1 . Need more excitement in your life? Maybe it’s time to take up an extreme sport!

    1     Each year they are becoming more and more popular.Some examples of extreme sports include base jumping, ice climbing, cave diving, and...cheese rolling?!

No one knows exactly how it started, but Cooper’s Hill Cheese­Rolling Race is an annual event that has taken place for over 100 years.The name comes from Cooper’s Hill where the “sport” takes place, just outside the village of Brockworth, England.

    2     A wheel of cheese is thrown down a hill while a group of people chase after it, trying to be the first to catch it or reach the bottom of the hill.The cheese weighs just over 3kg and picks up a lot of speed travelling down the very steep slope(斜坡).     3     And if you come second or third you’ll receive ￡10. Incredibly, the event has become so popular that people travel from all over the world to take part—even from as far away as Canada and Australia.

But what makes the sport so extreme, and why has the local government tried to ban the tradition? Injuries—and lots of them.The hill is so steep that it’s not actually possible to run down it.    4     Ambulances arrive at the event before the race even starts in preparation for all those who will need a trip to the hospital.Go to YouTube and search for “Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling” to see the event in action.    5     Maybe you will want to have a try someday.

A．It’s as silly as it sounds.

B．If you win, you get to keep the cheese.

C．Is it wrong to let children do extreme sports?

D．These popular activities can be extremely dangerous.

E．Be prepared to both laugh and cover your eyes in shock.

F．Instead, you fall, bounce and roll your way to the bottom.

G．Extreme sports are activities that involve a high amount of danger and excitement.

2 . 语法填空

At university I play a Dutch sport     1     (call) korfball.This is a team sport with eight people on each team, four boys and four girls. It’s the only     2     (true) mixed sport with both genders on the court at     3     same time. The aim is to shoot the ball into the hoop, which is like a netball or basketball hoop, only    4     (high) than that! All players get a chance     5     (attack) and defend during the game and it’s very fast­paced.

When I     6     (start) korfball, I wasn’t very good at it. I could throw and catch but I was not very fast on my feet. Shooting was also difficult for me because I’d played netball in school and was used     7     a shorter post. Moreover, you often have to shoot on the move in korfballand I found     8     hard to balance and shoot straight while running backwards away from my defender!

However, I really enjoyed the sport and made friends in the club, so I attended    9     (train) twice a week, every week. Two years later I am in the first team for my university and have played in many matches and tournaments, even scoring some     10     (goal) for my team! This just shows that hard work pays off—if you train hard, you can succeed.

3 . The Underwater Photographer of the Year, which originated from 1965, is a yearly contest based in the United Kingdom. As you might expect, the focus is on photos taken underwater, whether in the ocean, in lakes or rivers, or even swimming pools.

The pictures are judged in several different categories. The contest in 2020 had over 5,500 entries from 70 different countries.

The grand prize winner was “Frozen Mobile Home” by French photographer Greg Lecoeur. The photo shows seals swimming around a small iceberg. To get the picture, Mr Lecoeur traveled to Antarctica in a small boat and spent time tracking the life around floating icebergs.

The photo “Last Dawn, Last Gasp” by Pasquale Vassallo of Italy won the award for Ocean Protection Photographer of the Year. Mr Vassallo said that he went diving early in the morning to take this picture of a tuna (金枪鱼) trapped as fishermen pulled their nets in.

Mr Vassallo also took “Octopus Training”, a picture that won in the category of “Behavior”. He says that when he came up after a dive, he noticed a soccer ball floating on the surface. When he went to check it out, he saw that there was an octopus hanging from the ball. Mr Vassallo says he doesn’t understand what the octopus was doing, but wonders if it was training for the World Cup.

Though Rooman Luc of Belgium didn’t win the “Portrait” category, his photo, titled “Angry Seahorse”, is quite striking. The close­up shot of a seahorse staring strictly into the camera was named runner­up (second place). He said he spent nearly an hour standing in knee­high water being bitten by mosquitos in order to get the picture.

The contest has many more amazing photos that can be viewed on the site, along with the stories behind them. There is even a book with all of the contents that can be downloaded for free.

1. Which isn’t suitable to enter the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest?

A．The crying dolphin.

B．Saving the elephant.

C．The dancing lemon shark.

D．Kissing the whale.

2. What is the photo “Last Dawn, Last Gasp” aimed to tell us?

A．A tuna is hard to shoot.

