I was sure everyone in my junior-high drama class saw the paper in my hands shaking when I stood up to audition for a lead role in the annual Christmas play. I was there, not by choice, but because teacher Alice wanted each of us to try out for a part.
As a “good” student, I did what I was asked, even if it was scary. I was small for my age, wore secondhand clothes and cried easily. At school, I was often the object of jokes and laughter and had few friends. I wanted desperately to shrink back into my seat and be invisible. But there I was, on stage. Reading was, at least, something I loved. So, I read.
I finished reading and rushed back to my seat. The spell was broken. I wanted to curl up and disappear. When the teacher read the cast list and called my name, I wasn’t paying attention. No one ever chose me for anything.
“Patty,” she repeated, “you are Star. Come and get your script.”
This is impossible! How can it be? With a pounding heart and cold, sweaty hands, I felt nearly dizzy, but incredibly happy. I walked up unsteadily to get the papers. On returning to my desk, I felt regretful. I should have refused. I felt as if everyone else were looking at and laughing at me. I buried my head in my arms. Gently patting my shoulder, teacher Alice said, “Be confident, Patty. You can do this. I know you can. I’ll help you.” With tears in my eyes, I raised my head and nodded firmly.
So, I practiced every day — while walking to school, at lunchtime, before bedtime, even on weekends. At first, I was worried about forgetting parts of a long monologue that took place in one scene, but I managed to memorize it. I felt more confident after that. At last, it was the day for the show.
Everything went smoothly until it was my turn to give the long monologue.
Fighting back tears, I continued my performance.
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Fast walkers may live longer than dawdlers (缓慢的人)— regardless of their weight, a new study suggests.
Researchers at Leicester University analyzed data on 474, 919 people with an average age of 52 in the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2016. They found women who walked briskly had a life expectancy of 86.7 to 87.8 years old, and men who kept up the pace had a life expectancy of 85.2 to 86.8. Slow walkers hadn’t much encouraging prospects (前景): women had a life expectancy of 72.4, and men of 64.8 years old, if they were more leisurely in their movements. According to the paper, published last week, that ratio held true even if the fast walkers were severely overweight. It does not necessarily mean fast walkers will live longer. Experts say it suggests walking speed could be a simple way for doctors to judge their patients’ general health alongside other tests.
It is hardly the first study holding up walking speed as a powerful evidence that appears to improve and determine our health.
In 2011, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study by Stephanie Studenski, who found the same: walking speed was a reliable predictor of life expectancy.
In 2013, US researchers found walking pace was linked to lower heart disease risk and longer life expectancy. In 2018, a study from the University of Sydney found picking up your walking pace to even an “average speed” could cut your risk of premature death by a fifth.
And Tom Yates, the physical activity professor at Leicester who's behind the latest study, has been publishing findings on this connection for years.
In 2017, he analyzed the same UK Biobank data and found walking speed appeared to affect the risk of dying from heart disease — concluding that the slowest walkers were twice as likely to suffer a heart-related death compared to quick walkers.
1．What does the underlined word “briskly” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Casually. | B．Quickly. | C．Actively. | D．Energetically. |
| A．Most fast walkers are overweight. |
| B．Fast walkers have a simple way of living. |
| C．Walking speed can help doctors know about their patients’ general health. |
| D．Doctors will surely have better ways to cure their patients of their illness. |
| A．Walking slowly is bad for people's health. |
| B．Walking speed can predict a person’s life expectancy. |
| C．People won't die early by increasing their walking pace. |
| D．Lower heart disease risk is determined partly by walking pace. |
| A．Fast Walkers May Have a Long Life Expectancy |
| B．Life Expectancy Is Determined by Exercise |
| C．Researchers Try to Improve Life Expectancy |
| D．The Public Doubt Researches on Walking Speed |
It's so relaxing to take a bath in a hot spring while looking at beautiful scenery. If you travel in the U.S., plan to visit one of these hot springs:
At the edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California are the Travertine Hot Springs. The orange, green and red rocks create beautiful views for you to enjoy while you bathe. Each pool is a different temperature, so you can find one that you like.
These springs are easy to get to by car. Go south from Bridgeport and turn left onto Jack Sawyer Road. In about a mile you’ll arrive at the springs. If you like to camp, you can camp along the road. While you are there, try visiting Mono Lake and Yosemite National Park.
The Bagby Hot Springs are located in an old forest. At the springs there are bathhouses, with private and shared baths. Spring water in the baths is at 136°F. If that's too hot, you can add cold water until it is suitable for you.
The Bagby Springs are about 45 minutes from Oregon. To get to the bathhouse there is a 1.5-mile walk through the Mt. Hood National Forest. Make sure to also visit Portland, which is known for its coffee, local beer and music.
If you like to hike, the Conundrum Hot Springs in Colorado are a great choice. There is an 8.5-mile hike to the springs. You can walk out and camp nearby the springs. After the hike, rest your muscles in the water and enjoy the mountain views.
While you are in the area, check out the Curecanti National Recreation Area. There, you can enjoy boating, fishing and bird watching,
1．What do Travertine Hot Springs and Bagby Hot Springs have in common?| A．You can camp along the road. |
| B．You can choose private or shared baths, |
| C．You will walk through a forest to get to the springs. |
| D．You can enjoy the springs with the temperature you like. |
| A．Colorful rocks. | B．Coffee and local beer. |
| C．Hiking to the springs. | D．Forest views. |
| A．Mono Lake. | B．Yosemite National Park. |
| C．Portland. | D．Curecanti National Recreation Area. |
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