Polo(马球)is a sport which has been played for centuries throughout Asia and the Middle East.However,it spread slowly across Asia,where it was played by kings and people of high rank.The West was introduced to the sport when the British took political control over India,and they quickly spread the sport around the world.Numerous forms of polo have appeared,including on bicycles,camels,and for the brave of heart,elephants.
The origins of the sport appear to lie in Persia,and the game has been played there for at least 2,000 years,as artwork and contemporary writings indicate.The name originates in Pakistan,where it means “ball” in Balti,a language native to that area.
There are two teams of three to four people in a game of polo,depending on the size of the field and the style of game being played.Each player has a long,flexible mallet which is used to hit a ball.The aim is to drive the ball through the opposing team’s goal.Polo is played in brief periods called chukkas;each chukka lasts seven minutes,and play can be fierce and violent.By tradition,horses are replaced at each chukka,ensuring that they stay fresh and fit.
The horses used in the sport are called polo ponies,which is a misnomer since ponies are small horses,but they are full-sized horses.In all cases,horses are selected for speed,ability,and obedience (顺从).A good horse is capable of stopping in a very small area,working with other horses and riders,and moving quickly with the flow of play;championship horses can be sold at a good price.
1.By whom was polo mainly played in ancient Asia according to the passage?
A.Artists. B.Writers.
C.The upper class. D.People living on the plain.
2.Where is the probable birthplace of polo?
A.India. B.Persia. C.Britain. D.Pakistan.
3.What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?
A.The rules of polo.
B.The development of polo.
C.The equipment used when playing polo.
D.The matters needing attention when playing polo.
4.What does the underlined word “misnomer” in the last paragraph mean?
A.A funny tale. B.An old tradition.
C.A different species. D.An unsuitable name.
语篇解读:本文是说明文。文章简单介绍了马球运动。
答案及剖析:
1.C 细节理解题。根据第一段中的it spread slowly across Asia,where it was played by kings and people of high rank可知,在古代亚洲,马球运动局限于上层阶级。
2.B 细节理解题。根据第二段中的The origins of the sport appear to lie in Persia可知答案。
3.A 段落大意题。第三段介绍了马球运动的参赛人数、比赛用具、时间等,因此本段主要介绍了马球运动的比赛规则。
4.D 词义猜测题。根据本句中的ponies are small horses,but they are full-sized horses可知,马球运动中使用的马都是正常大小的马,因此用“小马”称呼它们显然是“不合适的”。
