1 . The Netherlands is the only country in the world with more bicycles than residents. By 2022, the Netherlands has had a total of about 23 million bicycles, with an ownership rate of 1.35 bikes per person. One study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that in the Netherlands cycling prevents about 6,500 early deaths each year, and that Dutch people have 1.5 years longer life expectancy (预期寿命) due to cycling.
“The time spent cycling was about 74 minutes per week for Dutch adults aged 20 to 90 years old. The time was fairly stable over adulthood and reached its apex in the early days of retirement, in one’s 60s. The death rate reduction, which was a direct result of the average time spent cycling for a certain age group, was therefore also the highest among the seniors who just retired,” said Jeremy Smith, an expert from NIH.
What is it that makes cycling so beneficial? Obviously, cycling is a form of exercise. It is a great form of cardio (有氧的) exercise, which gets your heart pumping and helps strengthen the heart muscles. Doing cardio exercise may also help lower your blood pressure.
Furthermore, solid evidence proves the link between cycling and better thinking skills. Even younger adults claim that a bike ride helps shift their thinking to a higher level — and research backs them up. In one small study, young men are required to cycle for 30 minutes every day for 3 weeks. They also completed a series of cognitive (认知的) tests before and afterward. After cycling, they scored higher on memory, reasoning and planning, and they were able to finish the tests more rapidly than before.
Besides all the benefits mentioned above, cycling, as many Dutch put it, is a way of life. In their simplest form, bikes are tools for travelling. But they’re so much more. They are cognitive improvement, environmental protection, satisfaction and an expression of freedom. They bring people of the same passion together and connect them to a greater journey of life.
1. Why does the author list figures in paragraph 1?A.To compare the number of residents and bikes. |
B.To illustrate the link between health and cycling. |
C.To indicate the urgency for green transportation. |
D.To emphasize the accuracy of the study by NIH. |
A.Target. | B.Peak. | C.Destination. | D.Potential. |
A.It justifies the mental benefits of cycling. |
B.It teaches practical skills about cycling. |
C.It improves the critical thinking of young men. |
D.It compares cognitive levels among different people. |
A.Netherlands: A Country With Better Health |
B.Netherlands: The Bicycle Capital of the World |
C.Cycling: An Activity Bringing People Together |
D.Cycling: An Activity Improving Your Health and More |
Why is swimming
While running can have a negative effect on your bones and joints, swimming is
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
3 . Do you like to exercise?
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.
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.
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.
Exercise is good for your body in so many ways, so include as much exercise as you can into your daily or weekly routine.
A.But how can physical exercise help? |
B.Can you explain why exercise matters? |
C.What is your favorite way to exercise? |
D.Basically, exercising can help you do whatever you do better. |
E.And if you feel better, you can think more clearly and focus better. |
F.Just take it easy starting until your body is ready to get more exercise. |
G.So how much exercise do you need to help your brain work at its best? |