1 . I’m a hiker –“born to hike”, as my husband likes to joke. It does my heart and soul good to take a pack and head out on a trail, especially when I’m alone and can let my mind wander where it will. The experience of hiking is unique, research suggests, conveying benefits beyond what you receive from typical exercise. Hiking in nature is not only good for our bodies, but also good for our moods, our minds, and our relationships.     1    

Hiking keeps your mind sharper than many other forms of exercise.     2     But research suggests that hiking doesn’t just feel good, it might also keep my brain in top shape.

    3     Exercise in general can be a good way to decrease stress. But what sets hiking apart from other forms of exercise is that hiking can happen almost anywhere and give you that dose of nature you need to stay happy.

Hiking can increase our creativity. I’m sure I’m not alone in finding that walks in nature let my mind wander freely in creative directions.     4     Studies have found connections between creative thinking and nature experiences, too.

Hiking helps strengthen a positive relationship with the natural world. Besides being good for us, hiking may also help the world around us. After all, if we can walk and cover longer distances, we could use cars less and reduce our carbon footprint.     5     It increases our connection to nature. Developing a positive relationship with the natural world can help us to care about its fate, making us more committed to conservation efforts.

A．Hiking helps to keep you calm and happy.

B．Hiking and writing have strong connections.

C．Beyond that, hiking benefits our planet indirectly.

D．Here is what science is saying about the benefits of hiking.

E．In fact, I’ve written many of my songs while hiking on a trail.

F．This all goes to show that hiking may be one of the best ways to move your body.

G．Being a professional writer, I sometimes have trouble taking the time to hike in the middle of my workday.

2 . When I first began running in high school on the track team, it made sense to carefully clock every mile and push myself to race for personal bests. But as I changed from running for sport to running for amusement as an adult, I found that tracking my workouts often just ended with frustration. And it wasn’t until my watch battery died several years ago that I first experienced the sense of calm that came with running for the pure joy of it. I never replaced the watch battery, and that might not be a bad thing for my fitness goals.

This is the idea of unplugged (不插电的) running, which is gaining steam in the fitness community. And recent research has shown that getting rid of your running watch, especially if it’s a smartwatch or fitness tracker, could actually improve your workout — or at least your enjoyment of running.

“People used to have an interest in their sport and get enjoyment out of the sport, but now that’s switching to the data,” said Eoin Whelan, a senior lecturer at the National University of Ireland Galway. “They will compare themselves to people who are better than them, who are running faster or running longer. And in the end we know that makes them feel bad. ”

Whelan also noted that people who are very dependent on smart watches or fitness trackers are more likely to skip their workouts if the batteries on their tracking devices are dead.

Instead, running watch-free is beneficial. Some professionals also have had success with leaving their watches at home. Welsh runner Steve Jones famously set a world record at the 1984 Chicago Marathon without wearing a watch. More recently, Olympic marathoner Trevor Hofbauer made headlines for winning the 2019 Canadian Marathon Championships without a watch.

“If you have too much information being fed to you in real time, it can kind of get in your head,” Hofbauer said. “For me, the simpler, the better.”

1. The author began to find the pure joy of running when he/she ________.

A．ran for the school track team	B．achieved his/her fitness goals
C．tracked his/her own workouts	D．stopped using a running watch

2. What does Eoin Whelan say about fitness tracking watches?

A．They can enrich the wearers’ social life.

B．They can lead to harmful consequences.

C．The way people use them is proper.

D．The data provided by them is unreliable.

3. How is paragraph 5 developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By listing official data.
C．By answering questions.	D．By making comparisons.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．It's good to abandon your running watch.

B．Unplugged running actually has two sides.

C．Comparing with others should be avoided.

D．Racing for personal bests requires simplicity.

3 . Over the past decades, experts have done a considerable amount of research to explore different ways to encourage children’s learning. Especially, there has been a common focus on how physical activity, separated from the learning activities, can improve children’s learning. However, there has been less of a focus aimed the potential of integrating physical activity into the learning activities.

The main purpose of the Basket Mathematics study conducted at five Danish primary and elementary schools by researchers from the University of Copenhagen therefore was to develop a learning activity that integrates basketball and mathematics and examine how it might affect children’s motivation for mathematics.

756 children from 40 different classes at Copenhagen area schools participated in the project, where about half of them－once a week for six weeks－had Basketball Mathematics during gym class, while the other half played basketball without mathematics.

“During classes with Basketball Mathematics, the children had to collect numbers and perform calculations associated with various basketball exercises. An example could be counting how many times they could sink a basket from three meters away vs at a one-meter distance, and adding up the numbers. Both the math and basketball elements could be adjusted to suit the children’s levels, as well as being adjusted for whether it was addition, multiplication or some other operations that needed to be practiced,” explains Linn Damsgaard, a leading researcher.

