1 . Skeleton is one of the three sliding sports at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, alongside the luge(单雪橇)and bobsleigh(大雪橇). With only six medals up for grabs, skeleton has the fewest events at the Winter Games—which means competition will be fierce.
The sport of skeleton has its roots in the most popular winter pastime: sleighing. In the mid-19th century, British and American holidaymakers built the first toboggan(平底雪橇)run in Davos in 1882, and thus the sport of sleighing began.
Two years later, in 1884, the famed Cresta Run—a natural ice skeleton racing toboggan track—was built in St. Moritz, Switzerland(the course has hosted the annual Grand National championships since 1885).
In 1892, a new sledge made entirely of steel was introduced, and some claim that its bony appearance gave the sledge and the sport the name ‘skeleton’.
Men’s skeleton was first introduced on the Olympic program in the 1928 Games in St. Moritz. But due to the sport only being available at the Cresta Run at the time, it fell into obscurity(默默无闻)while the luge and bobsleigh grew in popularity. However, in 2002, the skeleton was reintroduced as a men’s and women’s event at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and has remained a part of the Olympic program ever since.
While Great Britain has the most medals(nine)in skeleton competition at the Olympics, the top spot belongs to the United States(eight medals)by virtue of having four silvers to Great Britain’s one(both nations have three golds, while Britain has five bronze medals, and the United States one).
Great Britain is the only nation to have won a medal every time skeleton has featured at the Olympic Games, and has won at least one medal in each of the five contests of women’s skeleton since its introduction.
1. How many events does skeleton have in the Olympics?A.Two. | B.Three. | C.Five. | D.Six. |
A.In 1882. | B.In1885. | C.In1892. | D.In 1928. |
A.Because its material steel was rare. |
B.Because there was only one run for it. |
C.Because only men could take part in it. |
D.Because it was not on the Olympic program. |
A.The number of medals. | B.The composition of medals. |
C.The virtue of the athletes. | D.The times of hosting the Olympics. |
2 . Table tennis may not seem a reasonable option for someone with no arms — but Ibrahim Hamadtou doesn't believe in limits. The 48-year-old Egyptian Paralympian breaks the barrier by holding the paddle (球拍) in his mouth and using his right foot to serve the ball.
Hamadtou, who lost his arms in a train accident at the age of ten, was drawn to table tennis after being challenged by a friend. "I was once watching a match between two of my friends," Hamadtou explains. "They disagreed on a point, When I counted the point in favor of one of them, the other player told me, 'Mind your own business as you will never be able to play.' It was that statement that fired me up to decide to play table tennis."
It took Hamadtou three years to master the sport. He says the biggest challenge was figuring out the best way to control his body. "I was trying first to use the bat under the arm, and I also tried using other things, which weren't working so well. Finally, I tried using my mouth. It took me nearly a year of practice to get used to holding the paddle with my mouth and making the serve. With practice and playing regularly, this skill was improved."
The Egyptian's incredible talent came to light in 2014 when he was awarded the best Arab Athlete of the year. He won a silver medal at the 2016 African Championships, qualified for his first Paralympics in 2016 at 43, and then again for the 2020 Tokyo Games at 48.
The inspiring athlete says, "The disability is not in arms or legs but to give up in whatever you would like to do."
1. What made Hamadtou take up table tennis?A.His passion for table-tennis. | B.His ambition to prove himself. |
C.His willingness to inspire others. | D.His suffering in a train accident. |
A.Serving the ball with his mouth. | B.Holding the paddle under his arm. |
C.Practicing strengthening his muscles. | D.Playing the game with the right body parts. |
A.He was recognized as a gifted player at 41. |
B.He was awarded the best athlete in Africa. |
C.He won a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games. |
D.He realized his dream of winning a gold medal. |
A.Well begun is half done. | B.Love breaks down barriers. |
C.Success gives people delight. | D.Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. |
3 . Because I had played soccer for many years, my decision to play football in my senior year was rather bold. Before summer
When I was ten, I received the
After four years in London, I changed. Five months into my fifth year, my family decided to
I will never
A.competition | B.practice | C.vacation | D.time |
A.reply | B.detail | C.note | D.recommendation |
A.experience | B.race | C.interview | D.impression |
A.order | B.fact | C.news | D.invitation |
A.modern | B.narrow | C.far-off | D.beautiful |
A.excited | B.frightened | C.confident | D.annoyed |
A.running across | B.coming from | C.struggling with | D.leading to |
A.go | B.apply | C.travel | D.return |
A.different | B.recent | C.past | D.valuable |
A.judging | B.considering | C.appreciating | D.reviewing |
A.hoped | B.realized | C.insisted | D.promised |
A.forget | B.remember | C.regret | D.admire |
A.challenged | B.greeted | C.punished | D.requested |
A.equally | B.sadly | C.awkwardly | D.simply |
A.quit | B.try | C.register | D.expect |