1 . In many parts of the world, there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. In the U. S., there are only three: football, basketball and baseball. If you want to know what season it is, just have a look at what people are playing.
For many people in the U. S., sports are not just for fun. They’re almost a religion. Thousands of sports fans buy expensive tickets to watch their favourite teams and athletes play in person. Other fans watch the games at home. The most devoted sports buffs never miss a game. Many a wife becomes a “sports widow (寡妇)” during her husband’s favorite season.
America’s devotion to athletics has created a new class of wealthy people: professional athletes. Sports stars often receive million-dollar salaries. Some even make big money appearing in advertisements for soft drinks, shoes and even toiletries (化妆品).
Sports are an important part of Americans’ culture. Throughout their school life, Americans learn to play many sports. All students take physical education classes in school. Some try out for the school teams, while others join school sports leagues. Athletic events at universities attract scores of fans and benefit the whole community.
1. The most popular sports in America are the following EXCEPT ______.| A．ping-pong | B．American football | C．basketball | D．baseball |
| A．Athletes. | B．Fans. | C．Clubs. | D．Teams. |
| A．You can know what season it is by what people are playing in America. |
| B．All students in America join school sports leagues |
| C．For many people in the USA, sports are just for fun. |
| D．Many professional athletes have low incomes. |
| A．Sports seasons in America | B．American sports fans |
| C．Americans’ sports culture | D．Sports in America |
2 . If you want to improve your fitness, walking is a great choice.
Walk for at least 30 minutes 3 to 5 days a week.
If you only have a short period of time to walk, add force to work on your stamina. You can simply put a few books or solid objects in a backpack and carry that. Keep track of the amount of weight you’re carrying so you can increase it gradually.
Find ways to include walking in your regular routine.
Figure out how you can introduce more walking into your daily routine. For example, you might try using the stairs instead of the elevator.
Download a step-tracking or general fitness app.
A fitness app allows you to set goals for yourself to stay active and increase your walking stamina over time.
| A．Carry weight while walking. |
| B．Some trackers also allow you to compete with others. |
| C．Go on a longer walk at least one day a week. |
| D．It’s free, simple, and adaptable to your schedule. |
| E．If the weather is unsuitable, use a stationary bike inside instead. |
| F．Or you can park further away from shops and walk the distance. |
| G．Going for regular walks improves your cardiovascular (心血管的) fitness gradually. |
3 . Dealing with Stress in Sports
Sports are a great way to have fun while staying fit. Sports also teach important life lessons like working as a team.
Competing always leads to some stress. And that can be good.
Keep stress levels down when you aren’t competing.
Finally don’t forget that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes in sports. It is part of the game.
Whether you play on the school team or at a weekend pick-up game, the point is to have fun. By keeping that as the first place, you can learn to deal with the stress that is a natural part of competition.
| A．There will always be some stress in sports |
| B．A little stress helps the body face a challenge |
| C．Why not be quick to forgive mistakes and move on |
| D．If you have too much going on, think about doing more exercising |
| E．It is best to eat well and get enough sleep, especially before games |
| F．Aren’t sports about staying active, developing as a player and making friends |
| G．But it’s not always easy to keep it together when it feels like winning is everything |
4 . 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. |
5 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.
But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.
According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.
To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.
“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.
Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.
It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.
1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?| A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression. |
| B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids. |
| C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running. |
| D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood. |
| A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms. |
| B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high. |
| C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high. |
| D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released. |
| A．Effect. | B．Goal. | C．Opinion. | D．Question |
| A．They can help ease depression symptoms. |
| B．They are the best way to treat depression. |
| C．They only work for those with serious depression. |
| D．They can help people completely recover from depression. |
6 . Do you like to keep fit? We’re always told that regular exercise is good for our body and mind. More and more people are taking up activities that improve their fitness. But is there a risk that some of us might get obsessed (着迷的) and overdo it?
