1 . On a bright early summer morning, many young swimmers gather at a local swimming pool in the state of Maryland. They are members of a competitive summer swim team, and that’s a regular part of their daily life. As they train and cut seconds off their times, which makes them closer to the championship in the following large-scale (大规模的) competitions, they are getting lots of physical exercise and vitamin D from the sun. However, the benefits of belonging to a sports team are not just honor or health related. You can learn useful life skills.

Paul Waas, coach of the swim team, explains, “The discipline (自制力) comes into play when you’re talking about concentrating on the details that your coaches are saying as it makes you faster rather than going up and down the pool the same way you have every time. When you focus on what you’re doing right and what you can do better, then you’ll see the improvement.”

Besides, there is also responsibility, goals and workings within a group. Again, here is Coach Waas. “It’s really great! It’s so fun to watch from year to year. I’ve had kids who as 7-year-olds on the team could barely pay attention in practice and were only interested in who was going first. Now they’ve come back as 8-year-olds, having set some goals and having things that they want to achieve. These skills can help them a lot.”

But playing the sports is not without harm. Some can be hard on the body. Young athletes suffer serious injuries that follow them into adulthood. Coach Waas says that in fact, swimming is different from most others. First, it poses a lower risk of injury. The second one relates to how swim teams are structured. Actually, children are not the only ones who can benefit. Adults can also benefit from team sports.

1. Why do the swimmers gather at a swimming pool in the early morning?

A．To obtain vitamin D from the sun.	B．To build practical skills for future.
C．To join in a large-scale competitive.	D．To carry out their routine practice.

2. What do Paul Waas’ words imply in paragraph 2?

A．Swimmers should concentrate on details.

B．Members get disciplined and focused in the team.

C．Coaches play a key role in layers’ improvement.

D．Most swimmers enjoy sinning in the same way.

3. What happens to the kids after a year’s training?

A．They are more aware of what to do.	B．They pay less attention to training.
C．They devote more time to practice.	D．They care more about who goes first.

4. What does the author want to convey in the text?

A．Exercise benefits everyone.	B．Swimming is better than other sports.
C．Team sports teach life lessons.	D．Physical exercise should be a habit.

2 . 阅读理解
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
Canyoning (蹦谷运动)
The sports of canyoning explore the high-energy environment where water meets rock on the coast. Protected by wetsuits and helmets (头盔), people jump from cliffs (悬崖) and waterfalls and discover caves that would not normally be arrived at.
It was first done in the U.K. by TYF Adventure (01437 721611, www.tyf.com) and several thousand people jump from the cliffs near St David’s each year. A half day canyoning trip costs ￡50 (￡30 for children under 16).
Diving (潜水)
Diving is not popular with British people. The difficulties of wild waters are greater because the water is colder and not clear enough, but the coasts of Cornwall, Wales and Scotland have some of the best diving in the world.
The British Sub Aqua Club (0870 112 9133, www.bsac.com) and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (01580 819688, www.padi.com) run courses teaching the important skills.
Surfing (冲浪)
The best surfing places in the UK are on the southwest coast where it is warmer, especially in Cornwall. The best time of year to surf in the UK is late summer and autumn when water temperatures are warmer.
The British Surfing Association (01479 861256, www.britsurf.co.uk) has a list of famous surf schools around the country.
Rock climbing
The most popular natural rocks in Britain include the Peak District, the Lake District, while large areas of Scotland are a climber’s ideal place. Climbing courses and climbing walls can be found on the website of the British Mountaineering Council (0870 010 4878, www.thebmc.co.uk) which offers a series of short films that take the new climber through a step-by-step guide to visiting a climbing wall for the first time.
1. If a couple with their child of 15 join in Canyoning for a day, they will pay ______.

A．￡130

B．￡160

C．￡260

D．￡320

2. To go surfing, you may phone ______.

A．01479 861256	B．0870 010 4878
C．01437 721611	D．0870 112 9133

3. Which of the following is NOT well accepted by British people?

A．Canyoning.	B．Diving.
C．Surfing.	D．Rock climbing.

3 . Some kids find it hard to lose in a game, but everyone needs to learn how to deal with it. Learning to lose without losing your cool is a skill. Like learning to ride a bike, you might not be able to do it at first, but over time it will get easier.    1    

Everyone wants to win. But any time two teams or kids are facing each other in a game or contest, someone will lose. Losing is disappointing, so it's not surprising that kids don't like it.    2    So what should you do when you lose?

