1 . If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, consider Tai Chi. Originally developed for self-defense, Tai Chi has become a beautiful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions.     1    .

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi has an ancient Chinese tradition, which involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Tai Chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. It is actually quite taxing on the body, though. Each action flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.     2    . Some styles may focus on keeping health, while others focus on its art aspect.

Who can do Tai Chi?

    3    . In fact, because Tai Chi is a low impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you’re an older adult who otherwise may not exercise. You may also find it appealing because it’s inexpensive and requires no special equipment. You can do it anywhere, indoors or outside.     4    . Although Tai Chi is generally safe, women who are pregnant or people with joint problems, back pain, and fractures should ask their doctors for advice before trying it.

    5    

When learned correctly and performed regularly, Tai Chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving your health.

A．Why do you try Tai Chi?

B．Where can you do Tai Chi?

C．Tai Chi has some shortcomings.

D．Tai Chi has many different styles.

E．And you can do it alone or in a group.

F．Often described as thought in motion, Tai Chi promotes calm through gentle, flowing movements.

G．Tai Chi puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels.

2 . With bright lights on the floor and walls, loud electronic music, and a red shuttlecock flying around, this Malaysian badminton court seems like the set of a science fiction movie. “Shuttle In The Dark” is a place to play badminton in the famous Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. It was set up in late 2021 by a company that wanted people to take up the sport after two years of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Badminton is one of the most popular sports in Malaysia and Asia. The Southeast Asian country has produced some of the world’s top-ranked players. Irina Inozemtseva is Director of Inic Sport Management. She said the goal was to “gain back the interest of people to come back and play.” She added that the group wanted to draw in not only expert players but also “new people who were not able to or never played badminton before.” The futuristic court presents a new difficulty for players. They have to adjust their eyes to the darkness to play, said Lee Yan Sheng, a professional badminton coach.

Professional player Ho Yen Mei used the term focus — meaning to carefully direct attention — to describe the requirements of playing on the court. “With the lighting, somehow we are still able to hit it and then it requires better focus. And it’s exciting, it’s different but it's still like playing normal badminton,” she said. Open to players of all levels, Shuttle in the Dark charges $42.63 per hour to use the courts and rent their equipment. A regular public court charges about $4.50.

1. What is the purpose of setting the badminton court?

A．To make science fiction movie.	B．To test out some new technologies.
C．To regain people’s interest in the sport.	D．To fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．There are some world-famous badminton players in Malaysia.

B．It is easy for the new players to play badminton in the new court.

C．A professional badminton coach will teach players in the court.

D．Only high-level players can be admitted into the new court.

3. What do we know about the expense?

A．You can play for a half day only to pay $42.63.

B．Shuttle in the Dark charges nearly ten times as much as a regular one.

C．The charge in Shuttle in the Dark includes equipment and a meal.

D．Professional players don’t need to pay for using the court.

4. Which section of a website can be the passage taken from?

A．Technology.

B．Health.

C．Entertainment.

D．Sports.

3 . Readers’ Favorite Running Routes

Paul Ghent, Belgium

I love running in Ghent. It is completely flat, so encouraging for beginners and people aiming for personal bests. There is a rowing lake with a 5km track. This connects with a nature reserve on an 8km loop. If that isn’t enough, there is another nature reserve, full of birds and canals surrounded by a 10km loop. I will be running my first marathon in Ghent in March 2022. Anyone?

Jennifer Nice, France

In Nice Provence, I really enjoyed joining the local joggers running along what is one of the most beautiful streets in the world—the Promenade des Anglais. You have the fresh salty sea breezes filling your lungs, the sun shining on the waves of the sea, and the beautiful buildings standing along the running route. Feel free to grab some fresh shellfish and a glass of wine on the beach as a reward.

Lisa Offa, UK

The Offa’s Dyke path, which runs from Prestatyn to Chepstow, provides stunning scenery and is just perfect to focus on the run. The sections of the route I like the most include the slopes (坡地) of Moel Famau and the section from Llangollen to Bodfari, where there is an excellent pub (The Dinorben Arms) to refuel in comfort. Perfect.

Richard Protaras, Cyprus

My favorite route is in Protaras, Cyprus. There is a path that runs from Fig Tree bay to Polyxenia beach and you have wonderful views of the bays and beaches while running. The amazing clear seas and sandy beaches make it very pleasant. The best time to go is early morning when the sun isn’t blazing and the paths aren’t too busy with holidaymakers.

1. Which route best suits people who enjoy nature reserves?

A．Nice, France.	B．Offa, UK.
C．Ghent, Belgium.	D．Protaras, Cyprus.

2. What do the routes shared by Jennifer and Richard have in common?

A．They have beautiful streets.	B．They have lovely sea views.
C．They are famous for seafood.	D．They are fit for morning runners.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a science paper.	B．In a history novel.
C．In a sports magazine.	D．In a geography textbook.