Question

    Over the years, cheerleading has taken two primary forms: game-time cheerleading and competitive cheerleading. Game-time cheerleaders’ main goal is to entertain the crowd and lead them with team cheers, which should not be considered a sport. However, competitive cheerleading is more than a form of entertainment. It is really a competitive sport.

Competitive cheerleading includes lots of physical activity. The majority of the teams require a certain level of tumbling (翻腾) ability. It’s a very common thing for gymnasts, so it’s easy for them to go into competitive cheerleading. Usually these cheerleaders integrate lots of their gymnastics experience including their jumps, tumbling, and overall energy. They also perform lifts and throws. This is where the “fliers” are thrown in the air, held by “bases” in different positions that require strength and working with other teammates.

Competitive cheerleading is also an activity that is governed by rules under which a winner can be declared. It is awarded points for technique, creativity and sharpness. Usually the more difficult the action is, the better the score is. That’s why cheerleaders are trying to experience great difficulty in their performance.

Besides, there is also a strict rule of time. The whole performance has to be completed in less than three minutes and fifteen seconds, during which the cheerleaders are required to stay within a certain area. Any performance beyond the limit of time is invalid.

Another reason for the fact that competitive cheerleading is one of the hardest sports is that it has more reported injuries. According to some research, competitive cheerleading is the number one cause of serious sports injuries to women. Emergency room visits for it are five times the number than for any other sport, partially because cheerleaders don’t use protective equipment. Smiling cheerleaders are thrown into the air and move down into the arms of the teammates, which may easily cause injuries. Generally, these injuries affect all areas of the body, including wrists, shoulders, ankles, head, and neck.

There can be no doubt that competitive cheerleading is a sport with professional skills. Hopefully, it will appear in the Olympics since cheerleaders are just as athletic and physically fit as those involved in the more accepted sports. It should be noted that it is a team sport and even the smallest mistake made by one teammate can bring the score of the entire team down. So without working together to achieve the goal, first place is out of reach.

1.What is the main purpose of competitive cheerleading?

A. To compare skills of participants.

B. To make the audience feel amused.

C. To attract more people to watch events.

D. To cheer up the competitors on the court.

2.The underlined word “integrate” in Paragraph 2 probably means “______”.

A. examine B. combine C. identify D. replace

3.We can learn from the passage that competitive cheerleading ______.

A. lacks necessary guidelines to follow

B. enjoys greater popularity than other sports

C. requires more designed actions than gymnastics

D. has a relatively high rate of damage to the body

4.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

I: Introduction  P: Point  Sp: Sub-point (次要点)  C: Conclusion

A.  B.  C.  D.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

本文是属于体育比赛的项目类短文，介绍了竞技啦啦队不用于普通的啦啦队，它是一项具有专业技能的运动，有自己的规则，融入了一些体操的技能，队员必须有团队精神，队员的受伤率很高。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段最后competitive cheerleading is more than a form of entertainment. It is really a competitive sport.和Competitive cheerleading includes lots of physical activity.及最后一段第一句There can be no doubt that competitive cheerleading is a sport with professional skills. 竞技啦啦队竞争性的运动，是一项具有专业技能的运动。故选A。

2.词义猜测题。A. examine检查； B. combine使结合、使联合； C. identify确定； D. replace取代。根据第二段including their jumps, tumbling, and overall energy.通常这些竞技啦啦队长会将他们的体操经验融入其中,包括跳跃、翻滚和总能量。“integrate”指整合,结合,融入,与combine同义,故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据倒数第二段Another reason for the fact that competitive cheerleading is one of the hardest sports is that it has more reported injuries.及Generally, these injuries affect all areas of the body, including wrists, shoulders, ankles, head, and neck.可知，竞技啦啦队很容易造成队员受伤,会造成身体多个部位的伤害。故选D。

4.推理判断题。文章第一段是总体介绍竞技啦啦队，第二段介绍其包括内容和标准,第三、四段介绍其难度很高，第五段介绍竞技啦啦队受伤率很高。最后一段得出结论竞技啦啦队是一项专业技能的运动。属于总分总结构，故选C。