1 . My Favourite Sport
Skiing is my favourite sport, even though I have only skied for four days in my whole life. Last year, my father promised to take me on a holiday if I did well in my final exams. When I got straight A’s, Dad said, “How about a weekend at the Botanical Gardens?” However, my mum said, “No, you promised a special holiday. I think you ought to keep your word.” And, despite the expense, he did.
My dream was to see some real snow, so in the Christmas vacation we flew to Seoul, South Korea, and then took a shuttle bus which runs back and forth between Seoul and Muju Resort. As the bus climbed through the mountains, we saw the snow on the trees. I was raring to get out of the bus. No one in my family had ever touched snow before, so soon after the arrival, we were all like little children — we picked snow up, made snowballs, and threw them at each other!
Then we checked in at the hotel. Our room overlooked one of the ski slopes. The slope was floodlit, so we watched people skiing until 10 p. m. We could not wait to try it ourselves.
The next day we had our first skiing lesson. We rented our ski suits, boots and skis, and went outside onto the snow. Wearing skis for the first time makes you feel very strange. Suddenly you find you cannot even walk.
Our instructor took us onto a gentle slope, and showed us some basic skills. In order to go up a hill, you have to stand sideways, and go up step by step. You must point the tips of your skis together so that you can stop. However, the tips must not cross, or you will fall. You should not ski alone in case you fall and get injured. To be honest, that first lesson was not a great success, and I kept on falling down!
However, the next day I definitely improved. I only fell over a few times, and I managed to do a few longer runs. I felt pleased with myself, and the instructor congratulated me, so I felt great. Although it was very cold, I spent most of that holiday skiing. It was the most wonderful time of my life.
Nevertheless, it was all over too soon. Now I have decided to work part-time this summer after the College Entrance Examination, so I can earn enough money for another super skiing holiday.
1. The author was able to enjoy his skiing holiday mainly due to ________.| A．his mother’s promise | B．his poor skiing skills |
| C．his good marks | D．his dream of seeing snow |
| A．dying | B．afraid | C．gutted | D．determined |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．The author is now a student in the graduating class. |
| B．The author wants to work as a ski instructor in the future. |
| C．The hotel the author lived in was well-lit, overlooking the ski slope. |
| D．The author spent all his days skiing during the holiday. |
Gary McKee ran 365 marathons in as many days to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Gary McKee, 53, from Cleator Moor in Cumbria raised his arms in victory and was cheered by a crowd of supporters as he completed his 365th marathon of the year on New Year’s Eve. As of 4 pm on Saturday, he had raised more than £ 890,000 for the charities Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria, just shy of (缺少) his £1 million fundraising target. The father of three has gone through 22 pairs of sports shoes and has run 9,563 miles in rain, snow and sunshine to raise money for the charities.
“The support has been amazing and it always is and the West Cumbrians get behind us, but cancer affects everybody so it isn’t just a West Cumbrian thing, it’s a national thing,” said Gary. “I just hope that people do get behind us and we do raise those million pounds.” Gary has not only raised money for two fantastic charities, but he has also sprinkled magic on the local community and brought people together to support him with the challenge.
Chris Young, 29, ran 90 marathons with Mr. McKee. “Gary set a good example to me this year when I began running frequently with him and has given me both physical and mental resilience (适应力) that I don’t know if I would have ever discovered in myself in a million years. I know I don’t just speak for myself on that front as he has inspired not just me or the few, but the entire local community and beyond,” said Chris, “This challenge has raised a great amount of money for two fantastic charities, but the impact Gary has provided to the community and people around him is immeasurable. A lot of people’s lives will be much better off thanks to Gary’s efforts, mine included.”
