1 . “I was captivated by weightlifting during the London 2012 Olympic Games,” says Fiona Clements, a software developer working in London. “I think it’s partly because the effort is so obvious—you can see every flash of doubt, pain and happiness of success on the athletes’ faces.”

Clements was 48 at the time. She thought she’d left it far too late to even consider trying it, but then she kept thinking about it. “It took until September 2022, but I finally went for it.” Clements signed up for a beginner’s class with Sally Moss, a strength coach who is an expert in Olympic lifting, and loved it from her first class. Now 58, Clements can lift 50kg and push 21kg overhead. She says she has never felt stronger.

Resistance training, to use the term for any type of exercise where you’re working against weight, whether it’s using dumbbells(哑铃), exercise bands or just your own body weight, is extremely beneficial.

“I just thought that it would be impossible to make a difference to my body as an older woman,” says Joann a Blacker, a small business owner, who took up strength training at 53. “I’d gained weight and felt awful. I certainly didn’t think that weightlifting would be the way I would change my body.”

Blacker can now lift 40kg for 10 repetitions and feels more than ready to deal with training alone. Clements, at the same time, has already signed up with her local gym, for the days she’s not training with Moss. “I can feel these bands of hard muscle when I move my arms and legs that I’m pretty sure weren’t there before,” she says. “But the best part is that I’m actually able to understand the sport I love. It still feels like magic when that bar goes overhead.”

1. What does the underlined word “captivated” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．Uninterested.

B．Attracted.

C．Upset.

D．Satisfied.

2. Why did Clements fail to try weightlifting in 2012?

A．She was fearful of the pain.	B．She found it hard to get a top coach.
C．She was doubtful about its lasting effects.	D．She thought she was too old to have a go.

3. What did Blacker benefit from taking up weightlifting?

A．She increased her willpower.	B．She improved her body shape.
C．She found a part-time job in this field.	D．She had her busy daily life changed.

4. What does Clements say about weightlifting?

A．She has a deeper understanding of it.	B．She suggests starting it at a local gym.
C．She enjoys muscle-building most of all.	D．She finds it more magic than hard work.

2 . During the Covid-19 pandemic( 新冠疫情),things like eating in a restaurant or air travel are impossible. What about going to the gym?

When everybody was discussing how to make the best banana bread, during those very early quarantine( 隔离) stages, I worked out and took some online fitness classes at home, including yoga. Honestly, I just wanted to do a cool headstand by the end of quarantine.

In high school,I liked running on the track. In college and beyond, I loved the weight room. When I finally accepted that home workouts would be the best for a while, I prepared some basic gym equipment.

In some ways, I feel it stupid to admit that I missed the gym. I’m fortunate in so many ways since the start of the pandemic, but my living room is just not the same as my gym.

There’s a wider choice of equipment,and I’ve missed my gym friends. After looking into my recently-opened local gym’s safety steps in New York, I finally decided to go back.

With a spare face mask and water bottle, I made my 10-minute journey to the gym at 7 :30 am. I filled out a detailed Covid-19 survey on my gym’s app before stepping foot inside. I always feel like I get a better workout at the gym, and for me, that includes lots of extra sweat.

Please keep your mask covering your nose and your mouth. I only saw two people wrongly wearing their masks, and an employee had to call them out. The best ways to avoid Covid-19 at the gym are to wash your hands, wear your mask, wipe down equipment, and avoid standing on top of other gym-goers. If you’re used to basic, good gym rules, it shouldn’t be too challenging.

1. What was the author doing during the quarantine?

A．Making various fruit bread.

B．Searching for ways to beat the coronavirus.

C．Going out to the office for his usual work.

D．Following online healthcare classes at home.

2. What might be the advantage of going to a gym?

A．A wide choice of equipment.	B．The free food served there.
C．Discussion about good diet.	D．No need for any face masks.

3. What advice does the author give about going to a gym?

A．Avoiding standing close to the equipment.

B．Keeping a mask over your nose and mouth.

C．Taking some online classes about gym safety.

D．Choosing equipment that was challenging.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Difference Between Going to the Gym and Home Exercise

B．My Discussion with People About Good Food and Exercise

C．My Experience of Going to the Gym Since Quarantine

D．My Finding About Things to Do When Working at the Office

3 . Which team will the boy try out for?

A．The volleyball team.

B．The basketball team.

C．The swimming team.

4 . In a world ruled by hard exercise and complex fitness programs, the simple act of walking is often ignored(忽略).     1     It offers physical and mental benefits that lead to total happiness.

Heart Health and Weight Management

Walking is light heart exercise that helps improve heart health by increasing blood circulation(循环).     2     Besides, regular quick walking supports in weight management by burning calories and improving digestion(消化), making it an excellent choice for those looking to throw away pounds or keep a healthy weight.