The results showed that children’s motivation for math integrated with basketball was 16% higher compared to classroom math learning. Children also experienced a 14% increase in self-determination compared with classroom teaching. Meanwhile Basketball Mathematics improved their math confidence.

“We are planning to do research to examine whether the Basketball Mathematics model can strengthen performance in mathematics. Once we have the final results, we hope that they will inspire school teachers and principals to prioritize more physical activity and movement in such subjects. Eventually, we hope to succeed in putting these tools into school system and teacher education,” says Associate Professor Jacob Wienecke.

1. What is the purpose of paragraph 1?

A．To show the advantage of the study.	B．To explain the reason for the study.
C．To conduct a review of past research.	D．To introduce a way to raise math grades.

2. What can we learn about the study?

A．All kids didn’t play basketball.	B．Kids were divided into 40 groups.
C．It studied kids’math performance.	D．It tailored activities to different kids.

3. What effect does basketball have on the participants?

A．More motivation for exercise.	B．More confidence in basketball.
C．A gain in desire to learn math.	D．A rise in determination to learn.

4. How does Jacob Wienecke expect the study to help educators?

A．Make math learning easier.	B．Inspire students’ math confidence.
C．Build physical activity into teaching.	D．Notice the benefits of physical exercise.

4 . If you thought running was just great for the body, then think again. Scientists have found that the sport not only keeps people fit but also improves your brain power (脑力).

The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking. They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills. The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against ageing (老化) and also helping it replace dying cells (死细胞). This might reduce the risk of many illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59 — 69 on a treadmill (跑步机). Their heart and lung capacity was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains. Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains. Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60 — 77. As they went through a three-month fitness program, they saw improvements in their memory.

Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results. Mice, examined at the National Institute on Ageing, in Baltimore, found that cells in the hippocampus (海马体), an area of the brain used for memory, were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology of ageing and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told The Sunday Times: “Moderate intensity aerobic (有氧的) activity such as walking, cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.”

1. Who tend to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking?

A．People who are healthy.	B．People who are thin.
C．People who are unhealthy.	D．People who are fat.

2. What do we learn from the experiment in paragraph 3?

A．Those who were less fit had larger brains.

B．Those who were fitter had smaller brains.

C．Exercise helps people improve their memory.

D．Old people doing exercise improve memory better than young people.

3. Accord to Linda Clare, what kind of activity can NOT produce changes in brain structure and function?

A．Walking.	B．Singing.
C．Cycling.	D．Running.

4. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To tell you sport improves your brain power.

B．To introduce some good ways to keep healthy.

C．To teach you how to best spend time in doing sports.

D．To introduce several ways to improve your memory.

5 . A woman who lost one leg in a traffic accident is seeking to break a world record by completing 102 marathon-length runs in 102 days. A marathon is a race that goes 42 kilometers.

Jacky Hunt-Broersma, who lives in the Western American state of Arizona, set her goal last month. And every day since then, she has been running the distance of a marathon. Most of the time, she runs on roads and trails near her home. Sometimes she completes her runs on a running machine. If she keeps successfully completing marathon-length runs every day, she would reach her goal three months later. She would then hold the world record for completing 102 back-to-back marathon runs.

The current world record of 101 marathons was set on April 10 by British runner Kate Jayden. The 35-year-old Jayden does not have a disability.

Hunt-Broersma said that until five years ago, she was not very active. But then she looked into running and decided to give it a try. The sport ended up being quite costly. Currently, she runs on a prosthetic (假体的) leg made out of a strong, light material known as carbon fiber. The carbon fiber blade she uses, which is designed specifically for running, costs about＄10,000.But Hunt-Broersma says her investment (投资) has been well worth it.

One of her recent runs was the world-famous Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts. She finished that race, held on April 18, with a time of 5 hours and 5 minutes.

Hunt-Broersma’s main support team is her husband and their two young children. She is posting her progress online and has also gained a large social media following. As she nears the end of her goal, Hunt-Broersma is hoping to inspire a dream in others, regardless of (不管) their own physical limitations. She tells people, “You’re stronger than you think-and you’re capable of so much more.”

1. What is Hunt-Broersma’s goal mentioned in the text?

A．To make her body stronger.	B．To show off her great power.
C．To set a new world record.	D．To prove she can live a normal life.

2. What does Hunt-Broersma insist on doing every day now?

A．Trying hard to earn money for her game.	B．Training strictly for a famous marathon race.
C．Running together with a British marathon runner.	D．Running 42 kilometers either indoors or outdoors.

