PART C: READING COMPREHENSION (30 pts)
Question I: Read the following passage and then choose the most suitable word or phrase for each space. (10 pts)
The money that some professional sportsmen earn shouldn’t impress anyone when you take into (51)__ __the fact that only a few of them manage to attain immortality and everlasting fame. And once they reach their (52) __and display their talent at their best, they are fully conscious that their brilliant careers won’t last forever. They live under a constant pressure of being (53) and subsequently replaced by someone who is younger, faster and more accomplished. For that reason, objectives like retirement benefits and pensions are (54)_______great concern to all professional athletes.
Some of the retired competitors go as far as to organize strikes and rallies to voice their protest against any policy unresponsive to their demand (55)_____the younger professionals seek more upgrading solutions to the problem as more and more of them attach a proper significance to (56)___a solid education, even at university level. Such an approach should help them find interesting and well-paid jobs (57)____their sports career is over.
A completely new strategy has been devised by the schools priding themselves (58)_____supporting their own teams. Their authorities insist that the sports clubs members achieve high academic standards or else they are debarred from partaking in certain sports events, which may lead to further disruption in their professional careers.
By these practical and most effective (59)___, combining education with sports activity, the (60)___of the professional athlete as being brainless and unintelligent may eventually be changing to the sportsmen’s benefit.
51. A. reflection B. attention C. examination D. consideration
52. A. prime B. shape C. best D. capacity
53. A. outcast B. outshone C. outstayed D. outgrown
54. A. with B. in C. at D. of
55. A. whereby B. whereas C. whereupon D. wherein
56. A. mastering B. learning C. receiving D. attending
57. A. right away B. promptly C. barely D. once
58. A. with B. on C. for D. in
59. A. grounds B. results C. factors D. means
60. A. vision B. outlook C. image D. judgment
1 D
2 A
3 B
4 D
5 B
6 C
7 D
8 B
9 D
10 C
51. A. reflection B. attention C. examination D. consideration
52. A. prime B. shape C. best D. capacity
53. A. outcast B. outshone C. outstayed D. outgrown
54. A. with B. in C. at D. of
55. A. whereby B. whereas C. whereupon D. wherein
56. A. mastering B. learning C. receiving D. attending
57. A. right away B. promptly C. barely D. once
58. A. with B. on C. for D. in
59. A. grounds B. results C. factors D. means
60. A. vision B. outlook C. image D. judgment