FRIDAY, Aug.3(Health Day News)-Middle school students who are physically fit are likely to score higher on standardized tests measuring reading and math abilities, a new study has found.And, the average scores went up in connection with levels of fitness, the findings showed.
“The more physically fit kids were, the higher their scores,” said the study's lead author, Trent Petrie, director of the Center for Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas in Denton.“Parents should encourage their kids to be physically active.There are some real cognitive(认知的)and academic benefits that come from physical fitness,” Petrie said.
Results of the study are scheduled to be presented Friday at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Orlando, Fla.The study included more than 1,200 middle school students from five schools in a suburban area of Texas, with 561 boys and 650 girls.About 57 percent of the children were white, and nearly one-quarter were Mexican American.Nine percent were black and about 2 percent were of Asian descent.
The school district provided the researchers with information on the children's race, age, grade level and whether they qualified for the free school lunch program, which was an indicator of the family's socioeconomic status.The schools also provided scores to the tests, which were given between one and four months after the researchers had assessed the children's levels of fitness.Fitness tests were administered during physical education classes to determine the youngsters' heart and lung health(cardiorespiratory fitness), as well as their body mass index(BMI), an indicator of how much body fat a person has.The children also filled out questionnaires that helped the researchers determine factors such as self-esteem and social support.
After accounting for factors such as age, sex, family income and self-esteem, the researchers found that for both boys and girls, higher levels of heart and lung health predicted better scores on both the math and reading tests.
For boys, perceived(感观的)social support also seemed to increase their reading scores, the investigators found.In girls, while being physically fit predicted higher reading scores, so too did a higher BMI-which indicates more body fat.“We were a little surprised by this finding,” Petrie said.
“It was not as strong an association as the one with physical fitness,” he added.The authors suspect it may have something to do with girls this age entering adolescence, which may be related to a higher BMI and slightly higher brain development.He said he plans to make great effort to look for this relationship again in larger studies to see if it was a chance finding, or if the association holds up.
“While we can't say 100 percent that physical fitness causes better academic performance, we can say that there is a strong and predictive relationship between physical fitness and academic performance,” Petrie said.
“It's hard to tease apart(梳理)the exact reason for this association,” said Becky Hashim, an attending clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Montefiore, in New York City.
“It may be that the children are getting more oxygen.When the heart and lungs are working at a higher capacity, it may allow the brain to work at peak performance.Children who are less fit may be sleepier during school,” she noted.“I personally feel that there's probably a strong relationship between the confidence you get from being able to do something physical well and academic performance.”
Whatever the reason behind this association may be, “there's certainly no harm in pushing physical fitness,” Hashim added.“Physical fitness may make you feel better, give you more confidence and improve your performance across the board,” she said.
Petrie agreed.“Physically fit kids are happier, have higher self-esteem and, tend to have better relationships, and now we're beginning to see that there also seem to be benefits cognitively and academically.Our study sends a strong warning to policymakers to reconsider the service program of physical education classes for kids,” he said.
(1)
How did the school district help the researchers carry out the study?
[ ]
A.
By analyzing the data of fitness tests.
B.
By giving some basic information.
C.
By completing some questionnaires.
D.
By offering a certain amount of Money.
(2)
According to the passage, the result of the study will be published ________.
[ ]
A.
in a book
B.
in a journal
C.
at a conference
D.
on the Internet
(3)
What's the suitable title of the passage?
[ ]
A.
Parents should be aware of the benefit of fitness.
B.
Fitter kids are likely to make better grades.
C.
Fitness affects kids' social behavior greatly.
D.
Teachers should value physical education classes.
(4)
What's Becky Hashim's attitude towards the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance?
[ ]
A.
supportive
B.
Indifferent
C.
Critical
D.
Doubtful
(5)
What does the underlined word “one” in Paragraph refer to?
[ ]
A.
The BMI.
B.
The body fat.
C.
The brain development.
D.
The test score.
(6)
From the last paragraph we can infer that physically fit kids ________.
