1 . A pickup game is a game of some kind that is not part of a regularly scheduled season of competition or a championship series.
Pickup games are spontaneous (自发的) and informal.
Recently, attempts have been made to use the Internet to schedule pickup games. This is a way of helping players connect with other players in their local area and allowing them to have complete teams whenever possible.
| A．You could play pickup football, baseball, etc. |
| B．He can laugh it off and continue on with the game. |
| C．This method makes the game much more competitive. |
| D．Potential players are asked to provide their information. |
| E．The term “pick up game” often refers to basketball games. |
| F．Instead, it is a game with teams often made up on the spot. |
| G．But people have a variety of methods to pick teams and identify them. |
2 . Influenced by factors like school funding, sports facilities, teacher resources and safetyconcems, traditional physical education was limited to static (静态的) scenes and closed gymsand playgrounds, which lacked interaction and feedback functions. PE curiculum was also restricted to basic sports like ball games, track and field and gymnastics. However, the emergence and application of new technologies like virtual reality (VR), 3D technology, greatly expand and innovate sports scenes, providing possibilities for the construction of a flexible “on-site, on- campus, online” integrated new sports world.
IT can build online virtual learning environments for students, creating teaching scenes hard to achieve in physical world. Many schools have already partnered with technology companies to create different teaching scenes using digital sports products. The University of South Florida has cooperated with the VR sports training company Sense Arena, allowing students to practice tennis on its globally pioneering VR tennis training platform. Students use the Meta Quest 2 headset and VR touching racket (球拍) which imitates the weight and feel of a real tennis racket. The platform features 35 training modes imitating various scenes in real-life tennis matches, including crowd noise, dazzling sunlight, shadows and wind. Athletes can engage in various forms of training, such as skill practice, technical analysis and match imitation. Such virtual sports teaching space further enhances the experience of PE learning.
Technology-based physical education not only serves ordinary students’ physical health but also addresses the needs of special groups in sports, especially students who cannot participate in regular PE classes due to physical, psychological or social adaptation issues. Many schools offer specialized sports programs to disabled students, like the “Pathways to Inclusion” program launched by the University of Queensland, which tailors various sports activities to different disabilities, such as blind football and wheelchair hockey. This is made possible with the support of sports technology, as different symptoms require the use of different sports equipment.
Through scientific, healthy and joyful educational concepts, technology-empowered PE classes convey the values of creating and enjoying a personalized experience, developing a sports education where everyone participates and benefits.
1. How do new technologies change traditional PE class according to paragraph 1?| A．By investing more in basic sports. |
| B．By combining it with academic study. |
| C．By making dynamic PE class possible. |
| D．By replacing PE teachers with AI teachers. |
| A．Real-life tennis matches. | B．Virtual headsets and rackets. |
| C．Imitative distracting conditions. | D．Sufficient sports space on campus. |
| A．Professional knowledge about psychology. |
| B．Technology-assisted sports for the disabled. |
| C．Interactive activities with ordinary students. |
| D．Personalized medical treatment for disabilities. |
| A．To advertise a new VR product. |
| B．To raise public awareness of physical education. |
| C．To stress the importance of equality among students. |
| D．To introduce a new application of technology in PE class. |
3 . One of the reasons why so many people listen to music during exercise is that it has a number of benefits. The research around the positive influences of music during exercise was reviewed in a paper in the February 2020 issue of Psychological Bulletin.
Probably the biggest influence of music on exercise, based on these findings, is that listening to music during exercise can make you feel better about what you have done. Experiments find that people feel more positive about the exercise when they have listened to music than when they have not. The impact of music didn’t depend on the intensity of the exercise, and the effect appeared for both trained and untrained athletes.
Music also seems to reduce people’s feeling of how much they are exerting themselves. That is, at the same level of intensity of activity, listening to music can make you feel like you are exerting less effort than you would feel without music. Some studies have also shown that when athletes are free to set their own exertion level, they are willing to exercise more intensely with music than without. For some people (particularly when they are early in their training), music helps them focus on the music rather than on pain.
Music also appears to have a small effect on performance overall. Athletes perform better both during exercise and while engaging in their sport when there is music. In the studies analyzed, fast music, with a tempo greater than 120 beats-per-minute, was more effective than slow music. Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to matter whether the athlete chooses the music or whether it is chosen by someone else. So, the playlists selected by the teachers of an exercise class you’re taking may work even if you don’t love all of the songs.
The one place where music doesn’t seem to have much of an impact is on physiological functioning. The heart rate of an athlete is not consistently affected by music.