B．We should protect ocean animals.

C．Diving early in the morning is painful.

D．There are too many fishing nets in the sea.

3. What can we learn from the photo of “Octopus Training”?

A．The octopus is endangered.

B．Photography should be serious.

C．The photographer has a sense of humour.

D．The photographer concerns himself about the octopus.

4. In which section of a website can we read the text?

A．Arts.	B．Literature.
C．Documentary.	D．Education.

4 .

A great rivalry (对抗) can make a hockey (曲棍球) game exciting. But it’s even better when both sides share the same goal. Students of Boston College (B.C.) and Boston University (B.U.) held a game for a good cause. Former members of the schools’ hockey teams faced off in the 4th Annual Commonwealth Avenue Charity Classic. It took place at B．U.’s Walter Brown Arena. Every year, the competition raises money for Compassionate Care ALS, the Pete Frates Home Health Initiative and the Travis Roy Foundation. This year’s event brought in a record­breaking $78,432.

Frates is fighting ALS, a disease that affects the brain. A former B.C. baseball team leader, he was diagnosed (诊断) with ALS in 2012, when he was only 27. Frates and his family have since raised hundreds of millions of dollars for ALS research, most famously with the Ice Bucket Challenge, which began in 2014.

“Pete likes social media (媒体) very much, so he wanted his voice, his face, everything that was happening to him to be recorded to help more people,” said John Frates, Pete’s father.

The B.C. and B.U. students enjoy coming together for the event. “This is just the best of the hockey world,” said former B.U. hockey player Travis Roy. “Both schools have a lot of great hockey players. Their skills are impressive, and the fact that they come out here to support good causes is a big deal.”

After a heated battle (较量), the B.U. Terriers won. Afterwards, former B.U. star Charlie McAvoy summed up the feeling of friendliness on the ice. “We all come together,” said McAvoy, who now plays for the Boston Bruins, “and we’re able to put aside the rivalry for great causes.”

B.U.’s Danny O’Regan, who now plays for the Buffalo Sabres, added, “You work hard on the ice and off the ice, and good things will happen.”

1. What was special about the hockey game at B.U.’s Walter Brown Arena?

A．It was a quarterly event.

B．It was held by different charities.

C．It attracted many universities in the country.

D．It invited former members of the schools’ teams to join.

2. What happened to Frates when he was 27?

A．He was helped by a charity.

B．He was chosen as the team leader.

C．He was found to be seriously ill.

D．He was asked to work in a social media company.

3. What can we learn from Travis Roy’s words?

A．Hockey is a very popular game.

B．B.U. has the best hockey players.

C．Hockey games should get more attention.

D．Both schools’ hockey players are warm­hearted.

4. What did Charlie McAvoy think of the game?

A．It was too competitive.

B．It connected the players with a good cause.

C．It helped schools find many gifted players.

D．It encouraged students to work hard for their dreams.

5 . While the temperature in Chicago on March 4, 2018 was 5 degrees, the water was even colder—2 degrees. That didn’t stop over 4, 800 people on North Avenue Beach jumping into Lake Michigan.

The Chicago Polar Plunge is a yearly event to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago. Each of the participants (参与者) collect at least $200 from friends and family members to get the chance to jump into the lake’s icy water. More than $1.5 million was raised for a great cause: Special Olympics Chicago and the over 7, 500 athletes it serves.

Special Olympics, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1968. The group’s purpose is to provide athletic training and competition in 22 sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities (缺陷).

After some initial speeches, the first group of participants ran into the lake. Many of the participants were members of teams that dressed up in costumes (服装), including Minions and Waldo from the Where’s Waldo book series.

Chloe Krecun, 12, from Chicago, was shaking when she got out of the water. “I can’t feel my feet or fingers and my shoes are filled with water,” she said afterwards. But she would do it again to support the Special Olympic athletes.

As other participants headed towards the water to “take a plunge”, one of them shared why he participated in the event. “My cousin has benefited from the Special Olympics, so my family and I are here to support him by plunging,” said Brandon Marty.

Brunida Cotton, a special education teacher, was also paying attention to the Special Olympics as she prepared to plunge. “It gives the athletes confidence; they belong to a team and they enjoy being able to do things other kids do, ” Cotton said.

1. What do we know about the Chicago Polar Plunge?

A．It involves more than 7, 500 athletes.

B．It was first held in 1968.

C．It asks participants to wear costumes.

