-
When Carson Palmer, a professional American football player, hurt his arm a few years ago, he took a week off from throwing the football. But in his head, Palmer practiced every day. The following weekend, Palmer had the best game of his life.
For more than a century, scientists have been trying to understand how this mental training works. In the 1930s, researchers proved by experiment that when you're imagining an action, your brain sends signals to your muscles(肌肉) which are too weak to tighten the muscles but might help train the body to perform. In other words, mental practice might create a pattern in your head, like an inner how-to guide for a particular skill.
Sports psychologists have conducted hundreds of studies comparing imagined and physical practice for actions. On the whole, the research shows that mental training works. A 2012 study, for example, compared 32 amateur golfers who practiced hitting the balls to another 32 who merely held a golf club in their hands and visualized（想象）their swings. Under the same training rules, both groups improved their skills by getting the ball about 4 inches closer to the hole.
Visualization has advantages over the real thing: You can do it anywhere, even when injured. It is safe-a major plus for high-risk performers such as gymnasts and surgeons. And you can practice for longer periods of time because you're not restricted by physical tiredness, That’s not to say it's easy, we've had Olympic-level athletes sitting in our lab, visualizing the movements for two hours," says Tadhg Macintyre, a sports psychologist at the University of Limerick in Ireland. “When we're done, they’re absolutely tired.”
It doesn’t work for everyone, though. "If you're a novice, the effect can be harmful,” warns Macintyre. If you're trying to visualize a free throw, and you don't even know the proper movement, then you're probably going to mentally practice the wrong skill.”
1.The author introduces the topic of the text by______.
A. giving an example B. presenting an argument
C. explaining a phenomenon D. making an assumption
2.What happens when one is visualizing an action?
A. A special skill is quickly acquired.
B. A certain model is formed in the head
C. The muscles grow increasingly tense.
D. The brain sends strong messages to the body.
3.What does the underlined word "novice " in the last paragraph mean?
A. Coach B. Specialist
C. Beginner D. Judge
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. Athletes are likely to win games through imagined practice.
B. Practicing a shill properly in mind can produce intended effect.
C. Practice whether mental or physical ha its own characteristics.
D. Scientists have found a sale way for athletes to practice their skills.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
-
David Beckham has ________ it takes to become a professional football player.
A．who B．what C．which D．that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Tom is into sports.When young ,he had a _____about becoming a famous football player.
A．expectation
B．interst
C．try
D．fantasy
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
-
It is only when a football player has aged and been through many battles ________ he learns an important lesson: there is no “I” in “team”.
A. after B. before C. what D. that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Among professional basketball players，Jeremy Lin’s background is not typical.He graduated from Harvard University，which sends few players to the NBA，and he is the only ChineseAmerican NBA player.But when you watch him on the court，there is no doubt that he belongs there.He moves with speed and grace(魅力) that show years of faithful practice，which is fueled by a love for basketball.
The Family Effect
Lin’s enjoyment of basketball actually began in Taiwan，where his father started watching it.Lin’s father moved to U．S.，and his interest in the sport only grew.He passed on this love of basketball to his son，introducing him to the game at the age of five.The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun.After each game，his parents would discuss not only his score but also his conduct toward other players.This taught Lin that character was more important than playing well，a lesson he still remembers.
Rise of a Star
In high school，Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA but did not really expect to do so.When he applied for college，he was not offered a single sports scholarship.However，after his admission to Harvard，he was offered a place on its college basketball team.During Lin’s time at Harvard，his basketball career began to take off.He scored 1,482 points，making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history.Eventually，the recognition he received led him to suspect that his NBA dream could come true.
When he first graduated，no professional teams offered Lin a contract(合约)，but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League.He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Life in the NBA
His journey in NBA did not go very well at first.He spent most of his time on the bench during the past two seasons.He constantly compared himself to other players and gave himself no time to rest up.For the first time in his life，he no longer enjoyed playing basketball.After a few very difficult months，he realized that much of his anxiety and stress came from selfcentered desires like wanting to be famous.So he transformed his attitude.He never stopped practicing and never gave up any slim chance.
Now he has become the NBA’s latest phenomenon after leading the New York Knicks to seven straight wins.He stays_humble and thinks that the credit for the winning goes to everyone in his team.Knicks fans developed nicknames for him，such as “Linsanity”，“Lincredible”，and “Linderella”．The Associated Press called Lin “the most surprising story in the NBA”．
1.Which of the following is TRUE of Jeremy Lin?
A．He was born in U．S.
B．He was sure of his NBA dream in high school.
C．He loves playing basketball all the time.
D．He was coldly received when he first came to NBA.
2.The underlined phrase “stays humble” in the last paragraph means ________.
A．tries his best B．is modest
C．keeps working hard D．faces the difficulties
3.What can we learn from Jeremy Lin?
A．Hard work brings success.
B．We must have a father like Jeremy’s.
C．A good university can help us realize our dreams.
D．Team honour is more important than our own success.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A．What Is Next for Jeremy Lin?
