Question

    The beach may seem like an inviting place to run on a cool summer morning, but is running on the sand good for your body? It can be, but it’s important to be aware of the challenges that some beach runners experience before you get ready.

Running on the beach can be a good thing. It’s certainly different from running on a track or a pavement. For starters, sand can be a challenge because it has an uneven (不平坦的) surface. As you push off, you’re going to lose some of your push as the sand moves. So, you’re not going to be able to push yourself forward as you would on a track or a pavement. But this unevenness has an upside: It gives your body an extra workout, forcing you to exercise muscles that don’t get as much use during runs on firm surfaces. For example, your feet, ankles and lower back might feel sorer and more tired than usual after a beach run just because the surface is constantly moving and changing step to step.

You also might feel sore afterward because beaches tend to slope (倾斜) down to the water. If you’re going for a long run on the beach, you might notice that one side of your body might feel sorer because you’re putting more pressure on it due to the slope.

Some beach runners prefer to run barefoot — not wearing anything on feet. However, if you’re not used to barefoot running, start slowly and don’t run long distances at first. That’s because running barefoot uses more different muscles than running with shoes does, and it’s important to strengthen these muscles and adapt your feet. If you want to run barefoot and as long as you run carefully enough into it, go for it!

Running on the sand can be a smart choice for you, because running on softer ground surfaces can reduce muscle damage.

1.Why is it difficult to run on the beach for starters?

A.The soft surface makes people fall over easily.

B.People need to run carefully on its smooth surface.

C.Running on its uneven surface takes much effort.

D.It’s hard to keep one’s balance on its hard surface.

2.Which of the following best explains “upside” underlined in Paragraph 2?

A.Advantage. B.Reason.

C.Character. D.Challenge.

3.What’s the author’s attitude to barefoot running?

A.Critical. B.Supportive. C.Doubtful. D.Uncaring.

4.The passage can probably be found in ______.

A.A primary school textbook B.A tourist guide

C.A sports magazine D.A scientific report

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了沙滩跑步的优缺点，并给初学者提出了一些有用的建议和注意事项。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中For starters, sand can be a challenge because it has an uneven surface. As you push off, you’re going to lose some of your push as the sand moves. So, you’re not going to be able to push yourself forward as you would on a track or a pavement.（对于初学者来说，沙子是个挑战，因为它的表面不平整。当你推的时候，沙子移动的时候，你会失去一些推力。所以，你不可能像在跑道或人行道上那样推动自己前进。）可知刚开始在沙滩上跑步很困难，因为在凹凸不平的沙滩上跑步需要付出很大的努力。故选C。

2.词义猜测题。根据下文It gives your body an extra workout, forcing you to exercise muscles that don’t get as much use during runs on firm surfaces. 它给你的身体一个额外的锻炼，迫使你去锻炼那些在坚实的表面上跑步时不能得到充分利用的肌肉。可知是在说明在海滩上跑步产生的不平衡的好处优势，故划线单词意思为“优点”，故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段中If you want to run barefoot and as long as you run carefully enough into it, go for it!（如果你想赤脚跑步，只要你足够小心地跑，就去吧!）可知作者对赤脚跑步的态度是支持的。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据第一段The beach may seem like an inviting place to run on a cool summer morning, but is running on the sand good for your body? It can be, but it’s important to be aware of the challenges that some beach runners experience before you get ready.（在凉爽的夏日早晨，海滩似乎是一个跑步的好地方，但是在沙滩上跑步对你的身体有好处吗?可能是这样，但是在你准备好之前要意识到一些海滩跑步者所经历的挑战是很重要的。）以及文章主要内容围绕着沙滩跑步展开，故文章最有可能来自体育杂志。故选C。