In every gym class I've taken, I felt like the odd one out. Opening the door, I hesitantly asked, “Is this where the HIIT class is?” The instructor yelled, “Grab a dumbbell and yoga mat. We're late for warm-up!” Breathing heavily on the mat, I wasn't sure if I'd make it through the hour.
Glancing around the room, I seemed to be the only one struggling. Everyone else, in their tightly fitted gym wear and not a sign of sweat to be seen, looked as if they belonged. I, on the other hand, with my messy hair and oversized clothes, wondered why I had ever bothered coming.
Earlier that year, I had decided to give fitness a real shot. All my life, exercise had been a foreign concept and in school, gym class was a place of guaranteed embarrassment and humiliation.
I nervously showed up to my university gym for spin class (动感单车课程) on a Sunday morning. I had considered canceling multiple times, but I told myself that showing up was all that mattered.
The instructor was incredibly kind. Within minutes of seeing my weak form, he knew I was new to the class. He walked us through all the various positions on the bike multiple times.
The first time I tried to stand on the bike pedals, I felt my legs shake and immediately sat down. But with each class, my comfort on the bike grew and I became less focused on how I looked and more focused on looking inward. Whether I needed to think about something bugging me, dream about the future or just mindlessly pedal, spin class became my hour a week just for me.
The more I spun, the more I realized how powerful my body was. For what felt like the first time, I was proud of my body's capabilities.
After nine months of spinning, I wanted to challenge myself again. And that's how I found myself in the high-intensity class. If spin class got me used to moving my body, then HIIT class taught me that I have to continuously work to build my fitness and tackle my insecurities.
In all, what truly matters is showing up, not what you wear or your fitness abilities. Because once you show up, the rest gets easier, one sweaty adventure at a time.
1. Why did the author feel like the odd one out in the gym class?(no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined part mean in paragraph 3?(no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author realize about her body after attending spin class for nine months?(no more than 6 words)
4. Why did the author decide to challenge herself by attending a high-intensity class? (no more than 12 words)
5. What message does the author convey in the text? How does it inspire you?(no more than 25 words)
| A．He didn’t think much of it. |
| B．He liked the fighting a lot. |
| C．He agreed with Tom’s opinion. |
3 . The 2024 Peace Poetry Awards
The awards contest is to encourage people to explore peace and the human spirit. There are three age categories: Adult (19 & over), Youth (13-18), and Youth (12 & under). The yearly contest is open to people worldwide. Your poems must be unpublished, and in English.
Deadline
All entries must be submitted by July 1st. 2024.
Entry Fee
Adult (19 & over) — $15
Youth (13 - 18) — $5
Youth (12 & under) — no fee
Notes
1. You may submit up to three unpublished poems. At most 30 lines per poem.
2. Include name, address, email, telephone number, and age in the upper right-hand corner of each poem. For the Youth (12 & under) category, please also include your school’s name and your teacher’s name.
3. Title each poem.
4. Please keep copies of all entries as we will be unable to return them.
5. Email your entries to: cwarner@napf.org and Click here to pay your entry fee online; or send your entries and entry fee to Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, 1622 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Awards
Adult Winner — $1,000
Youth (13-18) Winner — $200
Youth (12 & under) Winner — $200
Winners will be announced by October 1st, 2024 on our website. Winners will be notified by email. Past years winning poems can be found here.
1. What does the contest encourage people to explore?| A．Development and challenge. | B．Cooperation and competition. |
| C．Peace and human spirit. | D．Disease and health. |
| A．It includes two categories. |
| B．It is held every three years. |
| C．It only accepts poems in English. |
| D．It is only open to people aged 12 and over. |
| A．name | B．email | C．age | D．fax |
| A．pay an entry fee of $5 | B．write a poem of at least 30 lines |
| C．submit his entry by October 1st, 2024 | D．include his teacher’s name in his entry |
| A．$200 in prize money. | B．$1,000 in prize money. |
| C．A collection of this year’s winning poems. | D．A collection of past years winning poems. |
4 . If you’re feeling unsure about where to find the perfect gifts for your friends or family, fear not! We have gathered a list of five special gift shops, each offering a unique selection of presents.
