The Quality of Life These Days Is Something Most of Us Take For

The quality of life these days is something most of us take for (1) _______It takes
some radically different experience to (2)_________this fact home to people. In my

(3)_________, it was spending three weeks aboard a yacht with twelve other people,
competing in a major sailing race. (4) _______I was officially a guest, it was
(5)_____clear to me from the start that there was to be no room for passengers, and
that I’d have to (6) _______my weight.
For the first few nights, none of us was able to sleep for more than a couple of
hours at a (7)_______before being rudely awoken by an aggressive command.
Then we’d do physically exhausting work in total darkness. Every few minutes
we’d be completely soaked to the (8) _______by a large wave we couldn’t see
coming. I shared sleeping (9)_______with six other women, with barely enough
room to stretch my legs. Soon I found myself (10) _______for my comfortable
sheets back home, a hot chocolate and a warm bath
For anyone who wants either to film (0) _____ study great white sharks, Australian
expert, Rodney Fox, is the first contact. Fox knows exactly (1) _____ the sharks
will be at different times of the year; and can even predict (2) _____ they will
behave around blood, divers and other sharks. He understands them as well as
anyone else alive. In fact, he’s lucky to be alive; a “great white” once (3) _____ to
bite him in half.
Three decades (4) _____ this near-fatal attack, Fox still carries the physical
scars, but feels no hate for his attacker. Instead he organises three or four trips (5)
_____ year to bring scientists and photographers to the kingdom of the great white
shark. The main aim of these trips is to improve people’s understanding of an
animal (6) _____ evil reputation has become an excuse for killing it.
Great white sharks are not as amusing as dolphins and seals, (7) _____ their
role in the ocean is critical. They kill off sick animals, helping to prevent the
spread of disease and to maintain the balance in the ocean’s food chains. Fox feels
a responsibility to act (8) _____ a guardian of great white sharks. (9) _____ the
scientists, film makers and photographers can communicate their sense of wonder
(10) _____ other people, he is confident that understanding will replace hatred.
Baseball evolved from a number of different ball-and stick games (paddle ball, trap
ball, one-old-cat, rounders, and town ball) originating in England. As early as the
American Revolution. It was noted that troops played “ baseball” in their free time.
In 1845 Alexander Cartwright formalized the New York Knickerbockers’ version
of the game : a diamond shaped infield, with bases ninety feet apart, three strikers
– you’re – out , batter out on a caught ball , three outs per inning , a nine man team.
“ 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 inception it was it was played by and
for gentlement. A club might consists 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
a lavish evening’s entertainments for the winners.
During the 1850- 70 period the game was changing, however, with increasing
commercialism (charging admission), under – the – table payments to exceptional
to players, and gambling on the outcome of games. By 1868 it was said that a club
would have their regular professional ten , an amateur first - nine , and their”
muffins “ (the gentlemently duffers who once ran the game) . 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 Baseball Clubs was formed in 1876, run by business-
minded invertors in joint-stock company clubs. The 1880s has been called Major
League Baseball’s “ Golden Age”. Profits soared, player’s salaries
rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “
The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums with double-deck stands
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 Mis west
proclaimed itself the American League
Question 1: What is the passage mainly about?

A. the origin of baseball.
B. the influence of the “New York Game” on baseball
C. the commercialization of baseball.
D. the development of baseball in the nineteenth century
Question 2: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. the “New York “spread rapidly because it was better formalize.
B. hot dogs would not have become as popular as they did, without the
professionalism and commercialism that develop in baseball.
C. the wealthy gentlemen who first played baseball, later needed to find another
recreational opportunity if they did not want to mix with other or become a
“muffin”.
D. business – minded investors were only interested in profits.
Question 3: The word “inception” in line 8 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. requirements B. rules C. insistence D. beginning
Question 4: The word “lavish “in line 11 is closest in meaning to____.
A. very generous B. prolonged C. Grand D. extensive
Question 5: Which of the following is true of the way the game was played by
wealthy gentlemen at its inception?
A. they didn’t play on weekend
B. the president would choose teams from among the members
C. a team might consist of 40 members
D. they might be called “duffers” if they didn’t make the first nine.
Question 6: According to the second paragraph, all of the following are true
except____.
A. commercialism became more prosperous
B. the clubs are smaller
C. outstanding players got extra income
D. people gambled on the outcome of game
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a feature of the 1880s
“Golden Age”?
A. profits soared B. a weekly periodical news
C. wooden stadiums replaced open fields
D. the National Association of Professional Baseball Players was formed.
Question 8: The word “muffins” in the second paragraph refers to_______
A. amateur baseball players
B. duffers who once ran the game
C. professional baseball players
D. business-minded investors
Question 9: The word “somewhat” in the second paragraph refers to____.
A. to a significant extent B. to a minor extent
C. to not the same extent D. to some extent
Question 10: The word “itself” in the second paragraph refers to____.
A. the Western League B. growing cities
C. the Midwest D. the American League

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The quality of life these days is something most of us take for (1) _______It takes

some radically different experience to (2)_________this fact home to people. In my

Question 1: What is the passage mainly about?

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