1 . Do you like to exercise?     1     Do you prefer playing a team sport, like volleyball or baseball? Or do you like to run for miles and miles all by yourself? Maybe you would rather lift weights or do push-ups or sit-ups!

You know that exercise is good for your body. It helps you grow stronger. It can also help keep your heart and other important organs in excellent shape. But can it make you smarter?

Maybe! The work you do at school every day is like exercise for your brain. Learning and thinking can help you become smarter.     2    

Some researchers point out that exercise stimulates the body’s nervous system, causing it to release chemicals that make us feel happy and calm. This helps to explain why many people feel more alive and active after exercising.     3     On the whole, you can work or study at a higher level after exercise.

Others point to studies that show that exercise can stimulate the growth of new brain cells. As your brain gets bigger, the areas in connection with memory and learning get bigger and brain function improves.

    4     Experts believe that as little as 15-30 minutes per day three times a week may be enough to improve brain performance. Thirty to sixty minutes per day four to five times a week is even better.

Exercise is good for your body in so many ways, so include as much exercise as you can into your daily or weekly routine.     5    

2 . Are you sitting more than ever?     1     You’re probably sitting while reading this. Sometimes you sit when you are driving or attending a meeting. Other times you sit when you engage yourself in watching a movie or playing computer games. That’s undoubtedly a lot of sitting. The fact is, the amount of time spent sitting has increased over time.     2    

We know sitting too much is bad, and most of us naturally feel a little guilty after a long-time TV watching.     3     A study on nearly 8,000 adults suggests that there’s a direct relationship between the time spent sitting and our risk of early death of any cause. As the total sitting time increases, so does the risk of early death.

“Sit less, move more” is what the Heart Association encourages us to do.     4     It is like telling someone to just ”exercise“ without telling them how. Exercise guidelines are always more practical. For example, the Center for Disease Control recommends adults do exercise for two hours and 30 minutes every week, plus muscle strengthening activities two or more days a week. We need similar guidelines for sitting.

    5     “It would probably be like, for every 30 continuous minutes of sitting, stand up and move or walk for five minutes at a quick pace,” Diaz, the lead researcher said, adding that the study has put us a step closer to the satisfying guidelines. But more researches are needed to confirm their approach.

Why is swimming    1     (benefit)to you? One of the key    2    (reason) is that it’s a total-body workout and builds your muscle all over. Each stroke(划水动作)works out a different set of muscles,    3    no matter which stroke you’re using, the act of pulling your body through the water almost    4    (use) all your muscle groups. Swimming is also a workout for your heart system,    5    (raise) your heart rate without placing extra stress on your body.

While running can have a negative effect on your bones and joints, swimming is    6       (complete) safe, which gives you the opportunity to work out    7    stressing your joints. It’s true that the low-impact nature of swimming makes it much less likely     8     (cause) injuries.

According to a study conducted by New York University, swimming can cut men’s risk of dying by almost 50%, a rate which is significantly    9    (high) than running or walking. The study was undertaken over a period of 32 years, and    10    it was only conducted on men, there’s no real reason why the effects should be any different for women.

Fitness enthusiasts in China are experiencing a change     1     sports habits thanks to the fast development of online platforms and the use of smart technologies.

These enthusiasts now wear smart gadgets(小装置)     2     (track)body reaction during workouts. They make personalized fitness plans on smart apps, and familiarize     3     (they)with smart fitness equipment.

A     4     (new)opened smart running track at Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park,     5     favorite destination for local running enthusiasts, is a good example of     6     smart technologies are upgrading the public’s sports experience.

Runners on the track acquire a range of data, including information about those currently using the track, real-time temperature and weather reports, and instructions about running. This data     7     (present)on smart     8     (interact)screens alongside the track, which opened to the public early last month.

The track is also linked to an app that can be installed on smartphones and other portable devices. Runners     9     (use)the app receive instructions, such as suggested running speeds and the right time to rest or drink water.

Runners on the track also take part in online challenges relating to different distances and particular difficulties.

After signing up for the challenges on the app, they choose the time they want to start. The athletes’ results are uploaded online for     10     (compare)with others, and participants receive medals for outstanding results.