1. What is the main benefit of listening to music during exercise?| A．Improving performance. |
| B．Providing entertainment. |
| C．Reducing the effort of training. |
| D．Feeling better about the workout. |
| A．Try hard. | B．Break down. | C．Growing up. | D．Come back. |
| A．Soft music. | B．Calm music. | C．Gentle music. | D．Rapid-paced music. |
| A．It consistently increases their heart rate. |
| B．It consistently decreases their heart rate. |
| C．It depends on the intensity of the exercise. |
| D．It has no consistent influence on their heart rate. |
4 . ISA Summer Camps of Figure Skating in Prague 2023!
Thanks to our considerable experience in organizing international figure skating camps for children, we have again prepared special programs for our summer training camps. The summer figure skating program has been developed with the requirements of international standards in mind, taking into account the age and physical abilities of young figure skaters.
Training week schedule
Monday to Saturday
22 hours of training: 11 hours on ice and 11 hours of training off ice.
On Saturday-shortened program, demonstration performances on ice, awarding all participants with memorable diplomas (奖状) and cups (costumes required).
* Group workouts on ice 2 hours a day.
* Group off-ice training 2 hours a day.
* The possibility of individual lessons on ice 2 hours a day (optional).
What you need to have with you at ISA Summer Camps
On ice: Tremo suit on the ice, a few gloves for a change.
For training off-ice: Air sneakers, sportswear for training off-ice.
Price
Package price for a week stay in ISA Summer Camps for a skater: € 550 (Price per day € 92)
Package price for a week stay in ISA Summer Camps for an accompanying (陪同的) person: € 350 (Price per day € 58)
Package price includes: 7 nights at the hotel, 3 meals a day.
Health insurance
Participants signing up for this event agree that the price does not include insurance and that the organizer is not responsible for any injuries. Each participant must have health insurance concluded with one of the insurance companies valid (有效的) in the Czech Republic and a certificate of good health provided by the parent. Participation in this event is at your own risk.
1. Which of the following is included in the schedule of the training week?| A．22 hours of training on ice. |
| B．Group off-ice training 3 hours a day. |
| C．Individual lessons off ice 1 hour a day. |
| D．Demonstration performances on Saturday. |
| A．€ 900. | B．€ 644. | C．€ 550. | D．€ 406. |
| A．Professional diplomas. |
| B．A recommendation letter. |
| C．Health insurance provided by the camp. |
| D．A certificate of good health provided by a parent. |
5 . How to Stay Active During the Holidays
Being physically active on a consistent basis can be challenging, especially during holidays, as we travel to see relatives or host friends in our homes.
Find something you enjoy.
This is the first rule of any sustainable exercise routine. If your workout feels like another task on your to-do list, it’ll be difficult to stick with.
Exercise doesn’t have to take place in a gym. Taking three 10-minute walks during the day — one in the morning, another during your lunch and another after dinner — produces similar benefits to spending 30 minutes at the gym. In other words, taking short movement breaks throughout your day makes for a more active lifestyle and helps meet your goals.
Be realistic.
Most are overly optimistic when first mapping out a workout plan.
Make it a priority.
Most of us are managing countless responsibilities every day, so it’s vital to consider physical activity an important part of your day. Put it on your schedule, just as you make an appointment with a doctor. And, let others know when you’ll be busy exercising and how they can help you find time to do so.
| A．Find breaks to move throughout the day. |
| B．Make full use of weekday breaks to work out. |
| C．It is necessary to avoid being injured in sports. |
| D．Therefore, be creative in finding physical activities. |
| E．Having the support from others is an essential element of success. |
| F．Additionally, schedules are often interrupted by holiday gatherings. |
| G．In fact, exercise isn’t necessarily at maximal intensity to be effective. |
6 . Trainers and parents saw children play sports at a young age and then saw them become professional. Many correlated the training to success. Competitive sports are good for young children because they teach children life skills, provide health benefits, and offer special opportunities.
To begin with, sports teach children life skills. A formal athlete stated, “I played soccer in high school and college and found team sports weren’t just about winning, but also about developing a solid ethic(行为准则), and learning why that’s important.” In short, playing highly competitive sports teaches kids many life skills like teamwork. People will have to use teamwork for the rest of their life, and sports can help them improve that skill. Taking part in sports can help develop a positive attitude towards life, which will help in the long run.
Sports are also good for kids because they provide health benefits. It is healthier for a kid to play a sport competitively than to waste time playing video games all day. Furthermore, a research group of University of California said, “96 percent of the participants(参与者) said they enjoy their sports. They’re all loving life.” That is to say, kids playing highly competitive sports tend to enjoy life instead of doing something else like watching TV.