D．It requires each participants to collect $200 or more.

2. How did Chloe Krecun find her experience in the water?

A．Comfortable.	B．Challenging.
C．Dangerous.	D．Exciting.

3. Why did Brandon Marty take part in the event?

A．To support his cousin.

B．To encourage others to join in the activity.

C．To collect money for the Special Olympics.

D．To get a chance to enter the Special Olympics.

4. What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．An introduction of the Special Olympics.

B．A speech to encourage people to help others.

C．A report about a plunging event.

D．An action to raise money for athletes.

6 . Beautiful Britain Photo Competition

What represents the beauty of Britain for you? Is it rolling green hills and hidden valleys of the countryside? Here’s your chance to capture it in a photo! The competition will be judged by professional photographer James Eckersley. The judge’s decision is final and winners will be informed by email or post.

How to Enter Take a high-resolution photo with either a phone or digital camera. Ensure that pictures are original, not previously published and taken specically for this competition. Email your photos to photocomps@readersdigest.co.uk by 5pm, May 12, 2023. Make sure you include your full name, location and contact number.

The Prizes We will select three winners who will be awarded the following prizes: First place £ 400 Amazon voucher (代金券) and a Royal Photographic Society membership. Second place £ 250 Camera World voucher. Third place An Experience or Workshop & Course voucher from Jessops.

You must own the rights to the photograph you submit for entry. You must be able to supply a high-resolution copy of the photograph suitable for print publication. Competition is open to residents of the UK, aged 18 or over, except Reader’s Digest employees and any associated partners or attached companies. There is no cash alternative and prizes are not transferable. Multiple entries will be accepted. Winners must agree to publication of their winning photograph, along with their name. The winning entries will be published in our July issue, with the top winner gracing the back cover. Contributions become world copyright of Vivat Direct Ltd (t/a Reader’s Digest). Your information will only be used in accordance with our privacy policy. Entry implies acceptance of these rules. For more details, tips and guides, visit readersdigest.co.uk/inspire/photo-competition

1. Which of the following will lead to disqualification?

A．Living in the UK.	B．Sending a published photo.
C．Providing more than one photo.	D．Emailing the entries on May 11, 2023.

2. What can the winners do after the competition?

A．Use the photos freely.	B．Change the prize for money.
C．Buy a camera at a discount.	D．Become one member of a photo club.

3. Where will the winning photos be published?

A．In Reader’s Digest.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．On a textbook cover.	D．On the Amazon website.

7 . There’re some important days to remember in April.

First Modern Olympics

On April 6, 1896, King George Ⅰ of Greece welcomed people to take part in the Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

Back then, Athens was just a small village, and news about the Games was unable to reach many people. As a result, only 245 athletes took part in the games. They weren’t chosen by their countries like now. Instead, they came by themselves and paid for the journey themselves. Ever since then, the Summer Olympic Games have been held every four years in a different city around the world.

World Health Day

April 7 is World Health Day. This day is not just about hand washing and healthy eating. Each year a different theme is selected. For example, the theme of 2012 World Health Day was Ageing and Health.

In 2018, World Health Day focused on high blood pressure. The main causes of blood pressure include stress, too much salt in your food and too little exercise.

World Earth Day

We call the Earth our “mother”. However, our “mother” is facing lots of problems. April 22 is designated (指定) as World Earth Day. It’s a day to remind us to care about the planet. On this day people do things to help improve the environment and cut down their energy use. World Earth Day comes only once a year, but it reminds people to live in a green way every day. If we truly care about the planet, everyday can be Earth Day!

1. Why did only 245 athletes take part in the first Olympic Games?

A．Because most people weren’t interested in it.

B．Because communication wasn’t developed.

C．Because King George Ⅰ didn’t allow the news to be spread.

D．Because the journey to Athens was too long and expensive.

2. Which of the following isn’t the reason for high blood pressure?

A．Too much work.	B．Too much stress.
C．Too little exercise.	D．Too much salt.

3. Why does the writer write the text?

A．To ask us to respect the tradition.	B．To tell us some important days in April.
C．To ask us to protect the environment.	D．To tell us how to celebrate those days.

8 . Marcus is a handsome and athletic kid. He plays tennis and _________ the state tournament every year. Marcus’s neighbor, Conrad, is also _________ to compete, but he has rheumatoid arthritis (类风湿性关节炎). Although it pains him just to walk, he _________ painful days at school walking to the sports field. He loves watching his school compete so he doesn’t _________ a game.

