1 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. afford B. attention C. beneficial D. incredibly E. lowers F. memory G. opposite H. priority I. regularly J. schedule K. significant

How Does Exercise Improve Academic Performance?

You already know that regular exercise is important for controlling weight and avoiding a variety of health conditions. But it can also improve your academic performance. As an expert said, “What we know is that students who exercise     1    , at least 3 times a week, graduate at higher rates than those who do not exercise.”

It’s tempting to think you’re so busy that you can’t     2     to exercise. However, the exact     3     is true: you will have to deal with many problems because of lack of exercise. Even if you can’t spare 30 minutes, 5- or 10-minute exercises during the course of the day could make a     4     difference in your academic performance. Five-minute walking every hour had a positive impact on mood, fatigue (极度疲劳), and hunger at the end of a day. This may be particularly     5     to students who also work a full-time job and study in the evening and nighttime hours.

Exercise     6     stress and anxiety while increasing focus. A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that physical activity increased the ability of elementary school students to pay     7    , and also increased their academic performance.

Exercise also improves academic performance in other ways. 1. Exercise requires time management. Arranging for exercise forces students to also     8     study time and this teaches them the importance of block timing, and urges them to give     9     to their studies. 2. Exercise reduces stress. These reductions are very important to students, because too much stress is bad to memory production and your ability to seep: two key things needed to score high on exams. 3. Exercise leads to a better quality of sleep. Better sleep means moving your studies from short term to long term     10     during REM, a period of sleep. That way, on test day you remember that tiny fact that gets you the scores you need.