1 . Sports day! These two words can inspire both joy and terror in the hearts of students everywhere. For many, sports day can be a great day of fun and the chance to bag a prize or two.     1    

Today, more and more schools have recognized the importance of exercise.     2     They hope that by making sports days less competitive, children of all abilities will be motivated to take part without fear of losing. Exercise and fitness is important for everyone, no matter how good at sport you are.     3    

However, some people feel that it’s important that sport has winners and that learning to lose is just as important as learning how to win.     4     Particularly, on a sports day which is your chance to really prove yourself!

There are lots of people who agree with the idea—parents in particular! According to a 2017 survey by Families Online, 82% of parents say they prefer “traditional” competitive sports days.     5     It’s also an opportunity for some children to show off their physical and sporting skills.

People have different ideas about whether it is the winning or the taking part that counts when it comes to school sports days. So, should School Sports Day be competitive or not? We want to know your ideas.

A．What’s the point if no one wins?

B．Should sport just be about winning?

C．Many of them have “non-competitive” sports days.

D．Everyone should be celebrated for trying and playing their part.

E．Many adults are worried that their kids can get injured when doing sports.

F．For others, it might feel like having to take part in something they aren’t good at.

G．Many adults feel that children can learn valuable lessons in both winning and losing.

2 . As we age, even if we’re healthy, the heart just isn’t as efficient in processing oxygen as it used to be. In most people the first signs show up in their 50s or early 60s. And among people who don’t exercise, the changes can start even sooner.

“Think of a rubber band. In the beginning, it is flexible, but put it in a drawer for 20 years and it will become dry and easily broken,” says Dr. Ben Levine, a heart specialist at the University of Texas. That’s what happens to the heart. Fortunately for those in midlife, Levine is finding that even if you haven’t been an enthusiastic exerciser, getting in shape now may help improve your aging heart.

Levine and his research team selected volunteers aged between 45 and 64 who did not exercise much but were otherwise healthy. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group participated in a program of nonaerobic (无氧) exercise—balance training and weight training—three times a week. The second group did high-intensity aerobic exercise under the guidance of a trainer for four or more days a week. After two years, the second group saw remarkable improvements in heart health.

“We took these 50-year-old hearts and turned the clock back to 30-or 35-year-old hearts,” says Levine. “And the reason they got so much stronger and fitter was that their hearts could now fill a lot better and pump (泵送) a lot more blood during exercise.” But the hearts of those who participated in less intense exercise didn’t change, he says.

“The sweet spot in life to start exercising, if you haven’t already, is in late middle age when the heart still has flexibility,” Levine says. “We put healthy 70-year-olds through a yearlong exercise training program, and nothing happened to them at all.”

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, says Levine’s findings are a great start. But the study was small and needs to be repeated with far larger groups of people to determine exactly which aspects of an exercise routine make the biggest difference.

1. What does Levine want to explain by mentioning the rubber band?

A．The right way of exercising.	B．The causes of a heart attack.
C．The difficulty of keeping fit.	D．The aging process of the heart.

2. In which aspect were the two groups different in terms of research design?

A．Diet plan.	B．Professional background.
C．Exercise type.	D．Previous physical condition.

3. What does Levine’s research find?

A．Middle-aged hearts get younger with aerobic exercise.

B．High-intensity exercise is more suitable for the young.

C．It is never too late for people to start taking exercise.

D．The more exercise we do, the stronger our hearts get.

4. What does Dr. Nieca Goldberg suggest?

A．Making use of the findings.	B．Interviewing the study participants.
C．Conducting further research.	D．Clarifying the purpose of the study.

3 . If you want your mind to be sharper, the evidence suggests you should visit the gym.     1     We tend to suppose that brains don’t go with muscles.     2     As the latest video from the Head Squeeze team shows, exercising the body is one of the best ways to improve your intelligence and preserve it through old age.

Consider this: one German study found that older people who enjoy mild exercise—such as gardening—are half as likely to suffer from cognitive impairment as they age. Another experiment found that pensioners asked to take a leisurely walk a few times a week scored better on attention and memory tests.     3     Children who walk to school tend to concentrate better and get better test results than those given lifts in the car.

One, possible reason is that the exercise improves the blood (and therefore oxygen) supply to the brain which helps give it the, energy, to think. It might also promote the growth of neurons (神经元) and perhaps encourage the release of certain neurotransmitters and growth hormones (生长激素) that are important to the brain’s overall health.     4    

In the future, some researchers are looking into specially designed “exergames” that combines physical activity with cognitive training to give your brain the best possible workout; early results suggest that the sum is greater than the individual parts.     5    

A．But it’s not just older people.

