1 . Scientific research on yoga has found that yoga practice can help with problems such as back pain, depression and anxiety. Still, yoga studies tend to be of uneven quality, often relying on self-reported survey data. However, a 2019 review paper focused on a more objective measure: brain scans. Though far from definitive, the findings show that the practice may improve brain health, and they indicate a way to bring yoga and science more convincingly together.
The review, led by Neha Gothe, director of the Exercise Psychology Lab, examined 11 papers that used various types of brain scans to assess the impact of yoga practice on the brain. Gothe and her colleagues limited their review to studies in which all three major elements of yoga were included: the physical poses, breathing exercises, and meditation or mindfulness. Three patterns emerged with some consistency: yoga practice could be linked to increased gray matter volume(体积) in the hippocampus, a key structure for memory; increased volume in certain regions of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of higher-order-cognition(认知); and greater connectivity across the default mode network. This network plays a role in processing memories and emotions.
Jessica Damoiseaux, a co-author of the review paper, focuses her research on aging-related changes in the brain, and she notes that the structures that seem to be strengthened by yoga are ones that tend to shrink with aging. The greater volumes linked to yoga are similar to those seen in studies of aerobic (有氧的)exercise. This raises a question: Is there really anything special about yoga or is it just another brain-preserving workout?
At this point it’s hard to say. Clearer answers will come with better studies that build on the smaller experiments. Gothe, for example, recently received government funds for a study that will assign 168 old adults to six months of classes of yoga, aerobic exercise, or stretching and strengthening. “It’s exactly the kind of trial we need,” says Gothe.
1. What do we know about the 2019 review paper on yoga?| A．It is far from objective. | B．It is centered on brain scans. |
| C．It proves to be of low quality. | D．It relies on self-reported data. |
| A．Three major elements of yoga. | B．The key structure for memory. |
| C．The finding of the review by Gothe. | D．The emotion processing network. |
| A．Take aerobic exercise. | B．Apply for government funds. |
| C．Assign old people to jobs. | D．Carry out smaller experiments. |
| A．Yoga back in fashion. | B．Age can affect brain power |
| C．Brain trials on the way | D．Yoga may boost brain health |
2 . I was born with eye disease. At school I even couldn’t read the blackboard. By the time I got to university, I couldn’t really see images(图像) at all. I just can tell the difference between light and dark. In the first year of my PHD, I was almost 100% blind.
When I was young I used to get very angry if I encountered something I found difficult or couldn’t do because of my eyes. But over time I learned that wasn’t a helpful response. There’s no point getting wound up by the fact that I can’t see, because it won’t change it.
I started climbing when I was young. My dad took me up my first rock route(路线) when I was two. All my early climbing was outdoor traditional climbing. My dad had been in the Mountain Rescue and was part of Mountaineering Club, so we would go for weekends away climbing throughout the UK.
He taught me everything I know and I led my first route outside when I was 11. At this time I could just about see well enough to place rock gear（齿轮）, but not well enough to pick out the routes from the ground. People are usually amazed when they discover that not only do I climb, but I also lead climbs.
At university I joined the Mountaineering Club and was able to climb much more frequently. We had regular trips to indoor walls and weekends away outdoors. I developed a great circle of climbing friends and went on multiple trips to Europe. On these I started Alpine climbing and ice climbing too.
There was a time when I thought I might have to give up leading as my eyesight got worse. But I never thought I would stop climbing. I just learnt to adapt myself to the eye disease with the support of my friends. It’s quite possible that I wouldn’t be as good a climber if I weren’t blind — if I didn’t have these challenges. That concentration and determination is built through my disability.
1. How did the author eventually respond to his eye problem?| A．He ended up feeling annoyed. | B．He accepted it and faced it bravely |
| C．He sought help from others | D．He quit his study at university. |
| A．He was a professional climber at university. |
| B．He ran his own mountaineering club. |
| C．He taught his son to do outdoor climbing. |
| D．He introduced his son to a love of rocks. |
| A．His disability. | B．His university. |
| C．His father. | D．The Mountaineering Club. |
| A．A Blind Man’s Life Struggle. | B．Mountain Climbing Experience. |
| C．Courses on Rock Climbing. | D．Determination and Experience. |
3 . Unicycles are one-wheeled vehicles that developed from the original bicycle, the Penny Farthing, which consisted of a large front wheel and a much smaller back wheel. When this bike hit bumps(凸块) or suddenly slowed down, the back wheel came off the ground, so many riders learned to balance on just the front wheel. Thus, bicycle-makers began making vehicles with just one wheel.