7 . The smell of sweat, the noise of crashing weights and the muscular people in tank tops make the gym’s strength class or weight room seem forbidding, whether you’re a seasoned lifter or a complete beginner.

    1     Most benefits of strength training go beyond appearances. It subjects our bones to more pressure than our daily routines and increases muscle mass and bone density. Now that you know resistance training is important, here’s how to get started.

Set a goal that is attainable and improves your daily life.     2     That might mean pressing weight overhead to ensure you can put your luggage in the airplane’s overhead bin or doing weighted squats (深蹲) for hiking preparation.

The ideal way is to work one-on-one with an experienced certified trainer.     3     Look for one who not only guides you through workouts but also understands your unique journey and helps you reach your full potential.

Private training with friends or joining in small group classes is also a cost-effective way to get individual attention. While you might tend to position yourself in the back corner of the room, I suggest heading to the front where a coach can monitor your form and offer feedback.

    4     If you favor strength-training apps, opt for one with video demonstrations. If none of these are appealing, start at home with basic-level bodyweight exercises like squats.     5     Grab a gallon water jug, hug it to your chest and dive into a squat. This not only adds resistance but challenges your core muscles to sustain stability.

8 . Whether someone makes you angry, you’re upset with yourself, or you’re just having a bad day, one of the best ways to direct your angry energy is through exercise. That angry energy can build inside of you.     1     If you’re looking to direct your anger through exercise, there are exercises suitable for it.

Running is a very effective technique to calm anxieties. The focus it takes to run and the endorphins your body releases will take your mind off whatever is frustrating you. Be sure to adequately warm up and stretch before you run!     2     You can enhance the benefits by running in an area that is free of distractions like around a lake or through a peaceful part of the city.

A challenging yoga practice is a great way to control your anger to help you get through it. You may be so frustrated that getting started in a yoga practice may seem impossible.     3     You can focus on directing your angry energy into each of the movements. It may also help you to have the support of the group to help you get involved.

    4     Conditioning classes are a great opportunity to focus your angry energy into hitting a heavy punching bag while also burning a lot of calories. These classes are often challenging, so you can use your anger to help you get through the difficulty of the workout. Focus on your breathing, your technique, and harnessing your anger to deliver strong punches.

Cycling is a serious cardiovascular (心血管的) workout and you can use your anger to help you push through the difficulty of it. When you go for a ride outdoors, the extra focus it takes to navigate the outside world can provide a helpful distraction from your frustration.     5    

9 . As an ordinary senior school student, I’ve discovered a wonderful way to _________ life with a positive attitude — my daily bicycle rides. Riding my bike has become more than just a fun activity. It’s like a little _________ that has taught me important lessons about staying positive, facing challenges and being _________.

When I get on my bike and ride around familiar streets, it feels like I’m on a small quest. It’s not just about reaching a(n)_________; it’s about enjoying the ride itself. Cycling has turned into a kind of teacher, helping me understand the _________ of practice and having a can-do spirit. One of the coolest things I’ve learned is about not giving up when things get hard. You know, when I’m trying to pedal up a steep hill, it’s hard! But guess what? Even when my legs feel super tired, I keep going and do not give up, till I reach the _________. Life is kind of like that too. When I have a challenging task or any problems in my studies, I remember those steep hills. I know if I keep trying, I can _________ anything.

Another thing that cycling has taught me is to be ready for surprises. The road isn’t always _________. Sometimes there are bumps, and you have to ride around them. When something is wrong with my bike, I do not _________. I try to find a solution. Life’s a bit like that too. It’s not always easy, but being flexible and staying positive helps me rise to the challenge and handle __________ problems.

The most important part, though, is how cycling makes me feel happy and __________. The wind in my hair and the rhythm of pedaling makes everything seem OK. It’s like a secret power — no matter what’s going on, it keeps me happy, lets me __________ my batteries, and lets me come back feeling __________.

In the end, my daily bike rides have become more than just a way to get around. They’ve become a(n) __________ for how I want to live my life. Cycling has shown me that being positive, facing challenges with __________, and keeping an optimistic attitude can turn the life journey into a fantastic adventure. So, here’s to more bike rides and more fun!