单项选择题
II. Reading Comprehension.(20%)
Directions:In
this section there are two passages. Each passage is followed by some
questions or unfinished statements with four choices
marked A, B, C, and D.. You are
supposed to read the passage and make the best choice
to complete each question or
unfinished statement. Then type the answer in the
blank on the web page.
Passage One
In this age of
increased academic pressure and decreased institutional budgets, do
high-profile, big-budget college athletics programs still make sense? In order
to make an informed decision, you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
In other words, what are the positive things that college sports offer and what
are the associated negative things?
First of all,
college athletics offer excellent public relations with the college community,
increase the college's national and international exposure, and provide
wonderful fundraising opportunities. At the same time, sports programs provide
education and training to potential future professional athletes — many of whom
might not have received a quality education without the benefit of a sports
scholarship
For a long time,
college athletes attended school on a full or partial sports scholarship. This
meant that things like tuition, room, and board were paid by the college in
return for that student agreeing to attend the school and play on its team.
However, in recent years, it has become common for these students to receive
additional pay. This has become considerably controversial since many people
view this as an unfair situation where certain students, because of their
athletic ability, receive benefits that other students do not.
Does financial
compensation compromise academic and institutional integrity? I don't think so.
For one thing, without these college athletes, the schools would not enjoy a
majority of the revenue they receive from athletic departments. Student
athletes are entitled to some form of compensation, and, since the demands of
the sport often occupy most of their time, they are unable to keep other jobs.
In addition, if college athletes are paid, it might stop many of them from
going pro before they graduate. It would encourage students to complete their
education before joining a professional team.
What are the
opposing arguments? Many people claim that schools with wealthy and successful
sports departments devalue the academic environment in favor of athletic
competition. The claim has also been made that certain sports, by sheer nature
of their popularity, receive less attention and money and, therefore, the
athletes are also treated less well. Unfortunately, this is also true with most
female sports teams. However, it seems to me that, in most cases, these
negatives are not a result of college athletics alone. Institutional commitment
to all teams — popular and unpopular, male and female — would considerably help
this situation.
The ultimate
question is whether colleges and universities should be the training grounds
for future professional sports careers. College should be the place where young
people go to learn about the world, develop their skills, and discover their
passion. Why shouldn't this also be true for sports?
31、（2分）The author of
this passage is _______.
A、telling a story
B、describing a process
C、making an argument
D、persuading the reader
