1 . If you’re a runner who secretly hates running, here’s some good news: settling into a leisurely jog rather than an all-out run may actually be better for your health in the long term.
A team from Denmark followed over 5, 000 people taking part in the Copenhagen City Heart Study, and tracked whether they were non-joggers, or joggers who kept a slow, moderate (中等的), or fast pace. The participants’ health was tracked over the next 12 years, and so was their mortality (死亡率): 28 of the joggers and 128 of the non-joggers died.
The connection was this: Joggers of mild and moderate intensity had a lower risk of death than the fast joggers. In fact, the lowest mortality risk was that of the mild intensity joggers. The fast-paced joggers had about the same mortality rate as sedentary (久坐的) people. This suggests that there may be an upper limit to hard exercise, after which the benefits fall off.
“The U-shaped association between jogging and mortality suggests there may be an upper limit for exercise amount that is best for health benefits,” said study author Peter Schnohr. “Anything more is not just unnecessary; it may be harmful.” From the current study, jogging just three times per week, for less than 2.5 hours per week was associated with the lowest overall mortality risk.
There have been a lot of mixed messages about the “right” amount of exercise and what intensity is best. The World Health Organization has suggested that the current 150 minutes per week recommendations are strenuous for most people to tackle, and that expectations should be lowered, since, after all, anything is better than nothing. Everyone probably has a level of activity that feels best to him or her. But at least the growing consensus seems to be that more — if you’re pushing yourself very hard— is not necessarily better. And it may even be worse.
1. What was the study designed to find out?| A．The relation between exercise amount and health. |
| B．The difference between non-joggers and joggers. |
| C．The advantages of jogging over running. |
| D．The common causes of death from exercise. |
| A．Those jogging just three times per week. | B．Those jogging 150 minutes per week. |
| C．Those fast-paced joggers. | D．Those slow-paced joggers. |
| A．The early bird catches the worm. | B．Wealth is nothing without health. |
| C．To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. | D．Enough exercise brings about happiness. |
| A．Intense. | B．Wide-ranging. |
| C．Necessary. | D．Far-reaching. |
| A．Why Jogging May Be Better For Your Health Than Running? |
| B．Can Jogging Increase Your Weight? |
| C．How Does Jogging Affect Your Health? |
| D．How Often Should Beginners Run? |
2 . If a president, a legendary philosopher, and one of the best-selling authors of all time credited the same secret for their success, would you try to follow it too? What if the secret was something you already knew how to do? In fact, you probably do it every day. Here’s what Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “It is only ideas gained from walking that have any worth.” Thomas Jefferson: “Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” And Charles Dickens made his point: “If I could not walk far and fast, I think I should just explode and perish (死亡).”
Researchers have traced numerous connections between walking and generating ideas. A Stanford University study found that participants were 81 percent more creative when walking as opposed to sitting. According to the study, walking outside — versus on a treadmill (跑步机) — produces the most novel and highest-quality ideas in participants who walked and then sat down to do creative work.
The movement aspect of walking is obviously key. You’ve probably heard the phrase Exercise your creativity, which refers to the brain as muscle. Our creative mindset is triggered by physical movement, which is exactly why walking — with your dog, a friend, or alone — feeds creative thinking. Just by going outside, you are stepping out of your habitual surroundings and your comfort zone, which is necessary if you want to open your mind to new possibilities.
Research has shown that immersion in nature, and the corresponding disconnection from multimedia and technology, increased performance on a creative problem-solving task by a full 50 percent in a group of hikers.
So why not set a creativity goal that starts with walking? Turn off your phone and give yourself the chance to be present in the world, to hear conversations and natural sounds, to notice the way people move, the way the sun reflects in a puddle. Walk not just for exercise. Walk for wonder.
