Question

Changing the Game

On a warm September evening in London, The Arch climbing wall, just south of the River Thames, is packed. Scores of people wander around on the thick crash pads, chatting, waiting their turn and offering the odd shout of encouragement to those clinging on to the colourful climbing walls.

Rock climbing was once classified as an “extreme sport”. But indoor centres like The Arch, which offer climbing without the need for rocks, are bringing it into the mainstream. The British Mountaineering Council estimates there are at least 248 public climbing walls in Britain, a number that has risen by 30% since 2010. In 2020 the sport’s governing bodies are hoping to see an even bigger increase in interest. Along with skateboarding, surfing and karate(空手道), rock climbing will be making its first appearance as an Olympic sport at the summer games in Tokyo.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is frank about the ambition to appeal to a younger crowd who may be less familiar with longer-standing sports such as athletics and weightlifting. The crowd at the Arch is exactly what the IOC has in mind: mostly young professional letting off steam after work, who see climbing as a more engaging ans sociable alternative to jogging on running machines or pumping iron in a gym. Between them, the new sports will mean another 18 events and 474 athletes at the Tokyo games.

Officially, all four sports are delighted with their new status. But with the exception of karate, all of them have counter-cultural, anti-establishment roots. Some stars have wondered whether accepting the Olympic torch means going against their beliefs. Owen Wright, a famous surfer, has said that surfing is more art form than sport, and therefore not suitable for the games - though he has since gone back on his word, and hopes to represent Australia in Tokyo.

Adam Ondra, a Czech who is one of the world’s climbers, said he might steer clear of the games because of the format. The eventual Olympic champion will have to master all the three disciplines including bouldering (climbing without a rope, low to the ground, with a focus on hard, gymnastic moves), lead climbing (roped climbing up a tall wall of increasing difficulty) and speed climbing. Bouldering and lead climbing feature new routes in each stage of a competition, in an effort to imitate the variety of real rock. But speed climbing takes place on a standard, unvarying course. Because of this, said Mr. Ondra, “speed is a kind of artificial discipline ... and this is against the soul of climbing.”

Skateboarders, also notably rebellious, can be strikingly young. Sky Brown is set to become Britain’s youngest Olympian and has settled down to training. By the time of the Tokyo games, she will have turned 12.

1.Which of the following statements is true about rock climbing？

A.It originated in The Arch, a sports centre on the River Thames.

B.It has evolved from a mainstream sport into an extreme sport.

C.Spectator’s encouragement contributes to its rapid expansion.

D.The increase in climbing walls reflects a growing interest in it.

2.IOC introduced rock climbing into the Olympics in order to _________

A.familiarize the global population with the new sport

B.attract young people who lack interest in traditional sports

C.enable the young to let off their energy after work

D.challenge the dominant status of traditional sports

3.What can you infer from the star athletes’ responses according to the passage?

A.Surfers are expected to strike a balance between art and sport in the Olympics.

B.Rock climbers must be self-disciplined if they are to win the championship.

C.Adam believes that the soul of climbing consists in its harmony with nature.

D.Strikingly young skateboarders have an advantage over other opponents.

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A.With the addition of new Olympics sports, stars are divided on whether to participate.

B.Rock climbing, skateboard, surfing and karate are accepted as Olympics sports.

C.Extreme sports athletes rebel against traditions while training for the Olympics.

D.The appeal of a new sport event consists is changing for format of this game.

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是说明文。国际奥委会将攀岩与滑板，冲浪和空手道一起作为东京夏季奥运会的一项奥林匹克运动首次亮相，而明星运动员们对于空手道之外的三个运动项目进入奥运会存在不认可的态度。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“The Arch climbing wall, just south of the River Thames, is packed. Scores of people wander around on the thick crash pads, chatting, waiting their turn and offering the odd shout of encouragement to those clinging on to the colourful climbing walls.”和第二段中的“In 2020 the sport’s governing bodies are hoping to see an even bigger increase in interest.”可知，人们挤满了泰晤士河以南的The Arch 攀岩墙。 数十人在厚厚的防撞垫上走来走去，聊天，等待轮到他们，并为那些在五彩缤纷的攀岩墙上的人们大声呼喊从而鼓励他们。该运动的理事机构预计2020年人们对于攀岩运动的兴趣会大规模增加。即参与攀岩运动的人越来越多反映了人们对它的兴趣不断增长。故选D。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中的“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is frank about the ambition to appeal to a younger crowd who may be less familiar with longer-standing sports such as athletics and weightlifting.”可知，国际奥委会希望吸引年轻人参与奥运会，这些人可能对田径运动和举重等奥运会长期以来的运动项目不太熟悉。由此可知，年轻人可能对这些运动项目不太熟悉，因此国际奥委会将攀岩运动引入奥运会是为了吸引对传统体育缺乏兴趣的年轻人。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据第五段中的“Because of this, said Mr. Ondra, “speed is a kind of artificial discipline ... and this is against the soul of climbing.””可知，Ondra先生说：“速度是一种人为的规定……这与攀登的灵魂背道而驰。即Adam Ondra认为登山的灵魂在于这项运动强调与自然的和谐。故选C。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，文章前三段讲的是随着人们对于攀岩活动兴趣的增加，国际奥委会将攀岩与滑板，冲浪和空手道一起作为东京夏季奥运会的奥林匹克运动项目首次亮相。后三段主要讲的是明星运动员们对于空手道之外的三个运动项目进入奥运会持质疑的态度。因此A项（随着新的奥林匹克运动项目的增加，明星们在是否参加比赛上也有所分歧。）符合文章内容。故选A。