1 . Winning the silver medal at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League in the United States, on Sunday, the Chinese women’s volleyball team enjoyed their best result in the tournament (联赛), with the key to the breakthrough being their unity and never-say-die spirit.
“I just feel that our team is more united than ever,” said Yuan Xinyue, Team China captain. “We support and help each other on the court. This is the most important reason behind our success. All of us should shoulder the responsibility of winning.”
She continued to say, “ We have firm determination, and we will keep moving forward. We cherish the road that we have walked. We will summarize events, and we will keep tackling the problems. We will also try hard and hold onto our dreams and the belief that the Chinese women’s volleyball team can be the best.”
Team China was one step away from gold, but the Turkish women’s team showed greater momentum (势头) in the final beating China 3-1. As the Chinese team only finished sixth at last year’s VNL, the second-place finish was a surprise to Chinese fans.
Sunday’s final attracted huge media attention and generated a series of trending topics on social media. While many joined in heated discussion about the final, many more expressed congratulations on the fast rise of the young women’s team.
“Although the Chinese women’s team wasn’t able to stand on the highest podium (领奖台) at the Volleyball Nations League, they still produced the best possible result by fighting together. Hand in hand, Team China players march forward together,” reported by China Sports Daily. “Team China was not among the favorites to reach the final of the VNL, but the team still managed to pocket a silver medal, which is huge progress compared to last year’s result. They proved all the doubters wrong, and they showed the world what a united team they are.”
1. How can we best describe Team China’s performance in the tournament?| A．Overconfident. | B．United. | C．Disappointing. | D．Careless. |
| A．Checking out. | B．Bringing about. | C．Giving up. | D．Dealing with. |
| A．People were concerned about Team China because it lost the game. |
| B．Team China played very hard in the tournament and won the first prize. |
| C．Team China has made significant advances though not pocketing the gold medal. |
| D．Team China didn’t try their best. |
| A．Team China shines in silver medal success |
| B．Team China not among favorites to reach final |
| C．Chinese women’s volleyball team plays against Turkish team |
| D．Team China wins the game |
2 . For people suffering from depression, there’s an all-natural treatment they should use — getting more exercise. It could help fight depression, even if people have a genetic risk, new research shows.
For the study, researchers collected information from nearly 8,000 people and found those with related genes were more likely to have depression over the next two years after examining them. But that was less likely for people who were more active at the study’s start, even if they had a family history of depression. Higher levels of physical activity helped protect even those with the highest genetic risk of depression.
Both high-intensity (高强度) exercise and low-intensity activities were associated with a reduced risk of depression. Adding four hours of exercise a week could lower the risk of a new episode (一段经历) of depression by 17%, according to the study. “Our findings strongly suggest that, when it comes to depression, being physically active has the potential to remove the added risk of future episodes in individuals who are genetically risky,” said lead author Karmel Choi. “On average, about 35 additional minutes of physical activity each day may help people to reduce their risk and protect against future depression episodes.”
Depression is a common mental illness globally, with more than 264 million people affected. “Depression is so ubiquitous, and that underlines the need for effective approaches that can impact as many people as possible,” Choi said. And mental health and primary care providers can use the findings to advise patients that there’s something meaningful they can do to lower their risk of depression.
1. How did the researchers reach their conclusion?| A．By analyzing a mass of data. |
| B．By conducting genetic research. |
| C．By comparing various levels of activity. |
| D．By tracking the subjects for many years. |
| A．Physical activity betters medical treatment. |
| B．Exercise is able to decrease and prevent it. |
| C．Different levels of exercise intensity matter the same. |
| D．Exercising 35 minutes daily is the most effective treatment. |
| A．Harmful. | B．Complex. |
| C．Unusual. | D．Common. |
| A．To discuss a disease. |
| B．To introduce a method. |
| C．To analyze a genetic risk. |
| D．To explain a phenomenon. |
3 . Can exercise during childhood protect you against memory loss many years later? Exercise early in life seems to have lifelong benefits for the brain, in rats at least.
“This is an animal study, but it shows that physical activity at a young age is very important — not just for physical development, but for the whole lifelong track of cognitive (认知的) development during ageing,” says Martin of the University of Toronto, Canada. “In humans, it may put off the appearance of Alzheimer’s (阿兹海默症) symptoms, possibly to the point of preventing them.”
Martin’s team divided 80 young male rats into two equal groups, and placed running wheels in the cages of one group for a period of six weeks. Around four months later — when the rats had reached middle age — the team taught all the rats to connect an electric shock with being in a specific box. When placed in the box, they froze with fear.
Two weeks later, the team tested the rats in three situations: exactly the same box in the same room, the same box with the room arranged differently, and a completely different box in a different room.
The rats without access (途径) to a running wheel when they were young now froze the same percentage of times in each of these situations, suggesting they couldn’t remember which one was dangerous. But those that had been able to run in their youth froze 40 to 50 percent less in both changed box settings.
“The results suggest the amount of physical activity when we’re young, at least for rats, has influence on brain and cognitive health — in the form of better memories — when we’re older,” says Arthur Kramer of Northeastern University in Boston, who has found that, in humans, exercise improves the growth of new brain cells.
