1 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.

With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.

Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”

Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.

And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”

But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.

1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?

A．Its slow pace.	B．Its great intensity.
C．Its complex rules.	D．Its cheap equipment.

2. What does Cedric Bryant mainly want to tell us about pickleball?

A．It is demanding.	B．It is enjoyable.
C．It is beneficial.	D．It is practical.

3. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Making quick decisions.

B．Training cognitive ability.

C．Brain activity during physical exercise.

D．The proper frequency to play pickleball.

4. What might the author talk about next?

A．Pre-workout preparations.	B．The rules of this exercise.
C．Comments on this game.	D．Disadvantages of pickleball.

2 . Our National Public Radio staff and trusted crities have made some recommendations about must-reads.

Rough Sleepers    Tracy Kidder

This uplifting book is about Dr. Jim O’Connell’s work of bringing health care to unhoused people for more than three decades, first in Boston and now in nearly every American city. His work might be a band-aid on the bigger problem of homelessness, but as he said, “This is what we do while waiting for the world to change.”

The Right Call       Sally Jenkins

Sally Jenkins has had a superb career recording the highest achievements in sports by individuals and by teams. With The Right Call, she captures what makes some athletes and coaches reach their peak. Whatever part of life you want to excel in, this book will have you rethinking what you do and how you might do it differently.

The Secret of Cooking       Bee Wilson

More than a cookbook, this is a guide to how to make cooking work for you — and even become a joy. What if you have picky eaters, a full time job and a kitchen with only half the ingredients the recipe calls for? This book has the answers, explaining everything from how to figure out what flavors go together, to how to get easy when everything goes wrong.

Land of Milk and Honey       C Pam Zhang

Set in a future where a mysterious smog has swallowed Earth, causing widespread crop failures and food shortages, the story follows an unnamed chef who finds herself in a world of cooking delights and unequalled sensory experiences among a landscape of despair (绝望). It’s an exploration of human nature, and the choices we make in the face of difficulties.

1. How does Dr. Jim O’Connell view his own work?

A．It doesn't help in solving the housing problem.

B．It shows a way to be excellent in life differently.

C．It will make a difference in caring about the homeless.

D．It offers a way to get food in times of shortage.

2. Whose book can get readers to think about how to be excellent in life?

A．Tracy Kidder.	B．Sally Jenkins.
C．Bee Wilson.	D．C Pam Zhang.

3. What do Bee Wilson’s and C Pam Zhang’s works have in common?

A．They tell readers how to reduce food waste.	B．They provide personal cooking experience.
C．They both have something to do with cooking.	D．They try to cover some aspects of family life.

3 . Our recommended list of environmental books covers a broad range of topics. These must-read environmental books are sure to spark the interest of the greenest books.

Silent Spring

Written by Rachel Carson, Silent Spring highlights the effects of pesticides (杀虫剂) on the environment, especially DDT, which was a very popular insecticide until it was finally banned in 1972. The book eventually led to a change in the United States’ pesticide policy and contributed to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference.

This book collects 11 speeches made by climate activist Greta Thunberg, highlighting the issue of climate change and its impact on future generations. Greta Thunberg was 15 when she started the School Strike for Climate, also known as Fridays for Future. She inspired protests worldwide.

The Uninhabitable Earth

This book by David Wallace Wells examines the disasters that have already occurred and looks ahead to the year 2100 and what climate change will do if we continue on our current path. Its opening line is incredibly telling: “It is worse, much worse, than you think.”

The End of Nature

Published in 1989, the book describes the relationship between nature and humans. It expresses the idea that nature was previously independent of humans but has now been affected by them in every way. According to author Bill McKibben, the idea of wilderness is lost, and nature is no longer complete.

1. Which book brought the environment to the government’s attention?

A．Silent Spring.	B．The End of Nature.
C．The Uninhabitable Earth.	D．No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference.

2. What feeling does the author display in The Uninhabitable Earth?

A．Curiosity.

B．Concern.

C．Annoyance.

D．Disappointment.

3. Which of the following is Bill McKibben’s idea?

A．Nature will not exist any longer.	B．Wild animals are disappearing fast.
C．Human activities are destroying nature.	D．Climate change affects future generations.

6 . 2023 was a good year for archaeological discoveries. Here are some of the most interesting new finds.

A moai

In February, volunteers unearthed a stone head called a moai on Easter Island. The statue is small for a moai — a little over five feet tall, while others of the roughly 900 statues on the island are up to 33 feet tall.

Most of the moai were created between 1250 and 1500, and local people regard them as the living faces of their ancestors. But nothing is known about this new moai, including which ancestor it represents.

