2 . 21­-year-­old Jasmine Harrison completed the 2020 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 70 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes — a new world record for the youngest female to row alone across the Atlantic.

Harrison, who’s from North Yorkshire, England, didn’t have loads of experience in rowing long distances. In her childhood, she could not even dream of such an ambition. She’d only got the idea three years earlier when she happened to be in Antigua, teaching swimming, and saw the end of the 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. “Talking to a family member of a young man that had just completed it, I got to know just how amazing a thing it was. I didn’t say ‘not a chance I would do that,’ but it was more a fact of why not do it?” she said.

Every day, Harrison would row for about 12 hours, pushing her 550­ pound boat she bought with some money across the ocean, covering roughly 90 kilometers. The journey left her with much time all by herself, which she said she enjoyed. But things got a little harder after her speaker fell in the water and she could no longer listen to her music.

She had other company along the way. She saw lots of sea life, including several whales. One even rose out of the ocean right next to her boat. “I’m in their environment,” she said. “It’s just amazing.”

Twice, her boat was turned over in the night by large waves. The second time, she hurt her arm quite badly. Another time, she nearly ran into a ship. When her food ran out, she lived on cookies and chocolate. In the face of great hardship and loneliness, she kept going.

On February 20, 2021, she reached the island of Antigua — the end of the journey. She celebrated her arrival with a burger and fries.

3 . The Student Essay Competition of Yorkshire

We are thrilled to announce the beginning of our annual student essay competition. This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for all of you to showcase your writing skills, express your creativity and win exciting prizes.

The theme for this year’s competition is “The Power of Education”. We want to hear your thoughts on how education has the power to make a difference to the world, transform lives, and create a better future for all. All high school students from Yorkshire can participate in the competition.

Essay Guidelines:

* The essay should be written in English.

* The word count should be between 500 and 1,000.

* The essay should be different from anything that has existed before and not be previously published.

* Proper citation and referencing are required for external sources used.

* Plagiarism(抄袭) will result in disqualification.

Submission Details:

Please submit your essays via email to YKSEC@yahoo.com by 8th next month. The subject line of the email should read: “Student Essay Competition + your name”.

Prizes:

We have exciting prizes lined up for the winners of this competition. The top ten winners will receive a trip to London. Additionally, the winning essays will be featured on our website and social media platforms, giving you a chance to showcase your work to a wider audience.

5 . If this time last year you had told me that an exercise bike would save me, I’d have_________ you were wrong. I’d have protested that I’m not athletic at all. My coordination is lacking and my _________ is like tortoise.

In Grade 7, my physical education teacher watched me, eyebrow _________ , as I tried my best to follow the gymnastic training. “You’re doing pretty well in my class,” he said, “for someone with no _________ for sports at all.”

In high school, I wasn’t _________ for a single team. I was bookish and slow, and that_________ of being better suited to quiet reading and leisurely walks _________ with me for a long time.

I discovered jogging in my late 20s, and I enjoyed the feeling of quiet accomplishment—without the fear of _________ teammates. I tried yoga and always prioritized _________ pursuits over physical ones.

It was,__________, my gradually worsening mental condition that finally forced me to rethink about exercising. This winter, under pandemic, I found myself __________ under the weight of exhaustion. I knew __________ had to change. I needed an outlet to release the __________ of months of online conferencing and on-and-off solo parenting at home. Jogging in the morning wasn’t enough to __________ it.

I __________ an exercise bike and hoped to have positive results. Since early March, I’ve hardly __________ a day on my bike. I’m not the fastest, but I stick to it. I’m finally learning that movement isn’t __________ about athleticism. More than anything, it’s the feeling of accomplishment when you insist on something __________ outside of your comfort zone.

Athletes find glory in sports. For the rest of us, the __________ is more personal: better sleep, improved mood and boosted confidence. It was never about talent. That’s what I wish my physical education teacher had told me. If only he’d said, “You’re doing really well in my class. Look at your __________ ”

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024, will take place on the Seine River. The government     1    (announce) the news last Monday, breaking the long held Summer Games tradition of stadium procession of athletes and officials.

More than 160 boats     2    (load) with athletes, and officials, from more than 200 countries and regions will sail almost 6 kilometers between the Pont d’ Austerlitz and Pont d’ Iena bridges in central Paris. The closing ceremony is scheduled     3    (hold) at, the Les Jardins du Trocadero, an expanse of gardens and fountains which overlook the Eiffel Tower.

“Today is     4     standout moment,” said Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic canoe C1gold winner     5     heads up the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee.

Paris 2024 organizers are expecting crowds of 600,000 people for     6     they call the largest-ever Olympic ceremony—ten     7    (time) more than in the Stade de France.

Part of the public will be scattered (分散) along the banks of Seine in ticketed stands while the rest are able to take part     8     free.

French President supported the idea of     9    (arrange)the ceremony on the Seine in July, although some voiced concerns over how to ensure     10    (secure) for such a big event.

8 . Why You Shouldn’t Exercise to Lose Weight

Many of us are starting (or restarting) exercise in hopes of losing unwanted pounds.     1    . But if the main idea is to lose weight, your New Year’s resolution could be very well backfire.

Sometimes exercise fails to meet our weight-loss expectations.     2    . In a study of 30 overweight people who participated in a 12-week exercise program and were interviewed afterward, this response was typical: “It was quite disappointing that I didn’t lose a single pound.”

Perhaps the biggest problem with exercising to drop pounds is that it turns physical activity into punishment—a price we have to pay for a slimmer body. How many times have you heard someone say (or said yourself) “I’ll do extra exercise” after eating too much during the holidays or at a celebratory dinner? We treat exercise as a form of self-punishment for being “bad” in the past.     3    .

The takeaway is that we see exercise positively and actually do it when we focus on our well-being rather than our weight.     4    . Others may find exercise makes them feel physically and mentally stronger. The benefits of physical activity are well beyond these aspects. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, colds, etc. It can also improve sleep, make. you energetic, and prevent aging. What’s more, exercise can prevent weight gain and improve your appearance.

    5    . It’s perhaps the most important thing you can do for your health. But to improve the chances of success, focus on how movement helps you feel better physically and emotionally—and forget about how it moves the needle on the scale.

When I was young, I was really a quietly girl without any interest in sports. Nor I know what volleyball was. However, a competitive match in the 2016 Olympic Games totally changed me. I still remember the wonderful moment where Chinese Women’s Volleyball Team defeated all the other teams and win the gold medal. Instantly, they became my heroine and I even imagined me to be one of them. Apart for playing for fun, I’ve also mastered several skills, like passing the ball and cooperate with my teammates. It’s volleyball which shows me what the courage and perseverance can achieve.