12.Sports fans around the world are struggling to reconcile with the sudden loss of American basketball icon Kobe Bryant.The 41-year-old died on January 26,2020,when his private helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas,California - about 30 miles away from Los Angeles.The crash also killed eight other passengers including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.The extremely heavy fog condition is believed to have been a major factor.
Bryant,who spent his entire 20-year-basketball career as a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers,was born in Philadelphia.The basketball star,who decided to turn professional after graduating from high school,was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick,and then traded to the Lakers.At just 18 years old,he was the youngest player to be drafted in NBA history.The trade proved to be lucky for the Lakers.By his third year,Bryant had moved from being a reserve to the starting lineup.He had also firmly established himself as a star.In 2000,Bryant led the Lakers to their first NBA championship since 1988.The dream team continued to dominate the league for the next two years.
In addition to helping the Lakers win two additional NBA titles in 2009 and 2010,Bryant was also a member of the basketball team responsible for bringing home the Olympic Gold medals in 2008 and 2012.By the time he retired in 2016,the 18-time NBA All-Star had played a total of 1,560 games and scored an astounding 33,043 points - a record surpassed by only three players Kareem Abdul-Jabar(38,387),Karl Malone (36,928),and James (33,655)- in the NBA's 73-year history.
Though there are many ways to honor Bryant,the best way to pay tribute to one of the greatest sports heroes of all time may be to follow his philosophy on life: "Life is too short to be discouraged.You have to keep moving.Put one foot in front of the other,smile,and just keep on rolling." - Kobe Bryant,2008.
(1)According to the passage,what probably caused the accident?
A.Bad weather.
B.Mechanical failure.
C.The operational error.
D.High mountains.
(2)What can we infer from the second paragraph?
A.Kobe Bryant turned professional player in high school.
B.Kobe Bryant was always in the Lakers' starting line-up at 18.
C.The Lakers won their first NBA championship in 2000.
D.Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship in 2002.
(3)Which of the following is TRUE of Kobe Bryant?
A.He took part in the 2016 Olympic Games.
B.He was the first NBA All-Star in history.
C.Having scored 33,043 points,he ranked fourth in the NBA's 73-year history.
D.He was the first shooting guard in NBA history
(4)Which of the following ideas CANNOT be inferred from Kobe Bryant's philosophy on life?
A.Life is like riding a bicycle and to keep your balance,you must keep moving.
B.Optimism plays an essential role in one's success.
C.A good beginning makes a good ending.
D.Great achievements are accomplished by perseverance.