1. What did Gary do when he completed his 365th marathon? (no more than 10 words)2. What is Gary’s goal of running 365 marathons? (no more than 10 words)
3. How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 3? (no more than 10 words)
4. In what ways has Gary McKee influenced Chris Young? (no more than 5 words)
5. What does Gary’s story inspire you? Put it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
3 . When watching sports events, we often notice athletes with their earphones on while preparing in the locker room or entering the stadium. They keep their eyes shut, and gently nod along the beats. It seems as if the music is empowering them and toughening them up for the competition. But is there any science behind such practice?
According to a recent research, it turns out there is. Music actually does make us feel powerful, but not all songs have the same effect. The research was led by Dennis Hsu of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the US. His team had people listen to 31 songs of different types. The listeners felt powerful after listening to some songs, such as Queen’s We Will Rock You and 2 Unlimited’s Get Ready for This. Researchers also found that high-power music made people want to take control in social events and come first in competition. As for the reason for music’s magical power, Hsu’s team came up with one possible explanation: When people hear music that expresses a sense of power, they mimic these feelings in their mind.
So, when choosing music, we need to look at the type of music. In previous research by the Music in Exercise and Sport Group at Brunel University in London, they found that pop was perfect for slower, more repetitive-type tasks. Dance music was found to be best suited to strength and weight training because it’s “fast and rhythmical”. During high-intensity workouts, though, you’d better not listen to rock. Its different changes in tempo can affect your rhythm.
1. Why athletes were mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To list things athletes have in common with other people. |
| B．To describe athletes’ common habits before sports games. |
| C．To get readers to wonder whether music matters in sports. |
| D．To explain why athletes like listening to music before games. |
| A．Listening to music can always boost the athlete’s performance. |
| B．People listening to powerful music are likely to produce similar feelings. |
| C．The result of a game is mainly affected by the physical condition of the players. |
| D．Most athletes don’t know the effects of high-power music on their performance. |
| A．Pop music. | B．Dance music. | C．Rock. | D．Blues. |
| A．With comparisons. | B．Through examples. |
| C．By giving general rules. | D．Through listing figures. |
4 . Is Adventurous Sports Teaching Good or Bad?
In recent years, adventurous sports such as bungee jumping have become increasingly popular. More and more people are taking these kinds of sports whatever the cost is. They say it is so exciting and enjoyable to take part in an adventure, which can relieve pressure or stress.
According to ED, some schools in the U.S. have also been urged to increase class teaching about adventures. And many have.
The study involved injuries treated in hospital emergency departments. Only two percent were serious.
The researchers did not try to identify the causes of the increase, but they have some theories. Lara McKenzie from Ohio State University was the lead researcher. She says one possibility is a decrease in the number of school nurses during the period they studied. For example, a study in 2004 showed that the number of school nurses nationally failed to meet federal guidelines.
Another possible reason for more injuries is a change in the traditional idea of adventure. Cheryl Richardson is with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. From her point of view, this “New adventure” expands the kinds of sports that are taught.
The researchers say larger class sizes are another possible reason for the increase in injuries.
| A．Classes on large scales can mean less supervision and cause potential injuries. |
| B．Yet now comes a study showing an increase in the number of injuries in “adventurous” class. |
| C．Generally speaking, untrained nurses could be more likely to be unemployed. |
| D．Adventurous sports help to relax students’ pressure and benefit their mental health. |
| E．But high-risk activities some schools offer now, like bungee jumping, can also expand the risks. |
| F．Schools without a nurse on duty may be more likely to send an injured child to a hospital. |
5 . The health benefits of staying active are already well-known. It can help you manage weight, keep blood sugar levels down and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Now, a new study suggests that regularly playing sports, especially badminton or tennis, is not only healthy but also reduces your risk of death, at any age, by approximately 50%. This is a big scale population study to explore the health benefits of sports in terms of death rate. The study evaluated responses from 80, 306 adults aged 30 and above in England and Scotland, who were surveyed about their health, lifestyle and exercise patterns.
