“Tear’em apart!” “Kill the fool!” “Murder the referee(裁判)!”
These are common remarks one may hear at various sporting events.At the time they are made, they may seem innocent enough.But let’s not kid ourselves.They have been known to influence behavior in such a way as to lead to real bloodshed.Volumes have been written about the way words affect us.It has been shown that words having certain connotations(含义)may cause us to react in ways quite foreign to what we consider to be our usual humanistic behavior.I see the term “opponent” as one of those words.Perhaps the time has come to delete it from sports terms.
The dictionary meaning of the term “opponent ”is “adversary”:“enemy” “one who opposes your interests.” Thus, when a player meets an opponent, he or she may tend to treat that opponent as an enemy.At such times, winning may control one’s intellect, and every action, no matter how gross(rude), may be considered acceptable.I recall an incident in a handball game when a referee refused a player’s request for a time out for a glove change because he did not consider them wet enough.The player stepped forward to rub his gloves across his wet T-shirt and then exclaimed.“Are they wet enough now?”
In the heat of battle, players have been observed to throw themselves across the court without considering the consequences that such a move might have on anyone in their way.I have also witnessed a player reacting to his opponent’s international and illegal blocking by deliberately hitting him with the ball as hard as he could during the course of play.Off the court, they are good friends.Does that make any sense? It certainly gives proof of a court attitude which departs from(goes against)normal behavior.
Therefore, I believe it is time we elevated(提升)the game to the level where it belongs therefore setting an example to the rest of the sporting world.Replacing the term “opponent” with “associate” could be an ideal way to start.
The dictionary meaning of the term “associate” is “colleague”; “friend”; “companion.” Reflect a moment! You may soon see and possibly feel the difference in your reaction to the term “associate” rather than “opponent.”
(1)
Which of the following statements best expresses the author’s view?
[ ]
A.
Aggressive behavior in sports can have serious consequences
B.
The words people use can influence their behavior
C.
Unpleasant words in sports are often used by foreign athletes
D.
Unfair judgments by referees will lead to violence on the sports field
(2)
Bitter words are spoken during games because the players.
[ ]
A.
are too eager to win
B.
are usually short-tempered and easily annoyed
C.
cannot afford to be polite in fierce competition
D.
treat their rivals as enemies
(3)
What did the handball player do when he was not allowed a time out to change his gloves?
[ ]
A.
He refused to continue the game.
B.
He angrily hit the referee with a ball
C.
He claimed that the referee was unfair.
D.
He wet his gloves by rubbing them across his T-shirt
(4)
The author hopes to have the current situation in sports improved by _________.
[ ]
A.
calling on players to use clean language on the court
B.
raising the referee’s sense of responsibility
C.
changing the attitude of players on the sports field
D.
regulating the relationship between players and referees
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, USA, is in the central part of the state, on the Santa Fe River, which flows into the Rio Grands 35 kilometres west of the city.More than two thousand metres above sea level, it lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the Ortiz Mountains to the southeast.
Santa Fe was founded in 1609 by the Spanish in an old Indian village.In 1680 the Indians seized the place but only held it for twelve years before the Spanish retook it.The city remained under Spanish rule until Mexico won its independence in 1821.From then on it was a Mexico city until 1846 when it was taken over by US troops.
With a population of 48,953, Santa Fe is now the second largest city in the state.Because of its sunny weather, rich history and surrounding mountains, it is a good place for holiday makers.Besides hunting and skating in the mountains people enjoy shopping in the Indian and Spanish shops, which brings a large income to the city every year.In summer there is an international opera season when operas are shown in a partly-roofed, open-air theatre daily for people from all over the world.
(1)
At present Santa Te belongs to ________.
[ ]
A.
India
B.
Mexico
C.
Spain
D.
the United States
(2)
The people who held Santa Fe for the longest period in history were the ________.
[ ]
A.
Spanish
B.
Indians
C.
Mexicans
D.
Americans
(3)
What is of special interest to people who visit Santa Fe in summer?
[ ]
A.
Hunting
B.
Fishing
C.
Watching opera
D.
Doing shopping
(4)
Santa Fe is best described(描述)as a ________.
[ ]
A.
trade centre
B.
holiday centre
C.
home for all nations
D.
seaport city
(5)
One of the reasons for visitors to come to Santa Fe is that it ________.