1 . You always found me on a basketball court or with a ball in my hand. It taught me many things about life. It also taught me that success requires hard work.

I played the sport up until one day my plans were cut short. I had my knee broken, unfortunately, terminating my career as a player. Giving up basketball was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life.

I did not want to lose that part of my life forever. I decided to realize my dream of basketball from a different angle; I signed up to coach a seventh grade basketball team. I’m not going to lie, at first I was a bit apprehensive. After all, I was only a senior girl in high school coaching a seventh grade basketball team.

My basketball team consisted of seven seventh grade girls and we practiced twice a week for one hour. It was not a lot of time, which often made it difficult to make progress in skill development. However, my skills were able to develop, but not in basketball. As a coach, I am supposed to be the one teaching them. But the girls that I coached did not realize that while they were learning, so was I. My players taught me many things like patience and confidence, and above all, a better understanding of myself as a person. They taught me how to be a good role model, and how to hold myself accountable for my choices. They taught me how to heighten my love for the game, and heighten my love for seven girls I didn’t know I could grow so close to. Thank you for helping me grow as an individual and as a coach.

1. What broke the author’s dream of being a basketball player?

A．Shortage of time.

B．A serious injury.

C．Lack of hard work.

D．A terrible illness.

2. What does the underlined word “apprehensive” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Concerned.

B．Consistent.

C．Considerate.

D．Communicative.

3. In which aspect did the author benefit most as a coach?

A．Making choices.

B．Basketball skills.

C．Confidence building.

D．Self recognition.

4. What can be inferred about the author?

A．She has parted with the girls.	B．She will go for further education.
C．She has stepped out of her shadow.	D．She makes a living by training the girls.

2 . How to Fall Off a Skateboard Safely

Skateboarding is very popular exercise. Learning how to fall safely in the course of skateboarding will keep you safer and relatively pain-free. In skateboarding, falling is a big part. It’s unavoidable.     1    

Roll to land on your shoulder or back instead. When you fall, roll to land on your shoulder or back instead, tucking (收拢) in your elbows. The roll takes the energy out of the fall. If you can, roll with the fall — land on your shoulder and let the force of the fall play itself out with the roll.     2     Keep your limbs loose to absorb the fall. Stiffening up (变得僵硬) increases the risk of breaking bones.

Learn to run out of tricks. This is where you try something thrilling and the board goes wrong and you catch yourself running.     3     But if you do this right, you’ll get out of a lot of falls!

Wear kneepads on ramps (斜坡). If you are skateboarding on ramps, wearing kneepads can keep you safer from injuries. Teach yourself to always fall to your knees and slide down the ramp.     4     Just run up the side of a ramp, drop to your knees and then slide down. Practice like this for a while to get it in your head.

    5     Your instincts (直觉) when you fall are to throw your hands out. But you shouldn’t do that when there’s concrete below you. You could break your wrists. You can buy wrist guards for skateboarding. These can help if you’re afraid of catching yourself with your hands. But it’s better to learn to overlook and control your instincts so you can fall more carefully.

A．It takes some getting used to.

B．It will hurt a little, but not so bad.

C．You can actually practice this and it is fun too.

D．Learn never to catch yourself with your hands.

E．Employ wrist guards to avoid injury to your wrists.

F．You can avoid serious injury with following practical tips.

G．So you should keep away from this type of exercise as much as possible.

3 . Scientists from Georgia Tech have developed a new robot named ESTHER (Experimental Sport Tennis Wheelchair Robot), which can move around the court and even return human serves.

The team believes the robot could serve as a training partner (搭档) for professional players in the future, lowering the pressure of training with another human.

The robot is the brainchild of Georgia Tech’s Matthew Gombolay, professor of robotics in the School of Interactive Computing. He wanted to develop a better training challenge than a ball feeder that stays in one place, one that would act like an always on-call partner or even team up with someone in doubles matches. The result is ESTHER, an adapted wheelchair tennis chair that can race to balls at ten metres per second and probably outplay a human.

Mr Gombolay explains: “The wheelchair has the ability to rapidly move around the court and get into position (恰当位置) to hit a ground stroke (击落地球). ESTHER can move up to two metres after a ball is struck to hit a successful return, which is comparable to the longest distance moved by human players for 80 per cent of shots (击球).”

The robot was named in homage to well-known wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer, who held the world No. 1 position in women’s wheelchair tennis for almost 13 years straight.

The team placed a network of cameras around a tennis court and used computer vision algorithms (视觉算法) to help ESTHER recognise an incoming tennis ball. Using cameras from different positions, they could know where the ball is in the air and feed this information to ESTHER. The team reached a breakthrough when they successfully and continually programmed ESTHER to track the tennis ball coming toward it and to hit a return.