Some of the benefits of riding a unicycle include burning calories, and increasing your levels of coordination (协调), concentration and balance. Because unicycles don’t have any handlebars, riders must balance, using only their abdominal (腹部的)muscles and leg muscles. This helps you build a healthier core. Long cycling sessions also increase your heart rate, which can lead to a healthier cardiovascular (心血管的) system. Riding a unicycle is an effective way to get in a low-impact workout for those with damaged knees and legs.
Unicycling is a fun activity regardless of your ability level. Riding a unicycle is self-motivating and psychologically stimulating because you will notice improvements each time you ride. Some people find that it gives them feelings of control when they can achieve balancing and riding on just one wheel.
Some riders use their unicycles as their primary mode of transportation for work or school. Because unicycles don't require any type of fuel, you can save money at pump. Unicycles also have only a few moving parts that might break. This means that you typically don't have to spend much money on repairs. You also won' t need to spend money on storing or transporting your unicycle.
Unicycling is a somewhat uncommon activity. Because of this, a sense of unity tends to grow among unicycle riders. Many riders travel significant distances just to go on rides and spend time with other unicyclists. Unicycling is often a family activity, and riding together can bring family members closer.
1. Why were one-wheel vehicles created?| A．Because it was more beneficial for one's health. |
| B．Because it was more likely to avoid road bumps. |
| C．Because the front wheel only could also be used for balancing. |
| D．Because a bicycle’s back wheel wasn’t fixed well. |
| A．Having a handlebar. | B．Stopping a unicycle. |
| C．Increasing strength. | D．Balancing a unicycle. |
| A．Typical features of cycling. | B．Basic modes of transportation. |
| C．Economic benefits of unicycling. | D．Ways to store and transport unicycles. |
| A．introduce benefits of unicycling | B．show how unicycles are spread |
| C．display varieties of unicycles | D．advocate cycling for teenagers |
4 . In 1997, a group of twenty British women made history. Working in five teams with four women in each team, they walked to the North Pole. Apart from one experienced female guide, the other women were all ordinary people who had never done anything like this in their lives before. They managed to survive in an environment which had defeated several very experienced men during the same period.
Once on the ice, each woman had to ski along while dragging a sledge (雪橇) weighing over 50 kilos. This would not have been too bad on a smooth surface, but for long stretches (一片地域), the Arctic ice is pushed up into huge piles two or three meters high and the sledges had to be pulled up on side and carefully let down the other so that they didn’t crash. The temperature was always below freezing point and sometimes strong winds made walking while pulling so much weight almost impossible. It was also very difficult to put up their tents when they stopped each night.
In such conditions the women were making good progress if they covered fourteen or fifteen kilometers a day. But there was another problem. Part of the journey was across a frozen sea with moving water underneath the ice and at some points the team would drift (漂流) back more than five kilometers during the night. That meant that after walking in these very terrible conditions for ten hours on one day, they had to spend part of the next day covering the same ground again. Furthermore, each day it would take three hours from waking up to setting off and another three hours every evening to set up the camp and prepare the evening meal.
So, how did they manage to succeed? They realized that they were part of a team. If any one of them didn’t pull her sledge or get her job done, she would endanger the success of the whole expedition (远征探险). Any form of selfishness could result in the efforts of everyone else being completely wasted, so personal feelings had to be put to one side. At the end of their journey, the women agreed that it was mental effort far more than physical fitness that got them to the North Pole.
1. What was so extraordinary about the expedition?| A．It was a new experience for most of the women. |
| B．The women did not have any men with them. |
| C．The women had not met one another before. |
| D．There was no one leading it. |
| A．being left behind | B．damaging the sledges |
| C．falling over on the ice | D．breaking the ice |
| A．they got too tired | B．they kept getting lost |
| C．the ice was moving backwards | D．the temperatures were very low |
| A．Strict but caring. | B．Proud but patient. |
| C．Honest and devoted. | D．Determined and strong-willed. |
| A．Experience must be bought. |
| B．Facts speak louder than words. |
| C．He who risks nothing gains nothing. |
| D．Motivation and teamwork achieve goals. |
5 . Some people say that the best way to reduce the size of your waist is to do stomach exercise. Many people believe that when specific muscles are exercised，the fatty tissues(组织)in the immediate area are burned up. The truth is that exercise burns fat from all over the body and not from one specific area. Of course，if you reduce the fat throughout your body，you will certainly see results around your waist，too.