On the other hand, some people might argue that competitive sports are bad for young children because they are so time-consuming. However, the time spent is not “robbing” kids of their childhood, but offers unique opportunities. Athletes can get success to live their dream life by playing sports. Even though sports are time-consuming, they offer distinctive opportunities.
In conclusion, competitive sports are good for children because they can provide wholesome benefits, create new experiences, and build skills that will last a lifetime.
1. Why is the formal athlete mentioned in paragraph 2?| A．To show a reason | B．To give an example. |
| C．To list a background. | D．To draw out a new point. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Uncertain. | C．Uncaring. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Common | B．Unreasonable | C．Unique. | D．Frequent. |
| A．The ways to play sports. |
| B．The reasons for playing sports. |
| C．The problems of kids’ playing sports. |
| D．The benefits of kids’ playing sports. |
7 . Short Story Competitions.
The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize
The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize held by the Royal Society of Literature (RSL) annually is currently open for entries. Entries from those over 18 years old who are residents in the UK are welcome.
Closes: 20 August
Word limit: 2,000 -- 4,000 words
Entry fee: Free
Prize: £1,000 and publication in prospect online
The Tasmanian Writers' Prize
Since 2009, Forty Source Publishing has awarded writers the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize for the most outstanding short story submitted into this competition. Entries from Australian and New Zealand residents are welcome.
Closes: 15 February
Word limit: 3,000 -- 4,000 words
Entry fee: $20
Prize: $500 and publication in Forty South
The Nature Writing Prize
Created by the Nature Conservancy Australia, the Nature Writing Prize is open for submissions. Writers, 18 years and older are invited to write an essay to explore their relationship and interaction with the Australian landscape.
Closes: 19 February
Word limit: 3,000 -- 5,000 words
Entry fee: $25
Prize: $7,500 dollars and publication in Griffith Review online
The Stringybark Open Short Story Award
Stringybark Publishing is asking writers to enter a short story into the Stringybark Open Short Story Award. The judges are looking for a story written for an audience of 16 years and older. Closes: 31 January
Word limit: 1,500 -- 1,800 words
Entry fee: $14 for 1 story, $26 for two stories, $36 for six stories (max)
Prize: Over $1,000 in cash and books
1. What do we know about the competition held by the RSL?| A．It is free for participants. | B．Its deadline is 19 February. |
| C．It is open for writers across the world. | D．Its entries are for readers of 18 years or older. |
| A．1,500 --1,800 words. | B．2,000 -- 4,000 words. |
| C．3,000 -- 4,000 words. | D．3,000 -- 5,000words |
| A．The Nature Writing Prize. | B．The Tasmanian Writers’ Prize. |
| C．The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize. | D．The Stringybark Open Short Story Award. |
8 . It’s time to sign up for Kids Bowl Free 2023!
Dates range from center to center and state to state. The center my family signed up for starts from May 3rd but I saw a couple of centers in Pennsylvania and South Carolina that had start dates in APRIL!
Be sure the kids are signed up for Kids Bowl Free 2023.
The Kids Bowl Free 2023 program is not specific to a certain chain of bowling alleys (保龄球场). You can find a participating center near you. Kids (under 15 years old) can get TWO free games EVERY DAY at a participating center. Most places will require a bowling shoe rental-not included in the program.
But wait! That’s not all!
You can also sign up teens and adults for a summer pass for $39.95. Up to 4 people get two games every day during the summer with the family pass so that the whole family can bowl every day!
USE CODE: HOT25 on the Family Pass page * to save 25%! Making it just $29.95!
If the code HOT25 doesn’t work, when it asks if you want to sign up for the Family Pass, find the tiny “No Thanks” button and click it. When you do that, you’ll be offered a discount code!
Shoe rental not included.
Save even more on your kids bowl free when you don’t have to rent shoes! Search Ebay for bowling shoes and get a great deal! I got us each a pair for this year and if we bowl 6 times our shoe cost will be less than if we rented shoes 6 times. And with our own shoes, we can go more often!
1. What benefit does the program offer?| A．Free summer passes. | B．Free games for young kids. |
| C．Discounted shoe rentals. | D．Discounted goods at Ebay. |
| A．$10. | B．$29.95. | C．$39.95. | D．$89.85. |
| A．An Ebay seller. | B．A shoe producer. |
| C．A participating parent. | D．A bowling center operator. |
9 . Singer Liu Genghong is enjoying great popularity recently after posting online fitness videos on TikTok. In the videos, he often works out to the fast-paced music of his friend JayChou. Now his TikTok account has rocketed to 55 million fans and 53 million likes, inspiring people’s interest in indoor exercise.
