Remember how great exercise was when you were a little kid? Back then, racing around the playground or skipping rope for hours, you weren’t thinking fitness, you were thinking entertainment. But in this age of high-tech home equipment and underused gym memberships, the simple joy of jumping rope has been forgotten. Rediscovering it will give you a total-body exercise you can find.
Although considered an excellent form of exercise, jumping rope has never gained widespread acceptance because of two fundamental reasons. First, most people recognize jumping rope as an excellent form of cardiovascular (心血管的) exercise, but they also believe that it is simply too difficult. In other words, they don’t think they’ll be able to continue jumping for the near 20 minutes that it takes to achieve a beneficial physical outcome. Second, many view it as somewhat boring and overly repetitive—not as something fun or enjoyable.
As a matter of fact, jumping rope can be great fun if you find a proper way to practice it. Instead of doing the usual two-foot bounce over and over again, people good at rope-jumping often change their pattern every 10 or 20 jumps. A single bounce, a double–bounce, a skip, a knee-up, side swings, as well as a variety of other easy-to-learn free-style rope-jumping.
Now researchers are learning that jumping rope also prepares the brain for learning. It is an exercise allowing both brain hemispheres to perform in parallel to each other. In short , jumping rope can be a life-long activity requiring little equipment, time and space, yet leading to a much healthier life.
1. From the first paragraph we learn that .
A．jumping rope has faded from people’s memories
B．people now have more advanced equipment
C．racing around the playground was preferred
D．people now like to have exercise in a gym
2. Rope jumping has not spread widely because .
A．it benefits the cardiovascular system B．it is neither easy nor enjoyable
C．it is considered boring and repetitive D．it requires little equipment, time and space
3. The first sentence in the 3rd paragraph implies .
A．there is only one proper way to follow B．the usual way should not be used
C．the easiest way is always the best D．there are many ways to follow
4.What is the author’s attitude towards rope jumping?
A．He is arguing against it. B．He is in favor of it.
C．He is sitting on the fence of it. D．He is not clear about it.
A primary school teacher who left a class of 25 pupils in tears after she told them Santa Claus did not exist has been fired. When excited youngsters became rowdy as they talked about Santa, the supply teacher said out suddenly, "It's your parents who leave out presents on Christmas Day."
The class of seven-year-olds at Blackshaw Lane Primary School, Royton, Greater Manchester burst into tears and told their parents when they arrived home. Mothers and fathers then complained about the incident and were sent a letter by the school saying the teacher, who only worked at the school for one day last week, has been punished.
The school has now said it will not hire her again.
One father said, "My son came home and said that his teacher had told the class that Santa doesn't exist and it’s their mum and dad that put out presents for them. Obviously, they were all talking about Christmas and being a bit rowdy. She just came straight out with it. "
"My son was in tears and so was everyone else in the class — especially as it was so close to Christmas. I thought it was wrong. He was crazy about it. He’s only seven-year-old and it's part of the magic of Christmas to him. "
"We told him that she did not believe in Father Christmas because of her religion and he's fine now."
"The father described the incident as ' shocking' and believed it was done with malicious intent (恶意地). A lot of parents were angry and complained to the school. The teacher, who was supplied by Rochdale and Oldham Supply Agency, is still listed and will work with other schools," the agency said.
However, the head teacher in Angela McCormick refused to comment on the incident.
1. Who felt the angriest about the incident?
A. The teacher who was fired. B. The parents whose children cried.
C. The pupils who were in tears. D. Santa Claus the teacher talked about.
2. We can infer from the passage that .
A. the teacher was fired and couldn't continue her career in teaching
B. the parents complained about the discipline of the school
C. the little pupils felt disappointed after hearing the words said by the teacher
D. in reality, Santa Claus exists and gives out presents once a year
3. What’s the meaning of the underlined word "rowdy"?
A. surprised. B. noisy. C. discouraged. D. annoyed.
完形填空(共20小题；每小题l 5分，满分30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，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
After winning a big game，athletes are often asked how they feel．Usually athletes say how 21 it is to win this big game．On the contrary，the fact is that losing a big game，or in my case，all the games，can be even harder．
From the spectators’ point of view，last year’s basketball 22 for my high school team was nothing 23 of an embarrassment．And 24 0—20 is certainly nothing to be proud of，that season had a bigger impact on me than any other．As a team captain，I knew it probably wouldn’t be the 25 year，but did I ever think we would lose every game？Of course not．Since six of our top players had graduated，it was clear that we were a (n) 26 team who would struggle．The struggle began earlier than expected， 27 ，as our team center was suspended (禁赛) for the season，and two key members decided to 28 for some reason．At this point，dropping out probably passed through every player’s mind，but in the end，we all stuck it out， 29 to work still harder．
Then there came a time when even our 30 had given up on us．Personally，I felt like it was 31 worthwhile giving my all．I thought，if even the coach doesn’t believe in us，why should I？But just as my hope began to 32 ，a teammate called a meeting．He said，“Nobody thinks we are going to win，but，as teammates and friends，we 33 it to each other to go all out every game．”
It was that moment that 34 me how to be a leader．It hit me that I certainly didn’t 35 the role．As a leader you can never quit 36 the team who looks up to you．It is one 37 to be named captain，feel great and go through the motions，but it is quite another to be a real captain and make sure everyone realizes their full 38 all the time．
I am sure it is great to go through without losing and bringing home awards．But in all honesty，I 39 the fact that my team lost every game last year．It may not help me to become a better basketball player，but it already has made me a better leader，and 40 ．
1.A．exciting B．pleasant C．tough D．significant
2.A．game B．event C．league D．season
3.A．short B．full C．lacking D．sufficient
4.A．as B．while C．since D．now that
5.A．most interesting B．dullest C．most difficult D．easiest
6.A．unique B．adventurous C．young D．untraining
7.A．meanwhile B．though C．instead D．somehow
8.A．quit B．stay C．resign D．rest
9.A．hoping B．swearing C．claiming D．wishing
10.A．fans B．classmates C．teachers D．coach
11.A．only too B．more than C．not a little D．no longer
12.A．fade B．gain C．destroy D．grow
13.A．owe B．think C．demand D．recommend
14.A．reminded B．told C．taught D．guided
15.A．act B．deserve C．make D．take
16.A．with B．alongside C．on D．for
17.A．matter B．aspect C．issue D．thing
18.A．potential B．goal C．enthusiasm D．confidence
19.A．hate B．treasure C．admit D．recognize
20.A．character B．captain C．person D．coach
And the horses _______up to the finish line. They’re neck and neck ... and neck all the way. Oh, the Italian horse Mamma Miu _______ the race!
A.come, is winning B. have come, wins C.are coming, won D. are coming, wins
It was not just the size of the party last night _______ made it unique, but ________ it meant to our school.
A.what; that B. that; what C.what; what D. that; that
—There is only 15 minutes left for work. What shall we do?
—My God！There are always not any taxis when you want_______
A. one B. it C. that D. any