Games Gadgets
Tel: 402-875-5543
Games Gadgets is the perfect one-stop shop for electrical goods. Here at Games Gadgets we provide a wide range of electronic goods at some of the very best price s around. From Cameras and GPS Sat Navs to Gaming Accessories and Computers, iPads and iPods, we have everything you could ever need.
Reba
Tel: 406-637-2219
Reba supplies fashion clothes, jewellery and gifts to people throughout the local area. Reba is an independent store, supplying well-known brands as well as up-and-coming designers. Reba is a store for those who love clothes, jewellery and gifts and it always aims to offer something different.
The Sweet Shop
Tel: 421-896-3129
The Sweet Shop is a brand-new gift store created just for chocolate lovers. The shop sells a wonderful collection of chocolate-themed goodies from dark to white chocolate. It is extremely popular with all kinds of parties, chocolate lovers and people who are looking for a fun activity.
Blue Department Store
Tel: 419-156-9910
A favorite shopping destination for many foreigners. Blue is devoted to top brands including expensive famous wines which are all 30 percent off, maybe 40 to 50 percent off. We have more than 70 kinds of world-famous wine in our store.
Location: No.6001 Oak Street, O’Hare International Airport.
Quality Stuff Off-Price Department Store
Tel: 491-938-9012
Quality Stuff Off-Price Department Store opened only one month ago and it features new sportswear this season. They have well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas, Levis, Nautica and Hush Puppies. Quality Stuff Off-Price Department Store is famous for the discounted price of each item. Discount rates vary from 40 percent to 80 percent. The best buys here are some brands, which find a nice balance among style, quality and price.
1. Photographers will most probably go to ________.| A．Reba | B．Games Gadgets | C．The Sweet Shop | D．Blue Department Store |
| A．Fashion clothes and electronics. | B．New sportswear and art supplies. |
| C．Fashion clothes, jewelry, and gifts. | D．White chocolate and famous wines. |
| A．It caters to all types of sweet desires. | B．It only sells dark and white chocolate. |
| C．It offers instructions to chocolate lovers. | D．It sells a variety of chocolate-themed gifts. |
| A．Reba. | B．Games Gadgets. |
| C．The Sweet Shop. | D．Blue Department Store. |
| A．421-896-3129. | B．491-938-9012. |
| C．419-156-9910. | D．402-875-5543. |
5 . Here are some wonderful festivals around the world that happen in spring. If you want to know more about them, please click Here or visit http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.Htm
SongKran—Thailand
Dates:13 th-15th, April
In Thailand, people celebrate a festival called Songkran, when people head out to the streets with water guns to spray（喷洒） everyone who walks past. It’s a very important traditional celebration in the country.
Naghol—Vanuatu
Dates: Every Saturday from April to May
Every year, villagers come together to celebrate the harvest of yams（甘薯）, an important part in the people’s diet in Vanuatu. The festival is most famous for its “land diving（潜水） ceremony”. During the ceremony men and boys dive to the ground from high wooden towers with only two thin vines（藤） tied to their feet.
Cherry Blossom Viewing —Japan
Dates: The cherry blossom season is different from year to year depending on the weather.
The festival is well-known. The Japanese celebrate the days when the flowers finally blossom. Only a few days later, the petals（花瓣） fall to the ground, like pink snowflakes. That means the traditional festival only lasts for several days. In Japan, almost everyone has picnics in the parks to view the flowers.
Sinhalese New Year —Sri Lanka
Dates: 13th or 14th, April
Just like in many other countries in South East Asia, this is the time when people celebrate the traditional New Year, an ancient celebration which marks the end of the harvest season and is one of two times of the year when the sun is straight above Sri Lanka. There are a lot of delicious foods during the celebration.
