Synchonized reading material for Unit 2 The Olympic Games

Module Two Unit 2 Synchronized Reading Material
A
(BEIJING, August 24) -- The Games of the 29th Olympiad are finally over and concluded with 12 finals including a new Olympic record ( http: / / en. / spirit / pastgames / records / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) in the Men's Marathon, China ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / CHN.shtml" \t "_blank ) and Mongolia ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / MGL.shtml" \t "_blank ) collecting their first-ever Olympic Boxing ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / boxing / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) medals and Russia ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / RUS.shtml" \t "_blank ) retaining its Rhythmic Gymnastics ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / rhythmicgymnastics / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) All Around crown. But to most observers there was only one question that remained to be answered before the veil came down on Beijing 2008: could Team USA ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / USA.shtml" \t "_blank ) redeem their country's wounded pride at missing the Men's Basketball ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / basketball / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) gold medal in Athens four years ago Indeed, even the star-studded NBA players in their ironically monikered "redeem team" joked they'd better not bother going home unless they had nice new gold medals safely tucked inside their suitcases – few major sports, if any, have one nation in the psychological grip that basketball has over the US public. They responded magnificently by weighing in with 118 points to Spain ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / ESP.shtml" \t "_blank )'s 107. Not that it was ever a walk in the park against a determined Spanish team which, just like China had done in the US team's opening encounter of the Games, led early on. But after a shaky start, Team USA soon built a seven point advantage by the end of the first quarter, then a half time of lead 69-61. Inspired by Marc Gasol, Spain chipped away the US lead in the third and fourth quarters, reducing the deficit to just four points at one stage, but the "redeemers" pulled away for an 11 point victory margin that reflected the overall balance of the game.As you might expect, Kobe Bryant ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 6 / 220296.shtml" \t "_blank ) and Dwyane Wade ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 7 / 222087.shtml" \t "_blank ) were the top scorers for Team USA, weighing in with 20 and 27 points each. Afterwards, Lebron James ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 1 / 220991.shtml" \t "_blank ) described the joy within the Team USA camp: "It means everything to me. We're the number one team. We've been so blessed with this opportunity. It's so rewarding to see your hard work pay off. This is something I've waited for, for four years."
1. What is mainly discussed in the above passage
A. The Games of the 29th Olympiad are finally over.
B. China ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / CHN.shtml" \t "_blank )and Mongolia ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / MGL.shtml" \t "_blank ) collect their first-ever Olympic Boxing ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / boxing / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) medals
C. Russia ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / RUS.shtml" \t "_blank ) retaining its Rhythmic Gymnastics ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / rhythmicgymnastics / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) All Around crown
D. Team USA ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / NOC / USA.shtml" \t "_blank ) won their Men's Basketball ( http: / / en. / cptvenues / sports / basketball / index.shtml" \t "_blank ) gold medal.
2. Where may this passage be taken from
A. A newspaper. B. A magazine. C. A book. D. A notice.
3. Who scored the most for Team USA
A. Kobe Bryant ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 6 / 220296.shtml" \t "_blank ). B. Dwyane Wade ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 7 / 222087.shtml" \t "_blank ). C. Marc Gasol. D. Lebron James ( http: / / results. / WRM / ENG / BIO / Athlete / 1 / 220991.shtml" \t "_blank ).
B
(BEIJING, September 17) -- As the curtain dropped signaling the end of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, fans were left with a deep impression of an almost tangible "Letter to the Future," encompassing many hopes for the years to come. It was a perfect ending to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, believe artistic directors Zhang Yimou and Zhang Jigang. The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games showcased a prosperous, splendid China and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games presented the respect that Chinese people hold for life and their reverence for the harmonious relationship between heaven, earth and human beings. According to Zhang Jigang, this emphatic arrangement makes all four ceremonies an organic whole. Zhang Yimou pointed out that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics and the Paralympics all gave special emphasis to interactive features. From the painting in the Olympic Opening Ceremony that incorporated both ancient and modern elements to the letter sent together by the audience and the athletes to the future in the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, this interactive characteristic was carried out at a level never seen before in previous Games. "Four ceremonies as an organic whole" was not just an abstract concept but a tangible space for performance. For example, the classical painting was not only a theme in the Olympics Opening Ceremony, but also served as a stage upon which the action took place. The huge letter in the Paralympics Closing Ceremony embodied both the conceptual theme and the physical performance.
As these "living documents" unfolded, the greatness and depth of Chinese culture and the Olympic Games were highlighted. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, athletes -- the stars of these gatherings -- had numerous unforgettable moments that became integrated into ceremony themes.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games successfully concluded with an ideal ending: a letter that carries the dream of the entire human race into a bright future.
4. How many ceremonies were directed by Zhang Yimou and Zhang Jigang for the Beijing 2008 Games
A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. Four.
5. According to Zhang Yimou, what is the most special features for the ceremonies
A. Interactive features. B. Organic features. C. Harmonious features. D. Greatness and depth features.
6. What is the ideal ending of the the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
A. The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games showcased a prosperous, splendid China.
B. the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games presented the respect that Chinese people hold for life and their reverence.
