Sports like American football and ice hockey get most of the attention when it comes to concussions (脑震荡) and other forms of brain injury. But soccer is a(n)     1     (激烈的) sport for which the head can be as important as the foot.

Heading the ball is a key soccer skill. But a new study finds that players who head the ball frequently are more likely to suffer     2     (长久的) brain injury and damage their memory than players who are less likely to use their heads.

“For many people, it’s beyond belief that a slight injury could be a problem,” said Dr. Michael Lipton, an expert of neuroradiology (神经放射学) in New York City.

Lipton and his team interviewed 37 adult soccer players from New York City and took high-tech scans (扫描) to     3     (检查) their brains. They also asked the players how often they played soccer and how often they headed the ball, and they gave the players some neurocognitive tests.

The     4     (结果) was that the researchers found no link between small amounts of heading and players’ attention, ability to control their       5     (速度) when they move, or ability to manage complex thinking tasks. However, Lipton warned players not to ignore the possible risks of heading the ball too many times. Players could safely head the ball 885 to 1,550 times a year. It took almost 1,800 times a year for players to have trouble with their memory.

By     1    , in Japan the     2     between the highest and lowest paid is normally a more modest seven or eight to one. In addition, large Japanese companies have the     3     of taking care of all their employees, and the     4     of a “job for life” is still, by and large, true.

In addition to the physical benefits, aerobic exercise has emotional benefits. People who exercise aerobically often say that they feel thirty percent less     5     than they did before they began exercising. The aerobics     6     seems to have     7     people who have not previously been     8     to get much exercise. You don’t have to join a class or pay money to get aerobic exercise. For example, if you need a few groceries, you can walk to the local supermarket instead of driving, or you can ride a bicycle to school or work instead of taking the bus. You’ll soon     9     a difference     10     how you feel.

71-year-old Guan Jingxue, a native of Benxi, Liaoning Province, started running in a playground near a factory with the aim of     1     (增强他的免疫系统) years ago. At the time, few people in China went     2     (jog) in groups to keep fit. It was then that Guan found that members of a running group often     3     (gather) in the playground for training, and he finally joined them. At the first six months, he found it difficult to     4     (跟上) the others. However, with his effort over a long time he slowly felt quite comfortable with the pace (步调) of their training. Every day he     5     (提醒) himself that he     6     (应该) keep on. After years of training he could finish long-distance running at a fast speed.

Three years earlier, Guan went to Beijing to take care of his granddaughter, where he joined Yuandadu Marathon Club. Being a runner, he spent little on     7     (装备). He just pressed on to improve himself and began to     8     (报名) for the     9     (每年的) Beijing Marathon. In the 2019 Beijing Marathon, Guan     10     (惊人地) finished second among those over 65.

Thanks to some of my doctor’s t    1     I began to take exercise a year ago. I’m not the exercising kind of person and have a busy life, so I wasn’t sure if I would be able to fit exercise into schedule     2     (定期地). However, I drew up a detailed training plan and successfully exercised three times a week for a whole year. At last, I became     3     (amaze) at the results. I started off with walks, and now I am c    4     of running five kilometres w    5     an hour. I’m now feeling so much fitter and even the doctor says that my efforts have put me       6     (健康状况良好). I’m excited that my hard work has     7     (奏效).

However, the reason why I am writing this is not primarily because of the physical health     8    (益处). Instead, I want to explain the very positive effect that exercise has had on my mind. A quick look online shows that it is widely accepted that exercise is good for both your body and mind. For example, exercise can increase blood f    9     and o    10     to the brain, and     11     (预防疾病) effectively. Meanwhile, it can also     12     (缓解疼痛) or stress, and develop confidence.

Bringing with him lots of books, clothes, and two pairs of trainers, Zhang Tian travelled to the village with an eager heart. He imagined     1     exciting things about living independently and teaching in a village.

Our coach was not so sure. Paul had to     2     many times just for making the team. He was still usually on the bench, being just a replacement, which was really     3    .

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     4     and reduces the risk of serious health problems, as well as     5     like colds.

    1    (我非常高兴) to hear from you. You asked me in your last letter about the physical exercise in our school and the following information may     2    (给你一个粗略的理解).   

To begin with,     3    (一座很大的新体育馆已落成), which     4    (已成为新的地标) in our school. Moreover, with the stadium set up,     5    (各种体育项目) are able to be held, of which ping-pong, football     6    (以及) running competitions     7    (很受欢迎). As for me,     8    (我热爱篮球) since it has been giving me strength     9    (去迎接生活中的挑战).   

All in all, I     10    (诚挚邀请) you to come to our school and see for yourself.   

Yours,

Li Hua