If you want to know British culture, you’d better know something about her wedding customs.Here are some very famous, popular rhymes:
Choosing the day
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Choosing the month
Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds to mate, you wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know.
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man.
Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue(后悔)the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry(推迟).
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
Wedding dress colour
Married in White, you have chosen right,
Married in Blue, your love will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in whirl(混乱),
Married in Brown, you will live in town,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.
Surnames
To change the name and not the(first)letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
(1)
Generally, what day is the busiest wedding day in Britain?
[ ]
A.
Monday
B.
Friday
C.
Wednesday
D.
Saturday
(2)
At a wedding, the bride’s white dress means _________.
[ ]
A.
I’m pure and honest
B.
he’s the very fellow I’m after
C.
he’s lucky to marry me
D.
we’ll live together happily and luckily
(3)
Which of the following is the best date for wedding in UK?
[ ]
A.
Dec.13, 2004/Sat
B.
Sep.5, 2004/Fri
C.
Jan.20, 2004/Thur
D.
Dec.3, 2004/Mon
(4)
What does the last rhyme Surname suggest?
[ ]
A.
You’d better not change your first name for your husband’s.
B.
A family name and a first name are both very important.
C.
It is thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter as hers.
D.
The same surname will bring good luck and happiness to the couple at a time when their lives are changing.
阅读理解
Want to save money when travelling by train? Here are some ways.
Day Returns
This ticket can save you up to 45% on the standard fare(车费).You have to travel after the rush hour period Mon.?Fri.,but can travel at any time on Sat.or Sun.
Big City Savers
These are special low priced tickets on certain trains.You have to book in advance-at the latest by 16∶00 the day before you travel.It’s first come, first served.
Weekend Returns
Weekend Returns are available(有售)for most journeys over 60 miles.Go on Fri.,Sat.or Sun.,and return the same weekend on Sat.or Sun.and save up to 35% on the standard fare.
Monthly Returns
These are available for most journeys over 65 miles.Go any day and return within a month.Monthly returns save you up to 25% on the standard fare.
Family Railcard
For £20 this railcard allows you to take a second adult(成人)and up to 4 children for only £3 each when you buy single or return tickets.You can travel as often as you like until the card becomes out of date.
(1)
Which is the best ticket to buy if you live in London and want to go to a small town 80 miles away for four days?
[ ]
A.
Big City Savers.
B.
Monthly Returns.
C.
Weekend Returns.
D.
Day Returns.
(2)
A man bought himself a ticket of £15 and three tickets for his family with a family railcard.How much did he pay?
[ ]
A.
£44.
B.
£29.
C.
£24.
D.
£15.
阅读理解
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen.Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English.
Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers.You may find the information you need.
Global English Center
*General English in all four skills:listening,speaking,reading,and writing.
*Write or phone;Modem Language School,675 Park Road.100056
*Tel:67353019
The 21 st Century English Training Centre
*We specialize in effective(卓有成效的)teaching at all levels.
*We offer morning or afternoon classes.both three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan.
*We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays.
*Entrance exams:June 1 and Dec.1.
*Only 15-minute walk from city center.
*Call 67801642 for more information.
The International House of English
*Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at very low cost:60 yuan for 12 hours per week;convenient(方便的)class hours:9∶00-12∶00 a.m.and 2∶00-5∶00 p.m.
*A four-month evening programmer for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes).
*Free sightseeing and social activities(活动).
*Very close to the Central Park.For further information call 67432308.
(1)
You work from 9∶00 a.m.to 4∶30 p.m.every day.Which school will you choose?
[ ]
A.
Global English Center and Modem Language School.
B.
Global English Center and the International House.
C.
Modern Language School and the 21st Century.
D.
The 21st Century and the International House.
(2)
The 21st Century is different from the other three schools in that ________.
[ ]
A.
its teaching quality is better
B.
it is nearest to the city center
C.
its courses are more advanced
D.
it requires an entrance examination
(3)
You will probably prefer to go to the International House because it ________.