ESTHER will now be developed to act as a highly-skilled tennis player.

1. What is ESTHER able to do?

A．Return a shot.

B．Clean up a court.

C．Push a wheelchair.

D．Control a ball feeder.

2. What does the underlined part “in homage to” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．In search of.

B．In honour of.

C．As a result of.

D．With the help of.

3. In what way are cameras helpful to ESTHER?

A．They improve its vision.	B．They direct it to the ball.
C．They help it stay in position.	D．They picture unexpected things in the air.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Athletes in wheelchairs	B．An all-purpose robot at home
C．Rules are changing for tennis courts	D．A robot moves around the tennis court

4 . Discover the Huge Health Benefits of Strength Training

One of the best ways to stay fit and healthy as you age is to do strength and power training exercises. It is known that when you are in your thirties, you will begin to lose muscle mass. This loss actually contributes to achy joints, the increased risk of injury, and the “middle-age spread” we all fear. What’s more, the older you get, the faster muscle mass loses. It means that eventually, simple tasks like getting out of a chair and climbing stairs can become more difficult.

Strength training can help you build muscles, make you strong, increase your staying power and make everyday activities easier. By combining strength and power training exercises, you’ll not only get stronger, but also improve your reaction speed. As you grow older, that’s critical because it can help prevent falls. Here is a book, Strength and Power Training for All Ages, for your reference.

Common sense about fitness in the book:

·The key muscles to work for an injury-free body

·How to tell how much weight is suitable for you

·How to strengthen the bones most likely to break

·How to take pressure off your knees when walking or running

·Why you’ll want to apply heat to sore joints before you exercise

Four total body workouts in the book:

·Build bones

·Fight diseases

·Improve balance

·Strengthen muscles &Increase muscle power

Get a copy, start training, and then you’ll discover a whole new self.

1. What will happen as people age according to paragraph 1?

A．They will need less exercise.

B．They will improve reaction speed.

C．They will experience muscle loss.

D．They will have better staying power.

2. What does Strength and Power Training for All Ages mainly teach people to do?

A．Train their brains.	B．Build a sound body.
C．Treat bone diseases.	D．Cut down their weight.

3. What is the text?

A．A notice.	B．An oral folktale.
C．A scientific paper.	D．An advertisement.

5 . After taking a few steps back, Hadj Benhalima rushed toward the building, pushed himself upward with his foot against the wall and stretched out his arm. At the peak of his jump, he flipped off a light switch, and the bright lights of a nearby barbershop went off immediately.

This is what Hadj and his friends have been doing for the past two years: swinging around Paris and switching off wasteful shop signs at night, in an effort to fight against light pollution and save energy. And they are all enthusiastic about Parkour — a sport that consists of running and jumping over urban obstacles.

While climbing other people’s property to turn off their lights may strike some as a form of trespassing (非法入侵), the Parkour athletes insist their activities are only about enforcing seldom-respected rules.

More than a decade ago, Paris City Hall issued orders requiring stores to turn off all signs and window displays from 1 am to 6 am, but they are widely ignored with little consequence. “for 10 years there has been no follow-up, no control, no punishment,” said Anne-Marie Ducroux, the head of the National Association for the Protection of the Sky and the Night Environment.

That is why Hadj and his friends have taken matters into their own hands. The group often gathers in the so-called Golden Triangle neighborhood, in western Paris, which is the center of French luxury.

Enforcing the orders in place of the authorities certainly enters a legal grey area. But the Parkour athletes say all the police officers they have met during their rounds have allowed their action — as long as it causes no damage.

And it seems that their efforts have produced the desired result, because Hadj says he has noticed that in recent months, several shops have stopped leaving their lights on after his group targeted them. He hopes others will follow suit. “At least, I’ll sleep better,” he said.

1. What are Hadj Benhalima and his friends trying to do at night?

A．To practice their Parkour skills.

B．To remove possible urban obstacles.

C．To turn off unnecessary store lights.

D．To ensure the safety of their neighborhood.

2. What can we learn about the rules set by the government?

A．They are too strict to follow.

B．They have achieved the desired effect.

C．They put great pressure on stores.

D．They are not carried out effectively.

3. What is the government’s attitude towards the Parkour athletes’ act?

A．Worried.

B．Supportive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Unconcerned.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Why Parkour is so popular among young people in Paris.

B．Why it is difficult to fight against light pollution in Paris.

C．How the lighting of shop signs affects the night view of Paris.

D．How young people in Paris help save energy through Parkour.