Two mummy workshops

Archaeologists announced in May that they discovered two more workshops near the ruins of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. One of the workshops features stone beds meant for the preservation of human bodies, while the other one has smaller beds that were used to mummify animals.

A Maya city

In June, Mexican archaeologists discovered a lost city called Ocomtun. They thought it was a major center from about AD 250 until it was abandoned when the Maya civilization collapsed between 900 and 1000, possibly from drought and civil wars.

Ocomtun covers more than 120 acres and features well-preserved homes, raised platforms and pyramid temples. The remains of the largest pyramid are more than 80 feet high.

Roman jewelry

In June, dozens of precious stones were discovered by archaeologists in the ruins of an ancient pipe system that carried water away from public baths in the third and fourth centuries. It’s thought they were worn by wealthy bathers. Some of these precious stones are carved with images of Roman gods, such as Apollo, Venus, and Mars, while others show animals, such as rabbits and birds.

The public baths were found at Carlisle in England. The city was a regional center in Roman Britain, when it was known as Luguvalium.

1. What is the height of the newly found stone statue?

A．About 5 feet.

B．About 33 feet.

C．About 80 feet.

D．About 900 feet.

2. Where were the new mummy workshops unearthed?

A．In Chile.

B．In England.

C．In Egypt.

D．In Mexico.

3. What do the last two discoveries have in common?

A．They are located in North America.	B．They were discovered by volunteers.
C．They were related to religious celebrations.	D．They can reveal ancient urban development.

7 . Four Powerful US National Parks

Glacier

Montana

The Crown of the Continent is a playground of peaks, lakes, hiking paths and, of course, glaciers. Twenty-five of the original 150 remain, and scientists warn they may begone by 2030. Don’t miss Going-to-the-Sun Road, with a stop at Logan Pass to stretch your legs on the 2. 8-mile Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

Yosemite

California

Not only is Yosemite home to the world’s tallest granite monolith (花岗岩巨石), but also North America’s largest waterfall (Yosemite Falls). The park has many 3, 000-year-old giant sequoia trees, so it’s easy to see why this 1, 100-square-mile wilderness is Eden for nature lovers.

Grand Canyon

Arizona

The power of nature on display at the Grand Canyon both humbles and excites the park’s 5 million annual visitors. There are many heart-stopping overlooks on the South Rim, but don’t miss the descent (斜坡) into the mile-deep gorge (峡谷) for adventures on foot, by mule or in a white-water raft.

Denali

Alaska

Travel to this remote park, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2017, and mark two major items off your list: North America’s highest peak: 20, 310-foot Denali; and Alaska’s “big five”: moose, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves and grizzlies. See it all from the comfort of a bus tour, or explore 35. 5 miles of official hiking paths.

1. Which national park should you visit if you want to travel Going-to-the-Sun Road?

A．Glacier.

B．Yosemite.

C．Grand Canyon.

D．Denali.

2. What can you do in Yosemite national park?

A．Watch Alaska’s “big five”.	B．Explore the mile-deep gorge on foot.
C．Hike on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.	D．Admire North America’s largest waterfall.

3. Where is the national park having North America’s highest peak located?

A．In Montana.

B．In California.

C．In Arizona.

D．In Alaska.

8 . Things to do in London this weekend

Sheep & Wool Fayre, Sunday 11 am

Sheep & Wool Fayre is one of Spitalfield’s City Farm’s biggest community events and this year it’s still going ahead virtually (虚拟地) celebrating all woolly things with all its usual shows and competitions.

Order take-away pints（一品脱的啤酒）

Buy a pint and head for some of that daily exercise — or a rest — in the park. Just remember: parks in the capital are still largely closed right now, so check their opening hours ahead of time. And many parks close at 5 pm or 7 pm each evening.

Royal Botanic Gardens, all weekend

The world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens has been allowed by the government to welcome visitors. Of course, it will be going under strict social distancing rules and all visitors, including members, will have to book tickets online ahead of time.

Camden Market, Saturday 10 am

Camden Market — along with the rest of London — has been closed because of COVID-19 for the last two months, but it is opening its stores again. Head along to pick up some top-quality things — only fresh produce will be sold at this time. When you visit, there will be strict social distance rules.

Maltby Street Market, all weekend

Outdoor markets have been officially allowed to be re-opened to the public — but with strict social distance rules in place. Maltby Street Market is making a comeback today. For now, it’ll be returning as the “Maltby St. Produce Market”, having “a small number of carefully selected fresh produce traders”.

