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-19^th 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.

2. When did skeleton first appear?

A．In 1882.

B．In1885.

C．In1892.

D．In 1928.

3. Why did skeleton fall into obscurity?

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.

4. What makes America top Great Britain in skeleton at the Olympics?

A．The number of medals.	B．The composition of medals.
C．The virtue of the athletes.	D．The times of hosting the Olympics.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Skiing

Skiing is an extremely popular sport that is enjoyed worldwide. The oldest and most accurately documented evidence of skiing origin is found in modern day Norway and Sweden.     1     word “ski” comes from the Old Norse word “skie”,     2     (mean) split (劈开的) pieces of wood or firewood.

Skiing has evolved into two major different types: Alpine skiing and Nordic skiing. Alpine skiing, also     3     (refer) to as downhill skiing, perhaps is the most popular form of skiing. It originated in the European Alps, and is characterized by fixed-heel bindings (捆绑物) that attach at both the front and the heel (脚后跟) of the     4    (skier) boot. The boots are reinforced plastic that     5     (steady) hold the foot to the ski, and ski poles are used. Downhill skis vary     6     length and shape depending on the height of the player and the type of snow they will be skiing.

Nordic skiing, also known as “cross country” skiing,     7     (involve) skiing over flat ground. Most Nordic country skis are long and thin, allowing the weight of the skier     8     (distribute) quickly. Cross country skiers use poles to drive     9     (they) forward. Cross country boots are attached to the ski at the toe with a binding,     10     the heel remains free.