The word “sport” first meant something that people did in their free time. Later it often meant hunting wild animals and birds. About a hundred years ago the word was first used for organized games. This is the usual meaning of the word today. People spend a lot of their spare time playing football, basketball, tennis and many other sports. Such people play because they want to. A few people are paid for the sport they play. These people are called professional sportsmen. They may be sportsmen for only a few years, but during that time the best ones can earn a lot of money.
For example, a professional footballer in England earns more than 30,000 pounds a year. The stars can earn a lot more. International golf and tennis champions can make more than 50,000 pounds a year. Of course, only a few sportsmen can earn as much money as that. It is only possible in sports for individuals, like golf, tennis and motor racing. Perhaps the most surprising thing about sportsmen and money is this: the stars can earn more money from advertising than from sports. An advertisement for sports equipment doesn't simply say, “Buy our things”. It says, “Buy the same shirt and shoes as ...” Famous sportsmen can even advertise things like watches and food. They allow the companies to use their names or photographs and they are paid for this. Sport is no longer just something for people's spare time.
1．Which of the following is RIGHT?
A．Companies can use the photo of a sportsman for free.
B．The products advertised by sportsmen are more expensive than those advertised by film stars.
C．Sportsmen advertise products just to be famous.
D．Sport is a means of making money now.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据第二段的最后几句可知，体育已成为运动员挣钱的门路。故选D。
2．What is the usual meaning of the word “sport”？
A．It means something that people do in their free time.
B．It means hunting wild animals and birds.
C．It refers to organized games.
D．It refers to Olympic Games.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第一段的“About a hundred years ago the word was first used for organized games. This is the usual meaning of the word today.”可知答案。
3．The writer thinks it is surprising that sportsmen make more money ________.
A．from sports than from advertising
B．from advertising than from sports
C．than the government leaders
D．than the leaders of big companies
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第二段的“Perhaps the most surprising thing about sportsmen and money is this: the stars can earn more money from advertising than from sports.”可知答案。
4．The passage is mainly about ________.
A．sportsmen and money
B．how sportsmen succeed
C．the role money plays in sports
D．how to make money
解析：选A 主旨大意题。本文主要讲了运动员和他们的收入。故选A。