Marcus has known Conrad since primary school. They’ve always been _________. He sees Conrad in pain and his _________ at not being able to play sports. So, every day alter school, Marcus _________ his classmates to go to Conrad’s for a moment of discussion about the game competition. The discussion is as _________ as a real high school game, which makes Conrad forget the hurt.

Finally, the doctors found a new _________ to reduce the pain. Conrad walks without much pain, and then begins running, but he still has to learn the __________ of running. After a childhood of walking carefully and taking __________ steps, Conrad has to train his walking like a kid again and stay in shape. He pushes himself every day，building his lungs and doing leg lifts repeatedly for his leg __________. He knows what pain feels like, but running for Conrad is no longer __________.

To Conrad’s delight, he gets a chance to join the cross country team. Conrad doesn’t win, not once, but Marcus is there, __________ for him who always finishes in the middle of the competitors, breathing in wind and waving his hands __________.

1.

A．gives up

B．competes in

C．hears of

D．breaks through

2.

A．able

B．lucky

C．eager

D．calm

3.

A．bears

B．counts

C．forgets

D．escapes

4.

A．accept

B．enjoy

C．lose

D．miss

5.

A．strangers

B．enemies

C．friends

D．teachers

6.

A．surprise

B．sadness

C．impatience

D．tiredness

7.

A．promises

B．asks

C．drives

D．forces

8.

A．long

B．noisy

C．boring

D．interesting

9.

A．treatment

B．excuse

C．period

D．topic

10.

A．goal

B．style

C．speed

D．skill

11.

A．suitable

B．serious

C．small

D．comfortable

12.

A．strength

B．show

C．shape

D．advantage

13.

A．relaxing

B．beneficial

C．painful

D．meaningful

14.

A．queuing

B．arguing

C．running

D．cheering

15.

A．excitedly

B．curiously

C．anxiously

D．actively

9 . 选词填空

Competitive Sports and Mass Sports

Soccer, boxing, badminton, marathon, skiing, gymnastics and track and field, there seem to be hundreds of sports for us. In stadiums, gyms, or homes, we can work out     1    all over. Competitive sports mean that athletes must compete against each other for medals in championships or Olympics to win     2    and glory for their country, which needs not only skills and strength but also great     3    . However, success often comes along with stress, failure and injuries. Sometimes even a master will fall apart, but he never loses heart. Finally, he makes it and becomes a legend.    4    with competitive sports, mass sports focus on fitness     5     competition. Millions of people go jogging or do push-ups to keep slim instead of going on diet by cutting out fat. However, with no audience to shout encouragement, they may give up. They cheat themselves into taking exercise the next day or     6    to have done it otherwise, which doesn’t make sense. However, even if you take exercise now and then, it will make a difference and have     7    effects, won’t it?

10 . Sharing China 2023 is calling for photos and videos from all over the world until Feb.12, 2023. Welcome to send us your memorable moments from Chinese New Year celebrations.

What We are Looking for

Suggested themes include: traditional customs, modern customs and new trends, folk activities, foreigners experiencing the Spring Festival and celebrations around the world.

Awards and Prizes

We will select 50 photos (single or group) and 10 short films. Each winner will be awarded 1,000RMB.

Timeline

Starting time and deadline: from Dec.20, 2022 to Feb.12, 2023.

Selection and ranking: from Feb.13 to May 15, 2023.

Result announcement: June, 2023.

The Rules

Photos:

1. All works must be real and not doctored or edited.

2. Works can be single photos or a series of photos.

3. Works should have titles and a short photo description.

Short films:

1. Size: 1GB maximum, less than 4 minutes.

2. Dubbing and subtitles (配音和字幕): If the video is dubbed, the language could be either Chinese or English, but subtitles should be bilingual (双语的).

3. Caption: English or Chinese words to give a brief introduction.

How to submit (提交)

You can submit your works to China Culture’s Facebook. For further information, click here.

1. Which time is proper if you want to hand in your works?

A．Dec.10, 2022.	B．Jan.12, 2023.
C．Feb.15, 2023.	D．Jun.16, 2023.

2. Which of the following meets the rules?

A．An edited photo.	B．A 3-minute video.
C．A photo without a title.	D．A video with only English subtitle.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A science report.	B．An encyclopedia.
C．A story book.	D．A website.