Question

    There are times when I set off for my running-group sessions with little enthusiasm. It might be because I’m tired, or stressed, or have had to unwillingly tear myself away from something else. I’m the coach, so I can’t choose to give it a miss.

It was yet another cold, dark, wet evening and I wasn’t feeling the love as I gathered all the necessary outfits-head torch, reflective waterproof jacket, hat and gloves. No one in their right mind will come out in this weather, I thought. But when I turned into the car park, my headlights picked out runners making a dash through the rain to our meeting point, where others were already working out to stay warm, with chat, laughter and hugs. They, too, I realized, might be tired, stressed or busy. But, unlike me, they had a choice about whether to come running or stay at home. And that makes their decision to come--and to keep on coming-all the more uplifting. As on so many other occasions, I went home from the run feeling better than when I’d arrived.

I believe one of the strongest motivations behind these runners’ decisions to come along is being part of a group. Belonging to a running community makes running greater than the sum of its parts. It’s no longer just a workout; it’s a catch-up with friends, a laugh and a shared experience. It provides a space to share your running triumphs and disappointments, to be congratulated and comforted, and, just as important, to congratulate and comfort others.

Research has long shown the likelihood of staying motivated is higher when exercise takes place in a group. The reasons are many. A study at the University of Southern California found people enjoy physical activity more when they are with others and are more likely to keep it up over the long term. There’s also an element of social facilitation-an “I’m not going to let XX beat me” attitude that drives you to push harder and produces a greater sense of achievement. And research by Strava in 2017 found running in a group made runners go faster and further. Using data from 90 million runs taking place all over the world, Strava found that the average pace of runs taking place in a group was seven seconds per mile quicker than solo runs, and the distance covered was an average of 1.3 miles further.

I joke about people being more motivated to come to my running sessions by the tea and biscuits afterwards than by the running itself. There’s probably some truth in that, but it doesn’t matter. Those laughter- and chatter-filled minutes are every bit as important as the running in between.

1.The author sometimes feels to go coaching the running group.

A.reluctant B.content C.excited D.frustrated

2.Why is being part of a group most motivational?

A.It involves a coach offering assistance.

B.It creates space to socialize with others.

C.It inspires members to beat their records.

D.It frees runners from boring daily routines.

3.That being in a group promotes performance is proven by .

A.citing a typical example B.listing accurate statistics

C.performing an experiment D.sharing his own experiences

4.Tea and biscuits in running sessions are meant to .

A.attract more runners from other groups

B.build up some strength before running

C.make his running group stand out of all

D.add more life to their running experience

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇夹叙夹议文。文章介绍了一群人一起跑步不仅能够促进了他们在跑步中的表现，同时也是社会性的促进的表现。

1.推理判断。根据第一段“There are times when I set off for my running-group sessions with little enthusiasm. It might be because I’m tired, or stressed, or have had to unwillingly tear myself away from something else. I’m the coach, so I can’t choose to give it a miss.”可知，作者的缺乏激情、同时感到很累和有压力，并且很不乐意等可以推出作者不情愿。故选A项。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段“A study at the University of Southern California found people enjoy physical activity more when they are with others and are more likely to keep it up over the long term. There’s also an element of social facilitation-an “I’m not going to let XX beat me” attitude that drives you to push harder and produces a greater sense of achievement.”可知，作为团队的一份子有很多的好处，其中之一就是可以促进社会化。故选B项。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段“Using data from 90 million runs taking place all over the world, Strava found that the average pace of runs taking place in a group was seven seconds per mile quicker than solo runs, and the distance covered was an average of 1.3 miles further.”可知，作者援引了数据来证明团队的促进作用。故选B项。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段I joke about people being more motivated to come to my running sessions by the tea and biscuits afterwards than by the running itself. 作者开个玩笑，说人们更愿意来参加我的跑步活动，是通过茶和饼干，而不是跑步本身。从而推断出，跑步课上的茶和饼干是为了给他们的跑步体验增添更多的活力。故选D项。