1. What is the purpose of paragraph 1?| A．To inform us of the examples of these great minds. |
| B．To stress the importance of walking. |
| C．To explain why walking is popular with people. |
| D．To show the great influence of the great minds have on us. |
| A．By going outside, one can’t help but get distracted by the scenery. |
| B．Walking on a treadmill makes participants do the most creative work. |
| C．It is necessary to walk out of your habitual surroundings and comfort zone. |
| D．Absorbed in multimedia and technology, hikers can increase performance on creative problem-solving tasks. |
| A．Caused. | B．Changed. | C．Covered. | D．Cured. |
| A．Developing a good habit of walking. |
| B．Benefits of walking. |
| C．New possibilities of walking. |
| D．Walking for a more creative mind. |
3 . Ways to Develop Self-discipline
Five years ago, I was the heaviest I’ve weighed in my life. When I would run, I’d immediately get tired. The worst part is that I had no motivation to get healthier—until I threw my back out.
Set clear end goals.
Do the small things. We all want big change quickly. It doesn’t happen that way, though. Self-discipline starts by performing small activities consistently. The small things add up to big results.
Keep record of your progress. It’s pointless to have goals if you aren’t measuring whether or not you are moving toward them. When I don’t track my progress, I stop doing things I need to do and become lazy. It’s easy to lack discipline when you lose focus on where you’re going.
| A．It did take a lot of work. |
| B．I decided to take regular exercise. |
| C．Keeping track helps you stay on point. |
| D．We have to keep in mind where we want to go. |
| E．Occasionally, you may get results without effort. |
| F．I had shooting pains down my legs whenever I got up. |
| G．It may take time to see those returns, but stick with it. |
4 . Benefits of sport
Every sport has its own specific health benefits. Swimming, for example, is an excellent physical activity as nearly all muscles are used when you swim. As a result, it provides a terrific full-body workout, improving coordination, flexibility, balance and muscle strength.
Sport, as well as being a physical activity, has a mental aspect too. It can help define who you are and who you can become. Sport builds character and promotes the development of a number of qualities that are essential for a successful and fulfilling life.
Sport requires self-discipline, without which there will always be the temptation to simply give up. In order to excel in sport, you will have to set goals, make plans and persevere with thoughts and actions, even without immediate rewards.
Sport will help you understand the importance of teamwork. It will show you that you often need to rely on others for your success.
The world of sport is a fairground of exciting opportunities where you can discover who you really are.
| A．Time, I think, to lace up your sports shoes and go play. |
| B．Included here are three qualities worthy of special consideration. |
| C．Of course, swimming is also a great way to cool down on a hot day. |
| D．Regular exercise will also help you maintain a healthy body weight. |
| E．Sport will encourage you to maintain a positive and balanced outlook. |
| F．Similarly, you also have a responsibility to contribute to the success of others. |
| G．Another benefit of exercise is that it will improve your body’s immune system. |
5 . Memo
To: All StaffFrom: Jakie Mok, Secretary; Sports Development Committee
Date: May 20, 2022
A week ago, “Sports for Life” programme was sent to the parents, requiring them to select a sport they wanted their child to play. Since then, our staff have received lots of calls from parents asking for more information about it. Here is a memo for your reference when you answer the phones.
Sports 1:Basketball.We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. Therefore, students should be advised to sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from Kwun Tong Sports Park. To cover the cost of hiring a bus, each student will have to pay $10 each time. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game.
Sports 2:GymWe will be using St. Peter’s Memorial Park. There are two reasons for choosing this park. Frist, it is not very busy and crowded before 6:00 pm. Second, it has lot of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent thirst. Three activities, skipping, jogging, outdoor aerobics, all of which are free of charge, will be arranged. And there will be a teacher on duty for each of the activities.
Sports 3:HikingHiking will take place at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 pm and finish 90 minutes later. Three teachers will accompany the students, and a hiking instructor will accompany each group of 15 hikers. Each instructor will cost $75/hr. Students are advised to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Sports 4: SwimmingThe Kowloon City Aquatic Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school. Four teachers will go to the pool and conduct the goings-on from the poolside. We will only be able to reserve the pool for one hour (i.e. 2:45pm to 3:45pm). Only students skillful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards present. Girls must wear a swimming suit. The cost is $10 per visit.
