The most popular sport in the world

江西 江海连

?

难词探意

1. defend /dɪ΄fend/ v. 防守

2. assure /ə΄ʃʊə(r)/ v. 使确信；向……保证

These days, football is one of the most popular sports in the world.The history of the game goes back over two thousand years to Ancient China. It was then known as cuju (kick ball), a game using a ball of animal skins with hair inside. Goals were hung in the air.Football as we know it today started in Great Britain,where the game was given new rules.

That football is such a simple game to play is perhaps one of the reasons for its popularity.It is also a game that is very cheap to play. You don't need expensive equipment; even the ball doesn't have to cost much money. All over the world you can see kids playing to their heart's content with a ball made of plastic bags.

Another factor behind football's global popularity is the creativity and excitement on the field. It is fun enough to attract millions of people. You do not have to be a fan to recognize the skill of professional players. How they use their bodies to pass, score anddefendcan be amazing to see.

What's more, football has become one of the best ways for people to communicate: it does not require words, but everyone understands it. It breaks down walls and brings people together on and off the field.Take,for example,the famous football game on Christmas Day 1914. World WarⅠhad broken out months before, but British and German soldiers put down their guns and played football together—one moment of peace to remember during years of conflict.

“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death,” said Bill Shankly, the famous footballer and manager. “I canassureyou it is much, much more important than that.” This might sound funny, but one only has to think about the Earth to realize that our planet is shaped like a football.

Language

Study

Difficult sentences

1. Football as we know it today started in Great Britain, where the game was given new rules.

译文：我们今天所知道的足球起源于英国，在那里足球有了新的规则。

分析：该句中where引导的是一个非限制性定语从句，指代前面的先行词Great Britain。

2. That football is such a simple game to play is perhaps one of the reasons for its popularity.

译文：足球是一项如此简单的运动，这也许是它受欢迎的原因之一。

分析：该句中that引导的是一个主语从句。

Reading

Check

阅读短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。

写作导引

一、析结构

本文是一篇说明文，文章分析如下：

二、巧改写

可以采用替换、转换和信息概括等技巧来实现对原文要点的转述。

（1）These days, football is one of the most popular sports in the world. The history of the game goes back over two thousand years to Ancient China.

→Football enjoys universal popularity with a history tracing back to Ancient China.

（2）Football as we know it today started in Great Britain, where the game was given new rules.

→Modern rules of football originated in Great Britain.

（3）That football is such a simple game to play is perhaps one of the reasons for its popularity. It is also a game that is very cheap to play.

→The popularity of football lies in the simplicity and low cost of playing the game.

（4）Another factor behind football's global popularity is the creativity and excitement on the field.

→Creative football skills and exciting game atmosphere also contribute to its popularity.

（5）What's more, football has become one of the best ways for people to communicate: it does not require words, but everyone understands it.

→Furthermore, football is a means of communication beyond words.

（6）“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death,” said Bill Shankly, the famous footballer and manager. “I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

→Accordingly, football is more than just a sport.

三、妙润色

1. 运用适当的连接词润色文章。

表转折：but、however、though、although等。

表并列、递进：as well as、in addition to、not only...but also、besides、what's more、furthermore等。

表对比：meanwhile、on the other hand、on the contrary、by contrast等。

表列举：firstly、secondly、finally等。

表原因：because (of)、due to、on account of、for等。

表举例：for example/instance、such as、and so on等。

总结：therefore、consequently、in short、in conclusion、in a word等。

2. 关注所写概要的词数，词数超过80就要删减一些细节；词数少于45，可添加一些细节。