Pressure Drop and Clear Mind

Taking a relaxing walk or quick walk has been shown to give off endorphins, the body’s natural ”feel-good” materials. This leads to lower pressure levels, improved feelings, and improved mental health. Walking outdoors in nature or in a peaceful environment can provide a refreshing escape from the daily tasks.     3    

Joint(关节)Health and Free Movement

Unlike active sports, walking is soft on the joints, making it a perfect choice for people of all ages and fitness levels.     4     At the same time, it also raises the ability to move freely and easily. Walking regularly can be particularly beneficial to those recovering from pain or looking to prevent problems with joints.

Social Communication and Connection

    5     Walking clubs, group climbs, or even simple walking with a friend or family member can provide an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and create lasting memories while at the same time bringing the physical benefits.

A．It helps oil joints and make them stronger.

B．It’s a cheap way to lead a healthier lifestyle.

C．So taking a walk can make your mind relaxed and fresh.

D．A quick walk after meals has been shown to benefit the stomach.

E．It cuts down the risk of heart disease and brings down blood pressure.

F．Walking is useful exercise that can easily be turned into a social activity.

G．However, walking remains one of the easiest and most useful forms of exercise.

5 . These days, videos of “ diving grandpas” from north China’s Tianjin are popular on the Internet. In the videos, they jumped off the Shizilin Bridge into the 7-meter-deep Haihe River. However, on Wednesday, they announced that they would give up the sport.

With an average age of 60, the diving grandpas have much experience in diving. They started as a group of local diving lovers. They went swimming in the city’s rivers, and later they tried their hand at diving. The hobby has now lasted for more than thirty years.

Videos on the Internet have drawn lots of tourists from across the country to the Shizilin Bridge over the Haihe River, where “diving grandpas” perform diving. However, some inexperienced divers, trying to follow“ diving grandpas”, have met with accidents and got themselves injured. Some of the grandpas have begun volunteering to keep order for the crowds that come to see the performance on the bridge. However, accidents still continued to happen. As reported, members of the Blue Sky Rescue team in Tianjin said that they rescued 14 people at the risk of drowning or other injury in just two days.

The grandpas then made a difficult decision. They stopped diving off the bridge. They also prevented inexperienced locals and children as well as tourists from diving from the bridge . The grandpas welcomed the tourists to Tianjin, especially pointing out the other great places of interest and delicious food around the Shizilin Bridge.

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?

A．The diving grandpas made a living by diving.

B．The diving grandpas came from all over China.

C．The diving grandpas made diving a life-long hobby.

D．The diving grandpas began diving when they were little.

2. What made the diving grandpas decide to stop diving off the bridge?

A．The weather became colder.

B．They were too old to carry out the task.

C．The bridge was too crowded with tourists.

D．They hoped to prevent accidents from happening.

3. Which of the following can best describe“diving grandpas” in Tianjin?

A．Kind and honest

B．Energetic and warm-hearted

C．Brave and talented

D．Outgoing and optimistic

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Diving became a popular activity in Tianjin.

B．Diving without guidance may cause injury or death.

C．“Diving grandpas” helped speed up tourism in Tianjin.

D．“Diving grandpas” gave up diving for tourists’ safety.

6 . A small study out of Skidmore College examined the advantages of morning vs, evening exercise for both women and men. Paul, professor for health at Skidmore, led the study.

“We had the groups divided into evening and morning groups,” he says. “We found women and men answered differently to different types of exercise depending on the time of the day, which surprised us.”

The study showed that for women who want to lower blood pressure (血压), the risk of heart disease or reduce fat, morning exercise works best. Those women hoping for upper body muscle (肌肉) gains or mood (心情) improvement should consider evening exercise. For the men, the findings were somewhat different: Evening exercise lowers blood pressure, the risk of heart disease, and feelings of tiredness. But similar to women, they burn more fat with morning exercise.

“For many people, the best time to exercise will depend on their chronotype,” says Heisz, author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind.

“Chronotype is your body’s natural habit to sleep at a certain time—it’s what decides whether you’re a night owl or an early bird. For the 25% of the population that considers themselves a night owl, getting both enough sleep and enough exercise can be difficult,” adds Heisz.

He continues, “Sleep—which provides your body the necessary time to recover (恢复) and make gains from exercise—should always be the first choice. When it comes to exercise, regardless of research on the advantages of certain exercises at particular times of the day, your results will not be good if it doesn’t allow enough time for sleep.”

1. What can women get by doing evening exercise according to the study?

A．A fat loss.

B．A good mood.

C．A lower blood pressure.

D．A smaller risk of heart disease.

2. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 5?

A．Give an example.	B．Tell the difference.
C．Do an experiment.	D．Explain a term.

3. What does Heisz think is important to achieve good results of exercise?

A．Enough sleep.	B．Low-fat food.
C．Plenty of water.	D．Lots of exercise.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A Night Owl or An Early Bird

B．Why Fitness Plan Being Important

C．How to Change Your Exercise Time

D．The Best Time of a Day to Exercise

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Here’s one more reason to get up and exercise! A newly     1     (publish) study in JAMA Neurology has found that walking about 10,000 steps per day     2     (help) lower the risk of developing dementia (痴呆症). In fact, 4,000 steps a day is enough     3     (decrease) dementia risk by one-quarter, according to the study.

