he compares to performing garden yoga.

“It is wise of Adkinson to do so. Even though gardening may not appear difficult, using the body in new ways can make you hurt if you don’t warm up beforehand,” said Zeller, who teaches at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County in New Jersey.

Working in your garden just two hours a week could improve your mood. And the communal gardening, which is done by a number of people as a group in communities and schools, provides social benefits that can reduce stress and help fight against loneliness and even dementia according to studies.

“With all these benefits, gardening for fitness will be a trend (趋势) in the coming year,” announced Mandal, CEO of the fitness coaching app Future, “Our users at Future have already been asking their coaches to add gardening and landscaping activities into their routines because it’s easy to get and fit into their lifestyle.”

1. What do the underlined words “on board with” mean in paragraph 2?

A．In support of.	B．At the risk of.
C．Under the control of.	D．In opposition to.

2. What did Zeller probably suggest doing before gardening?

A．Having a good rest.

B．Getting enough water ready.

C．Doing warm-up exercise.

D．Preparing tools for weeding.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Tips for gardening.

B．The benefits of gardening.

C．The process of garden management.

D．The difference between personal and group gardening.

4. Which activity may be added to the app Future according to Mandal?

A．Running.

B．Yoga.

C．Gardening.

D．Walking.

6 . The International Federation of Pickleball, with 60 member countries and counties, is working to make sure pickleball will be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.     1    

“Pickleball comes from tennis, badminton and table tennis,” says Hope Tolley, managing director of USA Pickleball.       2     And it uses square paddles (球拍) and a small plastic ball that’s similar in size to a tennis ball, but much lighter.

Unlike tennis, you can score only when it’s your turn to serve. What you should do is keep the ball in the air, and if your opponent(called the receiver)fails to return the ball over the net, you get the point.     3     If not, you’ll end up with a shot that fails to reach the net. Matches can be played in doubles or singles, and games are played to 11 points.

    4     Because the game can vary the intensity-going all out or taking a slower pace-pickleball suits professional athletes and beginners alike. It’s a great workout and it’s a low-influence sport, so it’s easy on players’ joints (关节).

People who are really into the sport can join tournaments at various levels. The first World Pickleball Games will be held next summer in Austin, Texas.     5    

A．Here’s how the game is played.

B．So be sure to hit with enough force.

C．Make sure you can’t stand in wrong position.

D．Playing pickleball can’t have any negative impact on players.

E．It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly lowered tennis net.

F．If you haven’t played it yourself, you’ve probably at least heard of pickleball.

G．By 2030, pickleball is expected to have as many as 40 million players worldwide.

7 . The design of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic torch (火炬) was shown on July 25, marking almost a year until the opening ceremony (典礼) of the Paris Olympic Games.

The torch, measuring 70 centimeters and weighing 3.3 pounds, is made with lightweight radiant steel and is known for its champagne color, a color of French white wine.

Mathieu Lehanneur, the designer of the torch said that he drew inspiration from three Paris 2024 symbols-equality, water and   peacefulness. Equality is shown by perfect balance. Peacefulness is shown by the gentleness of the curves. The lower half features a relief pattern that copies the movement of the River Seine, along which the opening ceremony will be held.

It will be the first torch in the history of the Games to be used for both the Olympics and Paralympics. Past designs have shared similarities but are different in shape and color. This is part of the organizing committee’s plan to “build bridges between the Olympic and Paralympic Games”, Paris 2024’s president Tony Estanguet said in a statement.

Equality means putting the same ambition into organising the Paralympic Games as the Olympic Games. Following on from the medals to the mascots, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will share the same torch design.

Equality in the Paris 2024 project is also reflected in the strong promise to equality in the Olympic Games: For the first time in the history of the Games, as many women as men will take part in the competitions. Reflecting this desire for peace, the torch, with its curves and rounded lines, is filled with   gentleness. The design of the torch delivers generosity and unity.

“Such a project is a dream for a designer, because it’s a project that connects something symbolic and technical in one, for a big moment,” Lehanneur said.

1. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The shape of the torch.

B．The inspiration of the torch.

C．The ceremony of the Games.

D．The location of the opening ceremony.

2. What is special about the torch?

A．It is very heavy.

B．It is perfect in shape.

C．It copies the movement of the River Seine

D．It will be used in the Olympics and Paralympics

3. What can we infer from what Lehanneur said in the last paragraph?

A．He had a passion for sports.

B．He wanted to be a well-known designer.

C．He felt a sense of achievement and pride.

