BASEBALL.It’s just a word, but for millions of Americans it brings much more than a word.
Hot dogs.Cold beers.Sunny afternoons.Baseball is the game of fathers and sons.Fathers and sons catch with each other on lawns(草坪)in the US.A father’s favorite team becomes his son’s.Grandfathers talk to their grandsons about games played long ago.
Many American kids collect baseball cards.The cards have pictures of their favorite players on them.In school, friends trade(交换)baseball cards just like they trade their lunches.
Players are known as “the boys of summer” because people often play the sport mostly in warm months.You don’t need to be of a certain size or shape to play baseball.You don’t have to be tall like a basketball player or strong like an American footballer.You just need to want to have fun.
Baseball is not as fast-paced(快节奏的)a game as basketball.But when you go to see a game, there’s time to relax, talk and get to know other people.
Baseball may not be the most popular sport in the US, but it is the most traditional.It’s not just a game any more, but an important part of American culture, like apple pie and grandma’s house.
(1)
Many American kids like to collect _________.
[ ]
A.
baseballs
B.
baseball cards
C.
lunches
D.
apple pies
(2)
People like to play baseball in _________.
[ ]
A.
wet months
B.
cool months
C.
warm months
D.
cold months
(3)
Most of the Americans play baseball just want to _________.
[ ]
A.
enjoy themselves
B.
make money
C.
keep warm
D.
make friends
(4)
Which one is WRONG in the article?
[ ]
A.
We can find many children’s favorite baseball players on their cards.
B.
If you are not strong enough, you can’t play baseball.
C.
When you go to watch a baseball play, you’ll relax and have time to talk to other people.
Do you have to be very smart to live a happy life?The character of McDull(麦兜)tells you that this is not true.He is famous for having a birthmark(胎记)on his right eye.He is not very clever, but he has a heart of gold.He is also happy, with lots of dreams.The piglet wants to visit the Maldives(马尔代夫).But his mother doesn't has enough money for a trip there.So she lied to him and took him to a place called Hong kong.The place has a sign that says,“Go to the Maldives”It makes McDull very happy.He thinks he is really in the Maldives!
McDull is just ba common pig.He has many dreams, but they never come true.That doesn't stop him trying.Mcdull lives his life in a simple and happy way.His idea towards life is“Never give up”
The cartoon pig character was created in Hong Kong by Alice Mark and Brian Tse.McDull first showed up as a character in the McMug comics.McMug is another cartoon pig.But McDull is more popular with a huge number of fans everywhere!
(1)
McDull is a very ________ pig.
[ ]
A.
clever
B.
rich
C.
friendly and kind
D.
lazy
(2)
Where is the Maldives?
[ ]
A.
In Hong Kong
B.
In Japan
C.
In China.
D.
lazy
(3)
When McDull came to Hong Kong with his Mum, he felt ________
[ ]
A.
sad
B.
unhappy
C.
angry
D.
excited
(4)
Where are the artist who created McDull from?
[ ]
A.
Hong Kong
B.
Japan
C.
America.
D.
Not mention
(5)
In the writer's opinion, What kind of person will live a happy life?
[ ]
A.
A person who has to be very clever.
B.
A person who is happy and simple with lots of dream.
C.
A person who is easy to give up
D.
Both A and C
阅读理解
In Western countries, Christmas is usually a time for families to get together, have a big dinner and exchange(交换)presents.In Kirkwall, the capital town of the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland, Christmas Day is also when about 200 men have a fight over a small ball.They call it a game!
The ball is called the "Ba".It is made of leather and cork.There are two teams, the "Uppies" and the "Doonies".The Uppies try to get the Ba to touch a wall up the town.The Doonies try to get the Ba down to the sea.This game has been played for more than 150 years and is getting more popular.Whether you are an Uppie or Doonie generally depends on family traditions(传统).Male(Men)tourists can choose any team.The two teams start in the middle of the town.A guest is asked to throw up the Ba at one o’clock in the afternoon.
The Ba moves either by one team pushing the other or by someone putting it under their jersey(sweater)and running with it.You can kick or throw it but it's too heavy to go far.There is no time limit.The shortest ever game was only a few minutes.However, the longest ever was more than six hours.
There are no rules and the Ba can go anywhere.The Ba and all its players sometimes pass through somebody's house.Because of this, many shops and homes are protected by barricades.Surprisingly, few people get hurt.There are mostly tourists who get caught in the game when it suddenly moves quickly.There is no referee but the players control each other.If someone is too rough(粗暴), they are told to leave.
After the game, the winning team chooses a person to keep the Ba.This can often result in arguments and even fights within the same team.When the winner has been decided, many people go to his house for a big celebration afterwards.
(1)
People in Kirkwall have a special way to celebrate Christmas Day by ________.
[ ]
A.
exchanging balls with each other as a present
B.
playing a special ball game between men
C.
having a big family dinner
D.
running after each other up and down the town
(2)
Men who come from other places for a visit ________.
[ ]
A.
can play for either the Uppies or Doonies
B.
can not play for any team
C.
must ask their father which team to play for
D.
can only throw the Ba up
(3)
Which of the following is not allowed while playing?
[ ]
A.
Kicking or throwing the Ba.
B.
Hiding the Ba in your clothes.
C.
Hitting other players roughly for the ball.
D.
Going into someone's house.
(4)
All the following things are part of the game in Kirkwall except that _________.
[ ]
A.
the people there become less interested in the game
B.
the game has a history of 150 years
C.
the game can last as long as it can
D.
the winning team has a celebration at a player’s house in the end