1 . A lot of people find it difficult to do exercise regularly, even though they know it’s good for their physical and mental (身心上的) health. Yet keeping on a workout routine doesn’t necessarily go to the gym or run around your neighborhood. Gardening is a great example of a popular hobby that can be used as a workout.
Nashville resident Tom Adkinson, 72, is on board with the idea of gardening to stay fit. He has three gardens, which he uses primarily to grow tomatoes, sweet banana peppers and okra. Like traditional exercise, Adkinson does a lot of preparation before gardening, and then he spends hours watering and weeding (除草) all three gardens, involving bending and stretching, which he compares to performing garden yoga.
“It is wise of Adkinson to do so. Even though gardening may not appear difficult, using the body in new ways can make you hurt if you don’t warm up beforehand,” said Zeller, who teaches at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County in New Jersey.
Working in your garden just two hours a week could improve your mood. And the communal gardening, which is done by a number of people as a group in communities and schools, provides social benefits that can reduce stress and help fight against loneliness and even dementia according to studies.
“With all these benefits, gardening for fitness will be a trend (趋势) in the coming year,” announced Mandal, CEO of the fitness coaching app Future, “Our users at Future have already been asking their coaches to add gardening and landscaping activities into their routines because it’s easy to get and fit into their lifestyle.”
1. What do the underlined words “on board with” mean in paragraph 2?| A．In support of. | B．At the risk of. |
| C．Under the control of. | D．In opposition to. |
| A．Having a good rest. |
| B．Getting enough water ready. |
| C．Doing warm-up exercise. |
| D．Preparing tools for weeding. |
| A．Tips for gardening. |
| B．The benefits of gardening. |
| C．The process of garden management. |
| D．The difference between personal and group gardening. |
| A．Running. | B．Yoga. | C．Gardening. | D．Walking. |
2 . Traditional Chinese Sports
For thousands of years, sports have played an important role in Chinese culture. Let’s explore some of the most popular traditional sports in China.
Dragon Boat Racing
Originating (起源) from the southern regions of China, dragon boat racing is a thrilling water sport. The races are held during the Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar (阴历) month each year. This festival is in memory of the ancient poet Qu Yuan and involves various cultural activities.
Martial Arts
Martial arts(武术) have a rich history in China and are practiced for self-defense, physical fitness, and spiritual growth. Various styles such as Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Wing Chun have gained worldwide recognition. These practices emphasize discipline, balance, and control of mind and body.
Jianzi(Shuttlecock)
Jianzi is a traditional Chinese game that involves kicking a shuttlecock (毽子) in the air using one’s feet, knees, or other body parts except for hands. It requires agility, coordination, and precision. Jianzi can be played individually or in teams and is a popular pastime in parks and streets across China.
Chinese Chess(Xiangqi)
Similar to the Western game of chess, Xiangqi is a strategic board game played between two players. It originated in ancient China and is often referred to as “Chinese chess.” The game features different pieces, each with unique movements and abilities. Xiangqi requires critical thinking, foresight, and strategic planning.
1. Which poet is the dragon boat festival in memory of?| A．Qu Yuan | B．Li Bai | C．Su Shi | D．Wang Wei |
| A．Breathing, and gentle movements to promote energy as well as improve mood. |
| B．Relaxation, balance, and meditation. |
| C．Self-cultivation and meditation. |
| D．Self-defense, physical fitness, and spiritual growth. |
| A．Hands, heads, feet and knees. | B．Feet, knees, or other body parts except for hands. |
| C．Mind, body, and spirit. | D．Teamwork and strategy |
| A．Chinese chess. | B．Fencing |
| C．Table tennis | D．Dragon boat racing |
3 . 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. |
4 . My favorite activity is playing, watching, reading, and really anything to do with basketball. A basketball court (球场) is where I feel most at home.
As I see it, it’s wildly popular in the US and its athletes are extremely recognizable, because it’s the one sport where an athlete’s face is not covered up by a football helmet (头盔) or baseball hat. My favorite time and place is anywhere and anytime. I prefer indoors, although it can be played outdoors. Many people often play in a driveway at home, but the best is always against someone on a court.
I started playing basketball because of my favorite player, Shaquille O’Neal. He was a huge, unstoppable player. When I was 11 years old, I decided to go outside to the family basketball hoop (球框) and take a shot (投球). This was my first time ever shooting a basketball. I will never forget the first shot I ever took. It was perfect. It felt amazing! And I’ve been in love with this sport ever since!
I learned a long time ago that very few people are going to have the love of this game that I do. I’ve always understood that in this area, for the most part, I am alone. Especially coming from the state of Texas, where football is king.
I’m not the best of players. When I do good things on court, I know it’s because I can make up for my lack (缺乏) of athleticism by being a student of the game. I’ve never missed a training day. I don’t worry about school, family, or problems. I think about what’s in front of me, and how I can get the basketball in the hoop.
Playing, watching, and reading about basketball fills me with a sense of enjoyment that I truly do feel that very few people can match.
