Basketball is one of the most popular team sports in the world. But what do you know about James Naismith who invented the sport of basketball?
James Naismith was born in Canada in 1861. Naismith was not good at study, but enjoyed farm work. He usually spent his days outside playing games. When he was nine, his parents died from a fever. Naismith lived with his grandmother and uncle for many years.
In 1891,while working as a P.E. teacher in Springfield, the USA, Naismith was asked to make a game that would not take up much room, was not too rough (剧烈的) and could be played indoors. Naismith was inspired (启迪) by a game he played as a child in Canada called “Duck on a Rock”. In this game, players throw a small rock at a “duck” placed on top of a large rock in an attempt (尝试) to knock the “duck” off.
The first game was played on December 21, 1891, with a basket nailed (钉) to either end of the school’s gym (体育馆), and two teams of nine players. The ball that they used was a soccer ball.
The original (起初的) rules did not include what is known today as the dribble (带球), and only allowed the ball to be moved up or down the court (场地) by way of passes between players. On January 15th, 1892, the rules of the game were published in the newspaper.
Naismith came to the end of his life on November 28th, 1939. But he lived to see basketball become an Olympic demonstration (表演) sport in 1904 and an official event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
29. About Naismith’s early years, we know the following
EXCEPT ________.
A.Naismith was a top student at school when he was young |
B.Naismith often helped his parents on the farm |
C.Naismith loved playing outdoor games very much |
D.Naismith was brought up by his grandmother and uncle after his parents died |
30. How did Naismith invent the sport of basketball?
A.Nobody asked him to invent the new game. |
B.There were no indoor games then. |
C.His idea came from a game he played as a child. |
D.Some teachers in Springfield helped him a lot. |
31. When the first basketball game was played, ________.
A.there was only one peach basket fixed on the wall |
B.ten players from both teams could take part in the game |
C.players could dribble the ball during the game |
D.a soccer ball was used instead of a basketball |
32. What would be the best title for this passage?
A.Duck on a Rock | B.Father of Basketball |
C.History of Basketball | D.Facts About Basketball |