1 . About a dozen women have gathered as their instructor guides them through the moves. “Backstroke!” Jean Bailey directs from her chair, raising her arms high, as the women of Elk Ridge quickly begin arm rotations. Everyone puts in top effort.
Bailey, who is 102, has been teaching them four times a week in the hallway of the second floor for about three years. “When I get old, I’ll quit,” said Bailey. Some of her regulars have arthritis (关节炎) that limits their movements, but they can do the stretching exercises comfortably and benefit from them, said Bailey, who herself often uses a walker.
“After attending the class, we’ve gotten pretty close up there on our floor. One of us would do something for anybody. We really keep track of each other,” Phyllis Black, 87, said. She lives down the hall from Bailey; if she skips them, she feels stiff. “She’s a very nice neighbor, and she’s a good friend also. She’s very talented.”
When her children were young, Bailey became a florist (花匠) — a practice she still enjoys as a hobby. She buys artificial flowers and makes bouquets (花束) for the clubhouse and some residents. Laura Stuart calls her the “queen bee”. “She brings her expertise in floral arrangements and is always doing beautiful arrangements,” Stuart said. “She brings that to us, and it’s just a blessing that she’s still here with us to even do such a complex type of floral arrangement.”
At Elk Ridge, residents can participate in fitness activities like a walking club, tai chi and working out in a fitness room. But Bailey’s ladies seem to prefer her class because of her warm and fun personality, and the gentleness of the stretches for people who have mobility challenges, says Sean Tran, operations director at Elk Ridge. “More than anything, her general outlook on life…is just remarkable,” he said about Bailey. “She’s the nicest, most thoughtful, caring person that I probably ever met. Nothing is going to stop her,” Tran said. “She’s going to keep going, no matter what. And others look at her and think: ‘If she can do this at 102, I can do this at my age, whatever it is.’”
1. What scene does the first paragraph describe?| A．A game practice. | B．A dancing session. |
| C．A swimming training. | D．A fitness class. |
| A．They have deepened the women’s friendship. |
| B．Some women often skip the exercise classes. |
| C．Old women are gifted in exercise. |
| D．Some attendees feel stiff after the classes. |
| A．She has a hobby of growing flowers. |
| B．She is expert at arranging flowers. |
| C．She is a good florist. |
| D．She sells man-made flowers to others. |
| A．Bailey organizes various activities, |
| B．Bailey makes her attendees stretch gently. |
| C．Bailey inspires other people to exercise. |
| D．Bailey remarks on the life of others. |
2 . In early 2018, I was training for the London Marathon—the first and only marathon I would ever run in my life. I had treated myself to an expensive fitness watch that tracked my time, pace and splits.
At the end of my final training run—an exhausting 21 miles (34km) —I threw myself down on the floor the moment I got home, only to see my watch had failed me. Twenty-one miles briefly flashed on the screen before it went blank and disappeared for ever. I screamed in pain. That tragic image of me crying on my living room floor pretty much sums up my relationship with exercise tracking technology.
It can be a total joy to watch your data change on running apps as you get stronger and faster. I once got a kick out of it, but at some point it became a stick I used to punish myself. I would watch my pace, compare it with other people’s or criticize myself for not doing it 30 seconds faster. I never really recognized exercise tracking as a problem. It seemed to me that tracking was the route to self-improvement, and the point was to improve, wasn’t it? The point was to be better.
In the past year, the concept of “being better” has taken on a different meaning. My mental health dropped, and things that were once easy such as brushing my teeth became unimaginably difficult. Being better stopped meaning getting faster or stronger. It meant taking care of myself and feeling some joy in a day. Once I started getting better, I reflected on what in my life made me happy and what did not. So, I stopped tracking my runs and simply deleted years’ worth of data that was once very important to me and now meant nothing.
What has become very clear to me since I quit tracking my runs is that I genuinely love doing them. I run around my local park with a silly little smile on my face. I love it so much. But I do not love running quickly. I do not like races. I do not want to be pushed to be faster. Things I notice about my runs now include: how my legs feel and how my mind feels afterwards-clear and focused. I notice dogs, the smell of the wild plants along the canal and the sunshine (OK, wind and rain) on my face.
I am better. Or sometimes I am worse. But either way I’m slowly plodding along, and that’s good enough.
1. The author cried after the final training run because she ________.| A．had to stop working out | B．became physically worn out |
| C．lost the data on the watch | D．felt a sharp pain in the legs |
| A．a fun hobby for enjoyment | B．a strong need for recognition |
| C．a method of escaping punishment | D．a way of being a better runner |
| A．Getting pleasure out of winning races. | B．Being more focused on her life goal. |
| C．Freeing herself from demanding tasks. | D．Improving her overall well-being. |
| A．Adjustment brings happiness. | B．Passion is the key to success. |
| C．Sports contribute to happiness. | D．Success equals self-improvement. |
3 . Kyle Cassidy and three other members of the Annenberg Running Group were stretching on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania, waiting for a few latecomers. The Penn colleagues and other community members meet three days a week for a roughly 30-minute jog and an occasional lecture. That’s right - during some runs, one of them delivers a talk. Topics range from the brain to Bitcoin.