B．Jeremy Lin’s Tips for Success
C．Following Dreams and Finding Joy
D．Six NBA Teams Eyeing Jeremy Lin
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Ben Olsen had great careers as professional players. His story tells a lot about the past, present and future of professional soccer in America.
Ben Olsen was an important part of D.C. United's early success. He was the top new player, or rookie of the year, in 1998. His young professional career reached a high point the next season. D.C. United won the M.L.S. Cup, the league championship（锦标赛）, on the strength（力量） of a Most Valuable Player performance by Olsen. He scored one of two goals for his team in the win against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Ben Olsen looks back on his score in that championship as his most memorable. "I'd lost a lot of championships before that year, so that was a special game." said Ben Olsen.
Like many top American soccer players, Olsen played overseas. He joined the club Nottingham Forest in Britain. He says different leagues have different styles of play. "Some teams are very fast and athletic. Some teams are a little bit more low pressure on the ball and more skillful players. England has always been known to be a fast and physical league."
Olsen was also a part of the United States World Cup team of 2006. He says playing for his country was something he will never forget.
Ben Olsen has had five operations for severe ankle（脚踝） injuries. Still, he had one of his best years in 2007. He scored seven goals including a "hat trick"-- three in one game.
Ben Olsen celebrates his third goal in one game against the New York Red Bull in June of 2007
He was recognized for his outstanding play with an M.L.S. Best Eleven award. He accepted the award in a wheelchair after a minor operation became major ankle surgery（外科手术）. Ben Olsen retired after the 2009 season. Today he is an assistant coach with D.C. United.
1.When did Ben Olsen begin to win championship?
A． In 1998 B．Next season C．In 1999 D．In 2006
2.What does the underlined word ‘rookie’ mean in this sentence?
A．Success B．New player C．professional career D．championship
3.According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A．Ben Olsen has a deep love for his country
B．Ben Olsen scored three goals in 1999
C．Top American soccer players never played oversea
D．He scored ten goals in 2007
4.What do you think is the best title for the passage?
A. Ben Olsen—the best soccer player
B. Ben Olsen’s professional career
C. Ben Olsen and D.C. United
D. An introduction to Ben Olsen
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
The life of a professional tennis player is tough ________ you never seem completely free to do _______ you like --- even in the off-season.
A．when; what B．because; that C．as; whatever D．when; whatever
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Professional footballers have worryingly poor teeth that could be affecting their performance on the football ground, say dentists. Their study on players at eight clubs in England and Wales, in the British Journal of Sports Medicine，showed nearly 4 out of 10 had cavities (蛀牙）and that athletes often had worse teeth than the general population. Regularly taking sugary foods is one possible explanation.
The dentists, from the International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health at University College London, examined 187 players’ sets of teeth. They found 53% had dental erosion (腐蚀），45% were bothered by the state of their teeth and 7% said it affected their ability to train or play. Around 40 % had cavities, compared with 30 % of people of a similar age in the general population.
Prof Ian Needleman, one of the researchers, said： “These are individuals who otherwise invest so much in themselves so it，s a surprising finding.
“There are two main groups — some have a catastrophic Professional footballers have worryingly pooreffect, they have very serious disease that stops them in their tracks and they cannot play or train.
“There'11 be others experiencing pain affecting sleep or sensitivity every time they take a drink. ”
At this level of athlete, even small differences can be quite telling.
Nutrition is one of the primary suspects with having too many sugary or acidic foods during training potentially accounting for cavities and erosion. A lot of air in the mouth during exercise can also dry it out so there is less protection.
While these findings are worrying, clubs are attaching greater importance to dental health and educating their players. According to StijinVandenbroucke, head of medicine and sports science at West Ham United, oral health is an area where many athletes have greater problems than the general population and there are clear benefits of oral disease prevention for athletes and clubs.1.What does the passage tell us about professional footballers teeth?
A. Nearly 4 out of 10 players in the UK suffer from toothaches.
B. They have been invested a great deal by individual players.
C. Many players' poor teeth bother their career and daily life.
D. British footballers teeth are examined regularly.
2.What mainly results in professional footballers' poor teeth?
A. Experiencing too much training.
B. Eating food with too much sugar.
C. Breathing in lots of air during exercise.
D. Having little education of oral disease prevention.
3. These findings are worrying clubs because____.
A. footballers aren’t willing to give up sugary or acidic food
B. they've spent much on their players' oral disease prevention
C. footballers have more serious tooth problems than the public
D. players' oral disease may lead to bad performance in games
4.This passage is most probably taken from____.
A. a dentist's diary B. a sports newspaper
C. a medicine magazine D. a science report
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Professional footballers have worryingly poor teeth that could be affecting their performance on the football ground, say dentists. Their study on players at eight clubs in England and Wales, in the British Journal o f Sports Medicine, showed nearly 4 out of 10 had cavities （蛀牙) and that athletes often had worse teeth than the general population. Regularly taking sugary foods is one possible explanation.
The dentists, from the International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health at University College London, examined 187 players' sets of teeth. They found 53% had dental erosion (腐蚀), 45% were bothered by the state of their teeth and 7% said it affected their ability to train or play. Around 40% had cavities, compared with 30% of people of a similar age in the general population.
