1 . Sports play an important role in teenagers’ lives. They help teenagers keep fit and teach them teamwork. Four teenagers from different countries talk about their sports.

Li Yue, China

I do many sports, but my favourite is table tennis. I play table tennis in a club at the weekend and I’m quite good at it. On Saturday I teach some younger children to play table tennis, and that’s really fun.

Sophie, Britain

My sport is rugby. I play for the U15s, the team for players under the age of 15. My team always plays a match on Saturday or Sunday, and I usually go to practice games three times on weekdays. It’s hard work, but it’s never boring!

Ben, Canada

I love the snow and the mountains. In the holidays, I always go to the mountains with my family. I go snowboarding with my sister and other young people every day, and I’m getting really good. I want to be a famous snowboarder one day.

Laura, America

I started running when I was really young. When I was 13, I joined a club and started taking part in competitions. I have never won a race, but I’m improving all the time. That’s the most important thing for me. I’ve also made many friends since joining the club.

1. Who is good at playing table tennis?

A．Li Yue.

B．Sophie.

C．Ben.

D．Laura.

2. What does Sophie always do at the weekend?

A．Play a match.	B．Go snowboarding.
C．Go to practice games.	D．Practice running in a club.

3. What’s the most important thing for Laura?

A．Winning races.	B．Enjoying the sport.
C．Making friends.	D．Improving all the time.

2 . Competitive video gaming, known as e-sports, should be included in the Olympic Games, the creator of World of Warcraft has told the BBC.

Rob Pardo, who until July, 2014 was chief creative officer at Blizzard Entertainment, a famous game company, said that “sport” now had a broad definition. “Video games are well positioned to be a spectator sport (观赏性体育运动).“ he told Afternoon Edition on BBC S Live.

Professional e-sports events currently attract audiences of millions. A recent major final held in Seoul, South Korea, filled a stadium of 40,000 people, with many more watching online around the world.

”There’s a very good argument for e-sports being in the Olympics,“ said Mr. Pardo, who was also lead designer on Starcraft: Brood War, a game often credited with promoting the e-sports phenomenon.

”I think the way that you look at e-sports is that it is a very competitive skill and you look at these professional gamers and the reflexes are lightning quick and they’re having to make very quick decisions on the fly.

“When you look at their ‘actions per minute’, they’re clearing over 300.”

However, he admitted that video gaming faced a cultural battle to win over those who followed more physical sports.

“That starts getting into how you define sport,” he said. “If you want to define sport as something that takes a lot of physical exertion (用力气), then it’s hard to argue that video games should be a sport, but at the same time, when I’m looking at things that are already in the Olympics, I start questioning the definition.”

Having new sports admitted into the Olympic is a long-winded process and, since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) limited the number of sports allowed in the Games, has become increasingly difficult.

Even if e-sports were to be recognized as an Olympic sport, that doesn’t mean they would be included in the Games — it merely means a case can be presented to the IOC.

1. Which of the following is TRUE about Rob Pardo?

A．He works for BBC now.

B．He held the e-sports final in Seoul.

C．He was in charge of the game Starcraft: Brood War.

D．He is the chief creative officer at Blizzard Entertainment now.

2. What does the underlined word “reflexes” mean in paragraph 5?

A．reaction

B．challenge

C．creation

D．ability

3. The professional e-sports gamers’ ability to respond is thought to be ________.

A．very slow	B．very quick
C．as quick as ordinary people	D．as quick as other sports players

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A travel brochure.	B．An advertisement.
C．A textbook.	D．A news report.

3 . The Most Popular Sports In The World

Sports are popular for a number of reasons, varying from keeping healthy to recreational purposes. Sports are even more popular with people who do not necessarily participate in them, but love being spectators. Here is a brief discussion of the most popular sports in the world.

Football (Soccer)—4 Billion Fans

Football, better known as soccer in the US and Canada, is the most popular sport in the world. The origins of modern football are in England in the 19th century, though history points to people playing similar games as far back as 2,000 years ago in China. It is played all over the world, but is particularly popular in Europe, Central and South America, and Africa.