Well, for some people, fitness has become an obsession as they aim for perfection. And fitness trackers and apps can add to this addiction, especially if someone is driven by achievement and perfectionism. And sharing data on social media means exercising becomes public and competitive, which could cause problems in someone who is vulnerable (脆弱的). Experts say this can lead to a medical condition called orthorexia nervosa, or addiction to healthy eating and over-exercise. Untreated, it can lead to malnutrition and mental health problems.
Too much exercise can also take its toll on someone’s physical health as well. Symptoms of over-exercising include injuries such as a broken leg and a low immune system. So how much exercise is too much? Researches found the ideal pace to jog was about eight kilometers per hour-and that it was best to jog no more than three times a week or for 2.5 hours in total, showing that moderate jogging is possibly more beneficial than being inactive or undertaking strenuous (剧烈的) jogging.
If you’re more of a couch potato than a runner, this might sound like good news. But for amateur (业余的) athletes who can’t help but push their bodies to the limit, the advice from Martin Turner, a sports and exercise psychologist, is, “It’s all about letting go, not being obsessed, learning not to control everything, saying, ‘You don’t need to be perfect.’”
1. What is the main reason for people’s addiction to over-exercise according to paragraph 2?| A．Their need for social support. |
| B．Their addiction to fitness apps. |
| C．Their pursuit(追求)of perfectionism. |
| D．Their concern over health issues. |
| A．Going hand in hand. |
| B．Having a bad effect. |
| C．Making little difference. |
| D．Playing an important role. |
| A．The risk of fitness obsession. |
| B．The importance of mental health. |
| C．The benefits of moderate jogging. |
| D．The symptoms of over-exercising. |
| A．Fiction. | B．Lifestyle. | C．Culture. | D．News |
7 . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses (球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf causes serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be “green gyms”. They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it’s free.
1. Which of the following does the author most probably recommend?| A．Playing basketball in a gym. |
| B．Motor racing in the desert. |
| C．Cycling around a lake. |
| D．Swimming in a sports center. |
| A．It is popular in Portugal and Spain. |
| B．It causes water shortages around the world. |
| C．It pollutes the Earth with chemicals and wastes. |
| D．It needs water and energy to keep its courses. |
| A．it uses fewer resources | B．it improves our health |
| C．it is an outdoor sport | D．it is recommended by experts |
| A．show us the function of major sports |
| B．encourage us to take up green sports |
| C．discuss the major influence of popular sports |
| D．introduce different types of environment-friendly sports |
8 . Basketball is one of the most famous sports played all around the world. We will provide the tips and tricks you need the most at the early stages of the game.
Set an aim
The aim is the most important thing required before starting any work. As a basketball player, you should have a clear selection of your aim. Set a goal list divided into smaller time patches to achieve your aim. Choose an ideal player and follow him to learn the skills and build interest in the game.
Develop the habit of exercise
You must keep in your mind that great players are great athletes.
Don’t build large muscles
Many beginners are in the race to build a muscular body. No doubt, the game demands to have strength.
You are on the initial step of mastering basketball. Your hard work and practice are going to count in the future. Practice the game regularly, even in the offseason too. Try to arrange a partner for the game, but if you are alone, you must play with yourself and practice the skills daily to master them.
Learn shooting and dribbling (运球)
In basketball, shooting is the key to scoring, and dribbling is the way to shoot. Start practicing shooting from random (随机的) shoots and set your ball flight and track to the basket. Always dribble with your weak hand.
| A．Keep your body in the limit |
| B．It will increase control of the ball |
| C．You should learn to play basketball |
| D．Great leaders are always great followers |
| E．It will make you get the ball from others |
| F．Practice the game in the offseason as well |
| G．Basketball demands strength and quickness |
9 . Working out for 30 minutes every day “might not be enough” to counter the health issues created by long time sitting, according to a sweeping new study.
