“Our aim is to take our art to the world and make people understand what it is to move,” said David Belle, the founder of parkour(跑酷).
Do you love running? It is a good exercise, yet many people find it boring. But what if making your morning jog a creative one? Like jumping from walls and over gaps, and ground rolls? Just like the James Bond in the movie Casino Royale? Bond jumps down from a roof to a windowsill and then runs several blocks over obstacles on the way. It is just because of Bond's wonderful performances that the sport has become popular worldwide.
Yes, that's parkour, an extreme street sport aimed at moving from one point to another as quickly as possible, getting over all the obstacles in the path using only the abilities of the human body. Parkour is considered an extreme sport. As its participants(参与者)dash around a city, they may jump over fences, run up walls and even move from roof top to roof top.
Parkour can be just as exciting and charming as it sounds, but its participants see parkour much more than that.
Overcoming all the obstacles on the course and in life is part of the philosophy(理念) behind parkour. This is the same as life. You must determine your destination, go straight, jump over all the barriers as if in parkour and never fall back from them in your life to reach the destination successfully. A parkour lover said, “I love parkour because its philosophy has become my life, my way to do everything.”
Another philosophy we've learnt from parkour is freedom. It can be done by anyone, at any time, anywhere in the world. It is a kind of expression of trust in yourself. It is only a state of mind. It is when you trust yourself that you earn energy.Parkour has become popular throughout the world because of ________.
A.its founder, David Belle |
B.the varieties of participants |
C.its risks and tricks |
D.the film, Casino Royale |
The underlined word “obstacles” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to “________”.
A.streets | B.buildings |
C.barriers | D.roofs |
Which of the following is true of parkour?
A.It needs special training. |
B.It is a good but boring sport. |
C.It challenges human abilities. |
D.It is a team sport. |
As its participants move around a city, ________.
A.they should run to extremes |
B.they may choose to escape |
C.they can ask for help |
D.they must learn to survive |
Which of the following is the philosophy of parkour?
A.Sports and extremes. |
B.Excitement and freedom. |
C.Determination and freedom. |
D.Dreams and success. |
In modern society there is a great deal of argument about competition. Some value it highly, believing that it is responsible for social progress and prosperity, others say that competition is bad; that it sets one person against another; that it leads to unfriendly relationship between people.
I have taught many children who held the belief that their self – worth relied (依赖) on how well they performed at tennis and other skills. For them, playing well and winning are often life – and – death affairs. In their single – minded pursuit (追求) of success, the development of many other human qualities is sadly forgotten.
However, while some seem to be lost in the desire to succeed, others take an opposite attitude. In a culture which values only the winner and pays no attention to the ordinary players, they strongly blame competition. Among the most vocal are youngsters who have suffered under competitive pressures from their parents or society. Teaching these young people, I often observe in them a desire to fail. They seem to se ek failure by not trying to win or achieve success. By not trying, they always have an excuse: “I may have lost, but it doesn’t matter because I really didn’t try.” What is not usually admitted by themselves is the belief that if they had really tried and lost, that would mean a lot. Such a loss would be a measure of their worth. Clearly, this belief is the same as that of the true competitors who try to prove themselves. Both are based on the mistaken belief that one’s self – respect relies on how well one performs in comparison with others. Both are afraid of not being valued. Only as this basic and often troublesome fear begins to dissolve (缓解) can we discover a new meaning in competition.
41.What does this passage mainly talk about?
A.Competition helps to set up self – respect.
B.Opinions about competition are different among people.
C.Competition is harmful to personal quality development.
D.Failures are necessary experiences in competition
42.Why do some people favor competition according to the passage?
A.It pushes society forward. B.It builds up a sense of duty.
C.It improves personal abilities. D.It encourages individual efforts.
43.The underlined phrase “the most vocal” in Paragraph 3 means .
A.those who try their best to win
B.those who value competition most highly
C.those who are against competition most strongly
D.those who rely on others most for success
44.What is the similar belief of the true competitors and those with a desire to fail ?
A.One’s worth lies in his performance compared with others.
B.One’s success in competition needs great efforts.
C.One’s achievement is determined by his particular skills.
D.One’s success is based on how hard he has tried.
45.Which point of view may the author agree to?
A.Every effort should be paid back.
B.Competition should be encouraged.
C.Winning should be a life – and – death matter.
D.Fear of failure should be removed in competition.
