I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game — a serious game — two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn’t know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing.

The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. Then came the second quarter. The Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs(替补队员), except for his best player who now guarded the goal.

    The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you’re five years old — because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two packed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalkeeper. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalkeeper gave it everything he had, desperately throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying bravely to stop them.

    Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It angered the young boy. He became a raging maniac — shouting, running, diving. With all the strength he could gather, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late — they scored a third goal.

I soon learned who the goalkeeper’s parents were. They were nice, decent-looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office — he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines.

    After the third goal, the little kid changed. He didn’t quit, but he became quietly desperate and futility was written all over him. His father changed, too. He had been urging his son to try harder — yelling advice and encouragement. But then he became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay — to hang in there. He sorrowed for the pain his son was feeling.

    After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. The little boy fetched the ball from the net and handed it to the referee(裁判). He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees, and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted.

    At that moment, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife seized his arm and said, “Jim, don’t. You’ll embarrass him.” But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. Suit, tie, dress shoe, and all — he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I’ve never been so proud of a man in my life.

    He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, “Scotty, I’m so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son.”

    “Daddy,” the boy sobbed. “I couldn’t stop them. I tried, Daddy, but they scored on me.”

    “Scotty, it doesn’t matter how many times they scored on you. You’re my son, and I’m proud of you. I want you to go back there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can’t. And, son, you’re going to get scored on again, but it doesn’t matter. In my eyes, you are the winner! Go on, now.”

    The little guy ran back onto the field — and they scored two more times — but it was okay. Now in all viewers’ eyes, he is the Winner.

    When you’re all alone, and you’re getting scored on — and you can’t stop them — it means a lot to know that it doesn’t matter to those who love you. In their eyes, so long as you don’t give up, you are the winner. And they are always proud of you.

1.The phrase “took a dramatic turn” (Paragraph 3) can best be replaced by ______.

A. went on smoothly                             B. changed greatly

C. attracted less attention                    D. got interrupted

2.Which detail from the story can reflect the little boy’s losing confidence?

A. The lone goalkeeper gave it everything he had, desperately throwing his body.

B. He became a raging maniac — shouting, running, diving.

C. With all the strength he could gather, he covered the boy who now had the ball.

D. He didn’t quit, but he became quietly desperate and futility was written all over him.

3.Why did the boy’s mother try to stop her husband running onto the field?

A. She thought it would only make his son feel awkward.

B. She hoped her son could gather courage and cheer himself up.

C. She considered it useless to encourage his son at that time.

D. She knew it was not allowed when the game was still in progress.

4.Which words can best describe the change of the writer’s feelings when watching the game?

A. curious → anxious → grateful

B. bored → upset → delighted

C. calm → absorbed → moved

D. surprised → thoughtful → interested

5.Which can be seen as the climax (the most important point) of the story?

A. The boy’s going to his knees and bursting into tears helplessly.

B. Team Two’s scoring another two goals after the boy went back to the field.

C. The boy’s fighting bravely in face of Team Two’s excellent performance.

D. The father’s running onto the field and encouraging his son not to give up.

6.The best title for the story is ______.

A. A Proud Father                                          B. An Amazing Game

C. The True Winner                                        D. The Magical Encouragement

I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game — a serious game — two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn’t know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distractionof being anxious about winning or losing.
The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. Then came the second quarter. The Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs(替补队员), except for his best player who now guarded the goal.
The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you’re five years old — because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two packed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalkeeper. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalkeeper gave it everything he had, desperately throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying bravely to stop them.
Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It angered the young boy. He became a raging maniac — shouting, running, diving. With all the strength he could gather, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late — they scored a third goal.
I soon learned who the goalkeeper’s parents were. They were nice, decent-looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office — he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines.
After the third goal, the little kid changed. He didn’t quit, but he became quietly desperate and futility was written all over him. His father changed, too. He had been urging his son to try harder — yelling advice and encouragement. But then he became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay — to hang in there. He sorrowed for the pain his son was feeling.
After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. The little boy fetched the ball from the net and handed it to the referee(裁判). He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees, and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted.
At that moment, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife seized his arm and said, “Jim, don’t. You’ll embarrass him.” But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. Suit, tie, dress shoe, and all — he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I’ve never been so proud of a man in my life.
He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, “Scotty, I’m so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son.”
“Daddy,” the boy sobbed. “I couldn’t stop them. I tried, Daddy, but they scored on me.”
“Scotty, it doesn’t matter how many times they scored on you. You’re my son, and I’m proud of you. I want you to go back there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can’t. And, son, you’re going to get scored on again, but it doesn’t matter. In my eyes, you are the winner! Go on, now.”
The little guy ran back onto the field — and they scored two more times — but it was okay. Now in all viewers’ eyes, he is the Winner.
When you’re all alone, and you’re getting scored on — and you can’t stop them — it means a lot to know that it doesn’t matter to those who love you. In their eyes, so long as you don’t give up, you are the winner. And they are always proud of you

1. 1.