3. Which of the following can best describe Hunt-Broersma?

A．Caring.

B．Determined.

C．Responsible.

D．Intelligent.

4. What effect does Hunt-Broersma hope her action will have?

A．Encouraging others to achieve their goals.	B．Having more people run the marathon race.
C．Drawing more attention to the disabled.	D．Getting more people into her support team.

6 . Why Play? Why Outside?

Play is important, even for adults. Here are some great reasons to get outside and play.

    1    .

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!     2    .

Outdoor play eases your mind.

Are you stressed out? Having trouble concentrating?     3    . Exposure to nature has been shown to lower stress levels and improve attention deficit disorder (注意缺陷障碍). “By comparison,” says Keller, “activities indoors, such as watching TV, or activities in non-green areas leave kids with ADD worse off.”

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?     4     . Nature can be as close as your own backyard or those trees at the end of the street. There are bits of nature everywhere — even in cities. “Some naturalists call that nearby nature,” Keller says. “It’s a great way to experience a piece of the natural world without wandering too far from home.”

    5    , consider treating yourself to a little outdoor play instead. It’s not called the great outdoors for nothing.

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

7 . 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.

8 . 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

9 . All parents know exercise is important for children: It can lower heart risks, control weight and help kids do better in school. Experts have also proved that outdoor activities at an early age can help children form healthy habits for life. But don’t expect kids to understand about those things. Some kids just aren’t into exercise, but that shouldn’t mean they have to be addicted to the TV. So parents could do something to help inactive kids fall in love with physical activity.

If parents sit in front of the TV every night, kids aren’t likely to respect restrictions(限制) you set on their screen time either. So check your own behavior and serve as a role model by putting physical activity into your everyday life. Walk instead of driving if possible. Regularly join in activities that you enjoy and let your kids see how much you enjoy them. In this way, they may “do as the Romans do”. Make sure that children’s fitness is included in the family schedule as well as school, work and shopping. Then you and your children are more likely to stick to an exercise plan. And your children will begin to expect that Sunday morning usually means a hike ride, and on a couple of nights after dinner the family takes a light walk through the neighborhood.

Children who aren’t naturally good at physical activity may be worried about their lack of physical skills and even fear public failure. They need all the support and encouragement from parents. Negative comments don’t work and will only make them feel bad. Remember, focus on the effort—choosing to be active or trying to improve a skill—rather than the result.

1. What’s the second paragraph mainly about?

A．When parents can watch TV.	B．What activity parents can join in.
C．Why children should enjoy exercise.	D．How parents can lead children to exercise.

2. What does the text tell us?

A．It is the result that always comes first.

B．Kids can choose either exercise or the TV.

C．Exercise is necessary for healthy development.

D．Children having few physical skills should be punished.

3. For whom is the text written?

A．Parents.

B．Children.

C．PE teachers.

D．Experts.

4. How can we describe the author’s attitude to children’s enjoying exercise?

A．Doubtful.

B．Opposed.

C．Supportive.

D．Unconcerned.

10 . Walking is seriously underestimated. Walking is so simple that nearly everyone can do it.     1    , from supporting a healthy immune system to boosting your metabolism (新陈代谢) to strengthening your joints, muscles, and bones — not to mention it’s amazing for stress relief and enjoying a little ‘me time’. But one of walking’s biggest (and often forgotten) benefits is weight loss.     2    

Ultimately, walking every day is one of the best ways to target belly fat. As you continue to walk, you may notice your pants begin to fit more loosely around your midsection, even if the number on the scale isn’t moving much. That’s because regular walking can help improve your body’s response to insulin (胰岛素),     3    

Walking every day along with a healthy diet can result in weight loss.

However, don’t expect to lose weight if you’re only walking casually. The intensity at which you walk plays a key role in helping your body burn more calories and improve your cardiorespiratory system (心肺系统).     4     For example, if you live in a flat area, find some steps or hills to climb every now and then to ensure you’re body doesn’t get too used it.

    5     In order to lose weight you need to reduce calories. Basically, to lose one pound a week, you’ll need to either burn around 3,500 calories each week, or eat 3,500 fewer calories. Better still, though, is that you can do a bit of both to achieve that goal.

A．Still, you need to be aware of what you’re eating.

B．It’s also a good idea to mix up the location of your walks.

C．when you burn calories through exercise.

D．which can help reduce belly fat.

E．Here’s what taking a walk every day really does for weight loss.

F．No matter what your age, you can lose weight by following this program.

G．Besides, it has extremely good benefits.