阿瑟斯通的古老球赛

If you’re a fan of football orrugby[橄榄球运动], you might want to know how they began.I went to Atherstone, a market town in the heart of England, to see the game that started both of them.It began more than 800 years ago.

At three o’clock exactly, a large, heavy ball was thrown out of the window of a high street bank.For the next two hours, the street was full of men, all trying to get the ball.The only thing they couldn’t do was kill anyone.

When it ended, the winner was found on the foor, under a lot of men—he hadheld onto[紧紧抓住]the ball until the end.All the players knew they would get a bit hurt during the game.

If you need something a bit different after the game, Atherstone is full ofTudor[都铎王朝的]and Elizabethan buildings.Arbury Hall and Middleton Hall are lovely inside.And history lovers should also look around Bosworth Battlefield, where Richard III was killed and the Tudor family became kings for over a hundred years.

Activity 1

Finish these sentences with ideas from the text.1.Both football and rugby began with a game in _.

2.It has been played in the town for _.

3.The players often get _.

4.It’s more dangerous than rugby or _.

5.There are lots of things to see for lovers of _.

Activity 2

Complete the sentences with the right prepositions.

on at under of out

1.I start work _ quarter to nine every day.

2.My book fell _ of the window.

3.My gran’s kitchen was always full _ sweets and chocolate.

4.The dog was lying _ the floor, where it was coolest.

5.I found my trainers _ a lot of old clothes in mywardrobe[衣柜].

Activity 3

What games and sports do people play in your country or region? How did they begin?略:3ytivitcAredn u.5;no.4;fo.3;tu o.2;ta.1:2ytivitcAyrotsih.5;ll abtoof.4 ;tr uh.3;sraey 008naht erom.2;enotsrehtA.1:1ytivitcA

:srewsnA

Atherstone’s Old Ball Game

by Marsha Henderson