Laughter Yoga (瑜伽) is a unique technique invented by Dr Kataria, a doctor from India, by which you can learn to “Laugh for No Reason”. You don’t even need a sense of humor, no funny jokes or comedy programs — just a willingness to laugh — and in the present climate everyone needs to laugh more.
Laughter Yoga is a combination of Laughter Exercises and Yogic Breathing, so that you increase the amount of oxygen in your body while being playful, resulting in you feeling healthier, energetic and alive. This actually changes the physical conditions of your body so that you start to feel happier.
Laughter Yoga is generally done in groups although it can be practiced alone. When you make eye contact with someone and you’re both willing to laugh, the laughter is increased. However, we do say that you can “Fake (假装) it, fake it till you make it” because the body doesn’t know the difference between fake and true laughter; as long as you’re willing to laugh you’ll experience the same health benefits.
Laughter Yoga started in a park in Mumbai in 1995 with just 5 participants, and now there’re over 6,000 laughter clubs in 60 different countries — showing the willingness of the world to laugh together.
In the UK, Julie was one of the first people to train as a Laughter Leader with Dr Kataria in June 2002. In 2006 she was awarded Laughter Ambassador for her selfless service to promote Laughter Yoga.
“Yoga has been part of my life for 30 years but 7 years ago my life changed when I discovered Laughter Yoga. I believe laughter and yoga are both good for your health,” says Julie.
1.Why do people practicing Laughter Yoga laugh a lot?
A. They have a sense of humor. B. They are amused by jokes.
C. They are willing to laugh. D. They can’t help laughing a lot.
2. What do we know about Julie from the passage?
A. She took up Laughter Yoga 30 years ago.
B. She helped make Laughter Yoga more popular.
C. She used to suffer from serious physical problems.
D. She was the first person to practise Laughter Yoga.
3.The purpose of the passage is to _____.
A. persuade people to take up Laughter Yoga
B. tell people how to practise Laughter Yoga
C. describe the good effects of Laughter Yoga
D. introduce Laughter Yoga as a new event
At middle school level, there are many academic clubs in which the students can participate. Students can choose clubs that focus on an area of interest.
Mathcounts Club
Mathcounts tries to increase excitement about mathematic achievement. It hopes to provide students with the foundation for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematic careers. Schools select individuals and teams to participate in competitions. Mathcounts works to challenge student math skills, develop self-confidence and give rewards for their achievements.
Envirothon
The Envirothon program focuses on natural resources knowledge and exposes students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography (地形学). The ecology field competition for five-member middle school teams offers competitions in wildlife, soils, forestry, current environmental issues and aquatics (水上运动). Students work and learn in middle school clubs ·and can compete at local and state level.
Future Problem Solvers
Future Problem Solvers is an academic club that uses a six-step process to solve problems that may happen in the future. Students who like to “think outside the box” may like this club. Teams made up of four students read future scenes and write up solutions in a booklet using the six-step process. Teams that score high enough can go to the state competition and then to the international competition.
Builders Club
Builders Club is open to any middle school student who wishes to perform community service. The members learn by doing, and they learn organization, teamwork, and leadership. Builders Clubs can sponsor a “Teacher of the Year” program, provide a recycling collection point, organize canned food and clothing to support local shelters, adopt a resident at a local senior citizens home, adopt highway, tutor, etc.
1. The students who are not interested in competition would probably choose _____.
A. Mathcounts Club B. Builders Club
C. Future Problem Solvers D. Envirothon
2.Why do some of the students choose Mathcounts club?
A. To be successful in science careers. B. To enjoy solving future problems.
C. To perform community service. D. To study wildlife and soils.
3. What is the common feature of the four clubs?
A. Competition. B. Sponsorship. C. Scientific research. D. Teamwork.
4. The passage mainly talks about _____.
A. the state academic competitions B. middle school clubs
C. extra-curricular activities D. the gifted students
完形填空（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
I’ll never forget the summer day in 1965 when my mother suddenly died of an unexplained illness at the age of 36. Later that afternoon, a police officer came to ask for my father’s 36 for the hospital to 37 Mother’s valve (心脏瓣膜). I was shocked. I ran into the house 38 . At 14 I just 39 understand why anyone would take apart a person I loved. 40 my father told the police officer, “Yes .” “How can you let them do that to her?” I 41 him.
“Linda,” he said quietly, 42 his arms around me, “the greatest 43 you can give is a 44 of yourself. Your mother and I decided 45 that if we can 46 a difference in just one person’s life after we die, our death will have 47 .”
The 48 my father taught me that day became one of the most 49 in my life.
Years passed. I married and had a family of my own. In 1986, my father became seriously ill. He 50 told me that when he died, he wanted to donate 51 was in good condition, especially his eyes.
My father died and we donated his eyes 52 he had wanted. Three days later, my daughter said, “Mum, I’m so 53 of what you did for Grandpa. At that moment I realized that my father gave much more than his 54 . What he 55 behind sparkled in my daughter’s eyes — pride.
1.A. advice B. permission C. suggestion D. speech
2.A. repair B. operate C. treat D. use
3.A. in tears B. in silence C. in a hurry D. in surprise
4. A. couldn’t B. mustn’t C. might not D. shouldn’t
5.A. So B. And C. But D. For
6.A. said to B. replied to C. explained to D. cried at
7.A. carrying B. putting C. raising D. pushing
8.A. gift B. wish C. talk D. regret
9.A. health B. body C. part D. value
10. A. then B. later C. soon D. long ago
11. A. have B. make C. keep D. tell
12. A. pleasure B. right C. fun D. meaning
13. A. lesson B. subject C. thought D. experience
14. A. ordinary B. important C. useless D. hard
15. A. carefully B. sadly C. cruelly D. cheerfully
16.A. who B. whatever C. that D. which
17. A. as B. when C. while D. where
18.. A. fond B. tired C. proud D. afraid
19. A. words B. life C. eyes D. lessons
20. A. taught B. left C. sent D. gave
—What about your TEFL test?
—I have answered all the questions, but I’m not sure _____ I could get a high enough score.
A. what B. if C. when D. why
The foreign expert put forward a plan at yesterday’s meeting, _____ all the people present spoke highly of.
A. that B. what C. which D. when
Mike had just finished his lunch and was about to take a break _____ an unexpected visitor came.
A. when B. while C. so D. for