C. "Letter to the Future" carries the dream of the entire human race into a bright future.
D. The huge letter in the Paralympics Closing Ceremony embodied both the conceptual theme and the physical performance.
C
After the Summer Olympics are over, when all the athletics have gone home and the television audience has switched off, another group of athletics and fans will arrive at the host city, and another competition will begin. These are the Paralympics, the games for athletes with a disability. But in Beijing in 2008, for the first time, one of the greatest Paralympics will not be taking part.
She is a British athlete by the name of Tanni Grey-Thormpson. Born with spine hifida (脊椎裂) which left her paralysed from the waist Bown. Tanni used a wheelchair from the age of 7. at first, she was not keen on sport, apart from horse-riding, which gave her a sense of freedom. But in her teens, she started taking sports more seriously. She tried swimming, basketball and tennis. Eventually she found athletics, and never looked back.
Indeed, Tanni’s athletic career took off. In 1984, when she was 15, she pulled off a surprise victory in the 100metres at the Junior National Wheelchair Games. In 1998, Tanni went to her first Paralympic Games in Seoul. She won bronze in the 400 metres. Even greater success followed at the 1992 Barcelonn. Paralympics. Tanni won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres relay, setting two world records in the process. In the same year she achieved she first of her six London Wheelchair Marathon victories.
Tanni’s enduring success had been part motivation(动机), part preparation, “The training I do that enables me to be a good sprinter(短跑运动员) enables me to be good at a marathon too. I train 50 weeks of the year and that keeps me prepared for whatever distance I want to see…. I am still competing at a very high lever, but as I get older things get harder and I want to retire before I fall apart.” Indeed Tanni retired finally after the Visa Paralympic World Cup in 2007. Her wish is to coach young athletes for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In spite of ups and downs, she never take her fate lying down. In her splendid life, she has won an amazing eleven gold medals, four silvers and one bronze in series of Paralympics- a top lever athletic career covering two decades. She has won the London Wheelchair Marathon six times, more than any other competitor, and she has set over thirty world records. What advice does she have for young athletes “Work hard at your studies, and then train, train and train again.”
7. Which of the following sports did Tanni like before thirteen
A. Basketball B. Swimming. C. Tennis. D. Horse-riding.
8. When did Tanni win her first Olympic gold medal
A. In 1984. B. In 1988. C. In 1992. D. In 2007.
9. The underlined word “that” in the 5th paragraph refers to _______.
A. fifty weeks’ training B. being a good sprinter
C. training almost every day D. part motivation and part preparation
10. What’s the right order of the events related to Tanni
a. She works as a coach. b. She took up athletics.
c. She won four gold medals in Barcelong. d. She competed in her first Paralympic Games.
e. She achieved a victory in her first London Wheelchair Marathon.
A. b, d, c, e a B. a, d, b, c ,e C. A,d,c,e,b D. b.d.a.e.c
11. What can we learn from Tanni’s success
A. Union is strength. B. Never too late to learn. C. Well begun is half done. D. No pains, no gains.
D
People think children should play sports. Sports are fun, and playing with others. However, playing sports can have __12 effects on children. It may produce feelings of poor self-respect or aggressive behavior in some children. According to research on kids and sports, 40,000,000 kids play sports in the US. Of these, 18,000,000 say they have been __13 at or called names while playing sports. This leaves many children with a bad __14 of sports. They think sports are just too aggressive.
Many researchers believe adults, especially parents and coaches, are the main _15 of too much aggression ill children's sports. They believe children _16 _ aggressive adult behavior. This behavior is then further strengthened through both positive and negative feedback. Parents and coaches are powerful teachers because children usually look up to them. Often these adults behave aggressively themselves, sending children the message that__17 is everything. Many parents go to children's sporting events and shout __18 _ at other players or cheer when their child behaves __19__. As well, children arc even taught that hurting other players is _ 20 or are pushed to continue playing even when they are injured _21, the media makes violence seem exciting. Children watch adult sports games and see violent behavior replayed over and over on television.
As a society, we really need to _22 this problem and do something about it. Parents and coaches _23 should act as better examples for children. They also need to teach children better__24 . They should not just cheer when children win or act aggressively. They should teach children to __25 _ , themselves whether they win or not. Besides, children should not be allowed to continue to play when they are injured. If adults allow children to play when injured, this gives the message that __26 is not as important as winning.
12. A. restrictive B. negative C. active D. instructive
13. A. knocked B. glanced C. smiled D. shouted
14. A. impression B. concept C. taste D. expectation
15. A. resource B. cause C. course D. consequence
16. A. question B. understand C. copy D. neglect
17. A. winning B. practising C. fun D. sport
18. A. praises B. orders C. remarks D. insults
19. A. proudly B. ambitiously C. aggressively D. bravely
20. A. acceptable B. impolite C. possible D. accessible
21. A. By contrast B. In addition C. As a result D. After all
22. A. look up to B. face up to C. make up for D. come up with
23. A. in particular B. in all C. in return D. in advance
24. A. techniques B. means C. values D. directions
25. A. respect B. relax C. forgive D. enjoy
26. A. body B. fame C. health D. spirit
参考答案：
1—3 DAB 4—6 DAC 7—11 DCCAD 12—16 BDABC 17—21 ADCAB 22—26 BACDC
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