Prof Ian Needleman, one of the researchers, said: "These are individuals who otherwise invest so much in themselves so it’s a surprising finding.
"There are two main groups - some have a catastrophic effect, they have very serious disease that stops them in their tracks and they cannot play or train.
"There Il be others experiencing pain affecting sleep or sensitivity every time they take a drink. "
At this level of athlete, even small differences can be quite telling.
Nutrition is one of the primary suspects with having too many sugary or acidic foods during training potentially accounting for cavities and erosion. A lot of air in the mouth during exercise can also dry it out so there is less protection.
While these findings are worrying, clubs are attaching greater importance to dental health and educating their players. According to Stijin Vandenbroucke, head of medicine and sports science at West Ham United, oral health is an area where many athletes have greater problems than the general population and there are clear benefits of oral disease prevention for athletes and clubs.
1. What does the passage tell us about professional footballers teeth?
A. Nearly 4 out of 10 players in the UK suffer from toothaches.
B. They have been invested a great deal by individual players.
C. Many players' poor teeth bother their career and daily life.
D. British footballers teeth are examined regularly.
2.What mainly results in professional footballers' poor teeth?
A. Experiencing too much training.
B. Eating food with too much sugar.
C. Breathing in lots of air during exercise.
D. Having little education of oral disease prevention.
3. These findings are worrying clubs because____.
A. footballers aren’t willing to give up sugary or acidic food
B. they've spent much on their players' oral disease prevention
C. footballers have more serious tooth problems than the public
D. players' oral disease may lead to bad performance in games
4. This passage is most probably taken from____.
A. a dentist's diary B. a sports newspaper
C. a medicine magazine D. a science report
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
The Professional Footballers’ Association will help to fund the initiative that will lead to the FA appointing up to 28 black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches to work with all England teams next season, including Gareth Southgate’s senior squad (小队).
The Times revealed details of the joint FA and PFA scheme yesterday, which could be finalised as soon as next week. Martin Glenn, the FA chief executive, is due to meet his counterpart at the PFA, Gordon Taylor, at Wembley before England’s friendly international against Italy next Tuesday. Chris Powell, the Southend United manager, has been identified as a potential addition to Southgate’s back-room staff after the World Cup, which would be welcomed by the England manager.
The FA has already held initial talks with several other coaches, including Jason Euell, Charlton Athletic’s under 23 coach, about taking on a role in the national coaching set-up at St George’s Park. The former Jamaica international has previously questioned the merit of the so-called Rooney Rule, which the FA implemented (执行) in January with a commitment to interview a BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) candidate for every coaching position. But Euell believes that the governing body’s decision to offer 28 positions is a more practical way to bring about change.
The FA has begun offering opportunities to BAME coaches, with the former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri, who is currently a youth coach with Burnley, working with England’s under-18 squad this week. It will extend the programme after it has been approved by the FA Board. The PFA has been instrumental in developing the proposals through the work of their sponsors Brendon Batson, Garth Crooks and Paul Elliott, and have promised to provide funds to make it a success.
“This is integral (完整的) to the modernization of the FA,” Taylor told The Times. “If it’s implemented correctly, with meaningful roles, it will show the FA really means football is for all.”
However, Crooks added that it was a “monumental error of judgment” by Southgate not to take a black coach to Russia for the World Cup finals to support England’s black players in the event of racial abuse from fans.
The FA’s plans received a cautious welcome from many in the game, with the former England defender Viv Anderson saying that coaches from BAME backgrounds have been hindered (阻碍) by a lack of access. The 61-year-old was the first black player to represent England in 1978 and went on to manage Barnsley before joining Middlesbrough as an assistant coach.
“There are only a handful of black managers so there’s clearly a problem,” Anderson said. “If you go up and down the country there are black and ethnic minority players in every squad, but very few go on to become coaches, which is down to a lack of opportunity and access. There are still a lot of negative perceptions about black managers and coaches, which are totally false.” At least the FA is trying to do something, and it could make a difference.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A.PFA has funded FA in the World Cup.
B.FA and PFA will work together to diversify the coach team.
C.PFA will take on black coaches for England teams.
D.FA has interviewed 28 BAME candidates for coaching positions.
2.We can infer that Jason Euell is .
A.working in the national coaching set-up
B.in favor of the joint FA and PFA scheme
C.likely to be one of the Southgate’s back-room staff
D.sceptical about FA’s promise to interview BAME candidates
3.Why are many people cautious about the FA’s plans?
A.BAME coaches lack chances and access to England teams.
B.The FA Board hasn’t approved the plan for lack of sponsors.
C.Older coaches don’t possess qualifications for national coaches.
D.There are not enough BAME players to represent England teams.
4.The author holds the view that .
A.there are still negative perceptions about black managers and coaches
B.black managers and coaches are superior in managing football teams
C.advantages in taking on black coaches outweigh disadvantages
D.attempts are being made to show the FA means football for all
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析