The best thing to do is try to control your emotion and get in line with your teammates, so you can congratulate the other team. If you feel like crying later or you want to complain about the game, you can do that.    3    After a little time passes, you might not feel as upset as you were right when the game ended.

Sometimes kids lose on their own, like in a neighborhood game of basketball. These situations can be especially hard if there are no grownups around to be the referees(裁判).    4    It's good for kids to learn to play without a grownup deciding everything but it can also lead to a lot of arguing.

    5    Some kids might cheat or bend the rules, but you can do your best to be fair. Even if they're not, you certainly won't be accused of cheating or playing unfairly. You've done your part to bring good sportsmanship to the game.

A．Adults don't like it either.

B．Learn the rules of the game.

C．But you'd better do it off the field.

D．Then it's up to kids to decide among themselves.

E．Kids don't like playing with someone who gets angry easily.

F．It's best if everyone tries to be fair to solve any disagreements.

G．And when you can handle losing, people will call you a good sportsman.

4 . 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 were 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 breathing for her and urging her forward. I wanted her to stop, and at the same time, I prayed 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 sheer determination through the last miles. When the finish line came into sight, the cheering crowds had long gone home. Yet, standing straight and proud waited a man. He was holding one end of a ribbon tied to a post. She slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering (飘动) behind her.

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 words can best describe the woman?

A．Proud and determined.	B．Strong-willed and honorable.
C．Modest and courageous.	D．Diligent and considerate.

2. What does the underlined word “crippled” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Disabled.

B．Healthy.

C．Perfect.

D．Strong.

3. What has the author learnt from the woman?

A．Don’t depend on others when facing hardships.

B．Nothing is too tough to accomplish if one is brave enough.

C．The disabled can also run a marathon despite their walking difficulty.

D．It’s not winning but finishing the thing we start that really matters.

4. What could be the best title for the text?

A．A Humorous Stranger.	B．An Unforgettable Job.
C．The Last Runner.	D．The Annual Marathon.

5 . These days, many people participate in talent shows because they want to be famous.    1    Would you believe that an entire town once entered a game show so it could become famous?

In the 1950s, Hot Springs, New Mexico, was a small town known for its hot springs.    2    

At that time, the citizens of Hot Springs liked to listen to the radio. One program they enjoyed was called “Truth or Consequences”.    3    In the show, contestants(参赛者) would answer a challenging question. If they answered the question correctly, they were rewarded with a prize.

In 1950s, Ralph Edwards announced that he would visit and perform his radio show from the first town in America to change its name to Truth or Consequences.    4    True to his word, Ralph Edwards visited the town and performed his show. So the town is known as Truth or Consequences.

Today, not many people remember the radio show “ Truth or Consequences”.    5    The first weekend in May is the date of their yearly festival.

A．It was hosted by Ralph Edwards.

B．They hold a big celebration every year.

C．Hot Springs seized the opportunity.

D．They would reunite with friends or family.

E．It was home to over forty natural hot springs.

F．Other people enter game shows so they can win money.

G．The citizens of Truth or Consequences remember though.

6 . You don't really need much to start running. Once you have shoes, socks, something to listen to and something to clock your time, you're just about set.     1     Whether you choose a standard watch, a high-tech GPS watch or your iPhone doesn't matter.

1. Choose a shoe

Don't be influenced by brand names. Instead, try on four or five running shoes, jog around the store and let your feet decide. In a sweeping review of the science on running shoes and injuries, researchers found that the most important feature of a running shoe is — comfort. That's it.     2    

2. Choose a pair of socks

    3     Blisters from unsuitable socks are painful and could affect you for days. You want a breathable, comfortable sock. Some running socks are made from a special material that draws moisture (湿气) away from your feet.

Look for a sock without thick (or any) seams (缝) and decide if you want a no-show sock or one that covers the back of your ankle.     4     Test them out to see how they perform when you run and sweat before buying more pairs.

3. Choose a playlist

Running should feel like a reward. If you're a runner who likes the quiet of running, then pick a quiet path and go run. But many people like a combination of upbeat music or books on tape to accompany them on the run.     5     They often read their own audio books and leave you laughing so much you forget the pains of running.

A．Choose a shoe that feels good.

B．Consider trying books by comedians.

C．Here's how to pick the right running equipment.

D．It can prevent bacteria from accumulating on your feet.

E．Try socks on in the store, and pick one or two that you like.

F．While most runners focus on shoes, socks can be important too.

G．When it comes to the timing tool, just pick the one that works for you.