An important scientific report announced “irrefutable(不能反驳的) proof” that climate change is happening and it’s all our fault. How long has it been before people are against the global warming idea? But here’s a funny thing. Last year there was a very bad hurricane season in the Caribbean when, among other disasters, New Orleans was all but wiped off the map. We were wisely informed by the experts at the time that this was owing to global warming.
I remember watching a BBC science programme and hearing a learned professor with a beard tell us, “The increased frequency and strength of hurricanes is what we shall have to learn to expect given global warming.”
This year there have been far fewer hurricanes and those there have been were relatively mild. Why?Global warming again of course. Professor Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, writes, “In the constant media reports of possible greenhouse related disasters, almost any event is now linked to climate change.” He adds, “We should not spend vast amounts of money to cut a tiny slice of the global temperature increase when this leads to a poor use of resources and when we could probably use these funds far more effectively in the developing world.” For saying this, Lomborg has had death threats.
Other scientists who do not toe the global warming-is-happening-and-it’s-all-our-fault line have received the same. There are plenty of people who count against global warming. A world of senior climatologists and meteorologists wrote to the Times last year to complain that they couldn’t get their research findings published — because they disagreed to it. We have had a warm autumn. The experts, fanatics(狂热者) all of them, put it down to global warming. If we have an extra cold winter, they will tell us it’s a result of global warming. If my big toe feels cold or hurts badly, it will be owing to global warming.
52. The purpose of this passage may be to ____.
A. support the idea of global warming
B. organize a debate about global warming
C. speak out against the global warming idea
D. encourage people to use money effectively
53. What happened to New Orleans last year?
A. It was badly destroyed. B. It disappeared in the world.
C. It witnessed global warming. D. It experienced several disasters.
54. From the passage, we can infer that ____.
A. people are taking too many efforts to stop global warming
B. people have realized the side effect of development
C. a different idea sometimes may cost one his life
D. the majority usually stand for the correct opinion
55. The main idea of the last paragraph may be ____.
A. global warming may lead to toe’s catching cold in a sense
B. the Times refuses to publish articles on global warming
C. a warming autumn is not related to global warming at all
D. it is certainly incorrect to owe everything to global warming
As many as 60,000 people worldwide die each year from too much sun, but simple safety steps could prevent many deaths, according to a World Health Organization report.
The report, released on Wednesday, was treated as the first overall look at the global health burden from UV radiation, which is linked to up to 90 percent of melanoma(恶性黑色素瘤) and other skin cancers. UV radiation can also cause sunburn, more rapid skin aging, eye diseases, and reactivation of the herpes(疱疹) virus that causes cold sores, and pterygium, a fleshy growth on the surface of the eye.
“We all need some sun, but too much sun can be dangerous—and even deadly,” said Dr Maria Neira, the director of WHO’s agency of public health and the environment, who released the report.
To prevent cancer and other diseases linked to UV radiation, the agency recommends that people:
— Limit time in the midday sun.
— Use shade wisely and seek shade when UV rays are most intense.
— Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.
— Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor 15+.
— Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours.
People under age 18 should not use them at all.
“The application of sunscreens should not be used to prolong sun exposure but rather to protect the skin when exposure is unavoidable,” the report warned.
The report also noted that the ground’s surface can make a difference:
— Fresh snow reflects as much as 80 percent of ultraviolet light.
— Sea foam reflects about 25 percent.
— Dry beach sand reflects about 15 percent.
Small amounts of exposure to the sun help the skin to produce vitamin D.
48. The report was highly spoken of mainly because ____.
A. it had listed up to 60,000 deaths from UV radiation
B. it related the deaths to UV radiation
C. it showed the advantages and disadvantages of UV
D. it found out the approaches to preventing deaths from UV radiation
49. According to Dr Maria Neira, which of the following is TRUE?
A. In fact we need only a small amount of sunlight.
B. Receiving large amounts of sunlight will cause deaths.
C. Midday sunlight has stronger UV radiation.
D. Melanoma will disappear if we follow the report’s advice.
50. As a construction worker, it is strongly recommended that ____.
A. he should stay inside the building B. he spread sunscreen on the face
C. he should wear good sunglasses D. he be equipped with sun protection
51. Which of the following can be the headline of the passage?
A. UV—A Deadly Killer From The Sun B. Melanoma Can Be Prevented Today
C. UV—A Great Need For Vitamin D D. Teenagers Mustn’t Stay Outside
Violent gangs. Bar fights. Broken bones. No, we aren’t talking about a late night in Downtown Chico; we’re talking about the things that come to many people’s minds when the word, motorcycle, is mentioned.
