Tai chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art and an internationally popular form of exercise, has been added to the cultural heritage list of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). 

For more than 10 years (its initial application was rejected in 2008) China has been trying to have tai chi — also known as taijiquan — recognised officially by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (联合国教科文组织人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录). At the time, judges told China it had applied for too many listings for tai chi to be considered for a place. China was told to reduce its applications from the 12 submitted, which included tai chi, Shaolin kung fu, Peking opera and acupuncture(针灸), Tencent News reported.

According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, doing tai chi can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, improve aerobic capacity, energy and stamina(耐力), enhance the immune system and relieve joint pain. “Taijiquan is not just a sport to make people fit, but also contains Chinese culture and philosophy,” researcher Yan Shuangjun also told Xinhua News Agency. “The application started in 2008, and now we made a victory, which will help this sport to reach more places.”

Tai chi has a massive, devoted global following. Millions of elderly Chinese people practise it every day in city parks, and celebrities and other public figures regularly make public references to their practice of it for the health benefits it is said to provide. Gisele Bündchen, one of the highest-paid models in the world, incorporates tai chi into her daily life, as does her husband, Tom Brady. Others who have been vocal about its use in their lives include actors Terence Stamp and Paul Adrian, Bollywood star Kunal Kapoor, and musician RZA of the Wu Tang Clan – to say nothing of its importance to martial artists such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li.

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1.What can we learn about the applications in 2008?

A Taijiquan is a Chinese martial art with a short history.

B The first application of tai chi was accepted in 2008.

C China thought itself had applied for too many listings.

D China applied for acupuncture and Peking opera.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第一、二段可知，太极拳历史悠久，2008年第一次申遗被拒，评判员认为中国申请太多项目，故选D。

2.How does Mayo Clinic say about tai chi?

A It is helpless for depression.

B It is able to build up energy.

C It can weaken the immune system.

D It can lead to severe joint pain.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段“...reduce stress, anxiety and depression, improve aerobic capacity, energy and stamina, enhance the immune system and relieve joint pain.”可知，太极能减少抑郁，增强精力，提高免疫力和减轻关节疼痛，故选B。

3.Which of the following best describes tai chi from the last paragraph?

A Unattractive.

B Inexpensive.

C Confidential.

D Welcomed.

解析：选D。推理判断题。由最后一段“a massive, devoted global following”、“Millions of elderly Chinese people practise”等可知，太极很受欢迎，故选D。

4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A Entertainment.

B Health.

C Education.

D Culture.

解析：选D。推理判断题。由全文可知，太极拳这一话题属于中国传统文化，故选D。