Surfing has deep roots, but for the first time, surfers are competing for medals at the Summer Olympics. At Tsurigasaki Beach, 40 miles from Tokyo, they’re also riding big waves ahead of a storm.
“The incoming tide (潮汐) push over the afternoon does look to provide a lot of fun waves,” reports Kurt Korte, the official surf forecaster for the Tokyo Olympics. He works for Surfline, a company based in Huntington Beach, California. He says while it might rain at Tsurigasaki Beach, it should be a great day for the surfing finals at the Olympics.
While new to the Olympics, surfing has a long history. In pre-Inca Peru and wherever there’s been a nearby ocean, people have long been surfing in one form or another, Ancient warriors (武士) in Tahiti and Samoa used to train by surfing. In Polynesia, surfing was also considered an art form. But modern surfing became popular near the start of the 20th century in Hawaii.
Getting surfing to the Olympics was a dream of Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku more than a century ago. Decades before Hawaii became a U.S. state, he earned five Olympic medals for swimming, starting in 1912. Kahanamoku had grown up surfing with his brothers in Waikiki. A news reporter in the 1960’s once asked him, “Duke, was it more of a thrill (激动) for you to win those Olympic Games, or ride some of those big waves you used to ride? “I think surfing is much more to me, the greatest thrill of my life,” he answered.
Former professional surfer Matt Warshaw said, “Unlike most other sports in competition at the Olympics, so much of surfing depends on Mother Nature:the wind and the waves.” At the moment, these surfers are hoping for some sick waves for the Olympic finals. But with the ocean, you never know.
1. What do Korte’s words suggest about the day?| A．It will be sunny and very hot. | B．It will bring satisfactory waves. |
| C．It will rain out the surfing event. | D．It will be great for swimming. |
| A．It was considered an art form in Tahiti. |
| B．It was introduced to Hawaii from Polynesia. |
| C．It was a type of training for Samoan warriors. |
| D．It was a highly competitive sport in pre-Inca Peru. |
| A．They were a dream coming true. | B．They changed his view on himself. |
| C．They paled in comparison with surfing. | D．They inspired him to pursue other sports. |
| A．In the later part of the 1960’s. | B．During the Tokyo Olympics. |
| C．At the start of the 20th century. | D．Before Hawaii joined the U.S. |
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【推荐1】For sports fans, there’s nothing better than watching a live event on TV or at a sports field. But there’s nothing worse than that event being called off because of bad weather. Bad light, a waterlogged pitch (球场) or too much heat can cause matches to be postponed. But according to the latest research, extreme weather might be disturbing the sporting calendar more than ever in the future.
In one sport, golf, major tournaments like The Open, are already predicted to be victims of our changing climate. In the UK, an organization called The Climate Coalition says that golf courses such as the Old Course at St Andrews could be under water by the end of the century if sea level rise even slightly. It told the BBC that its research predicts “cancelled football matches, flooded cricket grounds and golf courses falling apart into the sea.”
The threat to sporting events from climate change has been further highlighted in a new report, officially approved and licensed by the Rapid Transition Alliance. Writing about this for the BBC, Matt McGrath says that “By 2050, it’s estimated that almost one in four English football league grounds can expect flooding every year.” This will mean fewer matches played, less opportunity to watch the beautiful game and reduced government taxation from ticket sales.
Cricket also faces huge challenges globally as temperatures rise in places like India, Australia and the West Indies. The report says that stadiums in Adelaide and Perth will see a 60% increase in days with temperatures over 40℃, over the next decade.
Of course, we know that the solution lies in reducing our carbon footprint. We could travel less to attend sports events, and reduce our waste when we do go. But this latest report finds that sports leaders are generally failing to address the issue seriously. However, because sport is universally popular and can be very influential, maybe it should be players, teams, their sponsors as well as fans who promote a low-carbon message to help protect sports fields — before it’s “game over”.
1. What’s the latest research above mainly concerned with?| A．The rising sea level. | B．The disappearing sporting events. |
| C．The severe environmental pollution. | D．The influence of climate change on sports. |
| A．Football fans cannot afford the entrance fee. |
| B．Overheating will largely affect the cricket calendar. |
| C．The golf games will thoroughly disappear due to rising sea level. |
| D．Sports leaders will face bigger challenges to lead their teams to win. |
| A．The constant increase in sea level. | B．The changing attitude of sponsors |
| C．The effective reduction of carbon footprints. | D．The decreasing popularity of some sporting events. |
| A．appeal to sponsors for financial support |
| B．require governments’ protection of sports fields |
| C．popularize the awareness of low carbon life through sports |
| D．inform the readers of the worsening global climate change |
【推荐2】Breakdancing is close to becoming an Olympic sport after the organizers of the 2024 Paris Olympics announced on Thursday that they will propose four additional sports, including newcomer breakdancing and the other three sports-surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing-to the Games in 2024.
"Breakdancing is a fantastic opportunity to be really in line with the story that Paris 2024wants to tell. We want those Games in connection with creativity, connected with the youth, more urban, more out of the stadiums. We look forward to working with breakdancing to propose a new experience." Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet told Xinhua.