Some people believe that you need to exercise twice a week in order to keep a sufficient level of physical fitness. However，studies directed by American scientists show that unexercised muscles lose their strength very quickly. Within 48 to 72 hours，you must use the muscles again to reestablish(重建)the good physical effects. And what does that mean to you？American scientists concluded that while daily exercise is most helpful，exercising every other day or three days a week will keep a sufficient level of physical fitness.
Is it true that you burn more calories running one mile than walking the same distance？The answer is no. The truth is that you use the same amount of energy whether you walk or run the mile，since in both cases you are moving the same weight the same distance. The speed does not matter. Of course，if you run rather than walk for 30 minutes，you will cover more distance，and therefore，burn more calories.
If your breathing doesn't return to normal within 5 minutes after you finish exercising，you have exercised too much. Five minutes or so after exercising，your breathing should be normal，your heart shouldn't be beating loudly，and you shouldn't be tired.
1. If you want to reduce the fat around your waist，you should________．| A．do stomach exercise |
| B．exercise the waist |
| C．exercise all the muscles of your body |
| D．run fast for 30 minutes |
| A．we only need to exercise twice a week |
| B．we should exercise three times a week |
| C．muscles lose their strength after 48 hours |
| D．we should exercise every other day，or three days a week |
| A．your breathing will take longer than 5 minutes to return to normal after you finish exercising |
| B．your breathing will return to normal within 5 minutes after finishing exercising |
| C．your heart will not be beating loudly |
| D．you will be too tired to move |
| A．it is better to do more running than walking |
| B．the more exercise you do，the healthier you will be |
| C．the unexercised muscles must be used again within 48 to 72 hours |
| D．in order to lose weight，you have to run fast |
6 . Sports fandom is about more than just entertainment. It can boost your self-esteem (自尊) and make you happier — and you don’t have to root for the winning team to gain the benefits.
Being a sports fan is a “very psychologically healthy activity,” says Daniel Wann, professor at Murray State University whose research program centers on the psychology of sport fandom. Fandom connects us to other like-minded people, which satisfies our human need for belonging, he says.
These relationships are significant: People who identify as sports fans have higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of loneliness and tend to be more satisfied with their lives compared to those who aren’t interested in sports, Wann says. Fans tend to have more access to social support, help and resources as well. Research suggests that when people have support from their communities, they have better health.
Beyond bonding, fans get to enjoy the psychological benefits of winning, even if they have nothing to do with the players or games, says Stephen Reysen, associate professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce who studies identity and fandom.
“Individuals feel that the fan interest (in this case a sport team) is a part of them,” Reysen says. “So when the team is winning, you feel like you are winning even though you are not a player.”
Of course, teams sometimes lose.
So, why do people continue to put their faith behind teams that tend to lose? People who feel a strong psychological connection to a team are more likely to root for a team when they’re having a losing season, Reysen says.
“Sports fandom has nothing to do with the outcome of a game,” Wann says. For example, if a pizza restaurant continually got your order wrong, you’d likely switch to a more reliable one. But because being a fan is so central to people’s identities, people are willing to accept defeat and continue to be loyal to a team.
Being part of a fan community can also help people cope with losses. A 2019 study found that watching a football game with other fans helps to ease the negative psychological effects of losing.
“For fans of the losing team, sharing the pain may have protected them from losing self-esteem,” Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, co-author of the study and professor of communication at The Ohio State University said in a release.