The new study, unlike the past ones that examined sitting and formal exercise separately, ignoring light activities, involved 3702 people to find out how those all affected people’s health indices(指数).
With the data collected, researchers characterized people by how they moved. The first group dutifully exercised for a half-hour and then sat, almost nonstop, for more than 10hours a day. Another group similarly worked out for 30 minutes and sat for long hours. But, in between, they rose often and took walks around, spending time in light activities like fetching another cup of coffee. The third group sat, uninterrupted, for up to 10 hours, but also collected an hour of exercise most days. The final group, which the researchers named “the movers,” exercised about an hour most days, while also moving lightly for about two hours more.
When the researchers cross-checked these groups against people’s current health data, the first group had the worst indices. On the contrary, the other groups were all better off and to about the same extent, with relatively improved blood sugar control and cholesterol(胆固醇) levels and about 8 percent less body fat than the first group.
“A single 30-minute, daily workout ‘might not be enough’ to reduce the downsides of long time sitting,” said Vahid Farrahi, the lead author of the new study.“In addition to a brisk(轻快的) workout, we need to move lightly and often, cleaning, taking the stairs, taking a walk in the halls or just not remaining still.”
1. How is the new study different from the previous ones?| A．It examined sitting and exercise separately. |
| B．It proved that light activities were ignored. |
| C．It took light activities into consideration. |
| D．It suggested working out for a half-hour. |
| A．The first group spent a half-hour on light activities after long sitting. |
| B．The second group got similar improved health indices as the movers. |
| C．The third group collected an hour’s exercise during 10 hours’ sitting. |
| D．The movers got up every 30 minutes for formal exercise for an hour. |
| A．Reading while sitting. | B．Swimming in the pool. |
| C．Working out in the gym. | D．Walking in the gym hall. |
| A．It’s better to exercise more often than half an hour every day. |
| B．Moving lightly and often is more useful than we have thought. |
| C．Working out harder and longer is better than just moving lightly. |
| D．A 30-minute workout has little help for long time sitting problems. |
10 . Arnold Sports Festival Guide
Set to kick off Feb. 27, the Arnold Sports Festival is ready to take the sports world by storm. With three days of competition, it includes bodybuilding(健美), fencing(击剑), martial arts and skipping ropes.
Day 1: Thursday
The festival is scheduled to start with bodybuilding championships. Arnold himself first entered the world stage as a bodybuilder, so it is a way to kick off the event with the pride and joy of the fitness competition. Ticket price is set at 25. The event is planned to start at 4 p. m. at the Veteran’s Stadium.
Day 2: Friday
The Arnold Fitness Exhibition, weightlifting championships and the martial arts festival will be the highlights for the second day. The Arnold Fitness Exhibition will feature more than 800 booths showingsports equipment, companies and fitness entertainments. Ticket is 15 to get into the exhibition at the Greater Center Hall starting at 9:30 a. m. You can head to the Local Gymnasium for the martial arts festival. Tickets range from 30 to 150 to watch the region’s top players. Doors open at 7 p. m.
Day 3: Saturday
Halfway through the festival, events will kick off at 7 a. m. Saturday. First up will be the Arnold Fencing Competition, which starts Friday at the Veteran’s Stadium. On the day, the Skipping Competition will take place. Starting at 8: 30 a. m. at the GC Hall, the event will include Tori Boggs, who happens to be a world champion skipper. She holds the world female record with 985 in three minutes. The event’s ticket prices are from $ 50 to $ 100, depending on the different seating areas.
1. Why does the festival start with bodybuilding competition?| A．To avoid the stormy weather. | B．The event is very popular in the world. |
| C．In honor of Arnold, a successful bodybuilder. | D．To make sure Arnold can attend the competition. |
| A．$ 15. | B．$ 25. | C．$ 50. | D．$ 100. |
| A．The Local Gymnasium. | B．The Veteran’s Stadium. |
| C．The Great Center Hall. | D．The Arnold Sports Stadium. |