[ ]
A.
offers free sightseeing and social activities
B.
has a special course in spoken English
C.
costs less than the other schools
D.
has native English teachers
(4)
If you take the evening programmed at the International House, you will pay about ________.
[ ]
A.
60 yuan
B.
240 yuan
C.
720 yuan
D.
960 yuan
阅读理解
If you go to Brisbane, Australia, you can easily get a small book called Discover Brisbane free.Here is something about banks on page 49:
ANZ Banking Group
Cnr.Greek & Queen Sts 238 3228
Bank of New Zealand
410 Queen Street 221 0411
Bank of Queensland
229 Elizabeth Street 229 3122
Commonwealth Banking Group
240 Queen Street 237 3111
National Australia Bank Ltd
225 Adelaide Street 221 6422
Westpac Banking Corp
260 Queen Street 227 2666
Banking hours are Mon.-Thu.9∶30 am to 4 pm.Fri.9∶30 am to 5 pm.All banks close Sat.Sun.&Public Holidays.
(1)
You can find ANZ Banking Group on ________.
[ ]
A.
Queen Street
B.
Elizabeth Street
C.
the corner of Greek Street and Queen Street
D.
the corner of Queen Street and Elizabeth Street
(2)
________ seems to be the most important street in Brisbane.
[ ]
A.
Queen Street
B.
Elizabeth Street
C.
Greek Street
D.
Adelaide Street
(3)
On Saturdays, you can go to ________ to put your money in or take your money out.
[ ]
A.
ANZ Banking Group
B.
Bank of Queensland
C.
National Australia Bank Ltd
D.
none of the banks
(4)
In Australia, the banks have their longest service hours on ________.
[ ]
A.
public holidays
B.
Fridays
C.
Saturdays
D.
Sundays
阅读理解
Attractions in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N.Carroll Street on Madison’s Capitol Square
Discover Wisconsin’s history and culture(文化)on four floors of exhibits.Open for public program.Admission is free.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9∶00am-4∶00 pm.
(608)264-6555 www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum
Swiss historical village
612 Seventh Ave., New Glarus
The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America’s heartland.14 buildings in the village give a full picture of every day life in the nineteenth-century Midwest.
Tue.-Fri., May 1st-October 31st, 10∶00 am-4∶00 pm.Admission is $20.
(608)527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com
Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café
6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli, WI
One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts(手工艺品)in Wisconsin.Over 5000 sp.ft.of exhibition space in a historic creamery.While visiting enjoy a wonderfully prepared lunch at our café overlooking the Sugar River.Just minutes from Madison!
Gallery open Tue.-Sun., 10∶00 am-5∶00 pm.
Café open Wed.-Sat., 11∶00 am-3∶00 pm.
Sun.brunch with wine, 10∶00-3∶00 pm.
(608)845-6600 www.artisangal.com
Christopher Columbus Museum
239 Whitney St., Columbus
World-class exhibit –2000 quality souvenirs(纪念品)marking Chicago’s 1893 World Columbian Exhibition.Tour buses are always welcome.
Open daily, 8∶15 am-4∶00 pm.
(920)623-1992 www.columbusantiquemall.com
(1)
Which of the following is on Capitol Square?
[ ]
A.
Wisconsin Historical Museum.
B.
Swiss Historical Village.
C.
Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café.
D.
Christopher Columbus Museum.
(2)
Where can you go for a visit on Monday?
[ ]
A.
Wisconsin Historical Museum.
B.
Swiss Historical Village.
C.
Artisan Gallery & Creamery café.
D.
Christopher Columbus Museum.
(3)
Where can visitors have lunch?
[ ]
A.
At Wisconsin Historical Museum.
B.
At Swiss Historical Village.
C.
At Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café.
D.
At Christopher Columbus Museum.
(4)
We learn from the text that ________.
[ ]
A.
Swiss Historical Village is open for half a year
B.
Christopher Columbus Museum overlooks a river
C.
tickets are needed for Wisconsin Historical Museum
D.
Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café are open daily for 4 hours