Question

Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but there have only been few players who were truly great. How did these players get that way—was it through training and practice, or are great players “born, not made”? First, these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past—players that a young boy can look up to and try to imitate. In the history of soccer, only six countries have ever won the World Cup—three from South America and three from western Europe. There has never been a great national team—or a really great player—from North America or from Asia. Second, these players have all had years of practice in the game. Alfredo Di Stefano was the son of a soccer player, as was Pele. Most players begin playing the game at the age of three or four.

Finally, many great players come from the same kind of neighborhood—a poor, crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to be a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, but to become a rich, famous athlete or entertainer. For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beetles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in street with a “ball” made of rags. And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall in the slums of Belfast.

All great players have a lot in common, but that doesn’t explain why they are great. Hundreds of boys played in those Brazilian streets, but only one became Pele. The greatest players are born with some unique that sets them apart from all the others.

1.According to the author, which of the following statements is true?

A. Great soccer players are born, not made.

B. Truly great players are rare.

C. Only six countries have ever had famous soccer stars.

D. Soccer is the least popular sport in North America and Asia.

2.The word “tricks” at the end of paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____.

A. experience    B. cheating

C. skills    D. training

3.In the last paragraph the statement “only one became Pele” indicates that___.

A. Pele is the greatest soccer player

B. the greatest players are born with some unique quality

C. Pele’s birthplace sets him apart from all the other players

D. the greatest players practice with “balls” made of rags

4.The author thinks a soccer player’s success belongs to all the following factors EXCEPT______.

A. his family background    B. his neighborhood

C. his practice    D. his height

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】文章主要讲述了全世界数以百万计的人都在踢足球，但只有极少数真正伟大的球员。这些球员来自过去曾有过著名球星的地方，他们都有多年的比赛经验，许多伟大的球员来自贫穷，拥挤的地区。所有伟大的球员都有很多共同之处，但这并不能解释为什么他们伟大。最伟大的球员天生就有独特之处，使他们与众不同。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段描述可知伟大的球员并不是天生的，他们三四岁开始练球，在他们周围有伟大的球星可以让他们去模仿，可知选项A错误；根据“only six countries have ever won the World Cup” 只有六个国家赢得过世界杯，选项C错误；选项D“足球是北美洲和亚洲最不受欢迎的运动。”文章没有提及，选项D错误；根据“Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but there have only been few players who were truly great.” 全世界数以百万计的人都在踢足球，但只有极少数真正伟大的球员。故选B。

2.词义猜测题。根据“by bouncing the ball off a wall in the slums of Belfast.”可知乔治贝斯特在贝尔法斯特的贫民窟里对着一堵墙踢球的时候学会了使他一举成名的踢球动作。故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据“The greatest players are born with some unique that sets them apart from all the others.” 最伟大的球员天生就有独特之处，使他们与众不同。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据“First, these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past” 首先，这些球员来自过去曾有过著名球星的地方；“Second, these players have all had years of practice in the game.” 第二，这些球员都有多年的比赛经验；“Finally, many great players come from the same kind of neighborhood—a poor, crowded area” 许多伟大的球员来自贫穷，拥挤的地区。文章并未提及运动员的身高，故选D。