1 . If you are already making the time to exercise, it is good indeed! With such busy lives, it can be hard to try and find the time to work out.     1     Working out in the morning provides additional benefits beyond being physically fit.

Your productivity is improved. Exercising makes you more awake and ready to handle whatever is ahead of you for the day.     2    

Your metabolism(新陈代谢) gets a head start.     3     If you work out in the mornings, then you will be getting the calorie(卡路里) burning benefits for the whole day, not in your sleep.

    4     Studies found that people who woke up early for exercise slept better than those who exercised in the evening. Exercise energizes you, so it is more difficult to relax and have a peaceful sleep when you are very excited.

    5     If you work out bright and early in the morning, you will be more likely to stick to healthy food choices throughout the day. Who would want to ruin their good workout by eating junk food? You will want to continue to focus on positive choices.

There are a lot of benefits to working out, especially in the mornings. Set your alarm clock an hour early and push yourself to work out! You will feel energized all day long.

A．You will stick to your diet.

B．Your quality of sleep improves.

C．You prefer healthy food to fast food.

D．There is no reason you should exercise in the morning.

E．You can keep your head clear for 4-10 hours after exercise.

F．After you exercise, you continue to burn calories throughout the day.

G．If you are planning to do exercise regularly, or you’re doing it now, then listen up!

2 . 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余项。

The wife-carrying World Championship has been celebrated in a small town in central Finland since 1992. In 1992, the people of the town decided to restart some long-forgotten traditions.     1     He was said to only accept men as members of his gang who proved their worth in challenges. At that time, it was also a common practice to steal women from neighboring villages.

    2     A large number of competitors, people, and journalists from Finland to Canada attend the Wife-carrying World Championship every year.

    3     The Wife-carrying World Championship is held on a 253.3 meters long official track. The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle, about a meter deep. The wife to be carried may be your own, or your neighbor’s. The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kg. If she is less than 49kg, the wife will be given a heavy bag to carry. Each time a competitor drops his wife, that couple will be fined 15 seconds.    4    

Alongside with the Wife-carrying World Championship, there is also a team competition. The distance is the same but three men in the team carry the wife in turns. At the exchange point the carrier has to drink official “wife-carrying drink.” Then he may continue the race.

    5    

While the Wife-carrying World Championship is being held, there are bands playing music, a wife carrying dance and other forms of entertainment.”

A．There are a few basic rules.

B．People everywhere hold the event.

C．A special prize is awarded to the team.

D．Do you know how these traditions restarted?

E．This event is becoming increasingly popular.

F．The winner is the couple who complete the course in the shortest time.

G．Back in the late 1800s, there was a robber called Rosvo-Ronkainen in that area.

3 . History Fair Competition

Understanding history is vital to understanding ourselves as a people and as a nation. History is much more than the study of dusty old objects and events long past. Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition makes understanding history exciting, engaging, and fun!

This Year’s Theme

All participants must address how communication or transportation technology has promoted the quality of life for Americans throughout history. To many people, technology means computers, hand-held devices, or vehicles that travel to distant planets. However, technology is also the application of scientific knowledge to solve a problem, touching lives in countless ways.

Individuals or groups may enter one of the follow ing categories:

• Performance

• Documentary (纪实作品)

• Essay Writing

Category Requirements

Performance: A dramatic presentation of the topic no more than 10 minutes long. If special clothes are used, they should truly represent a given period.

Doc umentary: A visual presentation (such as a video, slide show, or computer project) no more than 10 minutes long. A desktop computer, screen, projector, and loudspeakers will be available. Students must provide their presentations on CDs before Friday, March 23.

Essay Writing : An academic paper of 2,000 to 2,500 w ords. No illustrations ( 图解)are allowed. Please do not include covers. A list of references must be included.

Important Dates

February 5 Submit a first draft of your essay, performance script ( 剧本), or documentary highlights.

February 19 A committee of teachers will evaluate materials and give opinions. Students then have an opportunity to improve their products.

March 9 Submit a final draft of your essay.

March 15 Performance and documentary committee preview

March 24 Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition

7:00 A.M. — 9:00 A.M. Participants signing in at the gym

10:00 A.M. — 6:00 P.M. Competition and judges’ review

7:00 P.M. Awards ceremony and picnic

1. What is the theme of this year ’s competition?

A．Technology advances science.

