How do students spend their spare time after finishing their homework? Watch TV, play computer games, or go outside to relax? Here's a good example.

Tim and Kerry Meek are both teachers. They live in the UK with their two daughters: eleven-year-old Amy and nine-year-old Ella. Recently, the Meek family has become the focus of the whole country after they completed 100 different outdoor activities in one year.

The Meek couple didn't want their children to spend all their free time in front of the TV and become "couch potatoes". So about one year ago, the Meeks decided that watching TV and playing computer games were not permitted. Instead, they set 100 tasks for the two girls to do outside. Although Mr. and Mrs. Meek are not outdoor activity fans, they took part in all the activities to encourage their daughters. It turns out that the two sisters really had a good time joining activities.

Every holiday and weekend, whether it's sunny, rainy or snowy, the Meeks' would set off to try the activities on their list, including hiking, sailing, climbing, skiing, and so on. The two little girls not only had a wonderful time, but also learned a lot of skills from the activities. They were even able to stand up in front of their school to give a talk for charity. "Our friends spend a lot of their free time doing things which are harmful to their health. Luckily, we've had the chance to experience something different." Amy and Ella also helped their parents to draw up a new list of challenges for the next 12 months.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

After learning the basics of tai chi in those first few classes, I found myself bored and aching from doing the same moves over and over again. Luckily, my coach taught me how to relax my muscles and focus on peace of mind while performing the routine. With these requirements of tai chi in mind, I found to my satisfaction that     1     我的平衡性和柔韧性慢慢有所改善, that I was able to do more difficult moves, and that my love for tai chi returned stronger than ever.

In time, I began to look into the ancient Chinese culture behind tai chi. I discovered that     2     tai chi is deeply rooted in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, which are believed to form the unity of opposites. Neither can exist independent of the other; for example, there is no shadow without light. The practice of tai chi aims to maintain the balance of yin and yang in the body through opposite movements. Eventually,     3     tai chi brings about a state of physical balance and mental peace.

A year of practising     4     tai chi has had a positive effect on my everyday life. I sleep better at night, and I am more energetic during the day.     5     我感到更快乐和更自信了. Tai chi has taught me to relax my mind, enabling me to stay cool in stressful situations. I am sure I will continue to practise tai chi and enjoy the benefits it has brought me.

As a teenager, it is important to give your body the energy it needs. If you skip meals, you don’t get enough energy, and then     1     你觉得累。For a healthy diet, you should eat mostly rice, bread, vegetables and fruit. You also need to drink a lot of water. Water helps keep your system clean.     2     Drinking enough water will improve your skin and give you healthy hair.

Exercise is something that can help to make you look good, feel good and be healthy. Experts suggest that     3     青少年每天至少锻炼30分钟。That is easy to do! Often, teenagers give up sports, saying     4     they have no time left after school. Many teenagers are amazed to learn that when you exercise, your body produces some chemicals that make you feel peaceful and relaxed and increase your ability to concentrate when you study.     5     They can even help you sleep better at night.

Benefits of Sport

On-going physical exercise can be hard for teenagers to try. However, it is good for the mind. body and spirit. If you are planning to do exercise regularly, or you’re doing it now, then listen up!

    1    

Clearly, regular exercise will improve your physical health by contributing to the development of your muscles, bones and lungs. It can help improve your body’s immune system, making you better prepared to fight off diseases. Sport also has hidden health benefits such as lowering the chance of cancer later in life.

Sport teaches team work and problem-solving skills. Fighting for a common goal with a group of players and coaches teaches you how to build teamwork and effectively communicate to solve problems. This experience is helpful when you are solving problems at work or at home.

    2    

Watching your hard work pay off and achieving your goals develop self-confidence. Achieving a sport goal encourages you to achieve other goals you set. This is an exciting learning process. Moreover, sport builds character and encourages you to keep a positive attitude to life.

    3    

Exercising is a natural way to relax and let go of stress. You can also make new friends who can be there for you as a support system. When you feel under pressure or stressed, call up a teammate, head to the gym to talk and play it out.

The world of sport is a fairground of exciting opportunities where you can discover who you really are. Time, I think, to lace up your sports shoes and go play.