阅读理解。
Big football matches are always exciting affairs. Besides the action on the field, the noise the crowd
makes really creates the unique atmosphere. At this summer’s World Cup, you can be sure that every
country’s fans will be in full voice, supporting their teams.
The football chant(口号) is as old as the sport itself. It’s a way for fans to express their support for
their team. It’s common for the noise of supporters to provide the encouragement for a team to win a
match. Most agree that a chant is for building a great atmosphere and to support the team.
One of the most famous football songs is the Liverpool club anthem(颂歌) You’ll Never Walk
Alone，originally from a 1945 Broadway show, which was adopted by Liverpool and is sung before
every match. It has been said that as soon as the opposite hears the song, they become aware of how
tough winning at Anfield (Liverpool’s stadium) will be.
The key to a good football song is that it should be simple. It has to be easy for all fans to sing along
with. When I went to watch Beijing Guo’an last season, I could join in one chant though I could only
speak a little Chinese. “Beijing wo ai ni,” the Guo’an fans sang - you didn’t have to be gifted to work out
what that meant.
At the World Cup, the first songs you’ll hear at matches will be the national anthems. Fans and
players join together to sing the anthems before each match, and it is considered a mark of respect that
the opposite remains silent while each team’s anthem is being sung.
So, even though I’ll be supporting England from home in the summer, you can be sure I’ll be chanting
at my TV: “En-ger-land, En-ger-land, En-ger-land!”
1. From the passage we can learn that _______.
A. a good football chant is usually very long
B. the football chant can express support to the team
C. the football chant appears later than football itself
D. a fan is talented to learn foreign languages
2. What can fans do to support their team?
A. To kick the ball on the field.
B. To fight with the opposition fans.
C. To provide encouragement with chants.
D. To donate money to the players.
3. Why the national anthems of both the teams can be heard at the World Cup?
A. Because it is a sign to show the respect to each other.
B. Because it is sung for the leaders of the host country.
C. Because it represents encouragement from their fans.
D. Because either team senses the support from their country.
4. Which of the following is the best title?
A. Football - A Popular Sport
B. National Anthems at Matches
C. You’ll Never Walk Alone
D. You’ll Never “Cheer” Alone