1. What will most likely happen to a tourist walking in the street during SongKran in Thailand?| A．He will get wet. | B．He will hurt his feet. |
| C．He will be treated to delicious foods. | D．He will see some petal falling. |
| A．Thailand. | B．Vanuatu. | C．Japan. | D．Sri Lanka. |
| A．It is a traditional festival. | B．It is a very famous festival. |
| C．Its date is different every year. | D．It provides visitors with delicious foods. |
| A．the arrival of lots of tourists | B．the end of the harvest season |
| C．the beginning of farming | D．the sun is closest to the country |
| A．On TV. | B．In a report. | C．On the Internet. | D．In the newspaper. |
| A．An earthquake expert. | B．A soldier. | C．A volunteer. |
7 . Which is the right fitness pathway for you?
At our gym, we offer several fitness pathways catering to (满足) different needs and goals. Let’s explore each option in more detail:
Gym Welcome
Price: Free
Session duration: Up to 25 minutes
This pathway is ideal for members who are new to a gym environment. During this session, our aim is to familiarize you with all our facilities and services. You will learn about the key health and safety aspects of the gym and understand how to use the fitness equipment effectively. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with a member of our staff who can provide exercise advice to help you get started on your fitness journey.
Personal Program
Price: Free
Session duration: Up to 55 minutes
The Personal Program pathway is suitable for everyone, especially those who are new to the gym. This program is designed to meet your Individual needs, ensuring a more effective workout. The length of the program can be tailored (专门定制) according to your requirements. Once the program is complete, you can choose to renew it or explore other program options offered by our gym. Please note that personal programs are limited to one program per member every 12 weeks.
Personal Training
Price: £45 per session
Buy five sessions for the price of four at £180.
Session duration: 60 minutes
For individuals who are dedicated to maximizing their training and achieving specific goals, our Personal Training pathway is a perfect fit. Whether you’re an athlete, someone in need of guidance and motivation, or preparing for a particular event such as a sport competition or wedding, our personal trainers will provide tailored guidance and support throughout your fitness journey.
Group Personal Training
Price:
-Two-person personal training session: £60
-Three-person personal training session:£75
-Five four-person personal training sessions: £240
-Five five-person personal training sessions: £330
How to book
If you would like to book or have any questions about the sessions on this page, please speak to a member of staff.This can also be done via email at fitness@sport.cam.ac.uk.
1. Who is the “Gym Welcome” session most suitable for?| A．New gym members. | B．Experienced gym-goers. |
| C．Athletes and competitors. | D．Students with specific fitness goals. |
| A．It can be renewed at any time. | B．It provides individualized workouts. |
| C．It will be a one-time free session for anyone. | D．It is designed to meet the needs of the majority. |
| A．Once every 6 weeks. | B．Twice every 6 weeks. |
| C．Once every 12 weeks. | D．Twice every 12 weeks. |
| A．25 minutes. | B．55 minutes. | C．75 minutes. | D．60 minutes. |
| A．£180. | B．£240. | C．£300. | D．£375. |
8 . Serbia is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Here are some beautiful places in Serbia that you can pay a visit to.
Mountain Avala
Overlooking Belgrade and topped with the Avala Tower in the Balkans, Mountain Avala is a must-visit spot that makes for a pleasant break from the capital’s busy streets. The Avala Tower is a tall telecommunication tower in this area which was rebuilt in 2010, offering the picture-perfect whole view over Belgrade from viewing platforms and a cafe for visitors.
Museum of Srem
The regional museum in the town of Sremska Mitrovica has a valuable collection in prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods. Its highlights are the numerous archaeological findings from Sremska Mitrovica, including a unique Roman sundial (日晷) with the sculptures of some figures.
The Gallery of Matica Srpska
The Gallery of Matica Srpska is one of the most significant and lasting cultural institutions in Serbia. It’s not a mere gallery but rather a national treasure, with several floors covering priceless Serbian artworks from the late 17th to the 20th century in different styles with countless landscapes and graphic art and more.
