10 . In a city where tall buildings can make one feel closed in, Bryant Park offers open space for citizens and tourists to relax, enjoy food and drinks, or simply to charge a cellphone. Visited by six million people every year, the park has a well-designed backyard feel, equipped with comfortable chairs, a fountain and some attractive pieces of grassland.
In a tiny section of the park in Manhattan of New York City, a group of ping-pong enthusiasts come together at The Tables, free outdoor ping-pong tables that attract people from across the city. These people of various ages, backgrounds and skill levels were strangers who became friends first, then family.
The Tables are available to the public beginning at 11 a.m., and regulars start to show up around 4 p.m. This close group, referred to as the “After 7 Guys”, remain at the tables long after they officially close. Matches are competitive, and winners are able to stay on a table until they are defeated. Those waiting their turns can be seen eagerly watching the game or joyfully greeting returning friends.
They come to have fun, connect, relieve stress and “feel alive”. Gregory Williams was previously homeless, but has found jobs through the connections he made here. He has built many relationships with players including a special relationship with a younger player, Gideon. “He always makes me feel better,” Williams says. “Especially when I was going through some tough times he would go out of his way to check on me.”
Most don’t know that professional ping-pong player Wally Green is responsible for the addition of the ping-pong tables to Bryant Park. What began as a marketing tool for SPiN, a local ping-pong center, unexpectedly grew into the community it is today. “It makes me feel amazed,” Green says. “I mean, the fact that people are here playing every day and there are tournaments. ”
“I think all humans share. We all want to belong to something, or have a place to feel like you fit in and belong there,” says Jon Bunning, who created a movie for The tables.
1. Which of the following can be used to describe the park?
| A．Increasingly crowded. | B．A bit disappointing. |
| C．Very comfortable. | D．Rather quiet. |
2. What characteristics do the players in the “After 7 Guys” share?
| A．They are closely connected. | B．They all work in Manhattan. |
| C．They were once made homeless. | D．They are excellent ping-pong players. |
3. How does Williams feel about Gideon?
| A．Puzzled. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Grateful. | D．Embarrassed. |
4. Why were ping-pong tables set up originally?
| A．To train professional ping-pong players. |
| B．To advertise a local ping-pong center. |
| C．To create a movie about sports. |
| D．To support community sports. |
