In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games was held in Athens, Greece. From then on, many countries
had successfully held the Olympics, such as England, France, Germany, Canada, the U.S.A., Spain and
Australia. After more than a hundred years, the Games returned to its hometown in the year of 2004.
When a country hosted the Olympic Games, they always made an emblem (会徽). The emblem of the
Athens 2004 Olympic Games was a white circle of olive branches (橄榄枝) in the sky.?
   In 2008, Beijing will host the Olympics. Its emblem is "Jing". It means the capital of China and it is also
like a runner or dancer. The running figure (人形) of the emblem shows the spirit (精神) of the Olympics:
Faster, higher and stronger.?

1. When was the first modern Olympic Games held??
    ___________________________________________
2. What do people make when they hold the Olympic Games??
    ___________________________________________
3. Does the character (图案) of "Jing" mean the capital of China?
    ___________________________________________
4. What's the spirit of the Olympic Games??
     __________________________________________
5. How many golden medals (金牌) did China get in 2008 Olympic Games?
     __________________________________________

     Can you see the five rings in the picture? The colors of them are blue, black, red, yellow and green.
The rings are a symbol of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games in the old days were religious ( 宗教的)
activities. Greece held the first Olympic Games in the sixth century B. C. The Games lasted for one day and
there were only races. Men could be in the races. Women had no right to take part in the Olympic Games
until 1912.
     The Olympic Games were stopped in the fourth century. Then they started again in Athens in 1886. This
was the beginning of the modern Olympics. Since then, we hold the Olympic Games every four years.
     The IOC makes rules for athletes, so they all have the same chance to win. Winning in the Olympics is a
great honor. An athlete who wins at the Olympic is the best in the world."Faster, Higher, Stronger" is the
motto of the Olympics.
      Beijing will host the 29th Olympic Games on August 8th this year. We hope it will be held successfully.

1. The first Olympic Games was held in _________ in the sixth century B. C.
2. _________ were not allowed to take part in the Olympic Games until 1912.
3. The modern Olympics started in Athens in _________.
4. The athletes all have the _________ chance to win because the IOC makes rules for them.
5. The _________ of the Olympics is"Faster, Higher, Stronger".

     I have a dream, one day in the year of 2008 when Beijing hosts the Olympic Games, I , an 18-year
-old university student, will serve(服务)as a tour guide(导游)for many, many foreign athletes, news
reporters as well as tourists. I will tell them in fluent(流利的) English many stories about China, a
nation of 5000 years of civilization(文明), and about Beijing, a city of 3000 years of history. So I am
going to study harder from now on. I'm going to speak English and write in English as much as possible
(可能). And I'm going to learn more about the differences between Chinese culture and western culture
so that I can behave(表现)more politely(礼貌地) before foreigners.

(     )1. The writer(作者) is from China.
(     )2. When the writer is 18 years old, he is a university student.
(     )3. Beijing will host the Olympic Games in the year of 2008.
(     )4. Beijing is a city of 5000 years of history.
(     )5.There are no differences between Chinese culture and western culture.