Uvac Special Nature Reserve
The spectacular meanders of the Uvac River are the highlights of the Uvac Special Nature Reserve in southwestern Serbia. The incredibly green river snakes through rocks in a zigzag manner—a feat of nature that is best admired from high above. The reserve, which also comprises a 6-kilometer-long cave system, owes its protected status to several hundred plant species, many types of fishes and rare bird species.
1. What can visitors do in the Avala Tower?| A．Visit an art gallery. |
| B．See a unique sundial. |
| C．Have a good view of the landscapes. |
| D．Admire artworks at the viewing platform. |
| A．Cultural treasures. | B．Unique rocks. |
| C．Old floors. | D．Modern sculptures. |
| A．A protected statue. | B．A water system. |
| C．A green river. | D．A wildlife museum. |
9 . Programs for High School Students
Below is a list of programs for high school students conducted by a variety of teachers, students and staff of Carnegie Mellon University.
AI4ALL
This program provides rising high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to use artificial intelligence (AI) to address problems. Students learn from staff and researchers who’ve been leaders in AI since the field was invented at this university in the 1950s. For more information, call (412) 268-2082.
SPARK Saturdays
SPARK Saturdays is a Saturday workshop series created by volunteers studying Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University that aims to introduce beginners to concepts about electrical and computer engineering and expose them to engineering as a potential career choice. For more information, call (412) 268-3669.
Linguistics(语言学) Olympiad
This olympiad is a competition in which high school students solve linguistic puzzles. In solving the problems, students learn about the diversity, and consistency of language. No knowledge of linguistics or second languages is necessary. There is NO participation fee! For more information, call (412) 268-7517.
SUCCEED
SUCCEED is a 5-day program for rising 10th graders that is designed to expand your understanding of energy, the environment, and how those relate to climate change. For more information, call (412) 256-8162.
1. Which program is for rising high school juniors?| A．AI4ALL. | B．SPARK Saturdays. | C．Linguistics Olympiad. | D．SUCCEED. |
| A．It aims to expand students’ AI knowledge. |
| B．It is conducted by university students. |
| C．It helps enlarge students’ vocabulary. |
| D．It asks for no participation fee. |
| A．AI4ALL. | B．SPARK Saturdays. |
| C．Linguistics Olympiad. | D．SUCCEED. |
| A．(412) 268-2082. | B．(412) 268-3669. | C．(412) 268-7517. | D．(412) 256-8162. |
| A．AI4ALL. | B．SPARK Saturdays. |
| C．Linguistics Olympiad. | D．SUCCEED. |
10 . Last February, I went on a trip to Switzerland. What a trip! The first morning, I got into a cable car (缆车). I wanted to go to the top of the mountain and ski (滑雪) down. The cable car started up the mountain. Then there was a terrible sound. Soon the car stopped.
It was cold, and it began to snow. I was there for one hour, two hours. I thought, “They’ve forgotten me!” I waited for another hour, and the car started back down the mountain very fast. “Sorry,” an old woman said when I climbed out of the car. “We’ve never had this problem before. Please, try again tomorrow.” “I’ve had enough of cable cars for a lifetime,” I thought.
—Robert
Last summer, I went on a trip to Australia. On the first day, I went fishing on a beautiful lake. Unluckily, I didn’t catch any fish, and I got bored. I decided to go swimming. When I stood up, my wallet fell into the water. It had all my money and my plane ticket. I jumped into the lake to look for it, but I didn’t find anything.
The next morning, I wasn’t able to leave the hotel. I had no money to pay for anything and no plane ticket to go home. So what did I do? I called my friend and asked for some money. I have never had such a trip!
—Nick
1. The cable car stopped ________.| A．because of too many riders | B．because of the bad weather |
| C．when it went up the mountain | D．when it went down the mountain |
| A．For one hour. | B．For two hours. | C．For three hours. | D．For four hours. |
| A．fishing | B．swimming |
| C．staying in the hotel | D．looking for his wallet |
| A．To say sorry. | B．To say thanks. |
| C．To ask for help. | D．To share his story. |
| A．They were both careless. | B．They both had a terrible trip. |
| C．They won’t take cable cars again. | D．They don’t like travelling by plane. |