But on this day last January, it would not be their normal run. The first clue that something was off was the man who sprinted past them. “Running at an amazing pace,” Cassidy told Runner’s World admiringly. Cassidy discovered why the sprinter was so fleet of foot when another man ran by, yelling, “Help! He took my phone and laptop!”
At that, the group did what running clubs do: They ran, trailing the suspect down the streets of Philadelphia until he ducked into a construction site. The runners split up. Cassidy ran around to the far side of the site to cut the thief off while the others wandered the neighborhood hoping he had dumped the loot (赃物) in a backyard.
No luck. So they decided to ask residents whether they’d seen the guy. When they knocked on the door of one row house, they were in for a surprise. Unknown to them, he had already emerged from the construction site - and was hiding behind a bush by that very house. As the owner opened the door, the suspect darted out from behind the bush and right into the arms of campus police, who’d joined the chase shortly behind the runners.
The members of this running group are not hard-core athletes. But they do understand the benefit of a little exercise. “Running is typically a useless sport where you turn fat cells into heat,” Cassidy told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “But occasionally it can be useful, and here was one of those opportunities.”
1. Why do the group members gather together?| A．To do some stretching. | B．To have a regular run. |
| C．To deliver a lecture. | D．To cover some topics. |
| A．the assistance of the runners | B．the owner of the row house |
| C．the campus police on patrol | D．the joint efforts of the people |
| A．Athletic and generous. | B．Courageous and ambitious. |
| C．Helpful and humorous. | D．Thoughtful and demanding. |
4 . Ida Keeling had grown up poor in Harlem and done hard, grinding work in factories during the Great Depression. She had lost her husband early to a heart attack, and two of her four children—both of her sons—died in accidents. Keeling had sunk into a deep depression. Her health had begun to slide and her daughter, Cheryl, began to worry that she soon might be losing her mother as well.
Keeling’s daughter is a lifelong athlete. That may be what would pull her mother out from under her dark cloud. She suggested a run. Not just a jog around the block, but an official run. At the time, Ida Keeling was 67.
It had been decades since Keeling had done any running, and she would later recall that the first “mini-run” was wonderful. “I just threw off all my bad memories,” Keeling says. She hasn’t stopped running since, and it’s no longer the difficulty it was during that first meet. Since then, Keeling has set records for 60 meters in the 95-99 age group, and in 100 meters for the over 100 group. “I was just exercising,” she says, “and now I’m all over the world.”
When she’s not running, she’s working out. She’s in the gym three to four days a week, running, working out with weights and pedaling on the exercise bike—and even exercising while she’s cooking. Part of her healthy diet is an occasional dose of red wine mixed with her coffee or water to aid blood circulation. She’s written a book about her experiences, titled Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down: Chasing Myself in the Race Against Time. Her philosophy is also fit for a runner: “Every day is another day forward.”
1. Why did Keeling start to run at an old age?| A．She wanted her daughter getting out of dark cloud. |
| B．She wanted to learn from her daughter. |
| C．Cheryl persuaded her to do so. |
| D．Cheryl wanted her to be a lifelong runner. |
| A．Pleased | B．Curious. | C．Annoyed. | D．Proud. |
| A．She used to live a hard life. | B．She spends much time writing. |
| C．She is very fond of cooking. | D．She is very active in sports. |
| A．Early hard life of Keeling | B．The benefit of running for Keeling’s later life |
| C．The significance of caring for old people | D．Every day is precious for old people |
5 . Everyone knows the benefits of exercise: stronger muscles, more energy, weight management.
lf your primary aim is to improve your mood, the bar for what counts as exercise is far lower than itis for weight loss or fitness gains. You can see very large mental benefits with low-intensity exercise.
When any movement can bring benefits, the best activity is one you like to do ---- whether that's swimming, team sports or dancing.
Is it possible to overdo it? The answer is yes. A minority will even develop clinical depression as a result of overtraining. But these bad effects are restricted to serious athletes.
| A．Consistency is the key to mood lifting. |
| B．So the type of workout you do really matters. |
| C．A mood boost is often considered an added bonus. |
| D．You can seek out an activity that makes you feel good. |
| E．For the rest of us, any movement can only be beneficial. |
| F．What's more, moderate exercise can have huge mental benefits. |
| G．It's not like the longer or harder you exercise, the better you feel. |
6 . Here we’ve got three tips to help you start an exercise habit that can stick. It’s a lot easier than you think.
You don’t have to be a marathoner to get meaningful health benefits from exercise. Experts say even daily activities, which include mopping the floor, organizing a room or carrying groceries up the stairs can reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers.
So remind yourself that it’s not a choice between hours-long workout or nothing at all. Instead, think of starting an exercise routine like standing up from your chair and sitting back down repeatedly.
Focus on how exercise makes you feel great
There are so many positives that happen when you move. It improves all the tasks that demand focus and creativity. It helps you generate energy. It boosts mood.
Forget long- term benefits like weight loss or better overall health.
