单选题 Cycle-cross is a cross-country bicycle racing in open and usually quite rough country with riders often forced to dismount and carry their bicycles.
The sport, originated early in the 20th century in France, but became prominent in the 1950s (the British Cycle-Cross Association was founded in 1954). Originally as a European sport, cycle-cross became popular throughout Western Europe and in the United States . World championships were initiated in 1925; by 1950 these were recognized by the Union Cyclist International (International Cyclists" Union). After 1967 amateur and professional classes were officially separated in competition.
The 24-kilometre cycle-cross course, often involving laps, is usually completed in 60 minutes. A course typically includes obstacles such as ditches, mud, fallen trees, streams, flight of stairs, fences and gates; artificial hurdles are added to insufficiently challenging natural courses. Cycle-cross races are usually held from September to March, adding winter weather hazards to the challenge.
There is a massed start with the field assembling not more than two abreast. Helpers are often stationed around the course with spare bicycles in case the original machine encounters mechanical difficulties or becomes too weighted down by mud picked up to the course.

单选题 What does the word "dismount" in paragraph one mean?

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章第一句“riders often forced to dismount and carry their bicycles”我们可以推测出骑自行车的人常常下车扛着自行车走。因此可以判定dismount应该是get off之意。

单选题 According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about cycle-cross?

A、 The cyclists sometimes have to carry the bicycles instead of riding them.
B、 The riders in the race are arranged side by side in two lines.
C、 All the riders start simultaneously on the starting Line.
D、 The riders are allowed o change their machines.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[解析] 从上一题我们可以推断出A是正确的陈述，而从第四段第一句“There is a massed start with the field assembling not more than two abreast.”我们可知选手们是集中在一起两个人并肩齐行的。而且，如果车子出现故障或粘的泥太多而无法上路即可更换一辆车子。由此，我们可知B和D项都是正确的陈述。因为是the field assembling，所以不可能start simultaneously on the starting line(同时从起跑线出发)。

单选题 Cycle-cross became widely known ______.

单选题 According to the passage, cycle-cross races are usually held from September to March because ______.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 根据第三段最后一句“Cycle-cross races are usually held from September to March, adding winter weather hazards to the challenge.”我们可知这项运动在每年9月份到次年3月份举行目的是为了增加比赛的由于天气原因所带来的额外挑战。

单选题 Which of the following statements can you infer from the passage?

A、 The riders are competitive and fond of taking risks.
B、 People expect the riders show little interest in cycle-cross.
C、 Before 1967, amateur and professional classes had never been separated in competition.
D、 Helpers are often hired by the riders.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 通览全文我们可以知晓Cycle-cross这项运动不简单。“A course typically includes obstacles such as ditches, mud, fallen trees, streams, flight of stairs, fences, and gates...”可以说是人为地设置了许多困难，因此我们可以推断骑手们一定都是朝气蓬勃、敢于冒险。B项显然是错误的，而C、D两项基本是文中句子，不是推理的结果。因此选A。