考前30天任务型阅读练习一

Directions： Read the following passage. Fill in the numbered blanks by using the information from the passage.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Cheerleaders are part of athletic competitions throughout the United States. As their name says， they lead the crowd in cheering for team it likes best.

About five years ago， cheerleaders were considered to be simply entertainers. Today they are much more than that.

Cheerleading in America has become another form of athletic competition.

Cheerleading today are expected to be gymnasts and dancers. They are expected to be quicker and stronger. Many cheerleaders are better athletes than the boys and girls on sports teams. High school cheerleading especially has become more difficult. The students must be in top physical shape. They must be able to jump high， turn circles in the air and lift each other. Teachers say thisis the result of the influence of college football and basketball games on TV.

They see how the cheerleaders throw each other into the air and perform difficult athletic movements. They want to do the same thing. There is one big difference between the two groups， however. College cheerleaders in America are young men and women.. The men do most of the lifting. At most high schools only girls are cheerleaders. Its very difficult for them to hold others on their shoulders and throw them into the air.

There are a number of ways high school cheerleaders are improving their skills. They are exercising and lifting weights to increase their strength. And they are attending camps during the summer holiday to learn new techniques. Cheerleaders test their skills by taking part in competitions against cheerleaders from other schools， just like other athletes.

Coaches at some high schools say this new kind of athletic cheerleading has caused some problems. They say girls who were soccer and basketball players are now competing， for places on a cheerleaders team. As mere girls attempt to become cheerleaders， sports teams suffer from a lack of good players.