1. What does the author think of basketball?| A．It should be played indoors. | B．It has won popularity in the US. |
| C．It is more dangerous than other sports. | D．It has become a game for huge people. |
| A．Very nervous. | B．Truly tired. | C．Really excited. | D．Quite free. |
| A．He is happy to improve himself through hard work. |
| B．He really enjoys playing basketball alone. |
| C．He would rather be a football player. |
| D．He is on Shaquille O’Neal’s team. |
| A．Life lessons from playing basketball | B．My road to being a basketball player |
| C．Changes in my basketball dream | D．My great love of basketball |
5 . People believe that climbing can do good to health. Where can you learn the skill of climbing then? If you think that you have to go to the mountains to learn how to climb, you’re wrong. Many Americans are learning to climb in city gyms. Here, people are learning on special climbing walls. The climbing wall goes straight up and has small holding places for hands and feet.
How do people climb the wall? To climb need special shoes and a harness around your chest to hold you. There are ropes tied to your harness. The ropes hold you in place so that you don’t fall. A beginner’s wall is usually about 15 feet high, and you climb straight up. There are small pieces of metal that stick out for you to stand on and hold on to. Sometimes it’s easy to see the new piece of metal. Sometimes, it’s not. The most difficult is to control your fear. It’s normal for humans to be afraid of falling, so it’s difficult not to feel fear. But when you move away from the wall, the harness and the ropes hold you, and you begin to feel safe. You move slowly until you reach the top.
Climbing attracts people because it’s good exercise for almost everyone. You use your whole body, especially your arms and legs. This sport gives your body a complete work out. When you climb, both your mind and your body can become stronger.
1. The most difficult thing to do in wall climbing is ________.| A．to tie ropes to your harness | B．to control your fear |
| C．to move away from the wall | D．to climb straight up |
| A．Settlement. | B．Exercise. | C．Excitement. | D．Tiredness. |
| A．A science book. | B．A research report. | C．A sports magazine. | D．A sports history book. |
6 . If you thought running was just great for the body, then think again. Scientists have found that the sport not only keeps people fit but also improves your brain power (脑力).
The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking. They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills. The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against ageing (老化) and also helping it replace dying cells (死细胞). This might reduce the risk of many illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59-69 on a treadmill (跑步机). Their heart and lung capacity (肺活量) was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains. Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains. Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60-77. As they went through a three-month fitness program, they saw improvements in their memory.
Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results. Mice, examined at the National Institute on Ageing, in Baltimore, found that cells in the hippocampus (海马体), an area of the brain used for memory, were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.
Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology of ageing and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told The Sunday Times: “Moderate intensity aerobic (有氧的) activity such as walking, cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.”
1. Who tend to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking?| A．People who are healthy. | B．People who are thin. |
| C．People who are unhealthy. | D．People who are fat. |
| A．Those who were less fit had larger brains. |
| B．Those who were fitter had smaller brains. |
| C．Exercise helps people improve their memory. |
| D．Old people doing exercise improve memory better than young people. |
| A．Walking. | B．Singing. | C．Cycling. | D．Running. |
7 . With the cold weather drawing nearer, few people will choose swimming as a daily or usual activity.
Good for your brain.
Swimming is one of the best activities you can do all year round, which benefits your body and your mind. Swimming has been found to increase blood flow to the brain, which leads to more oxygen.
Work your muscles.
Every time you swim, it is like doing a mini-resistance workout. Each kicks and pull works your muscles more than you could imagine, especially your arms, shoulders and gluteus — the muscles that are inactive all day when you’re sitting at your desk.
Lift your spirits.
While swimming is an individual sport, it is also very social. You can meet people from all walks of life when swimming. Have a chat in the lap pool, join a swimming club or get involved in social water sports to get to know people in your community. Besides, the great thing about swimming is that you can do it — rain or shine. Although your backyard pool, the river or beach cools down over winter, most inside swimming pools run heated pools year round, so you’ve got no excuse to stop swimming.
| A．Benefit your body. |
| B．Meet new people. |
| C．These chemicals can control your thought and action. |
| D．Swimming also works your abs (腹肌) and will reduce your waist line. |
| E．Exercise gives off chemicals in your body called endorphins (内啡肽). |
| F．And that means you’re experiencing better memory and sharp mind. |
| G．However, swimming in winter is of great benefit in cold days. |
8 . The famous magazine, Runner’s World, has chosen some of the best, most difficult and enjoyable UK races.
Top of the Wolds 10K Challenge
This 10-km countryside track in Yorkshire is all fun until you take the left turn at Nunburnholme. At this point, you enter a serious uphill part, but thankfully the uphill part only lasts for around 1.5 km. You’ll have about a kilometre to enjoy the views before the way takes you downhill again, and back to where you started in Warter—a cute little village.
Scurry2Bridges Run
This 161-km relay race (接力赛) is divided into 16 parts, so you each run 4 separate parts. Over the course of this day-long adventure, you’ll each run about marathon distance while the workers will drive around for pick-ups and drop-offs at relay exchange points between the start in Dundee and the finish in Edinburgh.