According to Pu Zhengning, a professor of Southeast University in Nanjing, the COVID-19 has limited access to gyms and fitness centers, so simple aerobic (有氧的) exercises that do not need equipment are perfect for people to perform at home. And that is exactly the demand that Liu has come up on his social media platforms.
Since the COVID-19 broke out, the increasing downloads of fitness apps indicates the growing popularity of online fitness. The number of fitness videos on the platform in 2021 increased by 134 percent, while followers of fitness trainers were up by 208 percent.
Wei Fang, a student at Shandong Normal University, is one of Liu’s fans. “My major requires me to sit for a long time,” she said. “So how could I refuse a star singer as a personal trainer? Besides, when watching the live stream, I feel like I’m taking exercise with friends, which encourages me to keep going,” added Wei, who claims to have lost 3.5 kilograms in just seven days and also have a more positive mood.
According to the 2022 Sports and Fitness Consumption Trend Report, the sales of yoga and dance products have achieved fast growth since March. Along with social media plat-forms, China’s sports governing body launched online games on April 28. Ding Dong, an official with the General Administration of Sport, said: “The aim of the games is to inspire the mass enthusiasm for fitness.”
Now it seems that “cloud fitness” offers a great choice to gym memberships. In the past, aerobic exercises on TV were popular, and now it’s even easier to follow along and learn from instructors on short-video platforms.
1. Why does Liu Genghong become popular online recently?| A．People love his online fitness videos. |
| B．He dances to the fast-paced music of Jay Chou. |
| C．The gyms and fitness centers are too expensive. |
| D．People are interested in taking exercise in the gym. |
| A．She dislikes a star singer as a personal trainer. |
| B．She often works out with Liu to lose weight. |
| C．She refuses to exercise together with friends. |
| D．She benefits physically and mentally from exercise. |
| A．The mass enthusiasm for fitness needs improving. |
| B．Online sports games have appeared on the market. |
| C．More and more people take part in aerobic exercises. |
| D．Yoga and dance on TikTok are developing together. |
| A．Come to Exercise with Trainer Liu |
| B．The Followers of Fitness Instructors |
| C．Downloads of Various Fitness Apps |
| D．Go to Post Cloud Fitness Short Videos |
10 . Olympic Games organizers in France presented the 2024 Olympic torch (火炬) that will light the Summer Games in the country a year from now. In the Olympic torch tradition, many people carry the torch in turn from Greece to the current location of the Games. After it has traveled thousands of kilometers. the torch will light the Olympic cauldron (火炬台) at the Opening Ceremony of the next Olympic Games.
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur created the torch. which is 70 centimeters long and made of lightweight steel. Lehanneur said its shape is inspired by the famous Seine River, which flows through Paris. He said the torch is equal from top to bottom and all around the middle, which stands for equality between athletes. The twisting shape of the torch represents peace.
The torch was made with lightweight steel. Its lower half copies the movement of the Seine, along which the opening ceremony will take place for over 500,000 viewers.
Lehanneur said he wants the torch to represent the kind of event that Paris 2024 hopes to be. “I wanted to move away from the torch appearing as an object of conquest (征服),” Lehanneur said. He also told reporters that designing the torch was much more techn1cal than he thought it would be. “The magic is not the torch itself. but the flame” Lehanneur said.
The torch will be lit up in Olympia, Grecce on April 16, 2024, followed by a nine day torch relay before sailing across the Mediterranean Sea from Athens to Marseille on May 8. It will then pass through several important places , which include Strasbourg , the Pantheon in Paris, the Mont Saint-Michel and multiple French territories.
Tony Estanguet, the Paris 2024 chief, said the torch is “very ,very beautiful”. He also said it is “...very pure, It’s perfectly balanced in the hand.”
1. Why is the torch equal from top to bottom?| A．It is easy for torch-bearers to carry. | B．It is the symbol of the Seine River. |
| C．It represents peace among nations. | D．It shows equality between players. |
| A．He wishes Paris 2024 to be the best ever. | B．The torch is more important than the flame. |
| C．Designing the torch is harder than he thinks. | D．He thinks highly of the torch’s appearance. |
| A．Twenty two days. | B．Fifteen days. | C．Nine days. | D．Eight days. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A sports magazine. | C．A science report. | D．A research paper. |
