3 . Lots of students know what a marathon (马拉松赛跑) is, but perhaps they don’t know what triathlon (铁人三项) is. The triathlon is a sport that has three parts swimming, bicycling and running. It is not an easy sport, but a man named Joe Salter is very good at it. A few months ago, he finished a special triathlon—he juggled (抛起接住) three balls all the time during the triathlon. That is to say, he kept on throwing and catching three balls while he was swimming, riding a bicycle and running.

31-year-old Joe is from Florida, the USA. He loves juggling and he started at the age of 8. Joe did well in juggling. Later, he got the idea to do a triathlon and juggle at the same time to make it more fun. Many juggling fans laughed at his idea and thought it was just a joke. But Joe didn’t give up and he kept practicing it. Because of his hard work, he made it at last.

Talking about his triathlon, Joe said swimming was the hardest part. “It was difficult and complex,” he said. “I basically only used my legs, so it took quite a lot of work. Also, swimming in open water made it a little harder. It was not like in a pool.”

Several years ago, I started riding a bike. At first, I thought it was only a short ride. But as I built up my strength, my friends inspired me to try some longer trips. The first one to come along was a 150-mile journey, an event held every year that raises money to fight cancer.

With my name     1    (sign), the idea seemed great. It was to support a worthy cause when we went for the distance. Of course, I should devote     2    ( I) to such a cause. And I trained with great excitement. But as the time for the ride approached, myself-doubt gained ground against my endurance(耐力). I didn’t really want to bicycle all those miles for two days straight.

The ride began on a Sunday morning in the Georgia countryside: There were a number of strong riders. For the first few hours, I felt wonderful. This was just the experience I had imagined, and my spirits were high. There were not many vehicles on the way. But by the end of the day, I had felt    3    (extreme) tired. I was sure I would give up before I reached the destination.

As I was riding to the top of the hill, the very     4    (fantasy) sunset which appealed to me so much kept me going for a few minutes more, I said to myself, “So far I    5    (cover) half of the distance. That is enough.” Then in the distance, I saw alone(独自的) rider riding very slowly. I noticed that the person looked different in tin some way, but I couldn’t tell the reason    6    that person was different. I was fast enough    7    (catch) up with her. There she was, riding slowly but steadily, with a determined smile on her face—but she had only one leg. I thought he    8    have trained hard before because she was so skilled in riding the bike, She was a    9    (represent) of people with strong determination.

Then I took my attitude    10    account. My focus changed at that moment. I’d been doubting my body for a whole day. But now I knew—it wasn’t the body, but the will that would help me reach my goal. I ought to finish the long and hard trip.

5 . Twelve-year-old Catherine has a lot of friends—632, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.

But is it possible that Catherine’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.

Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not words with friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.

Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platform.

In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger. “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.

Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual world, we will have little time for our real-world friendships,” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need anyone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.

8 . Certain Chinese cuisines, such as the well-known Beijing Roasted Duck or the delicious Tianjin-style Pancakes, have gained global recognition. The appeal of these delicacies is deeply rooted in vast geographical diversity.

Extending from the extremely cold northern plains to the southern rainforests, different regions have their unique ingredients and cooking techniques.     1    , commonly referred as the “Eight Major Cuisines of China.”

Climate plays a critical role in shaping regional cuisines. In Sichuan, for example, the hot and wet climate, combined with the region’s mountainous physical geography, has led to a preference for spicy foods. The spicy flavors add appetite to dishes. In addition,     2     .

One of the contrasts between southern and northern Chinese cuisines lies in the employment of ingredients. Southern dishes tend to be lighter, featuring seafood and vegetables. In contrast,     3     They have a wealth of wheat-based dishes like noodles and dumplings.

    4    , regardless of their differences. Dishes are attentively cooked to stimulate the senses and promote a sense of pleasure. The use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, along with the close attention to details in preparation and presentation, defines Chinese cuisine.

Another important aspect of Chinese dining culture is the significance of table manners. Meals are often shared among family and friends, with each person taking turns to serve and pour. Chopsticks, rather than forks or knives, are preferred, symbolizing closeness and familiarity. The act of eating together extends beyond food alone.     5    .

9 . Starting a new book can feel like a bit of a commitment (承诺), but it doesn’t have to be! Here are four books you can read in a single day.

The House on Mango Street

Released in 1984 and written by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street is only 103 pages long. It’s a rapid read for those looking to dip their toes into the water, but it still deals with complex themes and important subject matters, including language, race, ageing, and troubles.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library from the English author Matt Haig was released in 2020. It has 288 pages, which makes it a little more challenging but still absolutely doable (可做的) in a single day. The novel is all about storytelling, with Nora Seed exploring the “what ifs” of her life.

The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo

Released in 2012 and written by the fantastic Malaysian-English author Zen Cho, the page count is an extremely manageable 76 pages, which makes this another effective first read in one day. The novel is set in London in the 1920s and follows the life of another writer, Jade Yeo. There is even enough time for readers to appreciate a film adaptation of the book after reading it.

Stardust

The 1999 novel by English author Neil Gaiman is a perfect presentation of the writer’s fantasy styles at their best. Stardust, which became a major motion picture, sits at 256 pages, It’s epic (史诗般的) in its scale, but the reader can fit the novel into a single day, giving them a true sense of absolute escapism to the fantasyland of Stormhold.