Do you know the historyof the World Cup trophy?你了解世界杯奖杯的历史吗？

陈峰

主题语境：历史与文化 篇幅：364词 建议用时：7分钟

1 The FIFA World Cup Trophy（国际足联世界杯奖杯）is arguably one of the most iconic（标志性的）prizes in the sporting world. So far， two differenttrophies have been used in the history of the FIFAWorld Cups.

2 The Jules Rimet Trophy was the first trophyawarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cups. Initially， the old trophy was originallynamed“Victory”. However， this trophy was renamed“the Jules Rimet Trophy”in 1946.This change was made to honor former FIFA president Jules Rimet， who was voted toorganize the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. French sculptor Abel Lafleur designed thetrophy in 1930. The trophy was about 14 inches in height and weighed about 8.4 pounds. Itwas comprised of a winged representation of Nike， the Greek goddess of Victory and wasinspired by the Nike of Samothrace statue.

3 Uruguay became the first champion and kept the trophy in 1930. The trophy waseventually retired when Brazil won the World Cup final for the third time in 1970.Following their success in Mexico， Brazil was allowed to keep the trophy permanently.However， the original trophy was stolen for a second time in 1983. It was never recovered，and it was claimed that it had been melted down into gold bars. Following the retirement ofthe Jules Rimet Trophy， FIFA needed a new cup. Eventually， Italian artist Silvio Gazzanigasdesign was selected as the new World Cup trophy.

4 The modern FIFA World Cup trophy describes two human figures holding the earthon top of their heads. The base of the trophy has“FIFA World Cup”engraved（雕刻）.Furthermore， following every World Cup， the name of the winning team and the winningyear are also engraved at the base. The trophy weighs about 13.61 pounds. Unlike the JulesRimet Trophy， the winning nations and future winners dont get to hold the original trophyanymore. The new regulations state that it remains in FIFAs possession. Instead， winnersare given a gold⁃plated bronze replica（青銅复制品）provided by FIFA. West Germanywas the first nation to lift the modern World Cup trophy in 1974.

5 The new trophy can hold up to seventeen names and years and is likely to be retiredfollowing the 2038 World Cup.

Reading

Check

1. Why was the first World Cup trophy renamed？

A. To remember the designer of the World Cup.

B. To welcome a new global soccer event.

C. To expand the popularity of the World Cup.

D. To show great respect for the former FIFA president.

2. Which country has won the Jules Rimet Trophy three times？

A. Italy. B. Mexico.

C. Brazil. D. Uruguay.

3. How is the modern FIFA World Cup trophy different from the previous one？

A. It is made of gold and bronze.

B. It is owned by FIFA instead of the winners.

C. It bears the word“Victory”at the bottom.

D. It varies the design every seventeen years.

4. What is paragraph 4 mainly about？

A. The rules of the World Cup.

B. The shape of the modern World Cup trophy and its new rules.

C. The growing trend of watching the World Cup.

D. The inspiration to create the World Cup trophy.

Language

Study

Ⅰ. Difficult sentence in the text

This change was made to honor former FIFA president Jules Rimet， who was voted toorganize the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. 這一改变是为了纪念国际足联前主席雷米特，他在1930年被推荐组织了第一届国际足联世界杯。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句，句中的who引导的是非限制性定语从句，who在从句中作主语。

Ⅱ. Text⁃centered chunks

be comprised of由……组成

melt down 熔化

gold bar 金条

human figure 人像

be likely to do 很有可能做……