1 . The rate of childhood obesity in the U. S. has tripled over the past 50 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) made waves this year by recommending that doctors put obese kids as young as two years old on intensive, family-oriented lifestyle and behavior plans. It also suggested prescribing weight-loss drugs to children l2 and older and surgery to teens 13 and older. This advice reflects the organization’s adoption of a more active position on childhood obesity.
Yet the lifestyle programs the AAP recommends are expensive, inaccessible to most children and hard to maintain. Few weight-loss drugs have been approved for children. And surgery has potential risks and few long-term safety data. Furthermore, it’s not clear whether interventions in youngsters help to improve health or merely add to the psychological burden overweight kids face from the society.
Rather than paying close attention to numbers on a scale, the U. S. and countries with similar trends should focus on an underlying truth: we need to invest in more and safer places for children to play where they can move and run around, climb and jump, ride and skate.
Why is it so hard to get kids moving? Experts blame the problem on the privatization of sports — as public investment in school-based athletics dwindles, expensive private leagues have grown, leaving many kids out. In addition to fewer opportunities at school, researchers cite increased screen time and a lack of safe places for them to play outside the home. New York City, for example, had 2,067 public playgrounds as of 2019 — a very small amount for its large population. In Los Angeles in 2015, only 33 percent of youths lived within walking distance of a park.
Kids everywhere need more places to play. Public funding to build and keep up these areas is crucial, but other options such as shared-use agreements can make unused spaces available to the public. These opportunities aren’t primarily about changing children’s waistlines — they’re how we keep childhood healthy and fun.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?A.Childhood obesity is well under control in recent years. |
B.Weight-loss surgery are recommended to children 12 and older. |
C.AAP plays a more active role in fighting against childhood obesity. |
D.Expensive as it is, lifestyle programs are practical for most children. |
A.decline | B.quit | C.increase | D.develop |
A.Prepare fitness equipment at home. |
B.Live within walking distance of a park. |
C.Promote investment in private athletics. |
D.Open up playgrounds when school’s out. |
A.Sports play an important role in children’s growth. |
B.More safe areas for outdoor fun are in urgent need. |
C.Family-oriented lifestyles are crucial to children’s health. |
D.Medical intervention is important to ease psychological burden. |
2 . BBC Young Reporter Competition
If you are 11-18 years old, tell us about a story you think the BBC should be reporting.
What is the BBC Young Reporter Competition?
It is a yearly opportunity for 11-to 18-year-olds across the UK to submit (提交) an original story idea to the BBC. BBC Young Reporter Competition winners will have the chance to tell their story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and program makers. We are not looking for finished reports but entries should just be an outline (概述) of a story idea. This can be submitted as a written description or videos.
Entries will be judged in two age categories: 11 -15 and 16- 18. There is one entry category: Me and My World, Entries should be an original and true story about your life, or the world you live in. It could be about your own identity or experience that influences you or your community. You need to show how your report on this story can reflect the wider situation. Entries will only be considered when submitted via the online mechanism (机制). No other method of entry is permitted (this includes email or post).
Judging process
Stories will be judged on editorial merit (优点)—that means the strength of the story, originality, and the personal story or background related to it. Judges will be looking for 40 winning stories from across the UK. Judges include editors from across the BBC as well as presenters and reporters. Stories will not be broadcast until all the judging is completed and the winners are announced in June.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the BBC Young Reporter Competition, please contact a member of the team by emailing youngreportercompetition@bbc.co.uk.
1. What can be learned about the competition?A.It is hosted once a year. |
B.It is for professional journalists. |
C.Stories can be submitted by email. |
D.Participants should present their complete stories. |
A.The story should be about a history hero. |
B.The story may be adapted from another one. |
C.The story can be an imaginary one in the future. |
D.The story ought to be about their real experience. |
A.Stories can be broadcast in June. |
B.Judges are all editors from across the BBC. |
C.Stories must be recommended by a teacher or a professor. |
D.Judges will be looking for 40 winning stories from across Europe. |
3 . Massive changes in all of the world’s deeply cherished sporting habits are underway. Whether it’s one of London’s parks full of people playing softball, and Russians taking up rugby, or the Superbowl rivaling the British Football Cup Final as a televised spectator event in Britain, the patterns of players and spectators are changing rapidly. We are witnessing a globalization of our sporting culture.