6 . The Olympic Games are old and so are the fans. The median age (中位年龄) of American viewers of the games in Barcelona in 1992 was 39. That increased to 53 for the Rio de Janeiro games of 2016. Overall viewing figures are sinking, too. At the most recent games in Tokyo in 2021, they were a third lower than in 2008.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has admitted that the games risk losing connection. To keep connected with society, the Olympics are expanding, adding what Mr Bach described as “youth-based” sports. In Tokyo, climbing, skateboarding and surfing were put on the schedule. In Paris this year, breakdancing will feature for the first time. Undoubtedly the youth will be excited. But if Mr. Bach wants the Olympics to become more relevant to more people, the best idea would be to include e-sports.

So far the IOC has approached e-sports like an uncool dad. An inaugural (首次的) Olympic E-sports Week took place in Singapore in June. But the choice of events puzzled fans. The archery game, for instance, had been downloaded only 100 times before the tournament was announced. The most recognisable event, ”Just Dance“, is not considered an e-sport by fans. The experiment resulted in widespread doubt. Peak viewership was only more than 22,000.

E-sports command a huge audience. Attracting a big audience matters for the Olympics, which have seen the costs of infrastructure (基础设施) in recent years. The inclusion of e-sports would add income from media rights and sponsorship. Besides, the IOC has other reasons for changing its stand. For one, e-sports may bring Olympic glory to a more diverse group of countries and just like traditional sports, it can show three of the Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect.

1. What can we know from Paragraph 1?

A．The viewing number of the Olympics is reducing.

B．The Olympic Games are always popular in America.

C．The IOC didn’t realize the problems of the Olympics.

D．The median age of Olympic viewers remained the same.

2. How do the Olympics keep connected with society?

A．By focusing on more popular and contemporary events.

B．By adding more sports attracting the younger generation.

C．By cutting down the number of traditional sports in the Games.

D．By hosting the Olympics in more countries with diverse cultures.

3. What was viewers’ attitude toward the inaugural Olympic E-sports Week?

A．Unclear.

B．Satisfied.

C．Tolerant.

D．Uninterested.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Differences between traditional sports and e-sports.

B．Advantages of culturally diverse nations in e-sports.

C．Potential benefits of including e-sports in the Olympics.

D．Suggestions on building a safe gaming environment for e-sports.

7 . Clothes Upcycling (升级改造) Contest 2024

Are you passionate about fashion and the environment? Do you have a creative mind and want to make a positive impact on the planet? Then we have a contest for you!

We are excited to launch the Love Your Chelmsford Upcycling Clothes Contest for secondary school ages(11-18 years), to promote extending the life of our clothes and save them from going to landfills! Upcycling clothes has many benefits including reducing the impact of buying new on natural resources and reducing your carbon footprint.

You have to create clothes from used materials, and transform them into something new and exciting. Each applicant can be one individual person or one group. Applicants can apply multiple times, but only be qualified to win with one submission (提交).

How to Participate:

To enter, you must be a resident of Chelmsford and aged 11-18. We will require a before and after picture of your shoes or clothes upcycling project along with a description of the materials and techniques that you used to create your masterpiece (作品). Please send your submission to loveyourchelmsford@chelmsford.gov.uk by June 30, 2024.

Recommended:

Show the creation process of your masterpiece and share where everything came from.

Prizes:

*Up to 100 applicants will have the option to be listed on our website to sell their upcycled work.

*The most impressive upcycled masterpiece will win a £100 Gift Voucher (礼品券) to shop at Glass Onion, plus there are 5 runner-up prizes of a 183-piece sewing kit.

1. What do we know about the contest?

A．Group work will not be accepted.

B．The participants can apply more than once.

C．One participant can win more than one prize.

D．Winning pieces will be selected on June 30, 2024.

2. What do the participants have to provide along with their work?

A．A picture of the remaining materials.	B．A list of tools involved.
C．A description of the techniques used.	D．A video of the making process.

3. What will the first prize winner get?

A．A £100 Gift Voucher.	B．An amount of cash.
C．A free trip to Glass Onion.	D．A 183-piece sewing kit.

8 . Cyclocross is cross-country bicycle racing. Racers spend only part of a race on their bikes because only part of the two-mile race is smooth. Other parts of the race have the challenge of obstacles (障碍). When racers reach them, they can ride over them, or pick up their bikes and run.

To be a top racer, you must dismount without slowing down at all. To do this, swing your right leg over the bike seat. At the same time, move the bike away from your body. This makes room for your right foot to hit the ground next to your left foot. As your right foot nears the ground, take your left foot away from the bike. Put both feet on the ground and start running!

