Passage Three

　　The Olympic Games were first held at Olympia in ancient Greece as long ago as 776 B. C. They were held once every four years. The custom lasted for more than 1, 000 years, but died out under the rulers of Rome and ceased during the decline of ancient Greek civilization. Then in 1896 the Games were revived. In that year, a Frenchman, Baron de Coubertin, decided to try to start the Games again. He wished to renew these ideals of excellence of body, mind, and spirit shown in the classic Greek Olympics. He succeeded, and the modern Olympic Games began in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Since then the Olympics have grown steadily with more and more nations and athletes taking part. Because of the world wars, they were not held in 1916, nor in 1940 and 1944. They have been regularly held ever since then。

　　The Olympics present the world's most important athletic contests. Athletes from all over the world take part in the modern Olympic Games, Any nation may enter a team in the games if it agrees to follow the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Athletes of many nations compete in a variety of sports divided into Winter Games and Summer Games. The Olympic Games are held each time in a different city of the world。

　　Questions 32to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard。

　　32. When were the first Olympic Games held?

　　33. When were the Games revived?

　　34. Where did the modern Olympic Games begin in 1896?

　　35. Why were the Games not held in 1916，nor in 1940 and 1944?

　　Section C

　　Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written。

　　George was sure that it was going to be a busy day. He was glad that his mother was living with him and Tina, his wife, so that she could take care of (36) their new baby. Tina would be busy all day in the (37) kitchen. It was a holiday and the first really warm day of spring. Many people would come over from the (38) mainland to spend the day, and it was necessary to get ready for them。

　　George called his (39) place of business both a restaurant and a hotel, but actually he had only four rooms to (40) rent. It was (41) located on the rocky shore of an island near the mainland of Greece. It was(42) surrounded by pine, lemon, and olive trees. In front of the restaurant was a cement (43)pier where the boats from the mainland landed. (44) People could walk to the island from the mainland if they wanted to, by crossing a long bridge three miles down the shore, but most of them came and went by boat. (45) It was faster and more comfortable.The boats were rather small，(46) but each one could carry six or eight people。