1 . 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. |
2 . Some Winter Activities
Winter activities are underestimated (低估). The days may be shorter, but the list of fun activities isn’t. Don’t let the winter blues take over.
Finding your favourite.
Walking on snow.
Skiing. Those that love it really love it. Hitting the ski hills is an old wintertime tradition. It gets you outside, boosts your mood, and serves as a core workout. You don’t need the latest gear (设备) to be able to have fun.
| A．Go to the gym. |
| B．Learning something. |
| C．Most ski fields rent gear too. |
| D．Be active and try these winter activities. |
| E．The following are things you can do at home. |
| F．You needn’t be an athlete to enjoy this seasonal activity. |
| G．The key to keeping healthy is finding what you enjoy doing. |
3 . 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. |
4 . At the beginning of Grade Two, I joined the cross-country running team in our school.
When I came to the first practice, I was filled with optimism. But as the distance we ran in each practice gradually increased from three to four, to six miles, I realized with surprise that no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t able to run as fast as others. In fact, I was one of the slowest on the team.
What was the point of putting myself through so much pain? After the first few weeks, I wanted to quit.
Then we had our first cross-country meet.
When we started the race, I felt the great pressure of expectations sink onto my shoulders. And after a while I stopped running and struggled to walk up the hill. But then I heard my coaches shouting my name from the top of the hill. I felt confused and embarrassed; why were they cheering for me? I was running terribly! As I tried my best to finish the race, I realized that my coaches didn’t care how fast I ran. Neither did my teammates. During the rest of the season, they were always on the sidelines of every race, cheering for me just as loudly as they’d cheered for the front runner.
From then on, I began to put my effort into supporting my teammates instead of focusing on my own performance. In that way, I celebrated my teammates’ victories as if they were my own; I felt their pain and exhaustion as if they were my own.
Cross-country running made me realize I don’t need to be the best to be successful in life. It taught me to value my relationships with people more than my relationship with my ego. It taught me to cheer for others even if I don’t know their names.
1. Why did the author want to give up after the first few weeks?| A．He had much pain in his knees. |
| B．He didn’t perform well in long-distance running. |
| C．He couldn’t get along well with others |
| D．He showed no interest in running. |
| A．Strict and hard-hearted. | B．Brave and adventurous. |
| C．Considerate and supportive. | D．Optimistic and humorous. |
| A．He lost himself in victories |
| B．He put more effort into his study |
| C．He received more support from his coaches |
| D．He started caring about his teammates |
| A．The importance of team spirit | B．The value of competition |
| C．The secret of winning a race | D．The benefits of doing sports |
5 . Full-body workouts are the best. They are time efficient, work all your muscles and provide a sense of accomplishment once you’re done with the session. They are also the best for burning fat; lots of muscles worked equal lots of calories expended, after all! This no-repeat workout is an excellent place to start, especially if you like working out with dumbbells.
This workout features 10 exercises. You’ll do each exercise 40 seconds, followed by a 20-second break, before moving on to the next one. There are no sets; you only perform the moves once, and only for a short while, so push as hard as you can (without injuring yourself) and focus on slow, controlled motion. The instructor uses a set of medium dumbbells, in this case a 40Lb/18kg pair, but feel free to use a weight that best suits your fitness level. The exercises in this workout are as follows:
● Chest Press ● High Squats
● Bent Over Supinated Row R ● Static Lunge L
● Staggered Squat L ● Shoulder Press
● Rear Delt Row R ● Shoulder Shrugs
● Gorilla Rows ● Thrusters
If you like this and don’t mind using weights for your workouts, check out the best full-body workout: it’s only five moves and helps build muscle like no other workout. There is also a beginner-friendly, barbell-only full-body strength workout for those who have one at their disposal. How about this single dumbbell full-body muscle workout? It’s only half an hour. In terms of weights, you will need a pair of dumbbells for this workout, and if you haven’t got one, T3’s best dumbbells and best adjustable dumbbell guides are a must-read. Alternatively, have a look at the best resistance bands; they are almost as effective as dumbbells but less terrifying and more space-saving.