As soon as you are running, you have to decide what to do with your bike. You may shoulder it or lift it. It’s important to practice both skills. Sometimes you need to run fast and jump over some obstacles. As your feet hit the ground, you reach down and catch the bottom of your bike. Lift up carefully and keep the bike on your right shoulder while you run. Sometimes you may lift your bike. You catch the top of your bike. Then you lift the bike high enough to get over the obstacles and carefully put the bike on the ground.

After you have carried your bike across an obstacle, you will need to remount. As soon as your bike is on the ground, push off with your left leg, swing your right leg over the bike seat, and move into riding position. Remounting can be the hardest skill of cyclocross. You can learn by watching someone who remounts well.

Cyclocross is a great way to stay active and have fun. However, it can be dangerous. Make sure that you are well prepared. Then, you will just need to go!

1. What can we learn about cyclocross from the text?

A．It’s a cross-city bike race.	B．It’s a challenging bike race.
C．It’s a no-obstacle bike race.	D．It’s a dangerous running race.

2. What does the underlined word “dismount” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Get off a bike.

B．Pick up a bike.

C．Get back on a bike.

D．Practice riding a bike.

3. Why does a racer have to shoulder a bike in a race?

A．To take care of the bike.	B．To jump over obstacles.
C．To make room for others.	D．To hit the ground harder.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The popularity of cyclocross racing.	B．The history of cyclocross racing.
C．The records of cyclocross racing.	D．The skills of cyclocross racing.

9 . Tracy Anderson

Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham are fans of the Tracy Anderson Method, which involves dance-based classes using body resistance and very light hand weights. Her online programme includes a new weekly workout, as well as access to existing classes, her digital magazine and meal planning guides. It’s at ￡69 per month, but you get a discount for annual membership.tracyanderson.com

Roar

The singer Ellie Goulding and the fashion designer Henry Holland are said to be fans of Roar’s daily live classes, which include the Overdrive—a high energy weights-based workout focusing on upper-body strengthening and cardiovascular fitness. Their founder, the three times Olympian speed skater Sarah Lindsay, has also trained the broadcaster Piers Morgan and the DJ Nick Grimshaw. There’s a 14-day free trial, then membership starts at โ12.50per month with live daily workouts and unlimited access to the library. roar-fitness.com

Centr

The Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and his personal trainer Luke Zocchi launched the Centr app in 2019. It features 20 and 40-minute session s of HIIT, Pilates, yoga, boxing and guided meditation, plus recipe ideas, a meal planner and stress and well being support. It’s offering a free seven-day trial, and starts from £7.83permonth. centr.com

Get It Done

The former professional footballer and celebrity trainer Bradley Simmonds launched his platform, Get It Done, in 2020. The app includes daily live streamed and on-demand classes featuring yoga, core fitness and strength. From ￡22 per month. Getitdone. fitness

1. What do Tracy Anderson and Centr have in common?

A．Dance-based classes.	B．Special magazines.
C．Meal planning guides.	D．A free trial period.

2. |Which can probably offer one-on-one classes?

A．Tracy Anderson.

B．Roar.

C．Centr.

D．Get It Done.

3. Who is the text intended for?

A．Professional athletes.	B．Fitness enthusiasts.
C．Famous celebrities.	D．Personal trainers.

10 . Sport plays a huge part in Australian culture. Here are some wonderful sporting events for travelers from all over the world.

Australian Open (January) The Australian Open is perhaps one of the country’s most prized events and biggest summer parties. Hosted in January every year, this two-week tennis event lights up the city and brings the very best tennis superstars to Melbourne along with thousands of fans and a host of world-class singers.	World Surfing Championships (March to May) While summer brings warmer waters, Australia’s autumn comes with the World Surfing Championships, Across the men’s and women’s tournaments (锦标赛), fans can see their favourite players trying their best across a series of events in the surfing capital of Australia, the Gold Coast.
Uluru Camel Cup (May) If you’re looking for a special Australian event, don’t miss the Uluru Camel Cup. It’s all about a camels’ race to find the fastest camel in Australia. There are several activities that take place over the weekend with delicious food, live music and entertainment. You also have a chance to bet on your favourite camel.	Melbourne Cup (November) The Melbourne Cup is the country’s most famous horse race, which is called “The Race That Stops A Nation”. It’s not all about the racing however, with fashion shows, music, and the best selections of food. This one-day event has become such a big part of Australian culture that it is now an official public holiday.

1. Which event will tennis fans be interested in?

A．Australian Open.	B．Melbourne Cup.
C．Uluru Camel Cup.	D．World Surfing Championships.

2. In which month can we enjoy two different sporting events?

A．January.

B．March.

C．May.

D．November.

3. What’s special about Melbourne Cup?

A．It provides food.	B．It is a public holiday.
C．It lasts for a weekend.	D．It has live performances.