Cricket—2.5 Billion Fans

The game is most popular in the UK and some former British colonies, especially India, Pakistan and Australia. Like baseball, it involves two teams, a bat, a large field, and scoring runs. There are obvious differences, however, including a long rectangular pitch at the center of a cricket field.

Hockey—2 Billion Fans

Hockey takes place both on ice and in a field. Field hockey is mainly played in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, while ice hockey is particularly popular in Canada, the US, and Northern Europe. The game involves two teams trying to put a ball into the opposing team's net with a hockey stick. Unlike ice hockey, field hockey usually does not involve body contact in the form of checking.

Tennis —1 Billion Fans

In tennis, players on both sides of a lengthened net try to hit a ball with a racket so that it either goes past their opponents or bounces on their opponents' side twice to score points. Pro tennis players, like Roger Federer and Serena Williams, are now household names around the world.

1. Of the following sports, which has the least followers?

A．Soccer.

B．Cricket.

C．Hockey.

D．Tennis.

2. Where did modern soccer appear for the first time?

A．In China.	B．In Africa.
C．In England.	D．In North America.

3. What do cricket and hockey have in common?

A．They involve a field and a stick.	B．They involve two teams.
C．They are most popular in the UK.	D．They are played on ice and in a field.

4 . The Growing Popularity of Cycling

They say once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. Most of us learnt when we were kids, and many still strap (系好) on our helmets, put our feet on the pedals , and shoot off for a ride around the streets. In recent times, cycling has seen a boost in popularity.     1    

First, let’s look at the health benefits. Cycling can improve your cardiovascular (心血管的) health and burm excess body fat. Strengthening your leg muscles in your calves (小腿肚) and thighs (大腿).     2     A long ride in the countryside could help you to clear your mind, or de-stress. But it’s not only about your body and mind— there are also some plus sides for your wallet’s health.

Cycling can be a great way to commute (通勤) or get about town.     3     If you do drive into work, sometimes finding somewhere to park can be a nightmare, whereas finding somewhere to chain your bike up can be much simpler. Then, on the train, there are changes at stations and other commuters speaking loudly on their phones to deal with. And if you’re worried about safety, there are designated cycle lanes in many major cities. Wearing high-visibility clothing is another way to improve your safety when cycling on the roads.

    4     It can help you to reduce your carbon footprint. Not pumping out fumes into the atmosphere is better for the planet and your own environment.

So, whether people want to cycle for their health, getting about town, their wallet, the environment, or a combination of all of them—    5    

A．The popularity of cycling is on the rise.

B．By cycling, you save money on fuel or train fares.

C．Finally, cycling can also be good for the environment.

D．Cycling except for transport, also can be used for fitness.

E．And cycling’s benefits aren’t just physical, but mental as well.

F．What makes it so appealing to people to straddle their bikes once again?

G．I feel very relaxed by cycling, but the body was able to quickly reach the amount of exercise!

5 . As we age, even if we’re healthy, the heart just isn’t as efficient in processing oxygen as it used to be. In most people the first signs show up in their 50s or early 60s. And among people who don’t exercise, the changes can start even sooner.

“Think of a rubber band. In the beginning, it is flexible, but put it in a drawer for 20 years and it will become dry and easily broken,” says Dr. Ben Levine, a heart specialist at the University of Texas. That’s what happens to the heart. Fortunately for those in midlife, Levine is finding that even if you haven’t been an enthusiastic exerciser, getting in shape now may help improve your aging heart.

Levine and his research team selected volunteers aged between 45 and 64 who did not exercise much but were otherwise healthy. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group participated in a program of nonaerobic (无氧) exercise—balance training and weight training—three times a week. The second group did high-intensity aerobic exercise under the guidance of a trainer for four or more days a week. After two years, the second group saw remarkable improvements in heart health.

“We took these 50-year-old hearts and turned the clock back to 30-or 35-year-old hearts,” says Levine. “And the reason they got so much stronger and fitter was that their hearts could now fill a lot better and pump (泵送) a lot more blood during exercise.” But the hearts of those who participated in less intense exercise didn’t change, he says.