B．But that assumption is turning out to be seriously wrong.

C．All of them could contribute to better concentration and memory.

D．But how can exercising your muscles improve your brain power?

E．IQ tests are designed to measure general intelligence rather than knowledge.

F．In the meantime, the work should at least give you one more reason not to put off that visit to the gym.

G．More studies are needed to support the idea that our behaviour are changing our brains.

4 . The Importance of Getting Kids to Be Active

Everyone knows that kids should be physically active and need to exercise regularly to be physically fit.     1    , regular physical activity is considered by most experts to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, that doesn’t mean every child needs to spend four or five hours a day exercising.

How Much Exercise Do Kids Need?

It is recommended that kids should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.     2    . For example, if your eight-year-old played soccer for 20 minutes during PE at school and then played basketball with his friends for 40 minutes after school, he would meet the recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity for that day.

Exercise and Calories

    3    . It can help them build self-respect, sleep better, have more energy, and reduce depression. And as most people know, along with a healthy diet, regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and prevent childhood obesity (肥胖). Since your child is not likely to get his exercise using exercise equipment, it can be hard to always tell how many calories he is burning while exercising.     4    , as long as your child is getting his 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day and maintaining a healthy diet.

Youth Exercise and Fitness

Remember that kids, even teens, don’t usually stick with exercise programs.     5    . Instead, kids do better with lifestyle exercise programs, such as active free play and organized team sports.

A．Fortunately, it doesn’t matter

B．Regular exercise is good for kids

C．So they will be able to burn even more calories

D．That’s why you don’t see many kids in health clubs

E．Whether they are overweight or at a healthy weight

F．If your child is very active and is still gaining weight

G．But that doesn’t have to be 60 minutes of continuous activity

5 . We’ve all heard the saying“Life slows down the older you get,” but that's certainly not true for Joan MacDonald.

The 75-year-old fitness influencer has accumulated an incredible following on social media, in part because she's chosen to actively reject the idea that aging robs you of your energy, focus and drive. In fact, MacDonald looks at movement as a “gift, ” and whether you're hitting the gym five days a week, or just beginning your fitness journey 一 it's never too late to take advantage of what your body was meant to do. Get moving.

“Just start with what you can, ” MacDonald tells Guideposts, org when asked what her best piece of advice would be for seniors looking to get active again.“If you can only walk three blocks, start there. Over time aim to add another block.”

And just because you' re starting small, it doesn’t' t mean that a short bike ride or quick stretch session isn't having an impact. The recommended amount of cardio （有氧运动）each day for most adults is 30 minutes, although even short bursts of movement can have a huge impact on decreasing the risk of being overweight, heart problems and other conditions.

The key is consistency. MacDonald knows that the road to healthy isn't easy and sometimes, the struggle can seem impossible to overcome. She had to battle against years of bad habits and recondition her body to push against her imagined limits. She tries to keep her social media channels focused on the positive aspects of working out and eating better, always encouraging and uplifting her followers, and never judging their difficulties 一 or her own. It's that attitude that she says is key to staying active.

“Focus on what is going right and well,” MacDonald says. “For me, I started my whole transformation because I wanted to feel better. I wanted energy to live my life! Now having my health, strength, and endurance is what keeps me committed.”

1. What may contribute to MacDonald , shaving numerous followers on social media?

A．Her attitude.

B．Her impact.

C．Her strength.

D．Her journey.

2. What does MacDonald suggest to the seniors?

A．They take advantage of what they want.

B．They start working out with what they can.

C．They get moving by doing what they need.

D．They perform short movement as they like.

3. What difficulties does MacDonald overcome in her fitness journey?

A．Inspiring the followers and evaluating their troubles.

B．Holding positive attitudes and keeping a balanced diet.

C．Managing the social media channels and gaining views.

D．Breaking bad habits and challenging herself to the limit.

4. What lesson can we learn from Joan MacDonald?

A．Prevention is better than cure.

B．A light heart lives long.

C．The nature of life lies in sports.

D．Content is better than riches.

6 . When 36-year-old Andy Duran decided to return to his favorite high school hobby-skateboarding— in January 2021，the only problem he expected to run into was his own ability to get back into the sport after the long break. However, the 340-pound skateboarder from Oakland, California, soon realized that was the least of his problems.

Duran’s problems began before he even stepped on a skateboard. “I couldn’t find any resources (资源) for fat skaters, what types of boards to try, or where to buy branded (名牌的) shirts in sizes 2XL or 3XL,” he says.

What Duran did find instead was an unfounded belief that fat people should not be skating. “I started to find people who were saying that if you’ re over 190 pounds you shouldn’t be on a skateboard, or that the board won’t support you,” he says.