D．He wished to connect everything together.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A designer realized his dream	B．Inspiration of the 2024 Games
C．Paris 2024 showed torch design	D．Equality, water and peacefulness

8 . Sharing China Photo Contest(比)2024

Chinese Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. Joyful celebrations take place all over the world during the festive days. No matter who you are or where you are from, you are welcome to send us photos of valuable moments from Chinese New Year celebrations.

Suggested subjects include:

·Traditional customs (风俗), such as cleaning the house and New Year’s Eve dinner.

·Modern customs, such as the Spring Festival travel rush, giving out or receiving mobile red envelopes (红包) or travelling.

·National activities, such as dragon dances, lion dances, yangko dances, local customs.

·Foreigners experiencing the Spring Festival, such as celebrations around the world or anything that shows the integration (融合) of the festival and local life.

Awards and Prizes

The contest will choose 50 photos (single or group).

First prize: 5 photos, with 2,000 RMB in prize money for each winner

Second prize: 15 photos, with 1,000 RMB in prize money for each winner

Third prize: 30 photos, with 600 RMB in prize

When

The delivery date: from Dec 20, 2023 to Feb 12, 2024

The result will be published on June 1, 2024

The rules

·All entries (参赛作品) must be real and not photo edited. The color of the image may be changed.

·Entries can be single photos or a group of photos. A group of photos counts as one entry and each group may have four to ten photos.

·Entries should have titles and a short photo description (such as time, place and people in the photo).

Host and organizers

Host: China International Culture Association

Organizers: Chinadaily.com.cn, Chinaculture.org

To learn more and deliver your entries:

http: //en. chinaculture. org/special_reports/sharingchina 2024/

1. What is the 2024 photo contest mainly about?

A．Chinese New Year celebrations.	B．Foreigners’ experiences in China.
C．Spring Festival celebrating activities abroad.	D．Chinese traditional and modern customs.

2. What is the last day of the delivery date?

A．December 20, 2023.

B．Feburary 12, 2024.

C．May 15, 2024.

D．June 1, 2024.

3. What is the requirement of the entries?

A．Entries can be edited photos.	B．Entries must be single photos.
C．Entries should be shared online.	D．Entries should have a short introduction.

10 . As with every World Cup, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar the players will be using a new ball. The last thing competitors want is for the most important piece of equipment to behave in unexpected ways in the most important tournament of the world’s most popular sport, so a lot of work goes into making sure that every new World Cup ball feels familiar to players.

Between shots on goal, free kicks and long passes, many important moments of a soccer game happen when the ball is in the air. So one of the most important characteristics of a soccer ball is how it travels through air.

As a ball moves through air, a thin layer of mostly still air called the boundary layer (边界层)surrounds some part of the ball. At low speeds this boundary layer will only cover the front half of the ball before flowing air peels (划过) away from the surface. In this case, the wake of air behind the ball is somewhat regular and is called laminar flow. When a ball is moving quickly, though, the boundary layer wraps much farther around the ball. When the flow air does eventually separate from the ball’s surface, it does so in a series of chaotic swirls (不规则气旋). This process is called turbulent flow.

When calculating how much force moving air imparts on a moving object — called drag — physicists use a term called the drag coefficient (系数). For a given speed, the higher the drag coefficient is, the more drag an object feels.

It turns out that a soccer ball’s drag coefficient is approximately 2.5 times larger for laminar flow than for turbulent flow. Though it may seem counterintuitive, roughening a ball’s surface delays the separation of the boundary layer and keeps a ball in turbulent flow longer. This fact of physics that — rougher balls feel less drag — is the reason why dimpled (坑坑洼洼的) golf balls fly much farther than they would if the balls were smooth.

1. What can be inferred from the passage about footballs in the World Cup?

A．Unexpected ways of playing them will come into view.

B．They make sure of long passes to be performed by players.

C．They’ll be judged by their quality when kicked off in the air.

D．Their importance explains why the World Cup is famous globally.

2. What does the passage mainly focus on in Paragraph 3?

A．Changes of the football surface.	B．A wide variety of airflows.
C．Formation of the boundary layers.	D．A broad range of football's speed.

3. By mentioning “counterintuitive” in Paragraph 5, the author shows that                 .

A．the result seems unlikely at first sight	B．the prediction lacks explanation
C．the research requires further investigation	D．the method of study isn’t proper enough

4. Why are golf balls mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．To compare the speed of different golf balls.

B．To encourage more footballs to be made as such.

C．To apply the research result to explain another phenomenon.

D．To explain clearer the function of separating boundary layers.