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

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

I decided to go to the library as soon as I ______.

  　A. finished what I was doing   

    B. finished what I did

  　C. would finish what I was doing  

    D. finish what I did