2 . Sneakers (运动鞋) have come a long way from when they were first invented in 1860s England for the upper-class playing croquet and tennis. But what transformed sneaker culture into a true phenomenon was the 1985 release of Nike’s Air Jordan 1.

In 1984, Michael Jordan was a talented new player who had yet to play in a professional game. Despite that, Nike — better known then as a running shoe company — saw Jordan as the future of their brand. The bet paid off. As Jordan proved to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, the sneaker’s popularity skyrocketed.

Sneaker culture began to take off beyond the basketball court too. When the influential hip-hop group Run-D. M. C. released their single My Adidas in 1986, it earned the group a first-of-its-kind endorsement (代言) deal with the brand. Soon after, Kurt Cobain of the grunge band Nirvana made Converse a symbol of rebellion and youth.

Meanwhile, another cultural shift was taking place as white-collar businesses introduced casual Fridays. Suddenly, men were allowed to put aside their suits and wear something one day a week that showed people who they really were.

Nowadays, sneakers are also how people express their beliefs — for instance, when NBA player Dwyane Wade wore hiscustom-designed, limited-edition “Black Lives Matter” Li-Nings or NFL placekicker Blair Walsh wore anti-bullying sneakers covered in the words “Speak Out.”

“It’s like art,” says Akio Evans, a Baltimore creative who specializes in turning shoes into wearable artwork. “Even though it is a sneaker that is on the shelves or inside of a box inside a store, the very first thing you are doing is admiring what you see. You look at all the pieces and decide which one appeals to your emotions.”

Decades after their first introduction to the fashion industry, sneakers are finally getting their due as part of our cultural heritage.

1. How has Michael Jordan affected sneaker culture?

A．He is a key figure in its taking over the world.

B．He played in a professional game in 1984 to start it.

C．He has created it since he became a talented new player.

D．He was known for wearing running shoes as advertisement for it.

2. Why are Adidas and Converse mentioned?

A．To introduce Run-D. M. C. and Kurt Cobain.	B．To prove Nike the best sneaker brand.
C．To show the popularity of sneaker culture.	D．To emphasize rebellion and youth.

3. What can men do on casual Fridays?

A．Wearing sneakers.	B．Embracing suits.
C．Stopping work.	D．Hiding themselves.

4. Which statement will the author probably agree with?

A．Famous athletes express their beliefs on sneakers just for fun.

B．Artists pay too much attention to turning sneakers into artwork.

C．Sneakers deserve the admiration and popularity nowadays.

D．Sneaker culture plays the most important role in fashion industry.

4 . For people who are planning a trip, a visit to a museum might not be the first thing they think of. After all, there are plenty of ways to appreciate the world’s civilization, gain exciting experiences and spend quality time with family and friends.     1    

Museums are where people learn something new, at every age! Are you interested in something specific?     2    . There, you will find yourself drawn in and inspired! Museums are a fantastic place to learn about a region’s history, scientific achievements, major cultural events, and of course, dinosaurs. They also design exhibitions related to visual arts, industrial innovations and anything that inspires an individual to learn about the past and create new paths to the future.

    3     They will surely be an exciting part of the educational experience with the main purpose to expose children to knowledge of various fields and expand their horizons. To achieve that, museums are working to create meaningful and engaging activities, interactive and knowledge-based.

Museums support tourism. They are tourism promoters in small towns and large cities. Museums aren’t a burden on tax revenue (税收) or a separate concern from other city projects.     4    Statistics show that museums support more than 726, 000 jobs in America.

Museums shape communities. They have activities and exhibitions through which visitors can learn about local history. Museums are places where a shared heritage is celebrated and a collective identity is formed. They provide an interesting public space where people meet and talk to each other.     5    

A．Museums bring out the best qualities in children.

B．Museums often deliver kids-centered exhibitions.

C．Instead, they generate funding and fuel employment.

D．Then, visit a local museum to learn about that subject.

E．Even shopping at the gift shop there is an opportunity for connection.

F．On the contrary, they consume a small percentage of city funds annually.

G．The fact, however, is that museums offer magical benefits in many ways.