1 . William Purkey, a well-known professor of education, said, “Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening, and live like it's heaven on earth.” It seems like the perfect life philosophy-- and one I've learned to apply to running over the year.
But I didn't always feel this way. In my early days, when I weighed 240 pounds, I ran like everyone was watching and judging. If I was on a run and saw a car approaching, 1'dstop and pretend I was looking for something I'd lost. I bought the high-tech gear and clothes that I thought would make people believe I was a runner. And I didn't have a clue if the expensive shoes I was wearing were the right kind for me --I just wanted to look like I fit in with this group.
To be honest, I felt a certain satisfaction in believing that someone was watching. I really thought that other people cared about my performance. The best example of this was a combined, two-lap marathon in Florence, Italy. As I approached the finishing line, the crowd began to cheer. I was surprised. Here I was, thousands of miles from home, and the Italians were shouting for “IIpenguino.”
About 20 yards from the finishing, the truth set in when the winner of the full marathon went past me as I was finishing the half-marathon. No one was cheering for me. No one probably even noticed that I was finishing. I couldn't help but smile at my own illusion of self-importance.
That's when I realized I had been running for every reason except the right one. I ran to make other people happy, ran to live up to their expectations. But no one was watching --no one cared. So I decided I was going to run for me, just me, and gained a new enjoyment from the sport I hadn't truly experienced yet. I've learned to run like no one is watching.
So if you see me at race, and I look like a 60-year-old guy waddling(蹒跚) along, don't worry. I'm fine. The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.
1. The writer begins the passage by ________.A.telling his running story | B.explaining a life philosophy |
C.introducing quotations | D.listing some life rules |
A.used sports clothes and shoes to attract attention |
B.was concerned about what others thought of her |
C.liked to be the focus of other runners |
D.struggled to find the right shoes to fit her |
A.she smiled at her own achievement | B.the crowd cheered for her madly |
C.nobody really cared about her running | D.she realized the importance of confidence. |
A.live up to others expectation | B.create a miracle in her own life |
C.run like no one is watching | D.enjoy the pleasure of running |
A.tell us to live a life of our own | B.inspire more people to run |
C.expect us to improve our health by running | D.stress the importance of determination |
A.misconception | B.expectation | C.fear | D.admiration |
2 . The National Association of Teachers of Singing(NATS) celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and programs. They are designed to showcase the talented singers and performers who are soon to be rising stars in the profession.
National Student Auditions
Students of NATS members will begin by performing during their regional auditions. Five singers from each regional category will advance lo a national online screening round, where entrants will submit a video of their performances for judgment by a group of national judges.
Entry Fee: $75 per category
Prizes: S35,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in total.
Deadline for Applications: April 13, 2021(applications by emailed invitation only; following regional auditions)
NATS Artist Awards(NATSAA)
Preliminary competitions are held at the regional level, with one winner picked out of each of the 14 NATS regions. The 14 semifinalists then gather at the site or the NATS Winter Workshop for the final two rounds of the competition.
Entry Fee: $75
Prizes: The winner is awarded $13,000; the 2nd place, $6,000.
Deadline for Applications: September 5,2021
Art Song Composition Award
The competition is open to any composer whose submined work meets the requirements. The winning composer will receive a cash award and a performance of the winning composition at the next scheduled NATS National Conference.
Entry Fee: $30
Prizes: The winner is awarded $5,000; the 2nd place, $2,500.
Deadline for Applications: December 1, 2021
National Music Theater Competition
The competition is seeking the best rising music theater soloists, those who just need one break to move their careers forward. Applicants must be between ages 20-28. Preliminary rounds of the competition are scheduled to take place in fall 2021 and about 24 singers advance to the semifinal and final rounds.
Entry Fee: $90.
Prizes: The first prize is awarded 55,000; the 2nd place, $52,000.
Deadline for Applications: May 15, 2021
1. What is the purpose of these NATS competitions?A.To decide who can join NATS. |
B.To celebrate important music festivals. |
C.To test and grade NATS teachers' professional skills. |
D.To let NATS members and their students show musical talent. |
A.NATS Artist Awards | B.National Student Auditions |
C.An Song Composition Award | D.National Music Theater Competition |
A.1,7500 dollars. | B.6,000 dollars. | C.2,500 dollars. | D.2,000 dollars. |
A.April 13,2021. | B.May 15,2021. | C.Septembers,2021. | D.December 1,2021. |
A.The best music theater managers. | B.Senior artists who have live concert experiences. |
C.Solo performers aged 20-28. | D.Those who are good at playing musical instruments. |