Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world,but there have only been few players who were truly great.How did these players get that way—was it through training and practice,or are great players’ born,not made?First,these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past---players that a young boy can look up to and try to imitate（效仿）.In the history of soccer,only six countries have ever won the World Cup—three from South America and three from Western Europe.There has never been a great national team—or a really great player—from North America or from Asia.Second,these players have all had years of practice in the game.Alfredo Di Stefano was the son of a soccer player,as was Pele.Most players begin playing the game at the age of three or four.
Finally,many great players come from the same kind of neighbourhood—a poor,crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to be a doctor,lawyer,or businessman,but to become a rich,famous athlete or entertainer.For example,Liverpool which produced the Beatles(甲殼蟲(chóng)樂(lè)隊(duì)),had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years.Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags(破布).And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall in the slums(貧民窟)of Belfast.
All great players have a lot in common,but that doesn’t explain why they are great.Hundreds of boys played in those Brazilian streets,but only one became Pele.The greatest players are born with some unique quality that sets them apart from all the others.(306)
6 According to the author,which of the following statements is true?
A) Truly great players are rare.
B) Great soccer players are born,not made.
C) Only six countries have ever had famous soccer stars.
D) Soccer is the least popular sport in North America and Asia
7 The word ”tricks” at the end of Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
A) “skills” C ) “experience”
B) “cheating” D ) “training”
8 Pele is cited as an example in the second paragraph to illustrate that ______.
A) famous soccer players live in slum areas
B) people in poor areas are born with some unique quality
C) many great soccer players come from poor areas
D) children in poor areas start playing football at the age of 3 or 4
9 In the last paragraph the statement “only one became Pele” indicates that ______.
A) Pele is the greatest soccer player______.
B) Pele’s birthplace sets him apart from all the other players
C) the greatest players are born with some unique quality
D) the greatest players practice with “balls” made of rags
10 The author attributes a soccer player’s success to all the following factors EXCEPT ______.
A) his family background C) his height
B) his neighbourhood.D) his practice.