B．Science interacts w ith technology.

C．Science has made the study of history easy.

D．Technology has improved the life of Americans.

2. What w ould a participant have to do with an essay of 1,500 words to meet the category requirement?

A．Include more information in the essay.	B．Remove the references.
C．Provide a cover for the essay.	D．Explain the details w ith illustrations.

3. What will the committee of teachers do on February 19?

A．Preview performances and documentaries.

B．Make comments on the materials.

C．Improve the participant’s first draft.

D．Collect a second proposal from the participant.

4 . Cali Scores a Goal

It was the last game of the season. Cali had been playing soccer all summer. She really enjoyed __________ around with the other players in her blue uniform, chasing the black and white ball across the grassy field. As much as she tried, __________, Cali still had not scored one single goal.

“Don’t give up,” said her coach. He showed Cali and her team how to pass the ball to each other and take shots at the goal. Cali was pretty good at passing the ball, but she couldn’t kick the ball __________ the goalkeeper. She wondered if she should __________ soccer.

“Don’t give up,” said her teammates. ”You just need to keep trying and you will get __________ .” So Cali stayed on the team and did her best.

“Don’t give up,” said Aunt Lisa. But it was half-time, and Cali was feeling __________ . She was trying! Every time she got a(an) __________ to kick the ball, it would go in the __________ direction or a player from the other team would take control of it.

The break was over and the referee(裁判) blew her whistle to __________ the game again. The two __________ walked back onto the field, both __________ to win. Cali heard her aunt whisper in her ear. “Look for an opportunity to get the ball. You can do it.”

Cali took a deep breath. __________ she didn’t get one goal all summer, she knew that she had tried her best. She dreamed she’d leave her team after the game was over. Suddenly, she was woken by some __________ that was the sweet, happy jingle of the ice cream truck. It was driving right beside the soccer field, playing its music loudly to attract __________ .

The players on both teams turned to __________ at it. A few girls pointed to it and cheered. The soccer game had nearly stopped. Cali looked around and saw the soccer ball close by, __________ by the nearest player from the other team. Cali dashed over to the ball. She dribbled(带球) it between her feet, moving forward toward the net of the yellow team. By the time the other girls had __________ , Cali was positioned right in front of the net. The goalkeeper was __________ to one side, looking at the ice cream truck. She turned back __________ to guard the net as Cali kicked the ball hard.

The keeper __________ out her gloved hand. The ball touched the tips of her fingers as it swooshed past, right into the net. “Goal!”

1.

A．running

B．walking

C．jumping

D．hiking

2.

A．therefore

B．otherwise

C．though

D．meanwhile

3.

A．with

B．over

C．for

D．past

4.

A．quit

B．remember

C．change

D．respect

5.

A．harder

B．better

C．faster

D．easier

6.

A．normal

B．hopeful

C．calm

D．upset

7.

A．award

B．idea

C．chance

D．order

8.

A．safe

B．wrong

C．clear

D．positive

9.

A．pause

B．start

C．cancel

D．end

10.

A．players

B．girls

C．teams

D．coaches

11.

A．satisfied

B．frightened

C．pleased

D．determined

12.

A．Even if

B．As if

C．Because

D．When

13.

A．noise

B．music

C．whistle

D．cheer

14.

A．customers

B．teachers

C．audiences

D．reporters

15.

A．fire

B．laugh

C．knock

D．look

16.

A．found

B．ignored

C．protected

D．pushed

17.

A．discussed

B．recalled

C．noticed

D．permitted

18.

A．hiding

B．rushing

C．standing

D．waiting

19.

A．quickly

B．secretly

C．bravely

D．silently

20.

A．threw

B．carried

C．dragged

D．reached

5 . After having a child, I found my regular exercise interrupted. I was not only busy: I also lacked the motivation. Solo gym sessions or some quick______following the DVD while the baby sleeps didn’t______me at all. So I decided to sign up for a hiking______in Peru, hoping that it would get me______again.

Looking over my travel arrangements before I left. I______phrases such as “3-hour hike______primitive forests” and “sliding with a rope down waterfalls”, and I started to feel a little______.

However, as we made our way through the forests and were______with amazing views of______waterfalls, this team of strangers______me to go on. Being physically active with a group motivated me to reach the______or the valley below-rather than simply lying down on the forest floor and giving up,______I might have done if I were alone.