That annual bicycle race, the Tour de France, much loved by the French, is a good case in point. Just a few years back it was a strictly continental affair with France, Belgium and Holland, Spain and Italy taking part in. But in recent years it has been dominated by Colombian mountain climbers, and American and Irish riders.
The people who really matter welcome the shift toward globalization. Peugeot, Michelin and Panasonic are multi-national corporations that want worldwide returns for the millions they invest in teams. So it does them literally a world of good to see this unofficial world championship become just that.
This is undoubtedly an economic-based revolution we are witnessing here, one made possible by communications technology, but made to happen because of marketing considerations. Sell the game and you can sell Coca Cola or Budweiser as well.
The skillful way in which American football has been sold to Europe is a good example of how all sports will develop. The aim of course is not really to spread the sport for its own sake, but to increase the number of people interested in the major money-making events. The economics of the Superbowl are already large. With seats at US $125, gate receipts alone were an astonishing $10,000,000. The most important statistic of the day, however, was the $10,000,000 in TV advertising fees. Imagine how much that becomes when the eyes of the world are watching. Economic help to the development of world sports
So it came as a terrible shock, but not really as a surprise, to learn that some people are now suggesting that soccer change from being a game of two 45-minute halves, to one of four 25-minute quarters. The idea is unashamedly to capture more advertising revenue, without giving any thought for the integrity of a sport which relies for its essence on the flowing nature of the action.
Moreover, as sports expand into world markets, and as our choice of sports as consumers also grows, we will demand to see them played at a higher and higher level. In boxing we have already seen numerous, questionable world title categories because people will not pay to see anything less than a “World Title” fight, and this means that the title fights have to be held in different countries around the world!
1. Globalization of sporting culture means that ______.A.more people are taking up sports |
B.traditional sports are getting popular |
C.foreigners are more interested in local sports |
D.many local sports are becoming international |
①Economic revolution ②Return of traditional games
③Communications technology ④Promotion of sports ⑤Marketing strategies
A.①②③ | B.①③⑤ | C.①②⑤ | D.②④⑤ |
A.Favorable. | B.Unclear. | C.Reserved. | D.Critical. |
A.the economic help to develop sports | B.the worldwide popularization of sports |
C.the commercialization of sporting culture | D.the increasing availability of sports watching |
4 . The 2024 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe — Calligraphy and Painting Challenge has been officially announced (宣布), which will start on April 1, 2024.
This competition invites painting, calligraphy, and Chinese language lovers from all around the world to take part in this exciting event.
Here we are calling on those who have interest to turn in their creative topics for the competition, with the topic selection process being decided by the public.
If you’re interested, feel free to turn in the topic that you believe fits the requirements of the competition.
Here are what you should follow:
Who can take part
The call for creative topics for the Calligraphy and Painting Challenge is open to any Chinese language lovers worldwide, with no limitations on age or nationality.
When to turn in
If you’d like to take part, you’d better hand in between Jan. 15, 2024 and Mar. 30, 2024 (Beijing Time).
Announcement date
The selected topic for the Calligraphy and Painting Challenge will be announced on Mar. 31, 2024, which also marks the official start for handing in calligraphy and painting works under the selected topic next day.
Methods to hand in
Participants (参与者) can send their topics and related information to Chinesebridge@chineseplus.net. “Chinese Bridge” also accepts direct messages on its official account on Facebook, Instagram, We Chat, and Weibo.
1. Which of the following statements is correct?A.Participants must be more than 18 years old. |
B.The nationality of the participants must be Chinese. |
C.Participants can turn in the topic online or to the office. |
D.Participants can hand in whatever topic suitable for the competition. |
A.June 20, 2024. | B.February 12, 2024. |
C.March 25, 2024. | D.January 28, 2024. |
A.To set up a competition organization. |
B.To announce the opening of a competition. |
C.To collect creative topics for a competition. |
D.To provide some information about a competition. |
5 . The rise of body neutrality You define (定义) beauty yourself. You are more than a number in measurement. Love yourself the way you are. Body positive messages like theses seem to be everywhere from social media to TV advertisements.
Body positivity’s aim to boost acceptance and appreciation of a variety of body types and sizes may explain why it has such a broad appeal. While some find the body positivity movement to be helpful, others have begun calling the movement toxic and suggesting it may be time to move on from this way of thinking.
