运动休闲—五彩生活勇于尝试Trying Sth. New

　　As a girl, I've spent a great deal of my time on earth concerned about my weight. So I do know something about exercise. Let me tell you about the calorie-burning activities I've tried or will try.

Salsa
　　One of my friends recommended I try to maintain my weight through dancing. Sounds good, as dancing improves coordination¹ and sense of rhythm in addition to burning calories. I'm personally interested in salsa, which I find sexy and expressive². But I have yet to start classes, because (A) classes are very expensive, and (B) I cannot find a dance partner.

Ping-Pong
　　Ping-pong is the national sport of China, so how could I know nothing about it?

　　My father is a ping-pong fan, and a really good player. He's won several informal amateur³ matches.

　　My relationship with ping-pong has always been on-and-off. I'll get into it for a while, and then lose interest. The reason is because I can’t find a good partner. Some stronger can depress you, while someone weaker (or just as weak) can make the game 
boring.

 

Tae Kwon Do
　　I've recently decided⁴ to try tae kwon do as my regular exercise activity.

　　There’s a story behind this choice: A few weeks ago, I was sitting on a bus, concentrating on a book. Suddenly, the bus became very quiet except for the sound of a woman crying. I looked up to see what had happened and overheard⁵ whispers that she had just quarreled with a man, and the man slapped her face. No one on the bus dared say anything because the man looked really
strong and mean. Even now I feel ashamed I was among the silent. 


　　That’s why I've made up my mind to learn something that will help me protect others and myself. 

1 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

2 expressive   

adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的

参考例句：

• Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。
• He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的，富于表情的，生动活泼的脸。

3 amateur   

adj.业余的，非专业的；n.业余爱好者

参考例句：

• He made an amateur attempt to build a cupboard.他很外行地试做了一个碗柜。
• Although Tom's only an amateur he's a first-class player.虽然汤姆只是个业余爱好者，但却是一流的高手。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 overheard   

adj. 串音的, 偶而听到的 动词overhear的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• We talked quietly so as not to be overheard. 我们低声交谈，以免别人听到。
• I told Lucy the news under my breath, but Joyce overheard me. 我低声地把这个消息告诉露西，可还是被乔伊斯听到了。