Furthermore, people who walk with “purpose”—     4     a pace of over 40 steps a minute —     5     (be) able to cut their risk of dementia by 57 percent with just about 6,000 steps a day. “It is a brisk (轻快的) walking activity, like a power walk,” study co-author Borja del Pozo Cruz told CNN.

Even people     6     walk about 3,800 steps a day at any speed can cut their risk of dementia by 25 percent, the study found. Such a number of steps would be enough for     7     (beginner), especially those who usually sit for a long time each day.

“There is evidence     8     physical activity can enhance (提高) dementia     9     (prevent) among the general population,” Del Pozo Cruz said. “We thought that by providing specific stepping recommendations, people would pay more attention to physical activity, as steps and walking are something everyone understands     10     require very little resources.”

8 . In a recent game of pickleball, my teammate and I were falling far behind other teams. It was her turn to serve. We were both standing behind the baseline, paddles(球拍) up in ready position, when she nodded at me and said, “In it to win it.”

“Really?” I looked at her, surprised by her use of a catchy expression that was new to me. My inner self was never ready to accept even the tiniest suggestion that we should be trying to win the game.

In my life off the pickleball court, I enjoy yoga, folk dancing—anything but games with winners and losers, and I always prefer to be a observer rather than a participant in the world of sports.

Then pickleball came along. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be an observer any longer. I wanted to be a player myself. Like many people, I was first drawn to the game simply as a safe COVID-19 activity. Playing outdoors with people in my neighborhood allowed me to break out of social isolation(隔离).

But my addiction to the game comes from the sport’s low barrier of entry. The equipment isn’t particularly expensive. It’s a relatively easy game to learn, and a participant doesn’t need to be especially strong, tall or fast. Little wonder that everyone can now be seen throwing a green, orange or yellow plastic ball with holes in it across a net.

Pickleball is the first game I’ve ever wanted to win. I think it’s because of the excitement I feel when I hit an unreturnable ball down the middle of the court and score a point. Participating in a sport myself rather than cheering for others provides real proof that I can still work hard to achieve goals.

So, I’ve made a long-term commitment to it. I am embracing the game as my pickleball buddies embrace me. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to socialize while, doing something active. In that playful space of the court, I am facing directly my fears of winning and losing. In the meantime, doing something outside of my comfort zone feels magical. Now I wonder what contests I might be brave enough to enter next.

1. Why was the author surprised by what her teammate said in the recent game?

A．She thought her teammate was too weak.	B．She hadn’t considered winning or losing.
C．She didn’t know what her teammate meant.	D．She misunderstood the rules of the game.

2. What is the main reason for the author’s love for pickleball?

A．It is what she is good at.	B．It allows her to make new friends.
C．It is affordable and accessible.	D．It has many health benefits.

3. How has the author benefited from playing pickleball?

A．She has overcome her fears of competitive sports.	B．She has realized her own limitations.
C．She has become a more energetic person.	D．She has recognized her talents for sports.

4. What does the author plan to do?

A．Become a professional athlete.	B．Recommend pickleball to more friends.
C．Explore some extreme sports.	D．Continue playing pickleball.

9 . What is the main reason for doctors to recommend bike riding?

A．It can make legs slim.

B．It can make you put on weight.

C．It can build up the body.

10 . The benefits of walking are many, but deciding how many miles to cover and how much time to spend walking each day is another matter.

Studies have shown that the average American takes between 3,000 and 4,000 steps daily doing everyday tings — about 1.5 to 2 miles.     1     But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises most adults to aim for 10,000 steps a day or about 5 miles. And the recommendation contributes to more positive health outcomes.

    2     You can measure your efforts in quantities of time instead. “As a walker, you should aim for at least 30 minutes per day, or a total of 150 minutes per week,” says Austin, a licensed psychotherapist. What’s more, if 30 minutes of walking is unrealistic for you to do all at once, then breaking it up into three short, 10-minute sessions.     3    

It may also be helpful to health to make walking a part of one’s daily routine. People can take the stairs instead of the elevator, park at the other end of the lot and walk a further distance to a store’s entrance when shopping.     4     Then walk the rest of the way home. All these additional steps can be acquired creatively, beyond fixed walking time.

On top of such physical benefits, walking has been shown to improve sleep and mental health including mood and self-esteem.     5     Therefore, it is free and well accepted by the majority of people. If one is ready to improve overall levels of fitness, walking ticks all the right boxes.

A．Combine walking with everyday routine.

B．They will provide the same health benefits.

C．What if counting results by miles isn’t your thing?

D．Still, why not get off public transportation a stop early?

E．Walking sessions should be continuous to be beneficial.

F．That amount alone has been shown to lower one’s death risk.

G．Walking requires no special equipment, gym membership or training.