1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?| A．Students selecting basketball had better register early. |
| B．Students participating in gym should arrive at 6:00 pm. |
| C．Hiking usually begins at 2:30 pm and lasts 2 hours. |
| D．Students having swimming suits can take up swimming. |
| A．Students taking part in basketball will walk to the courts. |
| B．Every student can gain admission to one of the four sports. |
| C．Hiking students can have a regular rest in the shade of trees. |
| D．Students taking up the four sports should bring bottles of water. |
| A．To attract students’ interest in the programme. |
| B．To require the parents to select a sport for their child. |
| C．To help the staff explain the programme to the parents. |
| D．To remind teachers and lifeguards to be present on time. |
6 . We’re all told time and again how important it is to exercise for good health. But with our busy schedules, finding the time to work out is often easier said than done.
UK exercise guidelines suggest that adults should do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week for good health.
A recent study found that weekend exercisers had a 30% lower risk of premature death from all causes compared to inactive people. Risk of death from heart disease was also around 40% lower, while risk of death from all types of cancer was around 18% lower compared to those who were inactive. But they also found that spreading your workouts throughout the week was associated with the greatest benefits for your health.
It’s well-known that exercise improves our heart fitness. This allows us to exercise longer and more intensely.
But research shows that how often you exercise is also important for improving and maintaining fitness. Regular exercise will lead to adaptations that are good for health.
| A．But debate is growing around the issue. |
| B．This finding is consistent with previous research. |
| C．Regularly active people had the best health overall. |
| D．Most people find it hard to do exercise at the weekend. |
| E．For many of us, the weekend is the only time to exercise. |
| F．However, it may cause serious diseases, such as heart attacks. |
| G．Also, it improves other aspects of our health like lowering blood pressure. |
7 . Do you like to keep fit? We’re always told that regular exercise is good for our body and mind. More and more people are taking up activities that improve their fitness. But is there a risk that some of us might get obsessed (着迷的) and overdo it?
Well, for some people, fitness has become an obsession as they aim for perfection. And fitness trackers and apps can add to this addiction, especially if someone is driven by achievement and perfectionism. And sharing data on social media means exercising becomes public and competitive, which could cause problems in someone who is vulnerable (脆弱的). Experts say this can lead to a medical condition called orthorexia nervosa, or addiction to healthy eating and over-exercise. Untreated, it can lead to malnutrition and mental health problems.
Too much exercise can also take its toll on someone’s physical health as well. Symptoms of over-exercising include injuries such as a broken leg and a low immune system. So how much exercise is too much? Researches found the ideal pace to jog was about eight kilometers per hour-and that it was best to jog no more than three times a week or for 2.5 hours in total, showing that moderate jogging is possibly more beneficial than being inactive or undertaking strenuous (剧烈的) jogging.
If you’re more of a couch potato than a runner, this might sound like good news. But for amateur (业余的) athletes who can’t help but push their bodies to the limit, the advice from Martin Turner, a sports and exercise psychologist, is, “It’s all about letting go, not being obsessed, learning not to control everything, saying, ‘You don’t need to be perfect.’”
1. What is the main reason for people’s addiction to over-exercise according to paragraph 2?| A．Their need for social support. |
| B．Their addiction to fitness apps. |
| C．Their pursuit(追求)of perfectionism. |
| D．Their concern over health issues. |
| A．Going hand in hand. |
| B．Having a bad effect. |
| C．Making little difference. |
| D．Playing an important role. |
| A．The risk of fitness obsession. |
| B．The importance of mental health. |
| C．The benefits of moderate jogging. |
| D．The symptoms of over-exercising. |
| A．Fiction. | B．Lifestyle. | C．Culture. | D．News |
8 . Teenagers around the world are familiar with the great pain of boredom. And every parent is familiar with the sounds of groaning (咕哝的) kids, sulking (生闷气) in their room or pacing aimlessly around the house. But sometimes, it’s this very sense of boredom that can inspire creativity and create fast-growing trends.
This is true for pickleball (匹克球), now a popular sport in the West. According to the Mental Floss website, the sport was invented in the summer of 1965. At that time, Frank Pritchard, 13, had nothing to do in his family’s summer home in Washington, US. After complaining loudly, his father, Joel, suggested he make up a game. When Frank replied “Why don’t you?” his father gladly took up the challenge. Thus, pickleball was born.