More recently, people have voiced concerns. Some feel that the focus on loving your looks actually strengthens society’s stress on appearance over other values. Much body positivity content in advertisements may bring a stereotype (刻板印象) to viewers because it does little to challenge the hidden assumption that people are valued mainly for their appearance. Therefore, the movement still encourages people to be graceful and engage in beauty practices from head to toe. And if you fail to be body positive, it’s you that are at fault.
Many are now moving away from the body positivity movement and the pressures that come from it entirely, and instead are getting behind the body neutrality (中立) movement. Instead of focusing on physical appearance, body neutrality is a profound idea that we can exist without having to think too much about our bodies.
We are all more than just our bodies. We are complicated beings with a range of emotions and feelings about our bodies. And because body neutrality de-emphasizes (不强调) the focus on appearance, it motivates us to better acknowledge all the things our bodies are able to do. Being grateful for being able to take up your hobbies and appreciating your body for what it’s capable of doing are both examples of body neutrality.
Body neutrality can be beneficial to us. It is associated with the positive body image and mental well-being. The good news is that there are many ways you can develop body neutrality, including writing-based treatment, yoga and spending time in nature.
1. What does the underlined word “toxic” in Paragraph 2 mean?A.Inspiring. | B.Dangerous. | C.Influential. | D.Useless. |
A.It upsets overweight people. |
B.It overstates the role of advertising. |
C.It attracts too much attention to appearance. |
D.It challenges the traditional standards of beauty. |
A.Keep fit and you will be confident. |
B.Accept the imperfection of your body. |
C.Appreciate your abilities instead of your body. |
D.Treasure your appearance rather than other values. |
A.①②/③④/⑤/⑥ | B.①/②③/④⑤⑥ |
C.①/②/③/④⑤/⑥ | D.①②/③/④⑤/⑥ |
6 . National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back. Artists can submit an entry from this morning. This isn’t just another regular year of the Contest — it’s the 10th anniversary.
The panel (小组) of judges has doubled in size compared to previous years. The panel has a group of industry experts who are eager to see what this year’s participants can share. And there’s a great team of NPR’s Music station hosts on the panel: Amelia Mason, Novena Carmel and Stas THEE Boss.
Also new this year: Not only will the 2024 winner play a Tiny Desk concert, be interviewed on All Things Considered and go on tour with NPR Music — they’ll also be paired with a tutor in the industry who will help them navigate their music journey. Our judges are determined to give this year’s winner the support they’ll need to take their music to the next level. The winner will also be featured at two festivals this summer: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Millennium Park Summer Music series in Chicago.
And for the first time this year, the Contest is introducing a fan favorite vote. Later this spring, Contest judges will share their favorite entries as part of the annual Tiny Desk-Contest Top Shelf series on YouTube — and then artists and fans will be able to vote for their favorite among those selections.
Here’s how to enter: Record a video of you playing one original song — behind a desk, upload your video to YouTube, and submit the video on our Tiny Desk Contest website by Feb. 21 at 11: 59 p. m.
A final reminder: Entry videos don’t need to be fancy. The Tiny Desk is where artists go to simplify their big productions. Contest judges are looking for artists to submit something that’s true to them and brand new to the Tiny Desk.
1. Who are most likely among the judges?A.News station hosts. | B.Expert musicians. |
C.Contest participants. | D.Famous industrialists. |
A.Sightseeing tours. | B.Festival souvenirs. |
C.Unlimited support. | D.Professional guidance. |
A.It has to be a masterpiece. | B.It must convey positive feelings. |
C.It must be recorded behind a desk. | D.It has to be submitted before Feb. 21. |
7 . Major Sports Leagues in the US
NFL
Formed in 1920, the National Football League has a religious following in the US and around the world. It’s one of the most profitable leagues in the whole world. The NFL consists of 32 teams, which are sub-divided into NFC and AFC, which compete against each other every year to win the Super Bowl, the halftime show of which features major hit musicians.
NBA
Initially formed in 1946 as the BAA (Basketball Association of America), it merged (合并) with National Basketball League in 1949 and changed its name to NBA. The National Basketball Association might not be the biggest sports league financially, but it has a larger international following than other leagues. The keyword “NBA” was among the most googled keywords in 2021, which indicates how popular it is in the world.