____confirm my experience: Group exercise can really start a new attitude toward fitness. “People get a better______in a group than they do on their own,” said Allison Kimmel, a group______instructor. That’s because other people______both support and competition. “Humans are______animals and the shared experience of facing a challenge______is compelling(不可抗拒的),” said David Ezell, the CEO of fitness provider Darien Wellness.

With the______of a group, I'm slowly getting back into a______lifestyle.

1.

A．summary

B．addition

C．exercise

D．1ecture

2.

A．contribute to

B．appeal to

C．cater to

D．object to

3.

A．trip

B．voyage

C．award

D．speech

4.

A．acting

B．flying

C．studying

D．moving

5.

A．examined

B．scanned

C．copied

D．deleted

6.

A．across

B．over

C．through

D．beyond

7.

A．convinced

B．disappointed

C．delighted

D．worried

8.

A．rewarded

B．crowded

C．covered

D．equipped

9.

A．awful

B．awesome

C．accessible

D．still

10.

A．begged

B．forced

C．permitted

D．inspired

11.

A．summit

B．foot

C．destination

D．waterfall

12.

A．that

B．which

C．where

D．when

13.

A．Victims

B．Tourists

C．Strangers

D．Experts

14.

A．position

B．workout

C．income

D．diet

15.

A．business

B．career

C．flight

D．fitness

16.

A．offer

B．consume

C．receive

D．ignore

17.

A．natural

B．traditional

C．practical

D．social

18.

A．alone

B．alike

C．together

D．close

19.

A．popularity

B．development

C．increase

D．support

20.

A．wealthier

B．healthier

C．higher

D．richer

6 . 语法填空

Once every 4 years the World Cup has always deeply attracted millions of fans around the world since it     1    （hold）． As     2    matter of fact， there were two trophies in history． The first was made by Paris' technician， Friel， who was very     3    （fame） for making jewelry． The model， which was the goddess of victory，    4    （dress） in ancient Rome costume， stretching her arms and holding the image of the cup， stood on the marble base． According to the FIFA regulations at that time， the World Cup champion team could keep the gold cup for 4years to the next cup return． Besides， there was an additional     5    （require）． The team who won the three world championships would always get this cup．

In the 1970 World Cup， Brazil won the title the     6    （ three） time． The "Golden Goddess Cup" flew to Brazil and was expected to be kept there    7    （permanent）． Unfortunately， later the Gold Cup was stolen and melted．     8    （create） a new trophy in 1971， FIFA finally collected fifty-three designs，    9    which the work of Italian Gazania was selected． He designed the trophy --- two Herchles （大力神） lifted the design of the earth． The base is made up of two layers of precious malachite （孔雀石）． In reality， FIFA rules the new cup as a mobile prize． It means     10    team wins the championship can not occupy the cup forever．

7 . 假如你是李华，获悉中国日报(China Daily)将举办“最美中国”(Amazing China)手机摄影大赛。请写封邮件建议你的美国留学生朋友George参加，邮件内容包括:
1.作品要求:展示风土人情，附上作品名称；
2.投稿方式与截止时间：12月30号前发邮件至acchinadaily.com.cn
3.表示愿意提供帮助。
注意：1.词数100左右；2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯的；3.开头语已为你写好。
Dear George,

How is everything going?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

8 . Climbing Without Ropes

The popular image of the mountain climber is of a person carefully climbing a steep cliff with a network of safety ropes, but it is not the only kind. Many climbers now enjoy bouldering. It’s more accessible and better for the environment.

What is bouldering? Bouldering is a sport that involves climbing on, over, and around boulders up to approximately twenty feet above the ground. Participants employ no safety ropes.
Why boulder? • improve your climbing skills by focusing on basics • places to climb, such as climbing walls at gyms and parks, easy to find • less time commitment to bouldering than to mountain climbing • intellectual and physical enjoyment as one solves problems		Bouldering Terms crimp: a very small handhold foothold: a place where one may place a foot to aid in climbing boulder jug: a very large handhold that is easy to use problem: The path up a boulder is referred to as the “problem” that one must solve. The “solution” is the sequence of moves one makes up and over a boulder.

Here is an example of a climber addressing a bouldering problem.