After adjusting factors such as age, sex, weight, smoking habits, alcohol use, education and other forms of exercise besides the named sports, the researchers compared the risk of death among people who took part in a sport to those who didn’t. The percentage of reduced risk of death was found to be: 47% for racket(球拍)sports, 28% for swimming and 15% for cycling.
In addition to this, the study didn’t find any significant reduction in the risk for sports like running and football. The findings also exposed that over 44% of the participants met the guidelines for the recommended exercise levels to stay fit and healthy, which amounts to 150 minutes of moderate(适度的) physical activity in a week.
Does this mean you stop running or playing football and switch to tennis instead? Every kind of sport and physical activity has different physical, social and mental benefits attached to it. The apparent lack of benefits of running and football could result from several variables (变量) that were not taken into account.
Being active helps you feel happier and live longer. So, the most important step is to take part in any kind of sport that you are likely to enjoy and follow in the long term.
1. How is the study conducted?| A．By doing comparative experiments. |
| B．By analyzing previous data. |
| C．By evaluating survey information. |
| D．By tracking participants for a long time. |
| A．Water sports. | B．Racket sports. |
| C．Individual sports. | D．Traditional sports. |
| A．Few people will play football. |
| B．Tennis will become more popular. |
| C．The result of this study is wrong. |
| D．The study could be further improved. |
| A．Stick to any sport that you like. |
| B．Play badminton and tennis only. |
| C．Stop running and playing football. |
| D．Do any sport according to guidelines. |
6 . The key to your dream workout routine
There was a time in my life when I hated working out.
Don’t push yourself too much, especially if you haven’t worked out in a long time or at all.
Stop convincing yourself that you don’t have time to workout. It doesn’t matter how busy your schedule is — you could take 10 minutes out of your day to take a walk around campus.
It’s okay to take a break. When you first start working out, it can be tough. I was getting all Sorts of aches and pains when I first started, and I often denied myself rest days because I felt like I always had to workout at the highest intensity. Please remember to take a break. Your body needs to reset.
Sticking to a workout routine can be difficult but if you follow some of these tips, you may find that you’re able to work out more consistently.
| A．Create a realistic workout plan. |
| B．Just the thought of it was horrible. |
| C．Find ways to make exercising more fun. |
| D．Try multiple activities to find one that you love. |
| E．Once you’re feeling better, you can get back to it. |
| F．Now, working out is one of my favorite things to do. |
| G．Even if it’s only a small amount, any exercise is enough to get you started. |
7 . As the parent of two teenagers who have played multiple sports over the years, I’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly and the absolutely cruel.
However, when I think about the value of sports and why my kids continue to play sports, I find that playing sports can help kids become successful adults. Through sports, kids learn how to work in teams, how to challenge themselves to be better, and how to behave when they lose and when they win. Whether kids play soccer, baseball, or football, they learn they are part of a team where one person depends on another.
When my son plays baseball, he’s not the only one who needs to play well; he depends on his defense to make the plays on the field. When my daughter plays tennis, she depends on her partner to cut off the ball at the net and win the point, and the tennis team depends on each person in order to win the overall match and become the champion. Sports also teach children to trust and respect the decisions of someone who understands how the entire team needs to work in order to succeed.
Sadly, though, youth sports have suffered from the “winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing” attitude. They have become too much of a reflection of professional sports. Winning is a happy result, but the lessons from losing are even more important. When my daughter loses the tennis match, her coach reminds her that she shouldn’t lose heart and that she should learn more from losing than from winning. Losing makes you focus on improving your skills and your strategy. We’re going to learn from our mistakes and not repeat them.
I believe that participating in youth sports is much more than building a sound body. Sports are the best way to shape and build more self-motivated and happier children and help them become more self-motivated and happier adults.