Scafell Sky Race
Here’s a trail run (越野跑) that is not suitable for beginners. With a total of 3,500 m of ascent (上坡路), this is unquestionably one of the hardest events around. Good thing is that the views are beautiful, and that there’s hot food and a bottle of apple juice waiting for you in the end.
Offa’s Dyke 15
The traditional 15-mile distance begins at the Clock Tower in Hay-on-Wye and includes a few hard climbs before finishing in Kington. This year the hard event has added a less challenging 10 km around Kington.
1. What do we know about Scurry2Bridges Run?| A．It is made up of 16 parts. |
| B．It is a 16-mile relay race. |
| C．It has a uphill part about 16 km. |
| D．It requires runners to run and drive. |
| A．Top of the Wolds 10K Challenge. | B．Scurry2Bridges Run. |
| C．Scafell Sky Race. | D．Offa’s Dyke 15. |
| A．They are rather difficult races. |
| B．They are held in the countryside. |
| C．They ask runners to take part alone. |
| D．They can provide the runners with food. |
9 . Teenagers’ fitness is now a major concern, to which physical exercise is very important. It reduces stress and improves fitness. Exercise makes your body strong, and helps you to keep the right body weight. Sports scientist Dr.Helen Lopez offers the following advice to teenagers: “Firstly, you need to find out your present level of fitness. Then you can design a programme that will help you become healthier.”
Dr Lopez suggests that there are three levels of fitness that need a change of lifestyle. “Overweight” means that the person gets very little exercise and often has a serious weight problem. “Inactive” means that the person does not join in many physical activities, but is not seriously overweight. “Active” refers to people who take part in sports and other physical activities, but do not have a high fitness level.
According to Dr Lopez, overweight teenagers should keep active to keep healthy. Ride a bike, play volleyball or basketball for a while, and go for a twenty-minute walk each day. All these will help to burn up calories. Inactive teenagers should do similar activities, but add some bending and stretching exercises, such as push-ups and sit-ups, starting with twenty of each a day. “Inactive people can take a little more exercise than overweight people because their bodies are stronger,” said Dr Lopez. The same principle applies to active teenagers.
Dr Lopez suggests one hour a week or more on running and other forms of intensive exercise, together with fifteen minutes a day spent on stretching and bending activities. “These are really important in order to prevent injuries,” Dr Lopez said. Some weight-training and other body-strengthening exercises could also be planned in the programme in order to increase the personˈs strength.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Active people always have a high fitness level. |
| B．Overweight people always take more exercise. |
| C．Inactive teenagers are not seriously overweight. |
| D．Keeping fit means changing teenagers’ lifestyle. |
| A．It can make the teenagers grow taller. |
| B．It can help teenagers become healthier. |
| C．It can help to burn up calories. |
| D．It can increase teenagers’ strength. |
| A．walking | B．stretching and bending |
| C．riding | D．weight-training |
| A．Doing exercises | B．Teenagersˈ fitness |
| C．Different lifestyles | D．Overweight teenagers |
10 . FITNESS CENTRE
The fitness center offers a variety of activities for members of all ages throughout the week. Activities on Monday 12 July, 2017:
Learning to swim. Classes for preschool children aged five and under start at 10 am. Classes last 30 minutes and parents must attend with their children. Don’t forget to book in advance, as places are limited, and to pack some warm clothes for using after the lesson.
Woman’s aerobics (有氧运动). Sessions last for one hour and begin at 10:45 am, led by Melissa. Come along and join us every Monday for an exhilarating (令人高兴的) hour of exercise and fun. Leave your kids at the nursery (托儿所) and take time out for yourself. Wear a track suit (运动服) or something similar.
Lunchtime yoga. Take a break at lunchtime (1:00—2:00 pm) for an hour of meditation (沉思) and yoga. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our meditation room, and relaxing sessions designed for active people with busy lives. Use your own mat (垫子) for floor work or hire one from us for a small sum (金额).
Family shoot around. 10:00—5:30 pm. Family shoot around is open for members and guests to bring the family out for basketball. Half court games are only during this time. There are no full court games during family shoot around hours. All participants must sign in (签到) at the front desk and wear a wristband (腕套) during the play.
1. If you want to join in “Learning to swim”, you must__________.| A．Sign in at the front desk. | B．Wear a track suit. |
| C．Book in advance. | D．Bring a mat. |
| A．From 10:00 am to 10:30 am. | B．From 10:45 am to 11:45 am. |
| C．From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. | D．From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. |
| A．Lunchtime yoga. | B．Learn to swim. |
| C．Women’s aerobics. | D．Family shoot around. |
| A．Lunchtime yoga. | B．Learn to swim. |
| C．Women’s aerobics. | D．Family shoot around. |
| A．They need to sign in. | B．They need to bring something. |
| C．They need to book in advance. | D．They need to become a member. |
