If you are like many people, you enjoy sports in your leisure time. Many of us watch sports on TV, go to games and meets, and play tennis or golf in the time left after school or work. We may even chat about sports on the Internet. Many observers note that sports reinforce(加强;增强)norms and values important to society, like competition and teamwork. Sports metaphors, such as "There is no I in TEAM," teach us that success is achieved by putting the group above individual glory. Slogans like "Winners never quit and quitters never win" reinforce values of competition and working hard to get ahead.

     Nevertheless, organized sports have been criticized for several things. One is that they encourage potentially harmful male aggression.  Another is that they direct minority students, particularly African American males, toward athletics--instead of academics--as a road to success.  However, only a very small minority of high school athletes are able to support themselves through athletics. In fact, according to one estimate, only one of 12,000

high school athletes will earn money as a professional athlete; among those who make it, the average professional career lasts only three years. Nevertheless, the importance of sports in teaching and reinforcing norms and values, along with the role of sports in symbolizing and integrating communities, are important reasons why nearly every nation has encouraged athletics.

1. What's the primary purpose of the writer's writing the passage?

     A. To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of promoting athletics.

     B. To argue against supporting athletic teams in high schools.

     C. To entertain the reader with anecdotes about sports figures.

D. To persuade that sports programs in schools need more money.

2. What does the underlined word "norms" probably mean?

     A. Types of sports.

B. Unusual or rare events.

C. Errors to be avoided.

D. Expected standards of behavior.

3. What's the main idea of the second paragraph?

     A. Athletics are supported by many countries.

     B. Emphasis on athletics may have some negative effects.

     C. Athletics prepare young people for success in life.

     D. African Americans often make excellent athletes.

4. The author of this passage probably feels that

A.      teamwork is not important to success in athletics

B.      playing sports makes young males much more manly

     C. athletes should be encouraged to build academic skills

     D. sports should be discouraged in most American schools

5. The author suggests that

     A. interest in sports is declining around the world

     B. most Americans have only a minor interest in sports

C. training youth in sports does little to prepare them for successful lives

D. many Americans play sports and/or watch sports events on television

Goals can help you do, be and experience everything you want in life. Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow you to make your life happen.
Successful and happy people have an idea of how their life should be and they set lots of goals to help them succeed. By setting goals you are taking control of your life. It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go. Think of it this way. There are two drivers. One has a destination in mind which is laid out for her on a map. She can drive straight there without any wasted time or wrong turns. The other driver has no goal or destination or map. She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver, but she drives without an aim around, never getting anywhere, just using up gas and oil. Which driver do you want to be？
Winners in life set goals and follow through on them. Winners decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals. Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident. Goals aren’t difficult to set―and they aren’t difficult to reach. It’s up to you to find out what your goals and ideals（理想）really are.
Research tells us that when we write a goal down, we are more likely to achieve. Written goals can be reviewed regularly，and have more power. Like a contract with yourself, they are harder to neglect（忽视）or forget. Also when you write your goals in a particular way, you are able to make yourself be continuously alert（警觉）to situations that will further your goals.
【小题1】The writer gave the example of two drivers to show                .

Goals can help you do, be and experience everything you want in life. Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow you to make your life happen.

Successful and happy people have an idea of how their life should be and they set lots of goals to help them succeed. By setting goals you are taking control of your life. It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go. Think of it this way. There are two drivers. One has a destination in mind which is laid out for her on a map. She can drive straight there without any wasted time or wrong turns. The other driver has no goal or destination or map. She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver, but she drives without an aim around, never getting anywhere, just using up gas and oil. Which driver do you want to be？

Winners in life set goals and follow through on them. Winners decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals. Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident. Goals aren’t difficult to set―and they aren’t difficult to reach. It’s up to you to find out what your goals and ideals（理想）really are.

Research tells us that when we write a goal down, we are more likely to achieve. Written goals can be reviewed regularly，and have more power. Like a contract with yourself, they are harder to neglect（忽视）or forget. Also when you write your goals in a particular way, you are able to make yourself be continuously alert（警觉）to situations that will further your goals.

1.The writer gave the example of two drivers to show                 .

   A . how stupid the first driver was     B. the importance of having a map and right direction

   C. how stupid the second driver was   D. the importance of setting goals

2.According to the passage, successful people are different from unsuccessful ones because    .

    A. the successful people set goals for everything and can get help from others

    B. the unsuccessful people always set unrealistic plans for themselves

    C. the successful people set goals in their lives and make plans to carry it out

    D. the unsuccessful people make plans for everything but can not work hard

3.According to the passage, the most important thing in realizing one’s ideal is to       .

A. try to be realistic about one’s ability

B. let others help him or her to make his or her dream come true

C. let others understand him or her first，then work together with them

D. have a clear mind of what he or she wants in life

4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage？

    A. Goals can make you gain everything you want in life

    B. Only successful people can be happy

    C. If you want to succeed，you need a set long-term goals instead of short-term Goals

D. When we put our goal down on papers, we are more likely to succeed

5.Which is the best title for the passage?

    A. Goals help you succeed               B. How to succeed

C. Why we always failed             D. A research on setting goals