1. According to the passage, why do sports fans feel happier?| A．Because they could gain the benefits from the winning team. |
| B．Because they can share pains and happiness with people who have the common interests. |
| C．Because they could have a low level of self-esteem. |
| D．Because most of them are optimistic. |
| A．Sports fans have support from their favorite teams. |
| B．Sports fans have higher levels of loneliness. |
| C．Sports fans are likely more content with their lives. |
| D．Sports fans tend to compare themselves to those who aren’t interested in sports. |
| A．display their identities |
| B．have a boost of self-esteem |
| C．not support the team any more |
| D．have a negative psychology period |
| A．Being part of the team. |
| B．Ordering a pizza in a different restaurant. |
| C．Sharing the pain with family members. |
| D．The loyalty to the team. |
| A．Sports fans have a closer relationship with other like-mined people. |
| B．Sports fans have higher self-esteem and are more satisfied with their lives. |
| C．Sports fans always put their faith behind their favorite teams. |
| D．Sports fandom has nothing to do with the outcome of a game. |
7 . My first piece of advice to people who want to start getting fit is: don’t buy an exercise bike. People who buy them usually use them for a week or so and then forget about them. The bikes are useful if they are often used but you need to be determined (有决心的). Most people will find it much easier to go for a jog (慢跑) around the park.
As well as being easy to do, jogging is also quite cheap compared to most other sports. You don’ t need to buy expensive clothes if you’ re just going running around the park or on the beach. There is one thing, however, that you will have to spend time and money on, and that’s your running shoes. Remember that you are looking for something that will support your feet and protect you from injury. They can be expensive, but if they are of good quality they will last you a long time. Ifs always best to get expert advice, and the best place for that is a sports shop.
As for jogging, the secret is to start slowly, and not to do too much at the beginning — especially if you haven’t had any exercise for a long time. Try a mixture of walking and running for ten minutes about three times a week at first. Once you are happy doing that you can then start to increase the amount (数量) you do gradually. After a few months you should hope to be able to run at a reasonable speed for twenty minutes three or four times a week.
It’s important that you feel comfortable with whatever you do. If you do, you’ll start to enjoy it and will probably keep doing it. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, you'll probably stop after a short time and return to your bad habits. Remember that training too hard is not very effective. Research has shown that somebody who exercises twice as long or twice as hard as another person doesn't become twice as fit.
1. What is the authors opinion on the exercise bike?| A．It is unaffordable for most people. | B．It is easy to learn for most people. |
| C．It is a helper for most people. | D．It is a waste for most people. |
| A．Listening lo expert advice. | B．Keeping on jogging ever)-day. |
| C．Having a pair of good jogging shoes. | D．Running for twenty minutes each time. |
| A．Why it is easy to go for a jog. | B．What kind of sport jogging is. |
| C．How to go jogging in a right way. | D．When is the best time to go for a jog. |
| A．Good exercises stop bad habits. |
| B．A partner helps a lot in exercise. |
| C．Feeling good keeps one's exercise going. |
| D．The more you exercise, the fitter you will be. |
8 . I was speaking to the faculty (全体教师) at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Canton, Massachusetts, a couple weeks ago. I arrived early and decided to take a walk.
There was a Little League field nearby. I spotted a sign on the fence .
The sign, posted by the Canton Little League, read:
PLEASE REMEMBER
·These are kids.
·This is a game.
·The coaches volunteer.
·You don’t play for the Red Sox (an American professional baseball team).
I had to laugh, especially at the joke about the Red Sox. But I think the sign is a good reminder to everyone connected with youth sports－kids, parents, coaches and the folks who run the leagues－what is important about the games.
First, kids who play are just kids. They are not mini professional athletes. So youth sports leagues and coaches should take it easy on them. Kids don’t need long schedules and lots of faraway games or high-pressure tournaments.
Adults should try to set up youth leagues so more kids play with and against kids from nearby schools and neighborhoods. They should make it easier for kids to play a sport for just a few months so that they can try other sports. Kids shouldn’t play one sport year-round.
And everyone should stop worrying about which team wins or loses. A friend of mine who coached a lot of youth teams once told me, “When you coach kids, it’s not how many you win or lose, but how many sign up for next season.” According to the Aspen Institute’s latest “State of Play” report, fewer kids are signing up. Research indicates a smaller percentage of kids ages 6 to 12 (37 percent) are playing team sports on a regular basis than in 2011 (42 percent).
The aim of youth sports should be to have fun, learn some skills and enjoy being part of a team. When we lose sight of those simple goals, the games suffer, and the kids stay away.
Maybe in 2021 every field or gym where kids play should have a sign like the one in Canton. All you would have to do is change the name of the team.