Determined to do something to change that, Duran founded Chub Rollz— a skating and skateboarding community for overweight skaters. “If you feel like your size makes you feel uncomfortable about skating with others, you are welcome to skate with us,” Duran says.

Duran created a list of recommended (推荐的) products for fat skaters. He also held skating and skateboarding classes to teach beginners. He received a lot of messages from strangers expressing gratitude. “This means so much to me; I didn’t think I could skate,” said one. “A person at the skate shop laughed at me, but this club makes me feel like I can still do it,” wrote another.

Though encouraged, Duran believes a lot more needs to be done to change the idea that fat bodies can’t do and aren’t interested in the activity. He thinks that is simply not true. “I want to see more changes in communities. Maybe skate shops have more training for creating a more welcoming environment for all types of skaters or boards to be made in different sizes,” he explains.

1. What difficulty did Duran have when he decided to start skateboarding again?

A．He couldn’t afford a branded skateboard.

B．He couldn’t find proper products for him.

C．He realized the board couldn’t support him.

D．He found it hard for him to step on a skateboard.

2. What did Duran do for overweight skaters?

A．He wrote them encouraging messages.

B．He found them excellent teachers.

C．He raised money for them.

D．He started a club for them.

3. What does the underlined word “gratitude” in paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Worries.

B．Thanks.

C．Pride.

D．Doubt.

4. What wish does Duran express in the last paragraph?

A．More members will join Chub Rollz.

B．More support will be given to fat skaters.

C．Skate shops will provide more affordable boards.

D．There will be more communities like Chub Rollz.

7 . Rollerblading is an excellent sport that just about anyone can enjoy. After you have mastered the basics of rollerblading, you can begin to master the sport. There are a variety of different methods and styles that you can try.     1    . However, some athletes prefer to perfect their sport and compete in their chosen sport. The sport of rollerblading has many forms and styles that allow competition.

Some types of rollerblading, including free skating and aggressive skating, have a heavy emphasis on tricks. Free skating is a type of rollerblading that is primarily about getting from start to finish as fast as possible.     2    .

Some inline skaters prefer to go the way of inline speed skating.     3    . Unlike free skating and aggressive skating inline speed skating does not involve tricks or obstacles. The competitions take place on roller skating rinks, or on outdoor rinks. Inline speed skating competitions include a variety of different events and formats that range from sprints to longer distance relay competitions. Many athletes who choose inline speed skating can also ice speed skate as the seasons change.

    4    . In this sport teams compete against each other for the puck, using sticks to pass and direct the puck into the goal. Roller hockey is played essentially the same way as ice hockey, but the equipment has been redesigned in order to adapt to the non-ice conditions.

Each of these sports requires different skills and is comprised of a different group of people.     5    . Whichever sport a beginning inline skater may choose if they want to develop their skills as a skater, hey will have fun mastering one of the excellent sports.

A．Inline speed skating is all about racing

B．Many people enjoy rollerblading just for the simple pleasure of exercise

C．In addition to emphasizing speed, free skating often includes different tricks

D．Free skating is set in an urban setting and participants must travel through streets

E．Roller hockey is of course another, yet completely different form of rollerblading

F．Those inline skaters can also try sports like inline figure skating and speed skating

G．Each sport requires skill, and experience, as well as having different equipment requirements

8 . Although a gym membership can be nice, you don't have to have one to get into great shape! All you need is a little bit of time and space at home for yourself.     1    

Spend 5 to 10 minutes warming up before every workout.     2     Try jumping jacks, leg or arm circles, or even dancing. Just get your blood pumping. Do a progressive aerobic activity that uses the same muscles you want to work out. For instance, slowly jog if you are going for a longer run.

    3     Strength training, also called resistance training, makes you stronger and builds endurance. Try to do exercises that work a lot of muscles and add weight to increase your resistance. This helps you do a harder workout every time you exercise.

    4    You might be eager to just stop your workout when you've finished your last set of activity, but take a few minutes to do low-intensity exercises that lower your heartrate. You might drop your run into a walk or slow down your cycling, for instance.

Set achievable goals that you can break into smaller tasks. It's one thing to say you want to get fit, but that means something different for everyone.     5     It should be specific, realistic, and meaningful. Then, break down each goal into small, actionable steps so it feels like you're making progress regularly.

A．Not sure what to do?

B．Want to build muscle without buying equipment?

C．Do strength training twice a week to build muscle.

D．If you're struggling to fit in workout time, don't worry.

E．Spend five to ten minutes cooling down after each workout.

F．Figure out what you plan to achieve and make that your goal.