“The sweet spot in life to start exercising, if you haven’t already, is in late middle age when the heart still has flexibility,” Levine says. “We put healthy 70-year-olds through a yearlong exercise training program, and nothing happened to them at all.”

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, says Levine’s findings are a great start. But the study was small and needs to be repeated with far larger groups of people to determine exactly which aspects of an exercise routine make the biggest difference.

1. What does Levine want to explain by mentioning the rubber band?

A．The right way of exercising.	B．The causes of a heart attack.
C．The difficulty of keeping fit.	D．The aging process of the heart.

2. In which aspect were the two groups different in terms of research design?

A．Diet plan.	B．Professional background.
C．Exercise type.	D．Previous physical condition.

3. What does Levine’s research find?

A．Middle-aged hearts get younger with aerobic exercise.

B．High-intensity exercise is more suitable for the young.

C．It is never too late for people to start taking exercise.

D．The more exercise we do, the stronger our hearts get.

4. What does Dr. Nieca Goldberg suggest?

A．Making use of the findings.	B．Interviewing the study participants.
C．Conducting further research.	D．Clarifying the purpose of the study.

6 . If you’re looking for competitions, don’t sweat it. You have arrived at the right place wherein you’ll be updated on the latest competitions which require participation on the Internet. These competitions don’t charge any fee, and what’s more, they accept individuals from any part of the world. You can click the name of each listed contest, which is a link. It will direct you to a web page where you will get more detailed information on how to register or participate.

Writer Contest

Genre (类型): Sci-fi and fantasy. They don’t accept poetry or children’s stories.

Length: About 17,000 words

Prize: $5,000 for the grand prize winner at the end of the year

Deadline: The quarterly contest ends on September 30

Creative Writing Ink Competition

Submission (提交) of poems only. You can submit multiple entries.

Theme: Open

Length: Up to 40 lines

Prizes: Publication on the website and a voucher worth £10

Deadline: Last day of every month

12th Casa Africa Essay Contest

Theme: Climate Change in Africa

“Casa Africa gives the focus of the 12th essay contest to climate change, its effects, future trends and, especially, the way in which this threat is being fought.”

Length: 15,000-20,000 words

Prize: €2,000

Deadline: September 17 each year

Yale Drama Series

Prizes: $10,000, a staged reading at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater and publication of the entry by Yale University Press

Length: Full-length plays of over 65 pages

Submissions must be original and not professionally produced. Translations, musicals and children’s plays aren’t accepted.

Deadline: August 15 each year

1. What should a participant do?

A．Pay some entry fees.	B．Submit an entry online.
C．Register on this web page.	D．Email to get relevant information.

2. Which competition is held most frequently?

A．Writer Contest.	B．Yale Drama Series.
C．12th Casa Africa Essay Contest.	D．Creative Writing Ink Competition.

3. Who might Yale Drama Series attract?

A．Those working as a translator.	B．Those experts in creating short plays.
C．Those wanting their work to be published.	D．Those good at writing children’s literature.

7 . 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

8 . Have you heard of the following events?

Sheep shearing (修剪)

It’s a big sport in New Zealand, which proudly hosts the annual Golden Shears International Championships. Held in the town of Masterton in March, the four-day event seeks to identify the world’s fastest sheep shearer. The event is not all about shearing; live bands bring a party atmosphere to it. It’s attractive to many tourists.

Lucha libre

It’s a form of freestyle wrestling with a devoted fan base in its native Mexico. Competitors are famous for their well-made masks, which keep their identities a secret. That’s until they are defeated in the fight, which often requires losers to show their faces. Don’t forget to bring some loose change: when viewers are impressed by a victorious wrestler, they throw money at them. You may enjoy the event once a year.

Lawnmower (割草机) racing

This annual sport now has its own governing body—the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLRA). It has a 30-race championship that runs from May to October. Most races are part of larger rural events, such as the Cranleigh Show in Surrey, where viewers can experience other events. The BLRA remains un-commercial and donates all profits to organizations that help people who are poor, sick, or in difficulties.

