A little exercise is better than none
Exercise is good for us. It reduces the risk of dying from all causes, including cancer and heart disease. This is according to the World Health Organisation. But many people who work on weekdays have little time for exercise.
So, they might try to do something to increase their heart rates over the weekend go for a long run, take a bike ride, hike in the mountains or do a strenuous chore around the house, such as raking leaves , shoveling snow or digging a garden.
We sometimes call people who exercise only on Saturdays and Sundays “weekend warriors (战士)”. But is it healthy to avoid exercise during the workweek and then try to fit it all in during the weekend?
A new study suggests that, yes, it is healthy: Even weekend warriors may reduce their risk of cancer and cardiovascular (心血管的) disease.
Australian researchers at the University of Sydney conducted the study. It took place over a nine-year period.
During that time, the researchers looked at the self-reported exercise habits and health examinations of more than 63,000 adults in England and Scotland. Then they connected that information to mortality—or, death—records.
The researchers found that people who exercised only one or two days a week improved their chances of living longer than people who did not exercise at all. Even those who are very overweight—or, obese—could extend their lives by exercising a couple of days per week. Exercises included playing sports and taking a brisk walk.
First, let’s look at cancer. When compared to those who did not exercise at all , weekend warriors had an 18 percent lower risk of dying from cancer.
As for cardiovascular disease, weekend warriors had a 40 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease than inactive people, or so-called “couch potatoes”. Couch potatoes are people who don’t exercise. They simply sit all day like potatoes.
In other words, their health improves even if they don’t meet the suggested weekly amount of physical activity. However, to be in the best health, Stamatakis says, more exercise is better.
The WHO suggests that the average adult get at least 150 minutes of moderate (中等的) to intense activity per week. For the best results, the organisation suggests 75 minutes per week of vigorous (高强度的) physical activity.
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Water is the driving force of all nature, Leonardo da Vinci claimed. Unfortunately for our planet, water supplies are now running dry at an alarming rate. The world’s population continues to increase but that rise in number has not been matched by adequate supplies of fresh water. Reports show that more than a billion individuals — one in seven people on the planet — now lack access to safe drinking water.
In Sao Paulo, a Brazilian city, drought got so bad that residents began drilling through basement floors and car parks to try to reach groundwater. Officials in this city warned that rationing（配给制）of water supplies was likely soon. Citizens in Sao Paulo might have access to water for only two days a week. In California, US, officials have shown that the state has entered its fourth year of drought. At the same time, its per capita（人均）water use has continued to rise.
【写作内容】
1.用约30词概括上述信息的主要内容；
2.结合上述信息及日常生活，简要分析导致全球淡水资源短缺的主要原因（不少于两点）；
3.谈谈在日常生活中我们应如何保护淡水资源（不少于两点）。
【写作要求】
1.写作过程中不能直接引用原文语句；
2.作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称；
3.不必写标题。
【评分标准】
内容完整。语言规范，语篇连贯，词数适当。
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