G．But before everything, you need to create an at-home fitness routine.

9 . The 25-year-old African student in Cangzhou Technical College, north China’s Hebei Province, has practiced Tai Chi for two years. He is now a huge fan of the slow-speed martial art.

As a child in his own country, the Tanzanian was already a fan of kung fu stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Donnie Yen. He understood Chinese kung Fu to be a fast-paced attack and defense art.

“Tai chi is different from the Chinese kung Fu that I knew. It is slow. But as I practice it, I have realized that the slow moments are far from being simple,” Abdi said.

The school provides a Tai Chi course for all foreign students. Abdi has already learned to practice Tai Chi moves with balance and deep rhythmic breathing, which allows him to feel the charm of the exercise. It brings peace and calmness to his mind, while building his muscles.

The International Exchange Center of the college has had more than 300 international students from more than 50 countries since 2016, mainly countries along “the Belt and Road.”

“My parents wish me to study international trade to better prepare me for my job in the booming trade between China and Tanzania. But it is my own dream to chase the Chinese martial arts,” said Abdi.

Practicing Tai Chi has led him to have a complete appreciation of Chinese culture. He now prefers people call him by his Chinese name Chen Yanzhi, as the name means talented and kind.

“Tai chi movements are quiet but full of power. It has inspired my understanding of China, which has the same spirit. My mother has felt the same way after she visited me here,” Abdi said.

He said his Rwandan classmate likes to post videos of them practicing Tai Chi on social media, and another Cameroonian classmate has learned from Tai Chi how to improve his boxing skills.

“When I return home, I will use my Chinese name to teach Tai Chi in my country, so that more people can benefit from this magical Kung Fu,” said Abdi. Enditem.

1. What is it that Tai Chi is different from Chinese kung fu?

A．Tai Chi is a defense art.	B．Tai Chi is a fast-paced attack.
C．Tai Chi is slow.	D．Tai Chi is simple.

2. Which of the following is NOT the advantage that Abdi gains while practicing Tai Chi moves?

A．It builds his muscles.

B．It helps him regain a healthy lifestyle.

C．It brings peace and calmness to his mind.

D．It allows him to feel the charm of the exercise.

3. Why did Abdi choose to practice Tai Chi instead of studying international trade?

A．Because he liked slow-moving exercise.

B．Because Tai Chi was easy for him to learn.

C．Because Tai Chi helped him burn more calories to aid in weight loss.

D．Because Tai Chi has helped him have a full understanding of Chinese culture.

4. What can be inferred from the text?

A．Tai Chi has become a sport event.

B．Tai Chi is active only in central China.

C．Tai Chi becomes more and more popular in the world.

D．Tai Chi opens a window for Chinese people to know about the world.

10 . Teenagers' busy life can cause them to see exercise as a waste of time. However. the belief is far from true. Exercise is important for teenagers because it not only promotes physical health. but also improves mental health.

Exercise plays an important role in a teenager's mental health. Teenagers who exercise tend to have a better body image than those who don't, which helps build confidence and makes one feel more comfortable. This also helps one to accept his or her looks. Although physique(体形)is not as important a factor as health,it can strongly affect teenagers' mood and attitude. A healthier and fitter body will build a greater sense of confidence in the body image.

Another mental benefit from exercise is the feel-good endorphins(内啡肽)that come along with it. The body produces endorphins naturally when one exercises hard that are commonly referred to as"a happy chemical". They can produce a feel-good effect and create a sense of emotional well-being during and after exercise. They can make physical activities more enjoyable. They can also reduce stress and relax one to a point at which it is even easier for one to fall asleep.

Many students say that they are too busy with schoolwork to exercise. but they don't realize that exercise can improve their mental performance. Exercise such as walking and jogging increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and heart. Teenagers who exercise regularly tend to have the ability to think more clearly and faster, In addition, teenagers that exercise regularly tend to be more focused and perform better in school. Various mental issues can be aided by exercise as well, For example, one who suffers from anger issues may look to exercise as an outlet. Teenagers who struggle with anxiety and depression can also find a healthy outlet through exercise.

1. What do we know about a good physique?

A．It can make teenagers more confident.

B．It is more important than health.

C．It can't affect teenagers' mood and attitude.

D．It can change teenagers' looks.

2. What does the underlined word "it" in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Body.

B．Benefit.

C．Exercise.

D．Endorphin.

3. Which word best describes the author's attitude to exercise?

A．Negative.

B．Positive.

C．Uncaring.

D．Worried.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Teenagers' problems with exercise.	B．The importance of mental health.
C．Teenagers' mental performance.	D．The mental benefits from exercise.