Figure 1: The climber has two routes she could take, one to the left and one to the right. The left one appears easier because it has a jug within easy reach, but look what happens if she chooses that direction. She gets stuck on the rock and has to go back down. Sometimes that is even more difficult than going up.

Figure 2: The climber takes the one to the right this time. Using a foothold and placing her right hand in a crimp, she is able to lift herself up and locate other handholds. After only a few moves, she is able to throw her leg over the top of the boulder and pull herself up.

1. According to the passage, bouldering ________.

A．is an indoor sport	B．has no safety protection
C．needs maps and equipment	D．is a steep cliff climbing

2. Bouldering becomes popular because ________.

A．it challenges the limits	B．it costs less
C．it builds minds and bodies	D．it is a team game

3. According to the example, the right route is ________.

A．a shortcut	B．a dead end
C．tough but to the top	D．lined with jugs

4. The passage is likely to appear in ________.

A．a book review	B．a science report
C．a newspaper advertisement	D．a sports magazine

9 . With busy schedules and limited hours of daylight, some runners find their only me to run is in the darkness of early morning or evening.    1    . But if you have to run at night or in the early morning, make sure to follow these guidelines.                   

• Choose a Well-lit Route

It might not be your favourite route to run, but the most well-lit route is your first choice.     2     and you'll always be able to see the road and avoid potential hazards.

• Always Run Against Traffic

It's easier to avoid cars if you can see them coming. Avoid busy roads and those with no shoulders or sidewalks.

• Run With a Friend

    3    . If possible, try to never run alone. If you're running alone, let someone know the route you're running and approximately how long you will be out.

• Watch Out for Bikes and Runners

Even if you're running on a path or in a park with no cars, always be aware of other runners and cyclists.     4     This advice applies to running in both daylight and darkness.

• Put Away Your Music

Make sure you leave your radio, MP3 player, or iPad at home.     5    . You can't hear oncoming cars, cyclists yelling to move, dogs, or any other potential threat.

A．Oncoming cars see you better

B．There's strength and safety in numbers

C．Running in daylight is always a safer choice

D．A headlamp is also an essential item for runners

E．Before you stop or turn around, make sure your path is clear

F．Cutting off your sense of hearing leaves you at a disadvantage

G．Put your driver's license in your pocket or wear an ID tag on your shoe

10 . There are many weird sports that are present around the world. From each region of the world, along with the very popular common sports, there are also those really popular but very weird kinds of sports.

The Ultimate Test Between Man and Horses

This is indeed a very strange kind of sport that tests your stamina (耐力). You will learn how to be agile (灵活的) while competing against a horse. This game originated in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells. This sport really has to do with strength. You will require great agility and strength in order to take part in this. Marathon human contestants are put to compete against those mounted people. This is how the marathon testing takes place.

Love Locked Races

This is a sports event that was first introduced in Finland. This is all about a male competitor racing with a female in a certain way. There would be many obstructions and blocks on the way which would definitely bring you challenges. The person to win would have to finish the race without losing his female partner in the course of overcoming the obstacles even for once. This race takes place really fast and the obstacles are set that way.

The Toe Sport

This is yet another weird sport that welcomes you to use your toes. This is quite the same kind of sport that you used to play as a child which involved toe wrestling. This has now been turned into a major sport that even has a World Toe Wrestling Competition. It first originated in a pub of Derbyshire.

The locals took this sport with great enjoyment and then made this so popular that it soon had its own championship. The individuals who participate have only got to use their feet and then this is tougher than it may sound.

The Mud Pit Belly Flop

This is a kind of game where even the spectators (观众) get splashed with mud but in fact that is quite the fun. The very annual Summer Redneck Games in East Dublin bring about this game and bring about some of the greatest hubcap-discus throws with it. This is also a great sport to show the strength and dexterity of your feet.

1. Which sport requires couples to participate?

A．The Ultimate Test Between Man and Horses.	B．Love Locked Races.
C．The Toe Sport.	D．The Mud Pit Belly Flop.

2. Which statement shows the popularity of the Toe Sport?

A．It first originated in a pub of Derbyshire.

B．The locals took this sport with great enjoyment.

C．It has a World Toe Wrestling Competition.

D．Even kids are fond of the sport.

3. What kinds of people are likely to take part in the Ultimate Test Between Man and Horses?

A．People with agility and strength.	B．People with companions.
C．Marathon runners.	D．Horse riders.