One winter day in 1891, a class at a training school in Massachusetts, USA, went into

the gym for their daily exercises. Since the football season had ended, most of young men felt they were in for a boring time. But their teacher, James Naismith, had other ideas. He had been working for a long time on the new game that would have the excitement of American football. Naismith showed the men a basket he had hung at each end of the gym, and explained that they were going to use a round European football. At first everybody tried to throw the ball into the basket no matter where he was standing. “Pass! Pass!” Naismith kept shouting, blowing his whistle to stop the excited players. Slowly, they began to understand what was wanted of them. The problem with the new game, which was soon called “basketball”, was getting the ball out of the basket. They used ordinary baskets, with bottoms, and the ball, of course, stayed inside. At first, someone had to climb up every time when a basket was scored. It was several years before someone came up with the idea of removing the bottom of the basket and letting the ball fall through. There have been many changes in the rules since then, and basketball had become one of the world’s most popular sports.

1、 When did the story happen？

AIn spring

BIn summer

CIn fall

DIn winter

2、 What did Naismith do to entertain his students one day？

AHe taught them to play an exciting new game

BHe took them to watch a basketball game

CHe trained them to play European football

DHe let them compete in getting balls out of a basket

3、 According to the write, what was the problem with the new game？

AThe players had difficulty understanding the complex rules

BThe players found the basket too high to reach

CThe players soon found the game boring

DThe players had trouble getting the ball out of the basket

4、 How was the problem with the new game solved？

ABy alerting the size of the basket

BBy simplifying the complex rules

CBy removing the bottom of the basket

DBy lowering the position of the basket

5、 Which kind of ball was used in basketball games at first？

AVolleyball

BSoftball

CAmerican football

DBritish football