9.Homelessness is a big problem across the world.Many people and organizations are working to solve it.Mel Young from Scotland and Harald Schmied from Austria are two such people.In 2001,the two men attended(參加)an international conference about the problem of homelessness.Later,they began to wonder if football could help solve the problem.In 2003,they decided to start the Homelessness World Cup organization.It chooses and trains local homeless people for the yearly football competition.Today,about 500 people from almost 50 countries play in the Homeless World Cup.And the program is changing lives.
Damien is from Ireland.For many years,he struggled with drug addiction(吸毒成癮).But in 2006,he played for Ireland's Homeless World Cup team,and since then,he has been drug free.
Many of the Homeless World Cup players,like Damien,have struggled with drug addiction.However,some players are homeless because of poverty(貧窮).Alex is one of them.He says,"I was born in Mathare,the biggest,worst slum(貧困窟)in Kenya.I could not find anything to eat.Also schooling was a problem.My life started when I started playing football."Football gave Alex joy.It taught him to work hard and helped him believe that he could achieve something.
Football can even help people who have experienced extreme tragedy.Najib,a young man from Afghanistan,has lived through much war.Many of his family members have died.But football has helped him survive."It is only during the games that I do not think about my situation.I'm not interested in anything other than football and it's the only thing I desire,"Najib explains.
Drugs,poverty and war are common causes of homelessness.Playing in a football competition may not directly treat drug addition,solve poverty or end war.But it can give people emotional(情感上的)strength and help them learn important life skills.
28.What do we know about the Homeless World Cup?A
A.It is held every year.
B.It first took place in 2001.
C.It is the idea of two troubled football lovers.
D.It was introduced at an international conference.
29.After playing in the Homeless World Cup,AlexD.
A.gave up taking drugs.
B.began to live a rich life.
C.got a good school education.
D.became confidence about the future.
30.What does the underlined word"desire"in Paragraph 4 probably mean?C
A.remember.
B.watch.
C.want.
D.create.
31.What would be the best title for this text?D
A.Football for everyone.
B.Last hope for the homeless.
C.End homelessness from now on.
D.Beat homelessness through football.