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Amazing People
Ivy Granstrom
Ivy Granstrom was born with impaired vision (弱视) and got a serious back injury at the age of 60 during a car accident.She participated in cold English Bay swimming events for 76 years and was therefore sometimes known as the Queen of the Polar Bear Swims.
Gerry Hewson
Gerry Hewson was a member of Australian Men's National Wheelchair Basketball Team.He won a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Paralympics.He coached for the West Sydney Razorbacks from 2004 to 2006.He was named as a lifetime member in recognition of the efforts he made for the promotion of wheelchair basketball.Discussing the appeal of wheelchair basketball, he commented that, “There is a coating at the edge of the rim (轮辋) that actually lights up like a spark (火花), and it stays for about two to three seconds.That is quite exciting and great fun.”
April Holmes
April Holmes lost her left leg below the knee because of a train accident in 2001.Remembering it she said, “I had a lifechanging accident in January, 2001.And fortunately I have been able to get back to doing what I love, and that's track and field.” Through hard work, she made records in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events.To live her life to its full potential, she has set up a nonprofit organization, the April Holmes Foundation, to help people with learning or physical disabilities while being a role model for them.
Shauna Maria Whyte
Shauna Maria Whyte was born in Canada in 1967.She has won many prizes in crosscountry skiing competitions since 1975.In 1991, during a horseback riding competition, Shauna broke her back.She did not surrender to (屈服于) this change in her life, and she started using a sit sled (雪橇).
语篇解读：本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了四位残疾运动员。
1．According to Gerry Hewson, why did he love the sports he was doing?
A．Because it brought him excitement.
B．Because it won him several medals.
C．Because it gave him a job as a coach.
D．Because it strengthened his physical abilities.
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据Gerry Hewson部分中的Discussing the appeal of wheelchair basketball ...quite exciting and great fun.可知，在打轮椅篮球时，由于轮椅撞击会产生类似火花的光亮，这种光亮会持续两到三秒，这让Gerry Hewson觉得十分兴奋，也觉得乐趣十足。由此可推知，Gerry Hewson认为他之所以热爱这项运动是因为其带来的刺激感。
2．Who set up an organization to encourage people?
A．Ivy Granstrom. B．Gerry Hewson.
C．April Holmes. D．Shauna Maria Whyte.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据April Holmes部分中的To live her life to its full potential, she has set up a nonprofit organization可知，April Holmes成立公益组织帮助和鼓励有学习障碍、身体残疾的人。
3．What do we know about the four people mentioned in the text?
A．They are peacelovers.
B．They are disabled fighters.
C．They made contributions to youth sports.
D．They worked for the promotion of Paralympics.
解析：选B 推理判断题。根据文章对四位运动员的介绍可知，他们都身患不同程度的残疾，但都未屈服于命运的安排，从事自己喜爱的体育运动，并取得骄人成绩，可称作身残志坚的人生斗士。
