Reading comprehension.
Matt Scott, who was born with spina bifida (脊柱裂), grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he participated
in a variety of sports alongside his healthy friends. Now as a member of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
wheelchair basketball team, Scott has won four national championships, and has recently been selected to
the Paralympic team for the second time. The 23-year-old college senior owes his achievements to his hard
work and the support of his friends and family, who never allowed him to use his disability as an excuse.
"My mother was always great. Whenever I felt giving up, she had no sympathy. She really helped me build
my independence by not babying me the way other mothers would have," Scott says.
It was Scott's independent nature and strong will, along with his on-the-court skills, that attracted the
attention of America's most influential sports apparel (衣服) company, Nike. Nike was searching for an
athlete with a disability to represent its "Just Do It" trademark. A handful of superstar athletes with disabilities
came to audition for the role, but the company picked Scott to star in the 30-second commercial.
"I think that they were looking for the prettiest face in America, and found me," Scott jokes about the
selection process.
After being picked, Scott flew to California to film the commercial with Oscar-winning documentary
director Errol Morris. The ad gave Scott celebrity (名人) status in the community of disabled athletes. He's
been asked to speak at a number of disability-related events, and feels it's his duty to use the media to draw
attention to those with disabilities. "I've been given a voice, and I want to do whatever I can to break down
the social barriers that are still faced by disabled athletes, and make people realize that they have a very high
athletic level," Scott says.
1. When Scott was young, _____. [ ]
A. he only played basketbal with other disabled children
B. he became disabled during a basketball match
C. his friends looked down upon him during basketball matches
D. his mother didn't give him special treatment
2. Nike chose Scott to star in its commercial for his _____.
a. pretty appearance
b. indepedent nature
c. strong will
d. excellent basketball skills
e. status in the community of disabled athletes [ ]
A. bce
B. ade
C. abd
D. bcd
3. The underlined phrase "audition for" in the second paragraph means "_____". [ ]
A. try out for
B. look out for
C. take on
D. pick out
4. Which of the following about Scott is TRUE? [ ]
A. He has graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
B. He thinks it's unwise for the disabled to use disability as an excuse.
C. He starred in a commercial together with Errol Morris.
D. He thinks it's important to have many goals.
5. To Scott, the most important result of the ad was that _____. [ ]
A. it made people realize the athletic talent of the disabled
B it gave him a chance to show his basketball skills
C. he could do more for disabled athletes
D. he was selected to the Paralympic team again