Figure out what kind of exercise and workout location makes you feel good
If weightlifting in a crowded gym gives you anxiety, try to get a set of weights for home or follow workout videos on YouTube or ride a bike in the park.
| A．Start small and every movement counts |
| B．They often take much longer time to achieve |
| C．Focus on immediate payoffs like improved mood and energy |
| D．In short, any movement helps to clear fat and sugar out of blood |
| E．Remember, when you have more energy, you’re a happier person |
| F．Keep trying until you find a workout routine that makes you happy |
| G．No matter how modest those goals are, they create this feeling like I can do more |
7 . Believe it or not! We are half way into 2022. Like many people, you probably made a New Year’s decision to finally get fit and stay fit. You got really motivated, bought new workout clothes and got off to a great start. But by April or May, you may have lost your steam.
Choose realistic goals that are measurable. Can you really achieve the goals you have set for yourself?
Keep a journal.
Find an activity you enjoy. It is difficult to stick to something if you don’t like it.
| A．Create a plan of action |
| B．Know what it is that you want to achieve |
| C．Whenever possible, stick to a certain activity |
| D．While New Year’s decisions are well-managed |
| E．Try a new fitness class or take your workout outdoors |
| F．Write down everything you eat and what time you eat it |
| G．If you plan and try to seize every possible chance to achieve your goals |
8 . Human bodies were actually designed for walking, a wonderful form of exercise at no cost. It’s kind to our bodies and great for our waistlines.
Probably you already love to walk, but you’re getting bored of tracing the same old route day after day, or maybe you’re new to walking and aren’t sure how to get started.
Call up your friends and schedule walks with them if socializing is your aim.
From the benefits to your heart to your overall happiness, walking is just plain good for you.
| A．This month, pick up a map and start walking. |
| B．Ask your friends where they like to walk and just go there. |
| C．You may as well consider heading to a new city for a change. |
| D．Either way, it’s time to accept the idea of walking with a purpose. |
| E．Recently, science has proved that walking is good for your body shape. |
| F．And best of all, it’s a great way to see new things and meet new people! |
| G．If you’re after walking alone, ask about local hikes that get you away from the crowd. |
9 . Why Play? Why Outside?
Play is important, even for adults. Here are some great reasons to get outside and play.
Being outdoors brings the senses to life. In fact, 75 percent of students surveyed by Weekly Reader said they felt better after spending time outside. “Hiking, exploring, and fishing help sharpen all of your senses,” says Betsy Keller, a professor of exercise and sports sciences. “Smell, sight... they’re all engaged when you’re outside.” Bonus!
Outdoor play eases your mind.
Are you stressed out? Having trouble concentrating?
Spending time outdoors brings you closer to the environment.
Hearing the leaves rustling underfoot and breathing in fresh air build awareness and appreciation of the environment, if you walk through the woods in search of cool birds and plants, you may find your mind expanding.
No woods nearby?
| A．Playing outside helps your body |
| B．Outdoor activities expand your senses |
| C．You don’t need a huge park to enjoy nature’s benefits |
| D．With your senses engaged, you’ll feel free and more creative |
| E．So the next time you sit down to spend quality time with a TV |
| F．Then take note of your senses after you’ve done something outside |
| G．Too much time indoors —away from the natural world — may be a cause |
10 . Free Online Gentle Yoga Class
About this event
If you are worn out, stressed out, or just looking forward to relaxing your mind, body, and spirit, please join me for 75 minutes of gentle yoga. My mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, income level, or body size. The primary goal of the class is to help you find a small bit of peace and relaxation during stressful time. No experience necessary.
PLEASE READ
All classes are taught via TikTok from Los Angeles, California. You will receive a TikTok link about 30 minutes before class begins. Registration closes one hour before class begins. Only the first 500 applicants to join TikTok will be admitted to the class.
Frequently asked questions:
What time does the class start?
I am located in Los Angeles, California. Class is on Saturday at 6 pm. If you are located in a different time zone and are confused or unsure of when that is, here is a link to a world clock that will allow you to type in Los Angeles and your city to figure out when the class will begin: https://wrwrw.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
What do I need?
Just a pillow and a blanket or towel. It doesn’t matter what kind—whatever you have at home will work just fine.
What should I wear?
I recommend wearing whatever makes you feel comfortable like sweatpants or shorts. The main purpose for the class is simply relaxation so we won’t be getting sweaty but you’ll need to wear something you can move around in a little.
What if I don’t want to be on camera?
No worries! You are more than welcome to turn your camera off. You will still be able to see and hear me but you won’t have to be seen if you prefer not to be.
1. What is a must to attend the online yoga class?| A．A slim figure. | B．Being under 60 years old. |
| C．Being the first 500 applicants. | D．A high salary. |
| A．Signing up for the yoga class. |
| B．Making sure of the time of the class. |
| C．Knowing more about the class. |
| D．Waiting to be admitted to the class. |
| A．One can’t attend it without a camera. |
| B．A towel is a must to wipe out the sweat. |
| C．It can be attended from Monday to Friday. |
| D．One should wear clothes that suit movements. |
