The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic disease almost three years ago.

The health crisis greatly changed America in ways temporary and long-lasting. Here is a look at some interests that arose among people during the years of restrictive experience.

During the pandemic, more people learned to play, or returned to playing, a musical instrument. For most, the activity was a hobby, something done for pleasure alone. Bob Dorobis of Middletown, New Jersey, is an example. After a long break from music, he worked hard to improve his guitar technique during the pandemic. Now, the 70-year-old software developer is looking forward to more music time in retirement. “When your fingerpicking sounds good it’s very rewarding,” he said. “I finally realized the only way for me to like it better is to learn it better.”

During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising - mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking. Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for. Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s. “I faked confidence,” she said of taking to two wheels again.

During the pandemic, more Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities. Many began to help old people. Neighborhoods organized assistance for them, including snow removal, food deliveries, and transportation to medical visits. Lisa and Larry Neula in Sacramento, California, shared their musical talents with their neighbors. Lisa is a former competitor and teacher of Hawaiian dance. Larry is a singer with the Lim Family, a Hawaiian traditional music group. The couple performed just outside their house for gatherings of their neighbors during the pandemic. They continue the events to this day. “If you get one person who shows they want to be social, then the other people catch on. It gets to be contagious,” Lisa said. “I don’t want to take all the credit, but it makes me a better person.”

As indoor public gatherings became impossible, outdoor activities became more popular. Gardening, for example, was a way to get some extra exercise and grow fresh food. “Now, I rarely watch TV,” said Kelly Flor-Robinson from Bethany Beach, Delaware. Sports such as pickleball added players. Its fan base grew so large, the demand for playing time was bigger than court capacity in some places. The situation for golf was similar. In Maplewood, New Jersey, Matthew Peyton and his son, Julian, worked on their golf games together. Julian now works in a sports shop and is learning about college golf programs. “So there I am. Single dad with a 15-year-old, active teenage boy who won’t be going to school for two years,” Matthew said. “We don’t know what’s safe. We don’t touch door knobs or go to the store. But the golf course is our refuge. You’re 300 yards away from anyone else all by yourself. It’s like a private oasis.”

American shopping also changed. Curbside pickup and food delivery exploded in popularity. Both are still important for some people who once liked to visit stores. “I used to enjoy food shopping, but this saves so much time and overspending on my part so I stuck with it,” said Amanda Sheronas Spencer in Malvern, Pennsylvania. She added, “If I do go in person, I have to stick to my list, which is difficult for a person who loves food and cooking!” 

I’m Ashley Thompson. And I’m John Russell.

1. fake v. to pretend to have a particular feeling, illness, etc. 假装，佯装，装出（某种感情、有病等）。例如：She's not really sick - she's just faking it. 她并不是真的病了，不过是假装的。

2. contagious adj. a contagious disease spreads by people touching each other （疾病）接触传染的。例如：a contagious laugh有感染力的笑声

3. pickleball n. 匹克球，是用球拍击球的一种运动，从美国西雅图的本不里奇岛兴起。它是网球、羽毛球和乒乓球的混合运动。“匹克”球的名称来自发明人之一的一条狗；在开始发明试打的时候，那条名为匹克的狗常常叼着球跑。

Q1: What did Bob Dorobis work hard to improve during the pandemic?

A. His technique of playing the piano.

B. His technique of using the software.

C. His technique of developing the software.

D. His technique of playing the guitar.

Q2: Which of the following is INCORRECT about Beth Lehman? 

A. She is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York.

B. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for.

C. The whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandmother in his 80s.

D. She faked confidence.

Q3: What does the example of Lisa and Larry sharing their musical talents with their neighbors show? 

A. More Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities. 

B. Outdoor activities became more popular.

C. More people learned to play a musical instrument.

D. A lot of people started exercising, mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking.

Q4: Which of the following statements is FALSE during the pandemic? 

A. More people learned to play or returned to playing a musical instrument. 

B. A lot of people started exercising, and indoor activities became more popular. 

C. More Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities. 

D. American shopping also changed. 

Q1: D。细节题。His technique of playing the guitar. 是原文his guitar technique的同义改写。命题出处：For most, the activity was a hobby, something done for pleasure alone. Bob Dorobis of Middletown, New Jersey, is an example. After a long break from music, he worked hard to improve his guitar technique during the pandemic.

Q2: C。细节题。原文中说的是The whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s. 选项中将grandfather修改成grandmother。命题出处：Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for. Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s. “I faked confidence,” she said of taking to two wheels again.

Q3: A。细节题。命题出处：During the pandemic, more Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities. Many began to help old people. Neighborhoods organized assistance for them, including snow removal, food deliveries, and transportation to medical visits. Lisa and Larry Neula in Sacramento, California, shared their musical talents with their neighbors. Lisa is a former competitor and teacher of Hawaiian dance. Larry is a singer with the Lim Family, a Hawaiian traditional music group. The couple performed just outside their house for gatherings of their neighbors during the pandemic. They continue the events to this day. 

Q4: B。推断题。命题出处：During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising - mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking. Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for. Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s. “I faked confidence,” she said of taking to two wheels again. …… As indoor public gatherings became impossible, outdoor activities became more popular. Gardening, for example, was a way to get some extra exercise and grow fresh food. “Now, I rarely watch TV,” said Kelly Flor-Robinson from Bethany Beach, Delaware. Sports such as pickleball added players. Its fan base grew so large, the demand for playing time was bigger than court capacity in some places. The situation for golf was similar. In Maplewood, New Jersey, Matthew Peyton and his son, Julian, worked on their golf games together. Julian now works in a sports shop and is learning about college golf programs. “So there I am. Single dad with a 15-year-old, active teenage boy who won’t be going to school for two years,” Matthew said. “We don’t know what’s safe. We don’t touch door knobs or go to the store. But the golf course is our refuge. You’re 300 yards away from anyone else all by yourself. It’s like a private oasis.” 以上文字可以概括为：During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising, and outdoor activities became more popular. 选项B将outdoor修改为indoor，故此，选项B的陈述有误。