2 . It was a cool early morning of the winter season. I was excited to start my morning walk. Every day I promised myself that I would start ‘ walking exercise ’ but it never happened. I saw so many people were engaged in this amazing habit but I could never push myself. So that day I was determined to take the golden opportunity!

I got everything ready， my shoes, socks, hand glove, and jacket, etc from the previous night. I didn’t know why 1 felt as if I were going to do some expedition (探险)! I was ready and started walking on the lonely road. The outside temperature seemed to be below 18 degrees. But I enjoyed the fresh air. Probably that day I was the only one who was walking on the road at that time. I think I was too early but anyhow I loved it!

After a few yards were covered, I felt delighted! Huge banyan trees (菩提树) were on both the roadsides. It was so calm and quiet all around except randomly the chirping (鸟鸣) sound of the little birds was repeated in the air. On one side of the road, a small pond was there. Since it was my first walking exercise, I thought to take a little rest just near the bank of the river and then continue. The sun was moving closer to the horizon scattering colors to the sky.

As the sky started shining brightly with beautiful yellow and red light like every day before the sunrise, I left that place and ended my journey furthermore. I thought to myself that the next day I would increase my exercise a little more. I turned and leisurely walked down towards my home.

5 . You may have seen them coming quickly towards you or passing you swiftly. They’re moving steadily, swinging what looks like a ski pole in each hand.     1     These people aren’t skiing. They’re enjoying a type of exercise called Nordic (北欧的)walking. They use poles not for balance but to get their arms working. And their arms do work! In fact, in Nordic walking, the whole upper body gets plenty of exercise.

    2     Some of the time, they have to go up hills! They use their poles to help push themselves along. Nordic skiers were the first to use poles while walking. It was a way to train for their sport when there was no snow. Then other people, learning of the health benefits of the exercise, began to do it, too.

In the early days of Nordic walking, all walkers -- skiers and non-skiers alike- used ski poles. In 1988, an American company began making and selling poles especially for walking.     3     That’s because they usually aren’t used in snow. And they don’t stick very deeply into the ground. Some of them come with various tips, or ends, for use on different surfaces.

Although regular walking is healthy, studies have shown that Nordic walking is even healthier.    4     This produces strength in the muscles (肌肉) of the arms and chest. It makes the heart and lungs work harder. For young and old, Nordic walking is a great way to exercise the whole body outdoors.     5    

Tai chi is a symbol of Chinese culture. It was first     1    (develop) in China as wushu, but it’s becoming one of     2     most popular sports around the world. It’s practiced by over 100 million people in more than 150     3    (country).

Tai chi is a mix of breathing     4     meditation (冥想) movements. As you make your movements, you breathe     5    (deep) and naturally with meditation. This helps you relax and free     6    (you) from pressure (压力).

Caitlin, a young German beginner, says, “Tai chi is a fun exercise, easy to learn, and you don’t have to be good     7     it to enjoy it. I love the feeling of calm I get from it.”

It’s best to learn tai chi from a teacher, so you can either look for local clubs     8     ask at school about classes. You can also take     9     online class and try tai chi at home. It’s a perfect way to help give you a sense of happiness and peace after     10    (spend) a tiring day. It’s worth a go, isn’t it?

10 . Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, in Ontario, Canada. After earning a bachelor's (学士) degree in physical education at McGill University, he moved to the US to pursue a career. He took up a job at the YMCA International Training College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was there that he made a plan for an entertaining game that could be played indoors, especially during the cruelly cold winters.

When creating the rules of basketball, Naismith took inspiration from several of the then-popular sports such as rugby (橄榄球), soccer, baseball, and football. The idea of passing the ball was drawn from American rugby, and the shape of the ball was influenced by soccer balls. And in 1891, the well-loved sport of basketball came to life, and Naismith named it "Basket Ball".

In December 1891, the first-ever basketball game was played. The game followed a set of thirteen instructions written by Naismith himself, and players played for two fifteen-minute rounds with a five-minute break in between.

Interestingly, the hoop was a simple fruit basket nailed to the wall, and it was several years later, that an opening was cut at the bottom of the basket! Initially, the game involved tackling until Naismith realized that the players were knocking each other and getting violent. So, he introduced the idea of dribbling (运球) and passing. However, familiar basketball positions, such as forwards, centers, and guards were present since the first game.

Throughout the years, the original list of thirteen rules written by Naismith was printed all across the country. High schools and colleges introduced basketball into their athletics program, and by 1905, basketball was officially recognized as a winter sport. Basketball was adopted in other countries. In 1936, basketball was added to the Olympics Games in Berlin, Germany. According to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), there are 44 million people around the world who play basketball, making this sport the second most popular in the world!