At the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, you may have noticed this strange scene at the beginning of each game. As the soccer players line up ready to walk onto the field they take the hand of a smiling and excited child next to them and walk out with them hand in hand.
The practice of sending children out with the players first took place from time to time throughout the 1990s. One child, also called a player escort, would accompany a team out at the beginning of an important game. From the year 2000 onwards, this custom started happening much more regularly. The 2000 Euro Championships was one of the first major soccer games where children were seen walking out with the players. But it was the 2002 FIFA World Cup where it really became popular. One of the most prominent ways this happened was by pairing up each player with a child as they walked out onto the soccer field. You can see it at the beginning of most important football games. From then on, it has become commonplace around the world for children to walk out with the players.
Ultimately soccer players walk out with a child because their club requires them to. It is in the interest of the soccer club to do this as it has potential benefits for both the child and the honor of the club. Soccer is a game that is loved by children throughout the world. Many would jump at the chance to have a taste of a real game in person. It’s also a chance for soccer club to make money. Most clubs have some sort of program where it’s possible to buy the experience of being a player escort. In England, it can be extremely expensive. A few years ago it was reported that some clubs were charging almost $800 per child to be a player escort!
【小题1】Why did the writer mention the strange scene in the World Cup?
| A．To draw readers’ interest. |
| B．To appreciate the children. |
| C．To show the charm of football players. |
| D．To stress the importance of the World Cup. |
【小题2】What does the second paragraph mainly deal with about the practice?
| A．Its popularity. | B．Its successes. |
| C．Its hardships. | D．Its development. |
【小题3】Which is closest in meaning to “prominent” in Paragraph 2?
| A．Effective. | B．Noticeable. | C．Proper. | D．Difficult. |
【小题4】How does the practice benefit the player escorts?
| A．They can make much money. |
| B．They can gain great potential chance to be famous. |
| C．They are more likely to be chosen by their favorite clubs. |
| D．They are lucky enough to experience a real game by themselves. |