1. What is the author’s attitude to youth sports?| A．Critical. | B．Positive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Unclear. |
| A．What sports the author’s kids play. | B．What the value of sports is. |
| C．How sports benefit the kids. | D．Why the author’s kids continue to play sports. |
| A．Teenagers don’t have to win every time. | B．Winning is the only goal for teen players. |
| C．Teenagers should work together to succeed. | D．Winning is not the most important in sports. |
| A．Youth Sports Build Better Adults | B．Teenagers Suffer from Youth Sports |
| C．Losing Brings More than Winning Does | D．Teenagers Perform Better than Adults in Sports |
8 . We all know that regular exercise is vitally important for both a healthy mind and body. Research has shown that just five minutes of exercise in a “green space” can help people to keep mentally healthy.
Let’s take a look at some ways to get close to nature and make them a part of your regular exercise routine.
Get on your bike
Cycling is a cheap, easy and fun way to get some good exercise in the outdoors. Try leaving your car at home and cycling to work one day, if that’s possible. Or get the family together and go on a weekend bike ride. Check out the local cycle paths before you go, and plan a safe route. Make sure you take some healthy snacks with you to keep your energy levels up.
Try some outdoor yoga
Practising yoga can be great for reducing anxiety and aiding relaxation, so why not take your yoga mat and try out some asanas (yoga postures) in the open air? Yoga is great for stretching tight muscles and increasing flexibility as well as improving mobility, control and breathing. Why not finish your practice with some quiet meditation to further calm the mind?
Go running
Instead of spending hours on the treadmill (跑步机), grab a friend and go off for a jog around your local park, or some nature trails. If you are used to running on a treadmill, you may find it harder at first, so make sure you have some good, supportive running shoes. You could also find out where your nearest parkrun events are. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
1. What is needed to cycle with your family?| A．Having a healthy body. |
| B．Checking the bikes carefully. |
| C．Learning some survival skills. |
| D．Making preparations for it. |
| A．Helping build muscles. |
| B．Making people peaceful. |
| C．Improving athletic ability. |
| D．Lowering blood pressure. |
| A．They are free of charge. |
| B．They offer running shoes. |
| C．Their tickets are easy to get. |
| D．Their treadmills are open to use. |
9 . Benefits of Sports
Doing sports is a physical, mental and social adventure. It’s a great way for children to take a break from studies and release extra energy. It also helps them lead fuller and happier lives as regular sports have proven beneficial to overall well-being.
The physical benefits of doing sports are probably the most obvious. Regardless of your fitness level when you start playing sports, you’ll notice an increase in your overall fitness once you’re involved.
Children who participate in sports might also benefit from the social aspect, feeling part of a group, building up responsibility and leadership.
Discipline is another social advantage. Most organized sports require a strict training and practice schedule. As a student-athlete, you need to balance studies and athletics.
There is no shortage of reasons to find a sport to get involved in. Are you ready to go? Pick one and get moving!
| A．It’s not just your body that benefits from sports. |
| B．Therefore, playing sports is going to make you more fit. |
| C．But remember, a child’s self-worth should not be distinguished by victory or loss. |
| D．If you play group sports, you’ll be part of a team that takes direction from a coach. |
| E．Nearly every sport requires physical activities and the competitive skills. |
| F．Among these, learning how to function as part of a team is the most important advantage. |
| G．Only with strict discipline can you be successful both in the classroom and in the sports field. |
Dear Brett,
Thanks for your email. You do lots of sports at school in Canada. I’d love to play ice hockey one day.
We do lots of sports at our school too. We’ve got a swimming pool and our class go swimming every Wednesday. We also play tennis, volleyball and football, but football in Australia is different from soccer. We can touch the ball with our hands!
There are lots of after-school sports clubs in Australia too. I go to a surfing club after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We go to the beach and learn how to surf. It’s great fun!
Can you surf in your country? Looking forward to your reply.
Rob
1. Which kind of sport may Brett be taking part in?2. What does Rob usually do on Wednesday?
3. What is allowed when it comes to playing football in Australia?
4. How often does Rob go surfing?