1. The study shows that ______.| A．physical activity is important for physical health |
B．exercise when young can prevent memory loss when older in rats |
| C．using the running wheels is of benefit to the rats’ growth |
| D．physical activity can prevent human’s Alzheimer’s symptoms |
| A．Benefit. | B．Development. | C．Exercise. | D．Study . |
| A．By analyzing causes. | B．By giving an example. |
| C．By showing differences. | D．By describing the process. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Critical (批判性的). | C．Objective. | D．Doubtful. |
4 . It’s common nowadays for people to schedule a fitness plan. Whatever the drive behind it, whether health-related, performance-related or just plain vainglory (虚荣心), it is not uncommon for people to take regular exercise.
But if you’ve never done it before, what’s the best way to go about it? Well, many people make use of a PT — that’s a personal trainer. This might be because they’re wet behind the ears or maybe they just don’t want the trouble of designing their own workout plan. A PT will create a plan based on the aim of an individual. They will tailor it to your current abilities and, better still, they will teach you how to move in a proper way.
However, the trade-off with a PT is the price. Each hourly session can be steep considering the double whammy of having to pay both the PT and membership of the gym. If you are at all strapped for cash then regular sessions might be out of your budget.
So what’s left? Well, if you have the grit for it, you can make your own plan. It’s relatively easy to do if you have the know-how. But before you do, here are some basic pointers.
First, keep your fitness goal in mind. Are you looking to slim down, bulk up, or get shredded? Whatever it is, make sure you choose to be in pursuit of that goal. Next, do your research. Social media is full of fitness videos and advice. Watch as many as possible, but make sure to be critical of them — everyone has a different body. Finally, keep your feet on the ground. Be patient with yourself and set realistic goals — it takes at least three months to see realistic body changes. A good workout is difficult and challenging, but never painful. Pain means you are damaging yourself.
1. What drives people to go to the gym?| A．To keep a fit figure. | B．To make friends. |
| C．To avoid vainglory. | D．To become a celebrity. |
| A．A student short of budget. | B．A busy workaholic. |
| C．A green hand in exercise. | D．A professional athlete. |
| A．Bear in mind our fitness goals. | B．Be a member of the gym. |
| C．Set a training timeline. | D．Watch latest fitness videos. |
| A．The necessity of exercise. | B．How to make a fitness plan. |
| C．The practical skills of workout. | D．How to be a personal trainer. |
5 . Good health is the most valuable thing a person can have, but one cannot take good health for granted.
Proper nutrition (营养) is important for good health. Your body cannot work well unless it receives the proper kind of “fuel” (燃料).
Finally, get plenty of exercise.
If everybody were to eat the right food, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly, the world would be a happier and healthier place.
| A．Drink cold drinks on a cold day. |
| B．We would all live to be much older and wiser. |
| C．Don’t eat too much food with lots of sugar and fat. |
| D．Getting the proper amount of sleep is also important. |
| E．Secondhand smoke is harmful to children as they develop. |
| F．It is important to remember that the body needs proper care in order to be healthy. |
| G．Exercise firms the body, strengthens the muscles, and prevents you from gaining weight. |
6 . Living a healthy lifestyle contains making choices about the foods we eat as well as exercise and other daily activities. The term “healthy lifestyle” can be defined as “to improve and protect one’s health and well-being”. For this purpose, a healthy lifestyle can include good eating habits, regular physical activity and anti-alcoholism (抗酒精中毒).
First of all, good eating habits are the main way of living a healthy lifestyle. For instance, rushed morning routines, trying to lose weight, and lack of appetite (食欲) early in the morning are all reasons why people skip breakfast (不吃早餐). However, most experts think that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Another example is fast food; a hamburger from McDonald’s with special sauce and cheese is not exactly considered as a healthy meal. Our society today is developing fast and people are on the go at all times. It is much easier to stop and get fast food. As a result, humans become fatter. However, eating low-fat meals that include 5 to 9 serving of fruits and vegetables every day is an ideal healthy life plan. Therefore, good eating habits are the main way of living a healthy lifestyle.
Secondly, another way of living a healthy lifestyle is physical activity. Exercise is indeed part of life because it keeps the body and mind in good shape. Exercise reduces stress and contributes to (有助于) a good sleep. It can keep a person looking and feeling younger throughout his entire life, and it also helps build one’s energy and strength. So, physical activity is another way of living a healthy lifestyle.
Finally, another way is anti-alcoholism. Addiction to alcohol may cause serious social and public problems. It is accepted that driving after drinking is dangerous. Alcohol is a main factor of traffic deaths. Alcoholism can also lead to diseases, such as heart attack or liver trouble. Thus, anti-alcoholism is another way for a healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle can be maintained in three ways: the first way is good eating habits, the second way is regular physical activity and the final way is anti-alcoholism.
1. When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, which of the following is not mentioned in the passage?| A．Good eating habits. | B．Anti-alcoholism. |
| C．Physical activity. | D．Losing weight. |
| A．Busy. | B．Boring. | C．Hard. | D．Happy. |
| A．By avoiding fast food. | B．By being happy every day. |
| C．By taking regular exercise. | D．By wearing some special clothes. |
| A．Life. | B．Sports. | C．Economy. | D．Advertisement. |
7 . There’s a reason why so many people love running early in the morning.
