Firstly, these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past—the 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. Secondly, all these players have had years of practice in this 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 came from the same kind of neighborhood(地方), a poor, crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to become a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, but to become a rich, famous athlete or entertainer(演员). 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(使球跳) the ball off a wall 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 unique(独一无二的) quality that sets them apart from all the others.

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

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

B. Only six countries have ever had great national teams.

C. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are rare.

D. Soccer seems least popular in North America or Asia.

2. The underlined word “imitate” is closest in meaning to 　　　　　　   .

A. copy　　　　　　　　　　    B. respect　　　　　　　　　　 C. admire　　　　　　　　　　　　  D. adore

3. Liverpool and Brazilian streets are two geographic terms used to illustrate(例证)　　　　　　   .

A. where soccer players get their way

B. why they can have great soccer teams

C. what a poor, crowded area can provide a future soccer player with

D. how the environment in a poor, crowded area affects a soccer player’s success

4. To become a great soccer player, a series of factors(因素) are directly mentioned, expect 　　　　　　   .

A. age and birth　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B. personality(个性) and character

C. training and practice　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    D. family and neighborhood

Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but there have only been a few players who were really great. How did these players get that way, was it through training and practice, or were great players “born, not made”?

Firstly, these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past—the 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. Secondly, all these players have had years of practice in this 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 came from the same kind of neighborhood(地方), a poor, crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to become a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, but to become a rich, famous athlete or entertainer(演员). 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(使球跳) the ball off a wall 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 unique(独一无二的) quality that sets them apart from all the others.

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

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

B. Only six countries have ever had great national teams.

C. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are rare.

D. Soccer seems least popular in North America or Asia.

2. The underlined word “imitate” is closest in meaning to 　　　　　　   .

A. copy　　　　　　　　　　    B. respect　　　　　　　　　　 C. admire　　　　　　　　　　　　  D. adore

3. Liverpool and Brazilian streets are two geographic terms used to illustrate(例证)　　　　　　   .

A. where soccer players get their way

B. why they can have great soccer teams

C. what a poor, crowded area can provide a future soccer player with

D. how the environment in a poor, crowded area affects a soccer player’s success

4. To become a great soccer player, a series of factors(因素) are directly mentioned, expect 　　　　　　   .

A. age and birth　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B. personality(个性) and character

C. training and practice　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    D. family and neighborhood

Read the following introduction about Jay Chou, then write an introduction to a singer you are familiar with, tell why you like or dislike him／her.

　　Multi-talented singer才艺歌手－周杰伦

　　Mumbling (喃喃低语) is a talent (才能)? Sure, anyone can mumble, but no one can do it as pleasurably as the multi-talented Jay Chou. His unique blend (混合) of R&B and Hip Hop sounds differentiates him away from his fellow competitors.

　　Jay knows how to play the piano, the cello (大提琴) ,　the guitar, and the drums, therefore making his musical potential (潜力) endless. He mixes Western instruments with Chinese instruments, like the di (Chinese flute) and the sanxian (three-string). “My music, ”he explains, “my music should be like magic. It should have variety (多样的). It should be ephemeral (瞬息的), changing and progressing. ”

　　He won Best Producer for Fantasy Life and Eight Dimensions. He continues to succeed with his music and inspires people. The way he thinks of shocking people is to do things that people don’t expect in his music, in his performances. He explains, “Whatever you do, you don't try to follow others. Go your own way.” It is also his personal philosophy (人生哲学) .

　　Though he is the hottest star, his dream is not to become a pop star but a musician. He doesn't like interviews or awards ceremonies. The only two places he's comfortable age in the studio and on the basketball court. The quiet, shy boy likes to stay at the piano and compose (编写) songs and loves playing basketball in his off time. This is Jay Chou, a cool but shy boy.

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.

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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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