Breakdancing is a sport which can be played anytime and anywhere in urban and other environments. It has no previous appearance at the Summer Olympic Games, but was included at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018.
"Right from the beginning, our aim was to offer Games that would have an impact and the element of surprise. This is why we have chosen to present the IOC (International Olympic Committee) with four sports that are as creative, appealing to the youth and in line with our vision.
We are certain that breakdancing, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will contribute to strengthen our project," Estanguet added.
The organizers seek to deliver three key principles in hosting the Games: sustainable and socially-responsible Games in accordance with the 10C's New Norm (规则), Games in keeping with the times and inspire new audiences and attract young people, and Games reflecting the identity of Paris 2024, which is spectacular, culturally relevant, engaging, accessible and inclusive.
Under the new IOC rules, Olympic host cities can select sports and propose them for inclusion in those Games if they are popular in that country and add to the Games appeal. The inclusion still needs to be pubberstamped by the IOC which is expected to make the final decision after the 2020Tokyo Olympics
1. What is mentioned about the 2024 Olympic Games in the first paragraph?| A．They will be much more organized under new IOC rules. |
| B．New sports events will be included. |
| C．They will attract more younger audiences than ever. |
| D．They will spread the local culture worldwide. |
| A．It appeals to people of all ages. |
| B．It is the symbol of Paris. |
| C．It can be played either indoors or outdoors. |
| D．It is accepted as an Olympic sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. |
| A．Because they well represent the youth of the country. |
| B．Because they will make Paris more artistic and urban |
| C．Because they will tell the story of the city |
| D．Because they will help attract young people. |
| A．Approved. | B．Canceled |
| C．Submitted. | D．Designed. |
【推荐3】Baron Pierre de Coubertin was a Frenchman.At his time sports were not taught in French schools.De Coubertin believed that sports should go hand in hand with studies.He had an idea.His idea was to begin the Olympics all over again.
Sports teachers of other countries liked de Coubertion's ideas.So in 1896,the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens（雅典）,Greece.Since then the Olympics have been held once every four years,except three times,when there were wars.
The modern Olympic games have many foot races and field sports programs.The longest race in the games is called marathon.
Before the start of the Olympic Games,runners carry lighted torch（火炬）through many nations towards the stadium（运动场）where the games will be held.These sportsmen are from different countries.Yet they work together to carry the Olympic torch.It is passed from runner to runner.When the last runner enters the stadium,he or she places the torch in a special（专门的）basin filled with oil.It catches fire.It is then,only then,that the Olympic Games can begin.The Olympic flame（火焰）burns throughout the games.It is the flame of peace.
1. Before 1896 French schools didn't teach_____.| A．maths | B．History |
| C．physics | D．sports |
| A．was the first man to start the Olympic Games |
| B．believed that sports were less important than studies |
| C．helped start the modern Olympic Games |
| D．failed to begin the modern Olympic Games |
| A．a jumping contest（比赛） | B．a foot race |
| C．field sports | D．a boxing（拳击）match |
| A．After the start of the Olympics,the Olympic flame is put out. |
| B．The torch is carried from runner to runner through many countries. |
| C．Runners who carry the torch can be men or women. |
| D．The Olympic Games don't begin until the basin of oil catches fire. |
【推荐1】On a stretch of land covering 25 hectares in the Sirdaryo region of Uzbekistan, thousands of workers from China, Uzbekistan and other Asian countries are braving high temperatures to build a power plant.
Expected to be completed by the end of next year, the project will provide about 8 percent of Uzbekistan’s electricity, crating up to 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year and meeting power demand for nearly 1 million residents.
Guo Tianyu, a project manager, said, “This project is of milestone significance for the energy sector in Uzbekistan, and is another landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative(一带一路). ”He added that the economic boom(繁荣)in Uzbekistan, including development of the construction, has caused an increase in energy demand and a power shortage in the country.
Construction of the power plant has created more than 1,000 job opportunities for local residents, Guo said. The new plant is just one of the many cooperation projects carried out between China and the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as part of the BRI.
According to many observers, cooperation in the BRI between China and the five nations has produced early results, helping these countries improve their infrastructure(基础建设), build tradelinks, and improve public well-being.
The BRI has promoted Central Asian countries’ exports, balanced the growth of their industries, and offered opportunities for their industrial upgrading and the development of green and digital economies.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the formation of diplomatic relations between China and the five nations, with trade between the two sides rising from $460 million in. 1992 to $50 billion last year.
In the first seven months of this year, trade between China and Kazakhstan rose by 19. 3 percent. The figure for Kyrgyzstan was 150. 4 percent, for Tajikistan 85. 5 percent, for Turkmenistan 53. 4 percent, while Uzbekistan saw a 32. 5 percent rise in such trade.