●Find a friend, and be gentle with yourself
Finding a partner to run with will give you someone to be responsible for, and make it much harder to blow off the run. It’s also important to remember that this is a process, and you can’t expect to do it perfectly from the beginning.
●Embrace the movement
“The first few steps or blocks will be tough in the morning. They always are,” says Dr. Jordan Metzl, who has over 32 marathon finishes under his belt. With a practice of more than 20, 000 patients, Metzl’s days are jam-packed, so early morning runs are a must.
●Stay warm
●
“I view waking up early like tearing off a Band-Aid,” says Michele Gonzalez, a running coach. “It’s gonna hurt for a bit.” Her advice is relatively simple. “You just have to set the alarm early and start doing it,” she says. “After a few days, you’ll be tired earlier at night and will start going to bed earlier. This makes the early alarm feel a bit more manageable.”
| A．It has major benefits. |
| B．Have a training plan. |
| C．Make peace with the pain. |
| D．It’s just like warming up a car in the winter. |
| E．Even if you have a setback or two, keep at it. |
| F．Still, he knows how hard it can be to get motivated. |
| G．The worst part is getting changed in the cold air especially in winter. |
8 . It is reported that 6 percent of the early deaths are caused by lack of physical activity, making it the fourth largest risk for death in the world after high blood pressure, smoking and high blood sugar.
Now good news is that there are about 17 million road runners in the US, and the roads are lined with people running slowly or fast. It is a good idea to join them.
| A．So exercise is necessary in everyday life. |
| B．There are various indoor sports. |
| C．Are you interested in taking exercise? |
| D．Running, however, is not the only method to keep fit. |
| E．Runners live an average of many years longer than non-runners. |
| F．Then you will enjoy the same joy of exercise as they do. |
| G．It could also reduce the deaths related to heart disease. |
9 . In a world ruled by hard exercise and complex fitness programs, the simple act of walking is often ignored(忽略).
Heart Health and Weight Management
Walking is light heart exercise that helps improve heart health by increasing blood circulation(循环).
Pressure Drop and Clear Mind
Taking a relaxing walk or quick walk has been shown to give off endorphins, the body’s natural ”feel-good” materials. This leads to lower pressure levels, improved feelings, and improved mental health. Walking outdoors in nature or in a peaceful environment can provide a refreshing escape from the daily tasks.
Joint(关节)Health and Free Movement
Unlike active sports, walking is soft on the joints, making it a perfect choice for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Social Communication and Connection
| A．It helps oil joints and make them stronger. |
| B．It’s a cheap way to lead a healthier lifestyle. |
| C．So taking a walk can make your mind relaxed and fresh. |
| D．A quick walk after meals has been shown to benefit the stomach. |
| E．It cuts down the risk of heart disease and brings down blood pressure. |
| F．Walking is useful exercise that can easily be turned into a social activity. |
| G．However, walking remains one of the easiest and most useful forms of exercise. |
10 . Teenagers’ fitness is now a major concern, to which physical exercise is very important. It reduces stress and improves fitness. Exercise makes your body strong, and helps you to keep the right body weight. Sports scientist Dr.Helen Lopez offers the following advice to teenagers: “Firstly, you need to find out your present level of fitness. Then you can design a programme that will help you become healthier.”
Dr Lopez suggests that there are three levels of fitness that need a change of lifestyle. “Overweight” means that the person gets very little exercise and often has a serious weight problem. “Inactive” means that the person does not join in many physical activities, but is not seriously overweight. “Active” refers to people who take part in sports and other physical activities, but do not have a high fitness level.
According to Dr Lopez, overweight teenagers should keep active to keep healthy. Ride a bike, play volleyball or basketball for a while, and go for a twenty-minute walk each day. All these will help to burn up calories. Inactive teenagers should do similar activities, but add some bending and stretching exercises, such as push-ups and sit-ups, starting with twenty of each a day. “Inactive people can take a little more exercise than overweight people because their bodies are stronger,” said Dr Lopez. The same principle applies to active teenagers.
Dr Lopez suggests one hour a week or more on running and other forms of intensive exercise, together with fifteen minutes a day spent on stretching and bending activities. “These are really important in order to prevent injuries,” Dr Lopez said. Some weight-training and other body-strengthening exercises could also be planned in the programme in order to increase the personˈs strength.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Active people always have a high fitness level. |
| B．Overweight people always take more exercise. |
| C．Inactive teenagers are not seriously overweight. |
| D．Keeping fit means changing teenagers’ lifestyle. |
| A．It can make the teenagers grow taller. |
| B．It can help teenagers become healthier. |
| C．It can help to burn up calories. |
| D．It can increase teenagers’ strength. |
| A．walking | B．stretching and bending |
| C．riding | D．weight-training |
| A．Doing exercises | B．Teenagersˈ fitness |
| C．Different lifestyles | D．Overweight teenagers |