Certain parts of tennis, badminton and ping-pong can be seen from pickleball. It’s a bat game played on a badminton-sized court with what looks like a wiffle ball (威浮球) over a low net. Only the serving team can score points, and all serves must be made with an underhand stroke (击球).
The popularity of pickleball has grown steadily over the last decade. According to Mental Floss, the number of pickleball courts has grown by an estimated 385 percent worldwide since 2010. One reason for its popularity is that it’s “a sport for everyone”. Anyone can play pickleball because it’s relatively easy to pick up. There are simple rules, and all people need is a couple of bats and a ball, which is affordable and accessible to all. Plus, pickleball is a sport centered around fun and friendship. The game lasts as short as 15 minutes, which means less running and stress for players.
Pritchard said that the game’s rapid rise in popularity was amazing, especially considering that a bad-tempered kid “inspired a sports craze by making a stink (吵闹) about being bored one afternoon 56 years ago”.
1. What do we know about pickleball, according to the passage?| A．It was invented accidentally by a young boy. |
| B．It is a game suitable for family gatherings. |
| C．It combines elements from several ball games. |
| D．The game’s judges come from a serving team. |
| A．Why pickleball has become so well received. |
| B．What equipment pickleball players need. |
| C．How significant pickleball is to the world. |
| D．What rules must be obeyed in pickleball. |
| A．Unexpected. | B．Reasonable. | C．Natural. | D．Awkward. |
| A．To advise us to join in sports games. |
| B．To teach us how to play pickleball. |
| C．To tell us the birth of a sports game. |
| D．To motivate us to follow new trends. |
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for your question. As people often say, any exercise is better than none, but long-distance running in particular has a lot of benefits.
It is a great sport for beginners — you do not need a gym membership or any special equipment. Just a pair of good running shoes will do. Then, keep it up. There is also no better way to know yourself and to see what you are capable of.
You are also somebody who worries about getting sick. Running will help you get fit and prevent diseases. It will give you good upper and lower body strength. Like any exercise, running increases the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. It makes your heart stronger and allows more blood to flow around your body. It also strengthens your immune system and reduces the risk of serious health problems, as well as more common illnesses like colds. Besides, anybody who is feeling down can go for a run to cheer themselves up. Even a thirty-minute run will provide relief from aches or tension that you may be suffering due to stress.
If you are new to running, here is some advice for you — it is important to warm up and cool down properly before and after running, so you do not hurt yourself. A warm-up gets your blood flowing and prepares your body before you exercise. After a long run, you should jog slowly for ten minutes, then walk for five minutes. Such kind of warm-down relaxes your body after exercise.
For more guidelines on running, click here. I hope this will help!
Best Regards,
Dr. Martin
Group Work Discuss the questions below.
1. Do you think long-distance running will help Jeremy? Why?
2. How will running help us get fit and prevent diseases?
3. What advice would you give to someone who is new to running?
A Teen Case Study
Mrs Zhang, our school counsellor who is also a medical doctor, is passionate about the advantages of playing sport. She believes that it is vital for teenagers to have a positive attitude, and sports help them do this. She gave us the following example as inspiration.
I had a teenage patient, who was depressed and moody. Let’s call her Shan. Conventional wisdom said that I should prescribe medication of some sort. I decided rather to ask about her lifestyle. From her responses it was clear she was getting no exercise. So l encouraged her to choose a school sporting activity and take part in it. I suggested that she keep a journal of all her new activities, and how she felt about them and about herself.
Shan took my recommendation and joined the school volleyball team. Six months later she was hardly recognisable: she had lost weight and was looking fit and healthy; she had more friends; her schoolwork had improved, and best of all, she was no longer depressed or moody. Her mum told me she was a changed person. Shan told me later that I had changed her life. I hadn’t really. It was Shan herself who did it. She took the idea I gave her and embraced it with enjoyment and determination.
Read the report. Answer the questions.
1. What was Shan’s problem?
2. Why didn’t Mrs Zhang prescribe medication for Shan? What did she decide rather to do?
3. What were the benefits to Shan of taking up volleyball?