1. Which can only be enjoyed online right now?

A．Sheep & Wool Fayre.	B．Royal Botanic Gardens.
C．Camden Market.	D．Maltby Street Market.

2. What makes Royal Botanic Gardens different from the others?

A．It’s open to all visitors.

B．Local government runs it.

C．It is very well-known in the world.

D．Tickets must be booked beforehand.

3. What can people probably buy at the re-opened markets according to the text?

A．Top-quality clothes.	B．Wool products.
C．Fresh produce.	D．Pints.

9 . The teenage years are a transformative period marked by great physical, psychological, and emotional changes.     1     They refer to the feelings that arise during interactions with others, such as gratitude, shame, sympathy, guilt, and pride.

Understanding and managing social emotions can help develop teenagers’ identities. Teenagers experience a wide range of emotions from social interactions, which significantly influences their self-understanding and social awareness. In the process, they learn to understand, and appropriately respond to both their own emotions and those of others.     2    

In academic settings, social emotional competencies like self-regulation, motivation, and social awareness directly impact a teenager’s ability to learn, participate, and engage in school activities.     3     Teenagers with strong social emotional skills are better equipped to handle stress, resist peer pressure, and avoid risky behaviors, reducing the likelihood of developing mental health issues.

Learning social emotions involves a combination of personal experience, guidance, and formal education.     4     This environment influences teenagers’ earliest understanding of how to communicate and manage their emotions. They feel safe and supportive to express their emotions freely and learn to manage them without fear of judgment. Schools also play a significant role through social emotional learning programs that teach these skills in a structured environment. Community involvement, extracurricular activities, and peer (同伴) interactions offer additional opportunities for teenagers to practice and refine their social emotional skills.

    5     It contributes to a teenager’s ability to manage their own emotions, understand others’ emotions, and face social complexities. This learning is a cornerstone for shaping their identity, influencing their interpersonal relationships, academic success, mental health, and future life outcomes.

A．What exactly are social emotions?

B．The journey into mature emotion is quite easy.

C．Social emotion learning for teenagers is essential.

D．Central to this phase is the concept of social emotions.

E．This helps shape their own personal principles and beliefs.

F．Families play a crucial role in modeling and developing these skills.

G．Moreover, social emotional skills are closely linked to mental health.

10 . Grand Canyon River Hike

July 28-30

The coolest thing to do in Summer! A river hike is a combination of normal hiking and hiking along the course of rivers. It often involves walking in the water and on rocks, low-level rock climbing, crossing rivers, and swimming.

River hikes are fun but require average to high fitness level, good balance and swimming skills. Climbing skills are not necessary. This activity is not recommended for those afraid of heights or water, nor for children under the age of 15.

TRIP SCHEDULE

Day I Friday

18:45 We’re going to get out of Los Angeles. I’m waiting for you at Griffith Park!

19:00 Everyone’s here, time to go!

23:30 Arrive at the Guesthouse. Let’s quickly get the room and go for some quality sleep to recharge for the hike tomorrow.

Day 2 Saturday

07:00 Get up and have breakfast.

07:30 Pack all your belongings; we’ll be on the bus for about 2 hours before reaching our drop-off point.

09:30 We will walk on the road for about 30 mins to reach the starting point. Then we have 15 mins to put our swimming suits on and wear some sun creams before getting ready for the hiking!

For the rest of the day, we will mainly be hiking on the rocks, stopping on the way for your bag lunch when you want.

16:30 Finish the hike and get on the bus waiting for us. We’re going to spend the night in the Guesthouse village.

18:30 Let’s have dinner and enjoy the night!

Day 3 Sunday

9:00 Get up and have breakfast. After yesterday’s exciting hike, today is mainly relaxing!

10:00 We reach a nice river spot for swimming and jump from rocks before going back to the village where we will have lunch. Or you can just stay in the village, walk around and relax.

13:00 After group lunch we will take our private bus and head back to Los Angeles.

19:30/20:00 Estimated arrival time in Los Angeles.

Note: For details on costs and safety measures, please refer to the next page on our website.

1. Who is most suited for the activity?

A．A 14-year-old climbing talent.	B．A lifeguard fond of extreme sports.
C．A gym goer with balance disorder.	D．An outdoor type afraid of thrill rides.

2. At about what time does the river hiking start?

A．7:30.

B．9:30.

C．9:45.

D．10:15.

3. What can we learn about the river hiking?

A．It’s a weekend getaway.	B．Two lunches are provided.
C．It takes place in Los Angeles.	D．Hiking the whole trip is required.