1 . Shooting down an ice-covered track, a bobsled can go faster than 80 miles an hour.
At the start of a race, the crews push their sled, building up speed before they jump in for the ride. For months before the race, the crew members have built up explosive power in their legs. That means doing a lot of jumps, and sprints. It also means pushing heavy sleds! The push is the crew's only chance to add speed.
The design of the sled's runners (滑板) reduces their friction with the ice.
But remember the sled must not be too fast — the crew still needs to be able to reach the bottom safely.
| A．Why do people go for the sport? |
| B．Crews polish their runners for a fast ride. |
| C．The riders sit inside a hard shell, called cowling. |
| D．How do bobsleds go faster than cars on a highway? |
| E．A hot runner will melt more ice and may possibly go faster. |
| F．Runners that are too flat would spread the friction over a wide area. |
| G．All other work goes into keeping other forces from slowing the bobsled down. |
2 . 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. |
3 . Playing badminton can be a fantastic sport.
Build a strong body
You get to run up and down the court. You jump up high and bend down low when playing. Your movement has to be flexible, with good hand-eye coordination. The movements give your legs good exercise. At the same time, swinging the racket exercises your arms, shoulders, stomach and back. Before you know it, your entire body will benefit from better coordination.
Have a good heart
Playing badminton can actually lower your blood pressure, and reduce your chances of heart diseases.
Enjoy a colorful social life
Gyms often host leagues, tournaments, and parties.
Make a slim figure
| A．You can even grow stronger and more attractive. |
| B．Playing the game, you can make your heart stronger. |
| C．You can find a badminton court in public parks or gyms. |
| D．To people of different ages it is also an easy light exercise. |
| E．It's important to drink plenty of water when playing the sport. |
| F．Of course, one of the most welcome benefits of playing it is quick weight loss. |
| G．They provide chances for you to meet friends, or other people with similar interests. |
4 . Sometimes it’s hard to find time to exercise. But in fact, whether you’re on the road, at work, or at home, you can always find a few more ways to work out.
Any time you find yourself with something heavy in your hands, lift it. This works with canned food, grocery bags, backpacks, and anything the least bit heavy.
| A．When you’re seated during long journey, why not stand up? |
| B．The biggest change you have to make is in your attitude． |
| C．If your kids like to play games, don’t just sit and watch． |
| D．When you have a spare moment, why not do leg lifts? |
| E．As you go about your day, look for chances to walk. |
| F．The main problem is that you have no free time． |
| G．If it is easy, then do some more． |
5 . 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. |
6 . 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. |
7 . All over the world people are hooked on sports, which help them to strengthen their body and build their character.
Many people like to watch others play games.
People from different countries or races may not be able to understand each other, but after a game, they get to know each other better and they often become good friends.
| A．They buy tickets or turn on the TV to watch the games. |
| B．What fun it is to jump into a pool or lake, whether in China, Egypt or Italy! |
| C．Some sports or games date back thousands of years, like running or jumping. |
| D．Sports help to train a person’s character. |
| E．Chinese people liked doing sports even in ancient times. |
| F．Sports are competitive physical activities or games through casual or organized participation. |
| G．They can make friends with each other. |
8 . 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 |
9 . Walking is good for you.It’s good for your heart, for your lungs, for the muscle and bone growth of your children.Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking.
Walking is connected with reduced death rates for both older and younger adults.In other words, walkers live longer!
In particular, walking has a great effect on cardiovascular disease(心血管病).Fit and active people have around half the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to unfit inactive people.
Even 10-minute walks can increase fitness.One study at Loughbrough University found that women walking continuously for 30 minutes 5 days a week had almost the same increases in fitness as women who divide their 30 minutes into three 10-minute walks.
The majority of studies of young people indicate falling participation in physical activity.Only half of 11-36-year-olds currently walk for ten minutes a day.Children in Britain walk 50 miles a year less than they did a decade ago.Around 20% of children can be classed as overweight.TV, computers, cultural changes and fears for children’s safety out of doors play a large part.
Walking offers a great way to help kids get the active habit.If parents express excitement about the prospect (前景) of a walk in the countryside, they are more likely to pass this feeling to their children.It’s important to treat the walk as an exploration or adventure and to go at the child’s pace, no matter how often they want to stop and look at things, take treats to eat and plenty to drink, and head for some landmarks that will attract them such as a castle, a playground, an ice cream car or a boating pond.If children experience walking as part of a fun activity, they are more likely to want to go again.
1. We know from the passage that regular walking __________.| A．can make people live longer and healthier |
| B．has nothing to do with cardiovascular disease |
| C．increases fitness only if you walk as fast as you can |
| D．will help you put on much weight in a short time |
| A．They have more homework to do. |
| B．They have fitness equipment at home. |
| C．Their parents worry about their safety. |
| D．They want to learn more knowledge on TV. |
| A．children should be led by parents when they play outdoors |
| B．parents should help their children form a habit of walking |
| C．parents should not care about their children too much |
| D．children should do more explorative and adventure activities |
10 . It is no secret that physical activity is necessary to a person’s wellbeing.Because children are continuously developing physically and emotionally，they are especially affected by the benefits of activity.Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative “Let’s Move！” reports that nearly onethird of US children are overweight or obese，and that “schools are a key setting for kids to get their 60 minutes of play with moderate activity，given the significant portion(部分) of time they spend there.”
Physical education programs in schools directly benefit students’ physical health.Regular exercise promotes muscles and bone development.In addition to participating in physical activity，students in P. E.learn the fundamentals of a healthful lifestyle，the building blocks upon which they can develop into healthy，knowledgeable adults.
Though the lack of attention on P. E.is often justified as an opportunity to spend more time in the classroom，studies show that physical activity contributes to improved academic performance.Regular activity during the school day is strongly associated with higher concentration levels.A statewide policy in North Carolina requires that children from kindergarten to eighth grade participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
Activities in P. E.help children develop healthful social interactions.From a young age，children learn cooperation through group activities and form a positive sense of identity as part of a team.Such group activities are continually important as children grow older.The International Platform on Sport and Development states that sport has been used as a practical tool to engage young people in their communities through volunteering，resulting in higher levels of leadership and community engagement among young people.
The benefits of P. E.to a child’s mental health are both complex and comprehensive.Improved physical health，academics and social interactions all contribute to good mental health.Physical activity sets the stage for a good night’s sleep，provides more energy to participate in hobbies and interact with others.
1. The first paragraph implies that .| A．children are becoming much lazier nowadays |
| B．some schools have forbidden physical activity |
| C．most parents are dissatisfied with school education |
| D．schools must pay more attention to physical education |
| A．children dislike taking physical activity |
| B．schools are worried about children’s safety |
| C．students should have more time for study |
| D．less sporting equipment is available to school children |
| A．Sceptical. | B．Favorable. |
| C．Ambiguous. | D．Objective. |
