1 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.

But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.

According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.

To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.

“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.

Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.

It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.

1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?

A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression.

B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids.

C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running.

D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood.

2. Why did the scientists give mice drugs in their experiment?

A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms.

B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high.

C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high.

D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released.

3. What does the underlined word “notion” mean?

A．Effect.

B．Goal.

C．Opinion.

D．Question

4. What can we know about regular workouts according to the UK’s National Health Service?

A．They can help ease depression symptoms.

B．They are the best way to treat depression.

C．They only work for those with serious depression.

D．They can help people completely recover from depression.

2 . 阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。

All parents know exercise is important for children: It can lower heart risks, control weight,and help kids do better in school. Plus, outdoor activities at an early age can go a long way toward helping children form healthy habits for life. In other words, exercise is needed for healthy development. 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 son or daughter fall in love with physical activity.

If parents sit in front of the TV every night, a bag of chips in hand, kids aren’t likely to respect restrictions (限制) you set on their screen time either. So check your own viewing behavior, and serve as a role model by putting physical activity into your everyday life. When you can, walk instead of driving. Regularly participate in activities that you enjoy and let your kids see — and hear about — 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 in the same way that school, work, shopping, and family gatherings find their way onto the calendar. You and your children are more likely to stick to an exercise plan if you incorporate it into your life on a routine basis. And your children will begin to expect and accept that Sunday morning usually means a hike ride, and a couple of nights after dinner the family takes a light walk through the neighborhood.

Children who aren’t naturally good at physical activities may be self-conscious about their lack of physical skills and even fear public failure. These kids need all the support and encouragement from parents. Negative comments don’t work and will only serve to make your child feel bad. Remember, acknowledge the effort — choosing to be active or trying to improve a skill — rather than the outcome.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . 语法填空

As the experts say, swimming is an excellent way to work your entire body. An hour of swimming     1     (burn) almost as many calories as running. There are a host of benefits you may gain from swimming     2     (regular).

One of    3     biggest benefits of swimming is that it truly works well from head to toe. It can not only increase your heart rate without     4     (stress) your body, but also build up your muscles and strength. Besides, swimming makes your heart and lung strong.     5     (research) say that it may even reduce your risk of death.     6     (compare) with inactive people, swimmers have about half the risk of death. Some other studies have shown that swimming may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.

The number of persons     7     experience some level of insomnia (失眠症) is increasing, so this is excellent news — the researchers conclude that swimming is a potentially powerful way     8     (relieve) stress quickly and promote deeper sleep.

As with any workout, there are certain risks associated with swimming. If you     9     (injure) or have certain medical conditions, be sure to check with your doctor before swimming.     10     general, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor whenever you start a new exercise program.

4 . Benefits of Sports

Doing sports is a physical, mental and social adventure. It’s a great way for children to take a break from studies and release extra energy. It also helps them lead fuller and happier lives as regular sports have proven beneficial to overall well-being.

The physical benefits of doing sports are probably the most obvious. Regardless of your fitness level when you start playing sports, you’ll notice an increase in your overall fitness once you’re involved.     1     Basketball players focus on strength training; football players work on speed while track athletes train through longer runs. The training process helps promote physical fitness and performances in competitions.

    2     Playing sports also contributes to mental health, helping to increase confidence and self-worth. A pat on the back, a high five from a teammate, or a handshake after a match really boosts a child’s confidence. Words of praise and encouragement from the coach, parents and other players raise self-worth.     3     So after a game, it’s a better idea to ask “Did you enjoy the game?” rather than “Did you win?”

Children who participate in sports might also benefit from the social aspect, feeling part of a group, building up responsibility and leadership.     4     Teamwork involves both being dependable as a teammate and learning to rely on your teammates to achieve a positive outcome. Teamwork breeds responsibility and challenges you to be responsible for your actions. Being part of a team gives you an opportunity to be a leader.

Discipline is another social advantage. Most organized sports require a strict training and practice schedule. As a student-athlete, you need to balance studies and athletics.     5    

There is no shortage of reasons to find a sport to get involved in. Are you ready to go? Pick one and get moving!

A．It’s not just your body that benefits from sports.

B．Therefore, playing sports is going to make you more fit.

C．But remember, a child’s self-worth should not be distinguished by victory or loss.

D．If you play group sports, you’ll be part of a team that takes direction from a coach.

E．Nearly every sport requires physical activities and the competitive skills.

F．Among these, learning how to function as part of a team is the most important advantage.

G．Only with strict discipline can you be successful both in the classroom and in the sports field.

6 . Read the passage and find suitable words for the blanks.

compete        cheating        master        pretending        events        failure        audience        stress

Sports play a very valuable role in children’s lives. Children who    1     in a sport will learn how to deal with     2    , because even though they work hard to    3     the skills needed for a sport, it does not mean they will always win. Sports also help children see that    4     is foolish. In sports, there is no use    5     to fall down or be hurt, because in the end, the     6    will see through it. Taking part in sports    7     is fun but not always easy, so it helps children learn how to deal with     8    , something that everyone must learn to face in life.

10 . It’s a long-term question for teachers: how do you get children who hate physical activity to take part in PE lessons? A Northampton primary school believes it has the answer. Designed to make the least active pupils take an interest in their fitness, a program has been introduced at Lings Primary School. And not only have the pupils developed an interest in activities ranging from football to ballroom dancing, according to the school, but their school work has also improved significantly.

The students also turn up on time—Lings now has the best attendance record in the county at 98 percent—and results have improved:86 percent of pupils now achieve the required standard in English and maths tests for 11-year-olds, compared with only 44 percent four years ago.

The turnaround has been achieved by simply making PE fun. Instead of climbing wall bars and running on the spot, the pupils practice exercises such as moving like animals. One routine involves crawling around the floor like a bear and moving around like gorillas. In another the children try to maintain their balance on the boards made of rubber, all of which stretch their muscles and improve their fitness.

Baroness Campbell, who chairs the Youth Sport Trust, which designed the program, said, “We want to show young people that physical activity is fun and a great way to learn skills which will stay with them for life.”

1. How did Lings Primary School get students interested in physical activities?

A．By making the classes full of fun.	B．By improving their school work.
C．By increasing students’ attendance.	D．By getting help from some students.

2. What do the pupils practice in PE lessons now?

A．Running on the spot.	B．Climbing over wall bars.
C．Eating like bears.	D．Keeping balance on rubber boards.

3. What can be inferred about the program?

A．It is popular among active students.	B．It has benefited most students a lot.
C．It was designed by Baroness Campbell.	D．It made all students punctual in class.