D

It is all about excitement, speed, and entertainment. It is the biggest international event in winter sports—the Winter Olympic Games. Guess which city will be the host in 2022? The two candidates, Beijing (jointly with Zhangjiakou in Hebei) and Almaty in Kazakhstan are waiting to find out who will win the bid.

The International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission (评估团) visited Beijing and Zhangjiakou from March 24 to 28 to see whether the two cities meet the standards for hosting the Games. The final host city will be announced on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Our visit shows that Beijing is able to host a successful 2022 Olympic Winter Games,” said Alexander Zhukov, the chief of the commission.

Although Zhukov said the same thing about Almaty during his visit to the city earlier, “it seems that Beijing has a bigger chance”, commented Xinhua. If Beijing wins, it will be the first city in history to organize both summer and winter Olympic Games.

The nearly perfect organization of the 2008 Summer Games proved the city’s abilities, according to the report. The city would make use of venues (比赛地点) and infrastructures (基本设施) constructed back then for the Winter Games, showing a spirit of sustainable (可持续的) development. Beijing plans to host most of the ice events, including figure skating, speed skating and ice hockey, in six existing venues including the Water Cube aquatics center.

Snow events will be held in Chongli County in Zhangjiakou. The county, about an hour’s ride from Beijing, has over four months’ snowfall a year, which would provide enough snow for the competitions. The high forest coverage makes snow remain easier. Moreover, the average winter temperature there is suitable for the Winter Olympic Games.

But a problem may get in the way—smog (雾霾). It will be a disadvantage for Beijing.

Competition for holding the Olympics is always strong, because it influences the host city and its people deeply.

“If Beijing wins, it will help improve transportation infrastructure in the two cities and reduce Beijing’s air pollution,” said Beijing mayor Wang Anshun. Around 600,000 more jobs will be created. The events will also encourage more young people to take part in winter sports.

37. Where will snow events be probably held according to the report?

A. In Beijing.       B. In Almaty.      C. In Zhangjiakou.     D. In Kazakhstan.

38. What is the biggest challenge for Beijing to host the Winter Olympic Games?

A. Venues and infrastructures.          B. Experience.

C. People’s support.                  D. pollution.

39. What will the Winter Olympic Games NOT bring to Beijing?

A. More and more people will have chances to find jobs.

B. More and more teenagers will be interested in winter sports.

C. Beijing still needs to build more venues and infrastructures for the Games.

D. The traffic situation between Beijing and Zhangjiakou will be greatly improved.

40. Which of the following is TRUE?

A. It takes about one hour to ride a bike to Chongli from Beijing.

B. Winning the Olympic bid won’t influence local people’s lives.

C. Beijing will be the only city which hosts the Olympic Games twice.

D. The city for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games hasn’t been decided.