You can climb in doors at any time of the year, no matter how the whether is. It is usually not
expensive. Most gyms provide the equipment you need. The convenience of indoor climbing is one
reason why it has become so popular. But the main reason people climb is for rush (刺激感) they get.
When I stand at the roof of the wall and look up, I'm always scared, but once I start climbing, fear
changes to determination. With my heart pounding (心剧烈跳动), I reach the top and look down. I
can't stop grinning. I did it!
     Indoor climbing is a great workout (锻炼). Climbing uses muscles (肌肉) that are hard to exercise,
especially those in the shoulders, arms, chest and back. Many people say climbing makes exercise fun.
Most gyms have several climbing walls with various degrees of difficulty. The easier ones are like
climbing a ladder. The difficult ones bulge out (凸出) in places so that climbers must sometimes climb
parallel (平行的) with the floor.
     Although gym climbing is easier and safer than real rock climbing, you should still be careful. Always
climb with a partner. As you climb, your partner pulls you climbing rope through something called a
belay device (绳索控制器). The belay catches you if you slip. But make sure your partner knows how
to use this equipment. And if you are a first-time climber, get some instruction before you begin.
1. Is indoor climbing cheaper and safer than real rock climbing?
                                                                                                             .
2. On what do indoor climbers climb?
                                                                                                            .
3. What are the reasons that make the indoor climbing so popular?
                                                                                                             .
4. Who should always be with you when you climb?
                                                                                                             .
5. What does your partner do as you climb?
                                                                                                             .
6. Which do you think sounds more fun, rock climbing or indoor climbing? Why?
                                                                                                              .

1. I like               (跳绳).
2. Li Ming               (赏花) now.
3. We are               (已经) in the classroom.
4. Danny thinks his arm               (疼).
5. Can I              (邀请) her to my party?

      My name's Piko. Today is the School Sports Day in my school. Everyone in my class is very happy.
I'm really excited. I love running. I can run fast. I join in the running race. I want to win (赢). I come the
second. Billy wins the race.
     My friend, John, does not like running. He likes skipping (跳绳). He joins in the skipping race. Jane
and Sue are good friends. They join in the three-legged race (双人三腿赛跑) together. In the afternoon,
all the class work together in the tug-of-war (拔河). Everyone has a great time. What a fun day!
1. What does Piko like?
__________________________________________________
2. Does Billy win the race?
__________________________________________________
3. Can John skip?
__________________________________________________
4. Who join(s) in the three-legged race?
__________________________________________________
5. What race do all the class join in the afternoon?
__________________________________________________

     In many western schools, sports day is a big event. Children take part in competitive (竞争性的)
sports, trying to break school records and take the first place.
     Sports days, or sports meets, are usually held in the warmer seasons, either at the beginning or the
end of the school year. They are also called field days.
     Primary school sports days are fun. They usually have activities such as the egg and the spoon race
and the sack race. Other events include the skipping race (跳绳) and the three-legged race. In middle
and high schools, sports days include many of the common track and field events (田径项目).  They
are more serious and competitive than primary school ones.
     Students' parents and other relatives also come to the  school on sports days. They watch children
play. Many schools in the West have "mothers and fathers" races for parents to take part in!
     Although sports days are exciting, they also have some problems. According to some reports in the
USA, sports days have become too competitive to be good for students. Some parents put too much
pressure(压力) on the children. Some schools don't have "mothers and fathers" races any more as there
is much fighting and cheating.

短读阅文，回答下列问题。
1. What do children try to do when they take part in sports meets?
___________________________________________________
2. When are sports days usually held in the school year?
___________________________________________________
3. What are primary school and middle school sports days like?
___________________________________________________
4. Who would come to the school to watch children play on sports days?
______________________________________________________
5. What does the writer think about sports days?
______________________________________________________