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 . 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.

3 . In a world ruled by hard exercise and complex fitness programs, the simple act of walking is often ignored(忽略).     1     It offers physical and mental benefits that lead to total happiness.

Heart Health and Weight Management

Walking is light heart exercise that helps improve heart health by increasing blood circulation(循环).     2     Besides, regular quick walking supports in weight management by burning calories and improving digestion(消化), making it an excellent choice for those looking to throw away pounds or keep a healthy weight.

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.     3    

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.     4     At the same time, it also raises the ability to move freely and easily. Walking regularly can be particularly beneficial to those recovering from pain or looking to prevent problems with joints.

Social Communication and Connection

    5     Walking clubs, group climbs, or even simple walking with a friend or family member can provide an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and create lasting memories while at the same time bringing the physical benefits.

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.

4 . 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.

5 . Today, millions of kids around the world will fight childhood obesity （肥胖）by getting up, getting outside and exercising all at the same time. The children are taking part in Project ACES. Fitness expert Len Saunders started the yearly event 22 years ago. He hopes Project ACES will encourage young people everywhere to get fit and live healthy lifestyles. According to the American Heart Association, about 25 million children and teenagers in the United States are overweight. That is nearly 1 in 3 kids. Obesity can lead to many serious health problems. Concerned about it, Saunders decided to do something.

When Project ACES began, Saunders was working at two elementary schools. At first, he imagined a day when students in just those two schools would exercise together. But before long, schools across the country found out about the plan and wanted to take part. By the following year, schools worldwide were signing up.

Valley View Elementary is the host school for the event. Saunders teaches physical education at the school. Valley View plans to hold his Project ACES Day on the playground, where 500 students will get moving with different activities.

Jen Kayne has two kids who attend Valley View Elementary. She says they look forward to the event each year. "My kids count down the days until they get to go outside and exercise with their friends, "Jen Kayne says. "Mr. Saunders encourages our children every day and inspires us to live a healthier lifestyle. "

Saunders' new book, Keeping Kids Fit, also has tips on how families can exercise. "You might not be able to change the world, but you can change your little corner of it. If I can make a difference to one family member or one child, then I have succeeded, "he says.

1. Why was Project ACES started?

A．To help children choose healthy food.

B．To encourage children to lead a healthy life.

C．To spread health information among children.

D．To remind people of childhood obesity problems.

2. What worries Saunders most according to the text?

A．The bad situation of childhood obesity.

B．His new book's being either successful or not.

C．His students' not getting enough physical exercise.

D．The ignorance of physical education in many schools.

3. What can we infer about Project ACES according to Jen Kayne?

A．It is welcomed by most parents.

B．It should be held in every school.

C．It will make Mr Saunders famous.

D．It is very popular with her children.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Childhood Obesity in the US.	B．Len Saunders, a Great Teacher.
C．Get Up, and Move.	D．Children's Health Problems.