Why play games? Because they are fun, and a lot more besides. Following the rules, planning your next move and acting as a team member are all “game” ideas that you will come across throughout your life.
Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Such games are entertaining and fun. But perhaps more importantly, they translate life into exciting dramas that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and cooperating.
Many children's games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as grown-ups. For instance, some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones, which sharpens the hand-eye coordination (协调) needed in hunting.
Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competition. People who watch the event wave flags, knowing that a gold medal is a win for an entire country, not just the athlete who earns it. For countries experiencing natural disasters or war, an Olympic win can mean so much.
Sports are also an event that unites people. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. People on all continents play it — some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player, has discovered a way to spread hope through soccer. He created a foundation to provide poor children with not only soccer balls but also a promising future.
Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed, and whether these skills will help you in other aspects of your life.
If you think that running marathons will help you live a long and healthy life, new research may come as a shock. According to a recent scientific study, people who do a very strenuous workout are as likely to die as people who do no exercise at all.
Scientists in Denmark have been studying over 1, 000 joggers and non-joggers for 12 years. The death rates from the sample group indicate that people who jog at a moderate pace two or three times a week for less than two and a half hours in total are least likely to die. The best speed to jog at was found to be about 5 miles per hour. The research suggests that people who jog more than three times a week or at higher speeds of over 7 mph die at the same rate as non-joggers. The scientists think that this is because strenuous exercise causes structural changes to the heart and arteries (动脉). Over time, this can cause serious injuries.
Peter Schnohr, a researcher in Copenhagen, said, “If your goal is to decrease the risk of death and improve life expectancy, jogging a few times a week at a moderate pace is a good strategy. Anything more is just unnecessary, and it may be harmful. ”
The implications of this are that moderate forms of exercise such as tai chi, yoga and brisk walking may be better for us than “iron man” events, triathlons and long-distance running and cycling. According to Jacob Louis Marott, another researcher involved in the study, “You don't actually have to do that much to have a good impact on your health. And perhaps you shouldn't actually do too much. ”
With busy schedules and limited hours of daylight, some runners find their only time to run is in the darkness of early morning or evening. . But if you have to run at night or in the early morning, make sure to follow these guidelines.
·Choose a Well-lit Route
It might not be your favourite route to run, but the most well-lit route is your first choice. and you'll always be able to see the road and avoid potential hazards.
·Always Run Against Traffic
It's easier to avoid cars if you can see them coming. Avoid busy roads and those with no shoulders or sidewalks.
·Run With a Friend
. If possible, try to never run alone. If you're running alone, let someone know the route you're running and approximately how long you will be out.
·Watch Out for Bikes and Runners
Even if you're running on a path or in a park with no cars, always be aware of other runners and cyclists. . This advice applies to running in both daylight and darkness.
·Put Away Your Music
Make sure you leave your radio, MP3 player, or iPad at home. . You can't hear oncoming cars, cyclists yelling to move, dogs, or any other potential threat.
A. Oncoming cars see you better
B. There's strength and safety in numbers
C. Running in daylight is always a safer choice
D. A headlamp is also an essential item for runners
E. Before you stop or turn around, make sure your path is clear
F. Cutting off your sense of hearing leaves you at a disadvantage
G. Put your driver's license in your pocket or wear an ID tag on your shoe
New research says nuts could be a (value), tasty and nutritious slimming aid. Researchers from Harvard University recommended that people replace a daily unhealthy snack with a small handful of nuts (slow) down weight gain. This is (especial) helpful for people as they get older. The researchers found that people who ate just 14g of nuts every day gained less weight those who ate another snack. The people who ate the nuts were less likely to become obese (肥胖的). However, the benefits to our weight could be quite small. (eat) nuts instead of chocolate and cakes could help prevent a weight gain of just 0. 4 to 0. 7kg over four years.
The researchers conducted a long-term study in which they looked at lifestyle of nearly 190, 000 people for over two (decade). The participants in the research (divide) into three groups. They included more than 51, 000 male health professionals aged 40 to 75, 121, 700 nurses aged 35 to 55 and 16, 686 nurses aged 24 to 44. Researchers asked the participants questions every four years about (they) weight, how often they ate nuts, and how often they exercised. A researcher said replacing less healthy foods with nuts might help reduce the weight gain is common as we age, and might lower the chances of becoming obese.
One time, the teachers at a school wanted to teach the students about airplanes. While all airplanes can fly, some are able to fly farther than others. This is because not all airplanes are built the same. For example, a fighter plane looks very different from a plane that people fly in when they want to go on a holiday. The teachers wondered how they could make students understand this.
Then, the science teacher, Mr Moose, decided that the school should have a paper airplane contest. Every student would design a paper airplane. They would stand in a line in the playground behind the school. The students would take turns throwing their airplanes. The student whose airplane went the farthest would win.
When Mr Moose announced the paper airplane contest to the students, they were very excited. A student named Paul, who was on the school sports team, said to everyone else that his airplane would win. “I am the strongest, ” Paul said, “so I will be able to throw my airplane the farthest. ”
However, while Paul was saying this, another student, Brian, was thinking how he could win. Brian did not play any sports and was not very strong. But he loved airplanes and really wanted to win the contest.
Brian realized what he had to do. He went to the store and bought a big stack (叠) of paper. When he got home, he took the paper into his backyard. He took a piece of paper and folded an airplane. It didn't go very far, so Brian took another piece and folded (折叠) another airplane and threw it. This airplane went a little farther. Brian kept folding different kinds of airplanes and throwing them. Some went very far and some did not. Finally, when Brian had used all the paper, he walked up to the airplane that had flown the farthest and picked it up.
The next day was the contest. All the students lined up. Everyone took turns. After a while, everyone had thrown except Paul and Brian. Paul went first. With a loud yell, he threw the airplane into the sky. It went farther than every other airplane. Everyone cheered.
注意： 续写词数应为150左右。
Finally, it was Brian's turn.
Brian won because he tried out many solutions to the problem of how to make an airplane fly very far.