1. How might the author feel seeing the sign on the fence?| A．Relieved. | B．Worried. | C．Confident. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．Go easy on kids. | B．Choose youth leagues carefully. |
| C．Encourage kids to stick to one sport. | D．Make a year-round schedule for kids. |
| A．Kids today are less athletic. |
| B．Fewer youth leagues are being set up. |
| C．Youth group sports are losing popularity. |
| D．Kids are focusing more on succeeding than trying. |
| A．Give praise. | B．Express a wish. |
| C．Offer sympathy. | D．Show determination. |
9 . One of the best parts of the school day is the time spent in the playground. It’s a chance to be with friends, run around and have fun. However, at the Rudyard Kipling Primary School in Brighton, things were getting too hard, so the teachers decided something had to be done. The school’s new rules, which restrict（限制）physical activities and encourage pupils only to touch if they are playing friendlier games, have attracted a lot of attention.
Most people say that they are a bad restriction. Parents of children at the school, in Brighton, East Sussex, talked about the bizarre rule — saying their kids were now bored at playtime. A teacher for the school defended（辩护）the rules, saying, “We want to make sure the playground is a happy, safe and calm place where everyone can enjoy their lunchtime running around and getting the exercise that we know is important to them.”
Some people say that Rudyard Kipling Primary School’s decision is a good one because it makes the playground more fun for everyone. Not all children enjoy playing rough（剧烈的）games or sports at playtime. Friendlier games ensure everyone can join in. The teachers only have the pupils’ best interests at heart, so they should be trusted to make the right decision. Besides, if someone gets hurt in the playground, that could distract（分心）the teachers from other accidents.
However, some people think it’s an overreaction. Sometimes physical games can lead to injuries, but banning（禁止）such activities is unreasonable. In fact, it is only during physical games that you can build up your ability to recover quickly from falling over. Even if these physical activities aren’t your favorite way to spend break time, it’s difficult to see why they will be completely banned. Each pupil should be able to decide what they want to do. Besides, schools should be happy that their students want to exercise between classes as this will keep them fit and healthy, and teachers should encourage this, not prevent it.
1. What was the result of the tule made by the Rudyard Kipling Primary School?| A．It was made into law. | B．It was supported by parents. |
| C．It encouraged students to do sports. | D．It made the school widely discussed. |
| A．Simple. | B．Strange. |
| C．Important. | D．Reasonable. |
| A．It saves more lunchtime. |
| B．It helps students pay more attention to their study. |
| C．It brings more fun to every kid. |
| D．It makes students more independent. |
| A．Physical games can injure kids. |
| B．Physical games are good for students health. |
| C．Teachers should do sports with students. |
| D．Restricting physical activities is unreasonable. |
10 . There are a number of sports writers who are now widely regarded as some of the best sports journalists of our time. Here are five of the most well-known sports writers.
Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated
Rick Reilly became famous as the back page columnist (专栏作家) for Sports Illustrated magazine. Then he moved to ESPN in 2008 and began working as a columnist for their website — ESPN.com. Now he has his own show with ESPN, and he also contributes articles to ABC sports.
Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe
Bob Ryan rose through the ranks thanks to his skill and knowledge about basketball. He very soon became known as a guru of the sport, writing an impressively large number of articles about The Boston Celtics — a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Boston, Massachusetts.
John Feinstein of The Washington Post
John Feinstein is primarily a columnist with The Washington Post but during his long career he has published two best-selling sports books A Good Walk Spoiled and A Season on the Brink. He is a regular with the Golf Channel and has a very popular blog called Feinstein on the Brink.
Joaquin Henson of The Philippine Star
Joaquin Henson started out his sports journalism career in 1973 and became popular through his column Sporting Chance, which has been published in The Philippine Star since the 80’s. He has given a number of catchy nicknames to some of the most famous sporting stars of our time.
William Rhoden of The New York Times
Apart from being a columnist with The New York Times since the 80’s, William Rhoden is a respected sports journalist known for his two books Forty Million Dollar Slaves and Third and a Mile. Both books deal with the problems that face black athletes in the field of sport.
1. Before working for ESPN, Rick Reilly _____.| A．was a regular with the Golf Channel | B．started his column Sporting Chance |
| C．wrote articles for Sports Illustrated | D．worked as a sports talk show host |
| A．have worked as writers for ten years | B．work as columnists and write books |
| C．like to give nicknames to sporting stars | D．are known as columnists for ABC sports |
| A．Useful tips for a sports journalist | B．How to be a newspaper columnist |
| C．Newspapers that influence us a lot | D．Famous and popular sports writers |
