1 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.

But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.

According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.

To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.

“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.

Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.

It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.

1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?

A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression.

B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids.

C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running.

D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood.

2. Why did the scientists give mice drugs in their experiment?

A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms.

B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high.

C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high.

D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released.

3. What does the underlined word “notion” mean?

A．Effect.

B．Goal.

C．Opinion.

D．Question

4. What can we know about regular workouts according to the UK’s National Health Service?

A．They can help ease depression symptoms.

B．They are the best way to treat depression.

C．They only work for those with serious depression.

D．They can help people completely recover from depression.

2 . “Barefoot Mike” gets a lot of attention when he shows up at the beginning of a race. He loves to run and has been running since he was a kid. He loves to and often competes in 10K races. But That’s not the reason he gets so much attention. People notice him because when he runs, “Barefoot Mike” runs barefoot.

Running barefoot has become a huge trend in the world of running. “I didn’t set out to be a trend setter,” laughed “Barefoot Mike”, otherwise known as Mike Whitaker. “I’ve always been a runner, but until a few years ago, I always wore shoes. Then one day I was running after a rainstorm. I stepped off into the grass to avoid a puddle (水坑) on the sidewalk, and accidentally stepped into a huge muddy puddle that had been hidden in the grass. I tried to keep running, but the wet and dirty shoe made it really hard. I figured the best solution was to just get rid of the shoes.”

Mike took off his shoes and dropped them into the nearest trash can. “Then I started running. At first I went really slowly because I was watching out for rocks or other things that could hurt my feet, but there really weren’t any problems.” He started going faster. “It felt so good!” Mike said. “My knee, which always ached, didn’t ache. My foot was able to spread out so I had better balance. And my feet didn’t feel all hot and sweaty. It was awesome!”

“There are actually potential health benefits to running barefoot” said Dr. Nancy Bower, a podiatrist (足科医师).

A recent study agrees. A team of researchers recently videotaped several people running—first wearing shoes and then barefoot. In almost every case, when wearing shoes, the runners tended to land on the heel of their foot, which they call “heel-striking.” Many runners have impact injuries such as knee pain. Heel-striking may be the cause of these injuries or may make an existing injury worse. When running barefoot, the runners tended to land on the middle part of the foot. The force is spread out throughout the foot. The ankle, shin (胫部), knee and hip don’t get the shock of a hard landing with every step.

1. Why does Mike receive a lot of attention while running?

A．Because he runs very fast.	B．Because he loses his shoes.
C．Because he wears no shoes.	D．Because he wears strange clothes.

2. According to Paragraph 2, why did Mike run barefoot years ago?

A．He liked running barefoot.

B．He was advised to run barefoot.

C．His shoe became very uncomfortable.

D．His dream of becoming famous motivated him.

3. After running barefoot for a while a few years ago, Mike ________.

A．was very tired	B．was badly hurt
C．gave up running	D．felt unexpectedly great

4. According to the recent study, heel-striking ________.

A．is bad for one’s health

B．is caused by existing injuries

C．happens when one runs barefoot

D．can be avoided by wearing sports shoes

5. What is the text mainly about?

A．How to choose shoes.	B．Why people need shoes.
C．Useful tips on running barefoot.	D．The advantages of running barefoot.

3 . Exercise and I had never had a good relationship due to my fear of sports. From a young age, my dad _______ me into a dozen sports. I didn’t like any of them, _______.

When I entered the University of Regina, my dad _______ telling me “You have to find a way to stay _______.” or “You don’t want to get the Freshman 15, do you?” So I _______ to give swimming a shot, but I _______ managed to go to the pool twice during the fall semester (学期). Worse still, I was _______ to convince myself that’s OK.

The spring semester came. A friend of mine _______ me if I wanted to try Zumba (尊巴) with her. All I knew about Zumba was that it was basically a kind of exercise: dancing to Latin pop songs. It didn’t sound too bad, but I couldn’t be _______.

I went, and that was it. Zumba became my ________ of tea. The instructor would always say, “Don’t worry about the steps. Have fun. Do your own thing.” That removed my ________ of sports. I didn’t have to be ________. I didn’t even have to be good. I just needed to ________ the music and move. Zumba did ________ me from the Freshman 15, and it also did so much more. It let me make ________ with my unpleasant past about physical exercise, and enjoy staying healthy.

