David Beckham has rejected claims that England players are being greedy over their bonuses(奖金)for the World Cup, insisting the reports suggesting that each player would receive £300 000 for winning were wide of the mark.
“The truth is that we are earning less for this World Cup than we were for the last game, ” said the England skipper.Squad members stood in line to pocket £250 000 each for victory at the 2002 finals.
“I know for a fact that every one of the players in our team would play for our country for nothing and so would the other players.We don’t go into a game thinking we can make money for winning.There is too much pride and excitement in our team to even suggest that.”
There is money I football and we talk about bonuses every time a big competition comes around-and-there is always criticism of the players when bonuses are agreed.But money isn’t the motivation(动力)-not at all.When you are a 15-year-old watching the World Cup, you don’t dream of playing in it because you can make loads of money.Players don’t think like that;you want to be there to play on that stage.
“The FA makes money and the players always get bonuses; that is a fact.And if we do not succeed then the money is not there.”
(1)
The underlined words “wide of the mark” in the first paragraph means _______.
[ ]
A.
too much
B.
record-breaking
C.
far from the fact
D.
acceptable
(2)
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?
[ ]
A.
David Beckham tried to make clear some facts.
B.
David Beckham tried to show his pride in his team.
C.
David Beckham tried to declare more sports events.
D.
David Beckham tried to express his dissatisfaction with reporters.
(3)
What can we conclude from Beckham’s statements?
[ ]
A.
Money isn’t the only motivation for the players.
B.
A man without money is no man at all.
C.
The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts.
D.
The players play football not for money.
(4)
It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
[ ]
A.
a 15-year-old would dream of playing in the World Cup for money
B.
Beckham and his playmates love their motherland
C.
the public are too hard on Beckham and his playmates
D.
the reporters are too sensitive to the salary of the players