1. What is special about the exercise in the text?| A．It is advised to do with dumbbells. |
| B．It is nothing but suitable for the beginners. |
| C．It aims at working out the chest, shoulders and legs. |
| D．It needs to do the same movement in the given time. |
| A．Push as hard as you can. | B．Have a sense of belonging. |
| C．Use the best resistance bands. | D．Choose the movements you like. |
| A．To entertain. | B．To persuade. | C．To describe. | D．To advertise. |
6 . We all put our hands in the middle, ready for the “TIGERS!” shout. Andrew looked up, his face wrinkled in confusion, and then loosed in relief he said, “Whoa, for a second I forgot there was a girl on this team. I was wondering why there was one hand with painted pink nails!” The guys laughed, and I smiled, once again reminded how cool it was that I was different. “1, 2, 3, TIGERS!” and we were off to the field.
My adventures as the only girl on my all-boys middle school football team were always interesting. Football is known as being predominantly male. But I love football. Ever since I could walk, I would get around the fields. My dad is a huge football fan, and we spend many Saturday afternoons playing football in the yard or watching games. Football is in my blood. So when signups came for the 7th- and 8th-grade team, I signed up. Who says a girl can’t do it?
Back to Grade 7. Though it was strange for the guys to have me there, and a few felt embarrassed when they heard they’d be tackling a girl, they got used to it. The coach treated me like anyone else, and the boys learned to also. I did the drills, I tackled people, and I got tackled. By the time I got home every night, my body literally crumbled into my bed. But it was all worth it. Game days were everyone’s favorite. Football is a team sport of passion, pride and love. The coach would always tell us, “We win as a team: we lose as a team!”
To play well we needed to work as a team. Different as I was being the only girl, it didn’t matter. One person, one girl, is not a big thing. I was a part of the team. The coach got us all together, and we’d once again shout “TIGERS!”
1. What is the author’s purpose in writing Paragraph 1?| A．To introduce members of her team. |
| B．To stress the distinctiveness of her team. |
| C．To show the routine before a football game. |
| D．To describe the tension before a football game. |
| A．Her love for football. | B．Her father’s encouragement. |
| C．Her desire to show off her skills. | D．Her dream to be a football coach. |
| A．The author was really excited. |
| B．The author was extremely tired. |
| C．The author had difficulty falling asleep. |
| D．The author kept practicing even before sleep. |
| A．The coach. | B．The team leader. |
| C．Fighting spirit. | D．Teamwork. |
7 . The annual marathon in my town occurred as scheduled. My job was to follow behind the runners in an ambulance in case any of them needed medical attention. As the athletes began to pace themselves, the front runners started to disappear. It was then that my eyes were drawn to the woman in blue running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.
I knew we were already watching our “last runner”. Her feet turned in, yet her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to walk, let alone run a marathon.
The driver and I watched in silence as she slowly moved forward. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’ d slowly move forward a little bit more. As I watched her struggle to put one foot in front of the other, I found myself expecting her and urging her forward. I wanted her to stop, and at the same time, I hoped that she wouldn’t.
Finally she was the only runner left in sight. I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with respect and amazement as she pushed forward with strong determination through the last miles. When the finish line came into sight, the cheering crowds had long gone home. Yet she didn’t give up and crossed the line.
I don’t know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life — a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about beating the other runners or winning a prize. It was about finishing what she had set out to do. When I think things are too difficult or I get those “I-just-can’t-do-it,” I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.
1. What does the underlined word “crippled” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Perfect. | B．Athletic. |
| C．Disabled. | D．Slim. |
| A．Confident and brave. |
| B．Proud and determined. |
| C．Hard-working and responsible. |
| D．Strong-willed and honorable. |
| A．Don’t depend on others when facing difficulties. |
| B．Nothing is too hard to accomplish if one is brave enough. |
| C．Those who have difficulty walking can also run a marathon. |
| D．It’s not winning but holding on to the end that really matters. |
| A．The Last Runner |
| B．An Injured Stranger |
| C．An Unforgettable Event |
| D．The Annual Marathon |
8 . Unlike walking the dog or strolling round the park, longer distance walks offer all the benefits of any fitness challenge. Getting outdoors to stride it out—either in company or alone, will boost your health and mood.