1.

A．expected

B．allowed

C．forced

D．invited

2.

A．therefore

B．though

C．instead

D．besides

3.

A．avoided

B．risked

C．regretted

D．kept

4.

A．in shape

B．for fun

C．at ease

D．on business

5.

A．refused

B．happened

C．bothered

D．decided

6.

A．hardly

B．merely

C．constantly

D．gradually

7.

A．eager

B．content

C．embarrassed

D．disappointed

8.

A．cheated

B．comforted

C．asked

D．annoyed

9.

A．happy

B．proud

C．careful

D．sure

10.

A．cup

B．part

C．share

D．mouth

11.

A．curiosity

B．passion

C．fear

D．confidence

12.

A．perfect

B．positive

C．adorable

D．official

13.

A．accept

B．feel

C．display

D．compare

14.

A．witness

B．separate

C．discourage

D．save

15.

A．trouble

B．sense

C．peace

D．contact

5 . I think I will never forget the special day in November. It was hotter than normal. This was the______ my father and I had waited so long for, because we had been working towards this______ for three years. Dozens of familiar faces from church and school flashed across my view. They had come for me. I saw worry and______ on my father’s face. Then the race began!

For the first two and a half miles, I felt______. I had never before been so ready for something. The weeks leading up to the race were filled with controlled______ and a strict diet. My friends hadn’t seen me in weeks, but they understood the______required to make my dream a reality. As in all of my races, I didn’t______ out in the front. I loved the pleasure of passing people as my strength overtook their premature speed.

Then without warning，my strength began to______. Neck and neck with one of my greatest competitors, I could see the finish line. I had begun the final dash into______ when my knees became weak and my legs gave way. Nothing I could do would make them______ weight.

I watched as runners rushed by me.______ I knew my dreams of victory were destroyed, I had to finish the race. However, my legs hurt badly. With all of the______ left in me, I got on my hands and knees and crawled (爬), inch by inch, across the finish line. Voices, both______ and familiar, cheered me on. They gave me the courage to keep ______ until the very end.

The ______ were there in seconds, but my eyes searched the crowd for him. There was only one person I wanted to talk to. I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Dad, I’m so sorry I ______ you.” He looked at me, saying, “You could never disappoint me. Sometimes these things just______. All that matters is that you did your best.”

“But we worked so hard. What about our dream?” He ______over for my hand and said, “Don’ t you know that you are my dream and it has come true?”

It wasn’t long before my running shoes were back on, marking a______ path for my journey. I learned that all of the miles, the tears, the sweat, and the pain my dad and I ______ together were not for a race. What I realized, though, was that to him, I was the greatest prize he had ever won.

1.

A．dream

B．result

C．day

D．weather

2.

A．goal

B．race

C．contest

D．battle

3.

A．amusement

B．astonishment

C．coldness

D．excitement

4.

A．great

B．afraid

C．nervous

D．proud

5.

A．programs

B．instructions

C．practices

D．studies

6.

A．sacrifice

B．potential

C．patience

D．attention

7.

A．look

B．move

C．start

D．come

8.

A．disappear

B．decrease

C．strengthen

D．increase

9.

A．relief

B．spirit

C．pleasure

D．glory

10.

A．give

B．hold

C．feel

D．add

11.

A．Where

B．Because

C．If

D．Although

12.

A．strength

B．emotion

C．confidence

D．trust

13.

A．loud

B．foreign

C．soft

D．firm

14.

A．running

B．cheering

C．going

D．training

15.

A．audience

B．judges

C．competitors

D．doctors

16.

A．disappointed

B．disturbed

C．bored

D．frightened

17.

A．develop

B．change

C．follow

D．happen

18.

A．turned

B．took

C．reached

D．looked

19.

A．new

B．near

C．rough

D．narrow

20.

A．struggled

B．experienced

C．remembered

D．appreciated

6 . With innovative (创新的) ideas, 10 teams of student groups competed at UR’s Hult Prize competition on Nov. 3 to skip the selection process for the regional competition. “If you ever had a crazy idea, now it is time to explore it.” senior and Hult Prize competitor Sharfuz Shifat said. The Hult Prize is an international competition where undergraduate and graduate students alike compete to win a $ 1 million prize to start a company based on their ideas.