1. What does Guo Tianyu think of power-plant project?| A．He sings high praise for it. | B．He feels very proud of it. |
| C．It is a challenge to his company. | D．It has brought progress to the country. |
| A．Natural disasters. | B．Economic crisis. |
| C．Population increase. | D．Deyelopment of economy. |
| A．Tajikistan. | B．Uzbekistan. |
| C．Kyrgyzstan. | D．Turkmenistan. |
| A．Belt and Road Is Widely Popular | B．Belt and Road Produces Series of Benefits |
| C．China Helps Its Neighbors Create Jobs | D．China Builds Power Station for Its Neighbor |
【推荐2】America is the world’s largest food exporter. But the worst drought in half a century is hitting corn and wheat harvests. The drought across the central United States adds to concerns about world food supplies and prices in the coming years.
Experts say by 2050, the world will have to produce at least sixty percent more food to feed a population growing bigger and bigger. China, a major food importer, is looking for producers around the world to guarantee future food supplies.
China has invested in food production in Australia and New Zealand. A new source of supply is Ukraine. Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of Europe because of rich corn and wheat harvests a century ago.
Galyna Kovtok is chief executive of Ukraine’s largest agricultural business, ULF. She predicts that within a few months her company will be approved to export corn to China. That will make Ukraine the first country outside the Americas to do so.
ULF will soon have almost two million tons of elevator storage capacity as it prepares for the Chinese market. Chinese money is financing the building of six grain elevators. But the company’s equipment is largely American, including half-million-dollar John Deere combines to harvest wheat.
ULF’S grain production per hectare (公顷) is now halfway between Ukrainian averages and the high yields of the American Midwest. But farming depends on the weather. Across the Black Sea region—in Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan--drought this year is pushing harvests down by fifteen to twenty percent.
Traditionally, the Black Sea region is the main source of wheat for North Africa and the Middle East. But this year, on the supply side, Russia may have to stop exports. And, on the demand side, Africa and the Middle East are now competing with China.
At the same time, a new report says large parts of Asia may face long periods of severe drought within ten years. It says northern China, India, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Pakistan will be especially hard hit. It says other parts of Asia are likely to face longer and wetter monsoon seasons (雨季) because of climate change.
1. We can learn from the first paragraph that in the future ________.| A．food supplies will become a big worry |
| B．corn and wheat will be the most important food |
| C．prices will be able to change our food patterns |
| D．corn and wheat harvests will change the whole world |
| A．The world will surely produce more food by 2050. |
| B．China is producing more food in the coming years. |
| C．A large population may produce more supplies. |
| D．China is now seeking producers all over the world. |
| A．China is investing in food production in foreign countries. |
| B．The Black Sea region is rich in wheat. |
| C．ULF produces more grain per hectare than the American Midwest does. |
| D．Drought is one of the reasons that affect the wheat harvest. |
| A．A book review. | B．An agriculture report. |
| C．A tour plan. | D．An advertisement. |
【推荐3】Have you ever been to a national park like Yellowstone, Yosemite or Glacier? How about the moon?
That’s a trick question, of course. First of all, if you’re a kid, I’m absolutely certain you’ve never been to the moon. After all, only a dozen grown-ups have ever walked on the moon’s surface. And the last one did it in 1972. Second, the moon is not a national park. But if two US women get their way, it might become one. Eddie Johnson and Donna Edwards have introduced a bill (议案) that would create the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites National Historic Park.
Why should a park be on the moon? After all, you can’t just get into a car and drive there on vacation. But in the not-so-distant future, you might be able to fly there. Private companies are working on ways to transport tourists to the moon. And there are concerns that some careless visitors might mess up some of the historic sites up there - sites such as the astronauts’ footprints and other things they left behind.
Some people think the bill is a good idea. “It’s a good idea because the moon’s environment is very fragile,” said David Paige, a scientist. “Any disturbance to the soil there will last for millions of years.”
But others think it’s kind of silly. For one thing, how are you going to make sure that the moon’s historic sites are truly protected? After all, there are no park rangers (园林管理员) to enforce the law up there. And there’s another big problem: the moon does not belong to the United States - or any other country, for that mater. So in order for the United States to create a national park on the moon, it would need to get permission from lots of other countries. And that might not be as simple as it might sound.
Still, Johnson doesn’t consider her bill frivolous. “I don’t think that there is anything far-fetched about protecting and preserving such items and such a place,” she said.
1. What is the function of the two questions asked in the first paragraph?| A．To introduce the topic the author wants to say |
| B．To remind the readers to pay attention to the technology |
| C．To introduce a special national park on the moon. |
| D．To help develop the readers’ interest in national parks. |
| A．tourists are not allowed to disturb the soil on the moon |
| B．creating a national park on the moon will be meaningful |
| C．a national park will be created on the moon sooner or later |
| D．the moon’s environment will be ruined after tourists arrive |
| A．many people have been to the moon since 1972 |
| B．the purpose of the bill is to promote space travel |
| C．careless visitors are not welcomed to visit the moon |
| D．building a national park on the moon is far from reality |
| A．serious | B．foolish | C．wasteful | D．sensitive |