Differ your training
Marathon runners wouldn’t dream of hitting the roads to do the same-old thing.
Get kitted out
Research a route
Finding a long-distance route can be tricky but there are plenty of resources to help. The Ramblers (ramblers.org.uk), for example, offers more than 2,500 routes with written directions.
Start slowly
If you want to stay injury free, steadily increase the distance.
| A．Just relax and face the challenge |
| B．Or try route app Komoot (komoot.com) |
| C．Invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes |
| D．They choose activities that prove helpful to them |
| E．As you up the distance, you’ll see the body benefits up |
| F．Practise on a regular basis and gradually improve your leg speed |
| G．They mix it up with workouts, long-distance sessions and tempo runs |
9 . Every new exercise routine comes a new risk of injury, whether it’s injuring a muscle from lifting or developing knee pain from running. Some people are unwilling to exercise for fear of injury.
Both of these injuries tend to happen because runners did something out of the ordinary compared to what they were trained to do. Take rest days, build up your mileage (里程) gradually and combine regular strength training.
As with other injuries, the risk increases toward the end of a workout. It’s very essential to listen to your body.
Exercise can put someone at risk of injury.
| A．These fears are based on facts. |
| B．Turn to a mixture of sports doctors. |
| C．This type of exercise can increase the risk of injury. |
| D．Therefore, the risk of hurting yourself will decrease. |
| E．But not exercising puts someone at risk of poor health. |
| F．Adjust in time, especially when tiredness starts to affect your form. |
| G．Runners may come across two main sorts of injuries related to overuse. |
10 . We all show more interest in watching new, unknown sports during the Olympics. Curling, trampolining...and there might be one more—cheer-leading, competitive or All-Star cheer-leading to be exact.
I am certain that you will love it: Teams of up to 35 cheerleaders, working together like a well-oiled machine, carry out challenging body movements during an exciting two-and-a-half-minute routine. Watching these highly-skilled young girls producing an imaginative routine live in the arena is exciting, and slightly terrifying, isn’t it? Absolutely. How about slow-motion replays of remarkable movements on the small screen? Yes, please. You will never be disappointed to view them.
Some people argue that high risk is the sport’s major problem, but in fact, many Olympic events are also dangerous. It is not uncommon for a flyer (the athlete thrown into the air) to fall during cheer-leading. But don’t worry—one of the first things they are taught is how to fall and catch in the safest way possible.
Cheer-leading will not be a one-horse race. Since the sport originated in North America, it’s natural that the first Olympic medals would be contested in its “homeland” (in Los Angeles, USA, 2028). But there are many countries that will happily challenge Team USA for the medal. Team England has historically been a strong competitor. They have earned medals at the last three World Championships. And other powerful cheer nations such as Canada, Finland and China have presented performances at the top level. In 2019, it was allowed to apply to become part of the Olympic Games sports program. Now the International Cheer Union has more than 100 national organizations and almost 4.5 million athletes. The widespread international participation has made it easier for the sport to take the next steps towards a place at the Summer Games. So Los Angeles 2028 is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
1. What can we conclude from paragraph 2?| A．Cheerleaders’ work is easy to do. |
| B．Watching cheer-leading is full of fun. |
| C．Teamwork is important for cheerleaders. |
| D．It is better to watch cheer-leading in the arena. |
| A．Usually they can be avoided. |
| B．They scare some viewers away. |
| C．They threaten a small number of flyers. |
| D．They have become more terrifying recently. |
| A．To show cheer-leading is a competitive sport. |
| B．To prove Team USA is the strongest team worldwide. |
| C．To explain few countries pay attention to cheer-leading. |
| D．To stress the importance of winning a medal in cheer-leading. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Conservative. | C．Hopeful. | D．Tolerant. |