For many competitors, this competition is an outlet for innovative ideas that can speed up change in the world. “I believe in social entrepreneurship and the power of business to create social change,” said senior Shelly Chen from Team Boodana.

In addition to wanting to make a lasting social effect, some competitors have personal connections to their ideas and a strong motivation to bring them to reality. “We’re enthusiastic about this because it comes from our life,” sophomore Cherine Ghazouani and Team Forty-Two member said. “We’re trying to make our family’s, our country’s and our people’s lives better.”

After the event, the award ceremony announced the winner: the first and second runner-ups as Team BestBeing, Team Forty-Two and Team Boodana, respectively. Although the ruling ideas of the winners were mainly meant to provide jobs for unemployed youth, many of the proposed solutions also handled other problems in today’s society. Team Forty-Two worked on re-inventing the impractical tutoring system in Mediterranean countries;Team BestBeing aimed to provide a solution for the lack of availability of mental health services all over the world.

“Usually some of the most simple and practical solutions are the ones that are the most beautiful and effective,” judge Anna Schreyer said. “The challenge is being able to look at things in a completely new way that’s very simple. Try to step out of the box of how we do things and how we think about things.”

1. What is the purpose of the UR’s Hult Prize competition?

A．Not to let go of innovative ideas.

B．To award the most hardworking students.

C．Not to be crazy about changing the reality.

D．To stress the importance of regional competition.

2. What will the winner be awarded in the competition?

A．A graduate degree.	B．A job in a company.
C．A position in UR’s Hult Prize.	D．A starting fund of a company.

3. What do the winners mainly focus on?

A．The impractical tutoring system.	B．A solution to mental health.
C．Youth unemployment.	D．The way of innovative thinking.

4. What kind of idea can be viewed as the best one according to judge Anna Schreyer?

A．Effective and old.	B．Simple and practical.
C．Long-lasting and simple.	D．Changeable and practical.

7 . Most of the teenagers today have realized the importance of physical activity. There are dozens of far-reaching benefits that sports can bring into their lives. Aside from providing an excellent form of exercise, organized sports can teach a young person some essential life-long lessons.

With lots of junk food at their fingertips, teenagers today often battle with eating. Playing a sport can act as great motivation for them to eat nutritious (有营养的) food. In order to participate fully in sports, teenagers have to have a balanced diet. Learning to eat properly and sleep correctly are important lessons that carry on to their adult lives.

Most teenagers have to deal with the stresses of popularity, appearance and fitting in. Participating in sports, however, can help them develop a positive self-image. If one struggles to feel like they belong, joining a team is a great way to give him or her social interaction that will eventually lead to a group of friends.

Team sports aren’t just about developing skills for their games. Those who participate in team sports will learn the benefits of working hard, setting goals and following rules. When teens have a coach they respect, they can also learn to listen to authority and work hard toward a common goal. Additionally, learning to deal with losses is as important as winning with dignity. A teen who learns that losses are a part of life will be able to face any difficult challenges waiting for them later in life.

Thousands of studies all agree that students feel more connected with their school and are motivated to work harder in class if they participate in sports. Sports give teens the opportunity to be around competitive people and gain an appreciation for hard work. Of course, participating in sports may also teach teenagers how to balance between two equally important things-like schoolwork and sports.

1. Why do teenagers today tend to fight with eating junk food?

A．Because they don’t have a balanced diet.

B．Because junk food is delicious and attractive.

C．Because they have easy access to junk food.

D．Because they are motivated to eat healthy food.

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

A．participation	B．communication
C．competition	D．appreciation

3. Which of the following is NOT the benefits of participating in the organized sports?

A．Developing a positive self-image.

B．Learning how to balance work against play.

C．Learning to eat properly and sleep correctly.

D．Getting opportunities to win in competitive society.

4. What is the main idea of the article?

A．Sports can have a continuing influence on adolescents.

B．Sports can encourage students to have a nutritious diet.

C．More and more teenagers are participating in organized sports.

D．Sports is of vital importance to the academic performance of teens.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the man doing?

A．Studying for an exam.

B．Watching a match.

C．Playing computer games.

2. What problem does the woman think she has?

A．She has no confidence in herself.

B．She is late for the fitness training.

C．She’s too fat for the dancing club.

10 . What will the woman probably do this weekend?

A．Go swimming.

B．Go dancing.

C．Go camping.