Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.
Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not
want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son,mentally and
physically disabled, were allowed to play, it would give him a muchneeded sense of belonging and
some confidence.
     Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting
much.The boy looked around and said,"We're losing by six runs (分) and the game is in the eighth
inning (局). I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the final inning."
     Shay struggled over to the team's bench and put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had
a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart.The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
     In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the
top of the final inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the field.Even though no hits came his way, he
was obviously joyful just to be in the game and on the field.In the bottom of the final inning, Shay's team
scored again.Now, Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.Would they let Shay bat and give away their
chance to win the game?
     Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.Everyone knew that a hit was almost impossible.The first pitch (投) came and Shay missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to throw the ball softly towards
Shay.As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
     The pitcher could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman and Shay would have been out and
that would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the
first baseman, beyond the reach of all teammates.The audience and the players from both teams started
screaming," Shay, run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far but made it to first base,
wideeyed and shocked.
     Everyone shouted," Run to second !" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second.By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time, could have thrown the ball to the second baseman, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.
     All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay." Shay reached third base when one opposing player ran to help him and shouted, "Shay, run to third." As Shay rounded third, all were on their feet, crying, "Shay, run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the home base and was cheered as the hero who won the game for his team.
    That day, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully hug her little hero of the day!

1. Not expecting much, Shay's father still asked the boy if Shay could play, mainly because the
     father ________.

A. noticed some of the boys on the field were hesitating
B. guessed his presence would affect the boys' decision
C. learned some of the boys on the field knew Shay well
D. understood Shay did need a feeling of being accepted

2. In the bottom of the final inning Shay was given the bat because the boys ________.

A. believed they were sure to win the game
B. would like to help Shay enjoy the game
C. found Shay was so eager to be a winner
D. felt forced to give Shay another chance

3. The smallest boy threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head, probably because
    that boy ________.

A. was obviously aware of the pitcher's purpose
B. looked forward to winning the game for his team
C. failed to throw the ball to the second baseman
D. saw that Shay already reached second base

4. Which of the following has nothing to do with Shay's becoming the hero for his team?

A. The pitcher did not throw the ball to the first baseman.
B. The audience and the players from both teams cheered for him.
C. The opposing players failed to stop his running to home.
D. One of the opposing players ran to help him.

      There were smiling children all the way.Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes
and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up
as they rushed towards Penang.Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as
if those on the trains were their favorite relatives.This is the simple village people of Malaysia.I was moved.
      I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car,so this was the first time I was on a train.I did not
particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread.I
looked about the train.There was not one familiar face.I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
      It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia.Johore Baru was just
another city like Singapore,so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past.As we
went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green.Then the
first village came into sight.Immediately I came alive；I decided to wave back.
      From then on my journey became interesting.I threw my magazines into the waste basket and
decided to join in Malaysian life.Then everything came alive.The mountains seemed to speak to me.Even
the trees were smiling.I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
      The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry.I looked at my watch and
was surprised that it was 3:00 pm.Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth.I looked at the people all
around me.They all looked beautiful.When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to
give him a warm hug.I had never done this before.He seemed surprised and then his weatherbeaten face
warmed up with a huge smile.We walked arm in arm to his car.
     I looked forward to the return journey.

1. The author expected the train trip to be________.

A. adventurous              
B. pleasant
C. exciting                  
D. dull

2. What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?

A. The friendly country people.
B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets.
D. The simple lunch served on the train.

3. Which of the following words can best take the place of the word "relish" in the second paragraph?

A. choose              
B. enjoy
C. prepare for      
D. carry on

4. Where was the writer going?

A. Johore Baru.          
B. The Causeway.
C. Butterworth.         
D. Singapore.

      Why play games? Because they are fun, and a lot more besides.Following the rules...planning your
next move...acting as a team member...these are all"game"ideas that you will come across throughout
your life.
     Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as ropejumping and hideandseek.
Such games are entertaining and fun.But perhaps more importantly, they_translate_life_into_ exciting_
dramas that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives,
such as taking turns and cooperating (合作).
      Many children's games have a practical side.Children around the world play games that prepare them
for work they will do as grownups.For instance,some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones,
which sharpens the handeye coordination(协调) needed in hunting.
     Many sports encourage national or local pride.The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games,
bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competition.People who watch the
event wave flags,knowing that a gold medal is a win for an entire country, not just the athlete who earned
it.For countries experiencing natural disasters or war,an Olympic win can mean so much.
     Sports are also an event that unites people.Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.People on
all continents play it-some for fun and some for a living.Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player,has
discovered a way to spread hope through soccer.He created a foundation to provide poor children with
not only soccer balls but also a promising future.
      Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed,
and whether these skills will help you in other aspects of your life.

1. Through playing hideandseek, children are expected to learn to________.

A. be a team leader
B. obey the basic rules
C. act as a grownup
D. predict possible danger

2. The underlined part in Paragraph 2 most probably means that games can________.

A. describe life in an exciting way
B. turn reallife experiences into a play
C. make learning life skills more interesting
D. change people's views of sporting events

3. According to the passage, why is winning Olympic medals so encouraging?

A. It inspires people's deep love for the country.
B. It proves the exceptional skills of the winners.
C. It helps the country out of natural disasters.
D. It earns the winners fame and fortune.

4. Iribarne's goal of forming the foundation is to________.

A. bring fun to poor kids
B. provide soccer balls for children
C. give poor kids a chance for a better life
D. appeal to soccer players to help poor kids