1 . Tai chi, a traditional, slow-moving form of Chinese physical exercise, is known to increase flexibility and improve balance. New research has been conducted to determine whether tai chi has an influence on lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension (高血压前期).
In the study, Chinese scientists put 342 adults with prehypertension into two groups. The average age of people taking part in the study was 49. About half the participants (参与者) took part in aerobic exercise, including jogging, climbing stairs and cycling. The other half was trained to practice tai chi. Both groups got hour-long exercises four times a week.
Nearly 22% of the people who practiced tai chi saw their blood pressure fall to be normal, compared with nearly 16% of people in the aerobic exercise group. And fewer patients in the tai chi group went on to develop high blood pressure than patients in the aerobic exercise group.
So what is it about tai chi that helps lower blood pressure? “The practice tends to get more of a response from the parasympathetic (副交感的) nervous system, which is the network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger,” says Ruth Taylor-Piliae, a professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Nursing.
“I think the beauty of tai chi is that you don’t have to have a special gym membership, you don’t have to have special clothing,” Taylor-Piliae says. “Once you learn tai chi, you can do it anytime and anyplace. And it does provide a calming and relaxing effect.”
Evidence suggests it can also help protect against cognitive fall and even improve memory. But you have to practice it continually to get the most benefit.
1. What is the function of paragraph 1?| A．To offer some examples. | B．To explain a definition. |
| C．To introduce the topic. | D．To give people suggestions. |
| A．They were divided into two groups. | B．They suffered from heart disease. |
| C．They were 49 years old. | D．They got exercises five times a week. |
| A．It can make people calm down. |
| B．It requires training and specialized equipment. |
| C．It has no influence on the parasympathetic nervous system. |
| D．It is suitable for individuals with aerobic exercise experience. |
| A．A Traditional Sport | B．The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise |
| C．Exploring Chinese Physical Exercise | D．Managing Blood Pressure with Tai Chi |
2 . It’s January and time to go back to school. For some, that might be a gloomy prospect after the joys of the post Christmas festive period. For me, though, it’s as exciting as a trip to Antarctica, also as scary as starting a job for which I’m not sure whether I’m qualified.
To be embarking on a master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s University at 71 is perhaps an unlikely route for someone who dropped out of school at 17. But now I’ve come full circle to the conclusion that nothing, for me, feels more stimulating at this point in my life than learning new things. That studying, far from being the bore and the chore it used to be, is a treat.
Turning 70 came as something of a shock. I started to feel I was drifting (飘). Without a big project, and without any major family responsibilities, I was starting to feel I was lying on a bed of thorns. Friends of similar age were lapping up their lives, socializing and travelling. However, I longed for something more. Or perhaps not more, but different.
As the gloom grew, I thought perhaps I needed to see a therapist. A friend, a psychotherapist, suggested that while therapy might be useful, doing a course on the basics of psychotherapy and counselling might be more up my street. Without too much thinking, I decided to give it a shot.
So that’s how every weekday I beep (发出哔哔声) myself through the gate with my student pass, which makes me smile every time. I felt privileged to be exposed to a group of my fellow students who were willing to be open to me.
While ageing is an inevitable process, we can get rid of a lot of the rules about what’s age-appropriate. Studying for a master’s degree in old age is a challenge, but it has provided me with a new perspective on life. Hence, ageing should never limit your ambitions.
1. How did the author feel when going back to school?| A．Unrealistic. | B．Resistant. |
| C．Awkward. | D．Expectant. |
| A．She achieved nothing before. | B．She lived without a purpose. |
| C．She had to support her family. | D．She was separated by her fellows. |
| A．Keeping your passions alive. | B．Seeking support if needed. |
| C．Behaving age-appropriately. | D．Socializing with young students. |
| A．Returning To School — My Dream Since Childhood |
| B．My Efforts To Learn At An unlikely Age Paying Off |
| C．Learning — My Way To Overcome The Ageing Crisis |
| D．My Tough Journey To Pursuing A Master’s Degree |
3 . The holidays can be a difficult time to stay on track with your fitness goals.
Planning is the best way to make sure you don’t lose track of your goals. Plan your workouts for the week and mark them in your schedule to assure they are a part of your day.
Exercise early.
Keep moving.
Research shows that getting up for just five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes and performing light activities reduces the risk of heart disease risk factors. Small efforts to get moving can help your overall health during the holidays. In addition to staying active, try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, such as when watching football games or eating.
Think out of the box.
The holidays are busy, but do your best to avoid the “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to physical activity.
| A．Plan ahead |
| B．Plan out your route before you go |
| C．Exercising in the morning is one of the biggest tips |
| D．Remember: too much sitting is harmful to your health |
| E．Your schedule will be filled with family gatherings and celebrations |
| F．Get creative with exercise and make physical activity a family affair |
| G．Rather than skipping the gym altogether, make time for a quick workout |
4 . When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a chef. My dad often fought with my mom over the food when he disliked the taste of my mom’s cooking.
When I was 18, my dad finally allowed me to start cooking. Many people started with a simple fried egg or other fried food.
I never needed to use recipe books. I had learned by careful observation for many years, so it was easy to even make my own unique dishes.
| A．My first dish was more advanced. |
| B．Those were the kitchen moments I remembered the most. |
| C．For many years, he only allowed me to observe him cook. |
| D．I wish that the whole world could be just like the kitchen to me. |
| E．I decided to learn to cook well to avoid argument with my future partner. |
| F．It was in the kitchen that I developed my cooking skills as well as the career. |
| G．That is what I love about cooking — making it like an art to express my creativity. |
5 . A boy in Florida called 911 but didn’t have a real emergency. Instead, he wanted a hug from an officer, and the responding officer understood.
Footage (镜头) from the home’s doorbell camera
“We had a 911 call,” Pract says in the video.
“We can talk to my son.” the mother says.
Her young son
After hugging the boy, Pracht
Scott Pracht’s office
“Our officers are more than
| A．analyzes | B．guides | C．shows | D．explores |
| A．breaks | B．fixes | C．approaches | D．locks |
| A．tightly | B．secretly | C．accidentally | D．awkwardly |
| A．agreed | B．explained | C．complained | D．realized |
| A．humble | B．grateful | C．patient | D．careful |
| A．under protection | B．on vacation | C．in trouble | D．on duty |
| A．supposed | B．required | C．reminded | D．proposed |
| A．refuses | B．cheers | C．apologizes | D．suspects |
| A．selected | B．posted | C．recognized | D．completed |
| A．exchanged | B．examined | C．collected | D．viewed |
| A．kindness | B．wisdom | C．independence | D．curiosity |
| A．active | B．serious | C．generous | D．happy |
| A．vital | B．difficult | C．possible | D．sufficient |
| A．allow | B．encourage | C．train | D．warn |
| A．flexible | B．creative | C．appropriate | D．occasional |