MLB
Baseball is considered to be the national pastime activity of the US and the Major League Baseball is its highest level in the country. The MLB might not be popular as NFL in other parts of the world, but international supporters still make a large portion of the total fanbase. Formed in 1903, the MLB is the oldest US sports league and now has 30 teams, which was a merger between the National League and the American League.
NHL
Founded in 1917, the National Hockey League is the second-oldest sports league in the US and Canada and consists of a total of 32 teams. Three of the best performing teams from each division make it to the playoffs plus two wild card teams. All teams compete to win the prestigious Stanley Cup. Most of NHL’s revenue comes from TV and gate receipts with hockey-crazed Canadians being the primary market.
1. Which American sports league enjoys highest popularity globally?A.NFL. | B.NBA. | C.MLB. | D.NHL. |
A.Religious celebrations. | B.Interactive games. |
C.International competition. | D.Musical performances. |
A.The oldest history. | B.The most teams. |
C.The Canadian fanbase. | D.Divisions within the league. |
8 . Research has showed physical activities are very important for students. So many schools are now encouraging students to take part in any form of healthy exercise.
Physical education is an important part of healthy living for people of all age groups, especially for the students. This is because school life is full of stress.
Besides that, in today’s world, many school children eat unhealthy foods. These may include soft drinks, pizzas and burgers. Eating these foods can make school children gain weight.
Physical education at school helps prevent school children from putting on weight. Physical exercise and activities will help them burn off more calories (卡路里). If these calories are not burned off, they will be stored as fat.
At the same time, such activities play an important role in the growth and development of the bones (骨骼). Exercise such as jumping is especially important for school children.
A physically active student will also have a healthy heart. Research shows that kids who perform aerobic (有氧的) exercise, two to three times a week for at least twenty minutes, have a healthier heart compared with those who don’t take part in physical exercise. Some kinds of the healthy aerobic exercise are playing basketball, playing soccer and so on.
1. What are many schools encouraging their students to do?A.Study hard and get good grades. |
B.Join in different kinds of sports games. |
C.Take part in any form of healthy exercise. |
D.Take part in different kinds of after-school activities. |
A.Prevent | B.Discuss | C.Lose | D.Increase |
A.It’s not easy for students to receive physical education. |
B.Physical activities are good for students in many ways. |
C.Those who don’t take part in physical exercise can’t keep fit. |
D.Students should have more time to receive knowledge and education. |
A.Healthy living habits |
B.Students’ school life |
C.Exercise more to keep healthy |
D.Different kinds of aerobic exercise |
9 . “Humans can develop certain abilities we aren’t born with by practicing animals’ movements,” the traditional Chinese Wushu lovers believed in the past — and still do today.
Chinese Five-Animal Exercises, also known as Wuqinxi, are the first complete set of qigong exercises following the movements of animals: monkeys, deer ( 鹿 ), birds, bears and tigers. They were created by one of the greatest doctors in Chinese history, Hua Tuo, more than 1,800 years ago.
The Five-Animal Exercises are well-designed to help blood circulation (循环), and let the energy go smoothly in the body so as to improve the health.
“ The bear movements are good for the stomach. The tiger movements can reduce the pain in the back. The deer movements help reduce the fat around the waist (腰). The bird movements can help keep our knees healthy and the monkey movements can be good for the heart.” said Hua Yi, the 59th inheritor (继承人) of Wuqinxi.
For those new learners, the first few exercises might not go well. You may find it hard to focus. Wear comfortable clothes, keep peaceful in your mind, try to move slowly... Little by little, you’ll feel more and more harmonious with nature. You may even feel you become a tiger or a deer, walking in the forest freely.
These exercises need no tools. You can search online for the videos and practice them at any time when you feel like relaxing your body and mind. Because it’s fun to practice and good for health, Five-Animal Exercises are becoming more and more popular in recent years, not only in China, but also in many other places of the world.
1. Why do people practice Five-Animal Exercises?A.To fight against enemies | B.To protect wild animals |
C.To improve the health | D.To make money |
A.the bear movements | B.the tiger movements |
C.the deer movements | D.the bird movements |
A.和谐的 | B.兴奋的 | C.敬畏的 | D.崇高的 |
A.It’s easy to learn Wuqinxi even for beginners. |
B.People should practice Wuqinxi on weekends. |
C.Wuqinxi is becoming worldwide famous. |
D.It’s difficult to learn Wuqinxi even for beginners. |
10 . 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. |