You change the channels for the fourth time and realize that once again there’s nothing on television that gets your attention. Not a problem! Throw on some running shoes and comfortable clothes and go for a run.

One of the coolest things about the sport of running is that you don’t need expensive equipment(装备). All you need is a good pair of running shoes and a safe environment. But just because you don’t need much equipment don’t be fooled into thinking the sport of running is easy. No one wakes up and decides to run a marathon without training.

Running makes your heart, lungs, and muscles stronger. It makes you know more about your body. Running also gives you energy by increasing your oxygen(氧气) intake, so you don’t get sick easily. It can even help you keep your mind on school work because exercise helps you to think more clearly.

How do you take part in the sport if you don’t know much about it? Most schools offer cross-country and track programs, but there are also running clubs open to all ages. A simple Internet search can help you find some in your area. The programs show you how running can offer competition or just be for fun. They also teach runners to set realistic goals and take care of their bodies.

Runners have great respect for each other because they know how difficult the sport can be. If you go to a race, you’ll see people cheering for all the runners, from the first place finisher to the last place finisher. Running isn’t always about how fast you are or how far you’re going. It’s about getting out there and doing it. Taking part is more important than competition, and effort is recognized over gift.

If you’re looking for more than just a sport, running may be the perfect choice for you.

1. Which of the following is true?

   A. Running helps you win a marathon.

   B. Running helps you improve your study.

   C. Running helps you think more about yourself.

   D. Running helps you set realistic goals in your life.

2. What is the most important for runners in a race?

   A. Having fun.                          B. Receiving respect.

   C. Trying their best.                    D. Winning the competition.

3. What is probably the best title for this passage?

   A. Running and Runners                    

   B. Running: Easy or Difficult       

C. Running and Watching TV

D. Running: a Sport or a Way of Life


  New York is one of the last large American cities to have some of its policemen on horseback. The New York police have 170 horses working in certain parts of the city. The horses are expensive to feed, but it is even more expensive to look after them. Because the horses must walk on the streets, they need special horseshoes. In fact , they need more than 8,000 of them each year. Every police horse in New York gets new shoes every month. Keeping these shoes in good repair is the job of six blacksmiths. There are only about thirty-five of these blacksmiths in the whole United States.

  The cost of shoeing a horse is between twenty dollars and thirty-five dollars, and it takes a good blacksmith two or three hours to do the job.

  A blacksmith’s job is not an easy one. He must be able to shape a shoe from a piece of metal and then fit it to the horse’s foot. The blacksmith must bend over all the time when he is fitting the shoe and must hold the weight of the horse’s leg while he works. Clearly, a blacksmith must be very strong. But even more important, he must be able to deal with horses---for before the blacksmith can begin his work, he has to get the horse to lift its leg.

  One of the blacksmiths in New York is James Corbin. He came to the country from Ireland in 1948. He not only makes horseshoes for the police but also works for a group of horse owners near the city. Corbin became interested in blacksmith because his father did it, and, as he puts it, “It’s a good way to make a living.”

  1. According to the reading passage, a blacksmith must be likely a______ man.

  A. clever B. rich C. strong D. lucky

  2. James Corbin became a blacksmith because he__________.

  A. was interested in horses B. was needed by the policemen

  C. drew a picture of the horseshoe D. had to make a living

  3. In the reading passage “to shape a shoe” is to__________.

  A. fit it on the horse’s foot

  B. use it for two or three hours

  C. make the form of a horseshoe from a piece of metal

  D. draw a picture of the shoe

  4. The best title for the passage is “__________”.

  A. Policemen on Horseback B. Blacksmiths and Horseshoeing

  C. James Corbin, a Blacksmith D. Horseshoeing is a Good Way to Make a Living

  5. Which of the following is true?

  A. Only a few large American cities have some policemen on horseback.

  B. New York is the only city in America to have some policemen on horseback.

  C. Policemen on horseback enjoy travelling around the United States.

  D. Policemen on horseback are less expensive than those in cars.

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