Wife carrying

Every year a small town of Sonkajaervi in Finland hosts the event: the International Wife Carrying Championships. During this competition, husbands have to carry their wives along the track which is 250 m long and features several barriers on land and a 1-m deep water pool. Two couples start at the same time and run as fast as they can. The winning couple is the one that completes the course in the shortest time.

1. What are viewers advised to do while watching Lucha libre?

A．Wear a mask.	B．Cheer for the loser.
C．Look at the wrestler’s face.	D．Take some coins with them.

2. Which event is related to charity work?

A．Sheep shearing.	B．Lawnmower racing.
C．Lucha libre.	D．Wife carrying.

3. What do the events listed in the text have in common?

A．They are held annually.	B．They attract many tourists.
C．They are international sports.	D．They are favored by the young.

9 . These days, many gyms require clients to wear masks or face coverings. The good news: research suggests they don't actually hold up your performance.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan gathered a group of 7 men and 7 women, ranging from slightly inactive to excellent cyclists and tested the effects of wearing a three-layer cloth face mask, a surgical mask, and no mask on their exercise performance.

The study participants started with a brief warm-up on a fixed bike, then took a progressive intensity exercise test, during which it was vital for them to keep the same pedal rate while the resistance was continually increased until exhaustion (疲惫不堪). Something like the heart rate was recorded every 30 seconds.

The results suggested that wearing a mask had no effect on performance or muscle oxygen levels. Since there was no difference in time to exhaustion between conditions, the highest power reached at the end of each test was similar in mask and no-mask conditions for all participants, Professor Chilibeck explained. Researchers also did not see any effects of the masks during exercise on blood oxygen levels, which wouldn't decrease if breathing was not affected.

And while droplet (飞沫) spread was not measured, all masks used were tested in a previous study in which they were shown to effectively minimize droplet spread, according to Chilibeck. Though the participants represented a wide range of fitness levels, it's important to note that these tests were conducted on a very small sample size, and more research is needed on larger populations to draw sweeping conclusions about the general population.

1. How did the researchers draw the conclusion?

A．By conducting an experiment.	B．By making brief analysis.
C．By observing normal cyclists.	D．By doing medical tests.

2. What will happen if masks block your performance?

A．Your heart rate may keep stable.	B．You might produce less droplet.
C．Your blood oxygen levels will drop.	D．You will feel more tired than before.

3. What is the author's attitude to the study?

A．Doubtful.

B．Favorable.

C．Disapproving.

D．Objective.

4. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Why Should We Train with Masks?

B．Why Don't Masks Worsen Our Performance?

C．Do Masks Affect Our Performance?

D．Can We Train While Wearing Masks?

10 . Today with the urge for gender and racial equality, people are constantly debating on most subjects when it comes to either of these topics. One of the most debated topics is “Should sports teams be coed (男女都参加的)?”     1    

First of all, the athletic differences between men and women would aid the teams.    2     But according to the researchers at the University of British Columbia women have higher endurance and stamina (毅力) than men of similar age and athletic ability. The mixture of extra stamina from women and the natural strength from men makes a good mixture making the team stronger.

    3    With sports being co-ed, kids would learn to get along with each other. The reason kids of opposite genders don’t really play with each other is that “Because you’re a girl” or “Because you’re a boy”.    4    For example, that would be unprofessional if your boss was of the opposite gender and your reason for not listening or for not cooperating was “Because you’re a girl or boy”.

Finally, being co-ed in sports teams increases the chances of women getting into college with a sports scholarship. The reasoning behind this is that the male part of sports has more attention on it, so men are more noticed.     5    This means more scholarship opportunities has come for women.

A．Getting into a college is hard for girls.

B．I personally believe sports should be co-ed.

C．That idea could get them in trouble in the future.

D．Surprisingly, co-ed sports lead to more heated discussions.

E．Besides, kids will build relationships faster with the opposite gender.

F．With teams coed, women probably have more attention put on them.

G．Some people are against co-ed sports, for they think the athletic differences exist.