Many Chico State students have learned of the convenience of small motorcycles and scooters when it comes to parking on or near campus. Motorcycle parking is something that is available when compared to the amount of vacant automotive parking—something especially valuable when running a bit late for class. Motorcycle-riding students have also learned to appreciate the 50 to 80 average miles per gallon, especially today when it seems as if gasoline prices are shooting up faster and more often than a back alley addict.
Still, some people are reluctant to ride the steel horse. Marc Lewis, a 24-year-old Chico State anthropology student, is one of those people. “I’ve had motorcycles in the past. I know what they’re about. I want another one, for recreational purposes,” Lewis said. The only things holding Lewis back are insurance costs and what he refers to as “unsafe drivers”. Safety and insurance costs certainly are important factors.
Chris Kelley, employee of Cost-U-Less Insurance Center at 166 Cohasset Road, Suite 3, admits that motorcycle insurance can get pricey. The average price per month for Chico State students in their 20s is about $100, Kelley said. “The most expensive rate I’ve ever charged was something like $32,000 a year,” Kelley said. “The guy had a horrible record.”
If a motorcycle is something that you’ve always been curious about but have been frightened by the dangerous image it is often given, try rethinking your position. Motorcycling is one of the most diverse activities in existence. Consider the information you find here a brief introduction to several of the more popular aspects of motorcycle riding.
44. When it comes to motorcycles, one tends to think of ____.
A. a late night in Downtown Chico B. the horse made of steel
C. the money paid for insurance D. a horrible image motorcycles give
45. According to the second paragraph, which of the following is NOT true?
A. It is very convenient for students to ride motorcycles.
B. The campus has enough parking place for motorcycles.
C. Students are often late for class riding motorcycles.
D. Motorcycles consume less gasoline.
46. Why are some people unwilling to ride the steel horse?
A. Because they often have their bones broken.
B. Because they are worried about the costly insurance and safety problems.
C. Because they have to pay for the pricey gasoline.
D. Because they don’t want to ride it for entertainment.
47. The writer intends to tell us in the last paragraph that ____.
A. we shouldn’t buy a motorcycle due to the danger it causes
B. many people are frightened by the dangerous image
C. we shouldn’t be curious about the motorcycle any more
D. motorcycles are still popular regardless of the disadvantages
In 1891, a man named James Naismith was teaching physical education at a school in Springfield. One long, cold winter, he had to create a game for 18 young men to play indoors. So the Canadian-born Naismith wrote some rules.
Rule number one: “The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.” Two: “The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands (never with the fist).”
In all, there were 13 rules— the original rules of basketball. James Naismith is recognized as the inventor of basketball.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches established the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States in 1949. It opened in 1968 at Springfield College. A new, larger building opened in 1985. And, four years ago, the Hall of Fame moved into a newer building, just south of its former home. The new building increased the size by almost one hundred percent.
Honors ring in Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Basketball Hall of Fame is a museum and entertainment center. It combines history with technology. And it tries to capture the energy and excitement of the game. In the Center Court area, for example, visitors can play interactive games of basketball and take part in skill competitions.
The Hall of Fame explores basketball at every level of the game. Visitors learn about professional basketball in the United States and other countries. They learn about women’s teams and how the game is played at the college level. They also learn about basketball for disabled people.
The Hall of Fame honors the best players, teams, coaches and officials in basketball. Earlier this month, six more honorees joined the more than 250 people in the Hall of Fame. The six new members are Geno Auriemma, Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars, Sandro Gamba, David Gavitt and Dominique Wilkins.
40. James Naismith is considered to be the forerunner of basketball mainly because ____.
A. he discovered the first basketball
B. he created the earliest basketball games
C. he set up the Basketball Hall of Fame
D. he organized the earliest basketball games
41. From the passage, we can infer that ____.
A. the Hall of Fame only honors the best basketball players
B. James Naismith was employed as a coach in the Hall of Fame
C. visitors can compete with the professional players in the hall
D. a variety of basketball games are developed by the Hall of Fame
42. James Naismith made some rules in order to ____.
A. organize an indoor basketball game
B. improve physical education at school
C. train his students for the Hall of Fame
D. invent the game of basketball for the young
43. The passage talks mainly about ____.
A. the Basketball Hall of Fame B. the first basketball games
C. the original 13 basketball rules D. the players in the Hall of Fame