   The phrase “took a dramatic turn” (Paragraph 3) can best be replaced by ______

   1. A.
      went on smoothly
   2. B.
      changed greatly
   3. C.
      attracted less attention
   4. D.
      got interrupted
2. 2.

   Which detail from the story can reflect the little boy’s losing confidence?

   1. A.
      The lone goalkeeper gave it everything he had, desperately throwing his body
   2. B.
      He became a raging maniac — shouting, running, diving
   3. C.
      With all the strength he could gather, he covered the boy who now had the ball
   4. D.
      He didn’t quit, but he became quietly desperate and futility was written all over him
3. 3.

   Why did the boy’s mother try to stop her husband running onto the field?

   1. A.
      She thought it would only make his son feel awkward
   2. B.
      She hoped her son could gather courage and cheer himself up
   3. C.
      She considered it useless to encourage his son at that time
   4. D.
      She knew it was not allowed when the game was still in progress
4. 4.

   Which words can best describe the change of the writer’s feelings when watching the game?

   1. A.
      curious → anxious → grateful
   2. B.
      bored → upset → delighted
   3. C.
      calm → absorbed → moved
   4. D.
      surprised → thoughtful → interested
5. 5.

   Which can be seen as the climax (the most important point) of the story?

   1. A.
      The boy’s going to his knees and bursting into tears helplessly
   2. B.
      Team Two’s scoring another two goals after the boy went back to the field
   3. C.
      The boy’s fighting bravely in face of Team Two’s excellent performance
   4. D.
      The father’s running onto the field and encouraging his son not to give up
6. 6.

   The best title for the story is ______

   1. A.
      A Proud Father
   2. B.
      An Amazing Game
   3. C.
      The True Winner
   4. D.
      The Magical Encouragement

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(模仿). In the history of soccer, only seven countries have ever won the World Cup---three from South America and four 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 neighbourhood---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(艺人). For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beatles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags(破布). And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall(对着墙壁踢球) in the slums(贫民窟) 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 quality that sets them apart from all the others.
46. According to the writer, which of the following statements is true?
A. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are few.
B. Millions of people all over the world are playing soccer, but only seven countries have ever had famous stars.
C. Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but only seven countries from South America and western Europe have ever had great national teams.
D. Soccer is one of the most popular games all over the world, but it seems the least popular in North America and Asia.
47. The world “tricks” at the end of Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. experience      B. cheating         C. skills          D. training
48. The Brazilian streets are mentioned to illustrate that ______.
A. famous soccer players live in slum areas
B. people in poor areas are born with some unique quality
C. children in poor areas start playing football at the age of three or four
D. a great soccer player may be born in a slum area
49. In the last paragraph the statement “…but 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 others
D. the success of a soccer player has everything to do with the family background
50. The writer mentions all the factors that may affect a soccer player’s success except ______.
A. his family background               B. his neighbourhood
C. his practice                              D. his character

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(模仿). In the history of soccer, only seven countries have ever won the World Cup---three from South America and four 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 neighbourhood---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(艺人). For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beatles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags(破布). And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall(对着墙壁踢球) in the slums(贫民窟) 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 quality that sets them apart from all the others.

46. According to the writer, which of the following statements is true?

A. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are few.

B. Millions of people all over the world are playing soccer, but only seven countries have ever had famous stars.

C. Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but only seven countries from South America and western Europe have ever had great national teams.

D. Soccer is one of the most popular games all over the world, but it seems the least popular in North America and Asia.

47. The world “tricks” at the end of Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. experience      B. cheating         C. skills          D. training

48. The Brazilian streets are mentioned to illustrate that ______.

A. famous soccer players live in slum areas

B. people in poor areas are born with some unique quality

C. children in poor areas start playing football at the age of three or four

D. a great soccer player may be born in a slum area

49. In the last paragraph the statement “…but 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 others

D. the success of a soccer player has everything to do with the family background

50. The writer mentions all the factors that may affect a soccer player’s success except ______.

A. his family background               B. his neighbourhood

C. his practice                              D. his character

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(模仿). In the history of soccer, only seven countries have ever won the World Cup---three from South America and four 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 neighbourhood---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(艺人). For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beatles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags(破布). And George Best learned the skills that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall(对着墙壁踢球) in the slums(贫民窟) 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 quality that sets them apart from all the others.

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

A. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are few.

B. Millions of people all over the world are playing soccer, but only seven countries have ever had famous stars.

C. Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but only seven countries from South America and western Europe have ever had great national teams.

D. Soccer is one of the most popular games all over the world, but it seems the least popular in North America and Asia.

2.The Brazilian streets are mentioned to illustrate that ______.

A. famous soccer players live in slum areas

B. people in poor areas are born with some unique quality

C. children in poor areas start playing football at the age of three or four

D. a great soccer player may be born in a slum area

3.In the last paragraph the statement “…but 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 others

D. the success of a soccer player has everything to do with the family background

4.. The writer mentions all the factors that may affect a soccer player’s success except ______.

A. his family background     B. his neighbourhood    C. his character    D. his practice