Question

    Baseball developed gradually from a number of different ball-and-stick games originating in England. As early as the American Revolution, it was noted that troops played “base ball” in their free time. In 1845 Alexander Cartwright formalized the New York Knickerbocker’ version of the game.

The “New York Game” spread rapidly, replacing earlier localized forms. From its beginnings, baseball was seen as a way of satisfying the recreational needs of an increasingly urban-industrial society. At its beginning it was played by and for wealthy gentlemen. A club might consist of 40 members. The president would appoint two captains who would choose teams from among the members. Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with the losers often providing an expensive evening’s entertainment for the winners.

During the 1850-1870 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism, under-the-table payments to outstanding players, and gambling(赌博) on the outcome of games. Beginning with the first openly all-salaried team (Cincinnati’s Red Stocking Club) in 1869, the 1870-1890 period saw the complete professionalization of baseball, including formation of the National Association of Professional Baseball Players in 1871. The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in 1876, run by business-minded investors in joint-stock company(股份公司) clubs. The 1880s has been called Major League Baseball’s “Golden Age”. Profits rocketed, players’ salaries rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums replaced open fields, and the standard refreshment became hot dogs, soda pop and peanuts. In 1900 the Western League based in the growing cities of the Midwest declared itself the American League.

1.What is the text mainly about?

A.The original rules of baseball.

B.The commercialization of baseball.

C.The influence of the “New York Game” on baseball.

D.The development of baseball in the nineteenth century.

2.What can we learn about the “New York Game” at its beginning?

A.The game was played twice a week.

B.A baseball team might consist of 40 members.

C.The winners would get rewarded by the president.

D.The president would choose teams from among the member.

3.What do we know about the baseball game during the 1850-1870 period?

A.The game became completely professional.

B.People bet on the result of games.

C.The game came into a “Golden Age”.

D.Most baseball players got extra incomes.

4.During the 1880s, the baseball games _____.

A.were played in wooden stadiums

B.were reported by a daily sporting newspaper

C.were played less in a league season

D.were controlled by famous investors

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了棒球运动在19世纪的发展情况。

1.

主旨大意题。通读全文，根据文章第一段中的“Baseball developed gradually from a number of different ball-and-stick games originating in England. As early as the American Revolution, it was noted that troops played “base ball” in their free time.”可知，棒球从起源于英格兰的许多不同的棒式运动逐渐发展起来。早在美国独立战争时期，人们就注意到军队在闲暇时间打棒球。即第一段讲述了棒球的由来，之后由第二段的“The “New York Game” spread rapidly, replacing earlier localized forms.”可知，这项运动迅速发展传播，取代了早期的本地化形式。再由第三段的“During the 1850-1870 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism, under-the-table payments to outstanding players, and gambling(赌博) on the outcome of games. The 1870-1890 period saw the complete professionalization of baseball.”可知，在19世纪50到70年代，棒球运动逐步职业化，杰出的运动员私下获得更多的收入，人们以比赛结果来打赌。1870-1890年间，棒球运动完全专业化。由此可知，文章主要是在介绍棒球运动在19世纪的发展情况。故选D。

2.

细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with the losers often providing an expensive evening’s entertainment for the winners.”可知，当时的棒球比赛是在每周一和周四下午举行，比赛失利者要请获胜者出去好好娱乐一晚。由此可知，该比赛每周进行两次。故选A。

3.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的“During the 1850-1870 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism, under-the-table payments to outstanding players, and gambling on the outcome of games.”可知，在19世纪50到70年代，棒球运动逐步职业化，杰出的运动员私下获得更多的收入，人们以比赛结果来打赌。即在1850-1870年间的棒球比赛中，人们下注就比赛结果进行赌博。故选B。

4.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Profits rocketed, players’ salaries rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums replaced open fields.”可知，这个时期棒球俱乐部的利润猛增，球员的薪水有所提高，一个赛季84场比赛变成了132场比赛，一个每周定期的《体育新闻》应运而生，木制体育场取代了空地。即在19世纪80年代，棒球比赛是在木制体育场进行的。故选A。