I regularly train at a local boxing gym and I’m lucky enough to meet an amazing man, Adrian Charter. Adrian comes to the gym to train, just like me. The difference is, I’m 31 years old, and Adrian is 72!

I watched Adrian as he was training, early on a Sunday morning, and he was hitting the punching bag harder and quicker than most men in their twenties would. Adrian was a former boxer whose last professional fight was in 1972. Even though he has stopped competing as a boxer, his discipline(纪律) still makes him stick to a training rule.

It simply amazed me as to how a 72-year-old man could train so hard. Believe me, boxing is one of the most difficult sports on the earth, needing much patience,skill, and effort.

What surprised me even more was that a few days earlier he did some running. He ran 9 kilometers. He does this on a regular basis. For me, I can run 5 kilometers at most.

When I questioned him about how he kept such discipline, he calmly replied, “It is all in my mind.”

I thought about it for a moment. If discipline can push a 72-year-old man to train so hard and enjoy it, could I imagine how discipline could serve every single human being on the earth? Right at this point, as you read this story, please pause and ask yourself, “What is my level of discipline?”

Adrian’s example told me that the power of discipline will get us to the finishing line! The bigger the challenge is, the more our discipline can serve us and the sweeter the taste of success will be!

1.The author noticed Adrian Charter mostly because Adrian Charter _______ .

A. was a famous former boxer

B. was the oldest in the boxing gym

C. acted faster even than young people

D. didn’t want to compete any longer

2.What does the author think of boxing?

A. It has high requirements.

B. It has strict training rules.

C. It has a limit to people’s age.

D. It makes people become quick and strong.

3.The underlined sentence in the last paragraph probably means “______ ”.

A. Rome was not built in a day

B. no pains, no gains

C. failure is the mother of success

D. early birds can catch worms

4.What can be the best title for the text?

A. Grasp every chance to keep fit

B. An unforgotten experience

C. The power of discipline

D. An amazing boxer

Art Beat in January 2016

Beijing

Youth choir to perform

The youth choir of China National Symphony Orchestra will soon perform classics including the Mexican folk song, The Golden Nightingale, and the Blue Danube, adapted from a waltz by Johann Strauss II. Pianists Zhao Lin and Wang Tianyang will join in the show.

7:30 pm, Jan 23. Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district. 010-6559-8285.

Orchestra recitals

The China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra led by conductor Lyu Jia will give two recitals, featuring works including Beethoven's Coriolanus Overture and Mozart's Symphonies No 40 & No 41 Jupiter. Cellist Wang Jian will join in the performances, playing Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129 and Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op 33.

7:30 pm, Jan 15; 2:30 pm, Jan 16. China National Center for the Performing Arts, No 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District. 010-6655-0000.

Ballet from Paris

Paris Opera Ballet will present two gala performances in the city. Besides highlights of classical ballet, such as Swan Lake and Manon, the program will also include modern pieces from the company's repertoire. The leading etoiles are Ludmila Pagliero and Karl Paquette.

7:15 pm, Jan 15-16. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road, Pudong district. 021-6854-1234.

Ensemble of swans

Shanghai Ballet will present two performances of Swan Lake. The production choreographed by British artist Derek Deane has just completed a tour in 26 cities of the Netherlands. The spectacular production features an ensemble of 48 dancers.

7:15 pm, Jan 22-23. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district. 400-106-8686.

1.If you only spare some time in the afternoon, you can enjoy ________.

A. Beethoven's Coriolanus Overture

B. Classical ballet Manon

C. The Golden Nightingale

D. Classical ballet Swan Lake

2.According to the text, we know that Ludmila Pagliero and Karl Paquette are ________.

A. Pianists B. ballet performers

C. cellists D. violinists

3.If you are interested in ballet performances, which of the following places can you go to enjoy yourself?

A. Forbidden City Concert Hall and China National Center

B. Forbidden City Concert Hall Shanghai Grand Theater

C. Shanghai Oriental Art Center and Shanghai Grand Theater

D. China National Center and Shanghai Oriental Art Center

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