The 2008 Beijing Olympics began officially on Friday 8th August 2008 at 8 pm in front of a

The 2008 Beijing Olympics began officially on Friday 8th August 2008 at 8 pm in front of a crowd of 90,000 eager spectators in the Bird's Nest stadium.

Things got off to a bang with a starting firework display which lit up Beijing's skyline, followed by a total of 2,008 energetic drummers beating a countdown（倒计时）. Then the crowd was treated to an amazing sequence（系列） pretty and carefully designed scenes which took them through 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture.

After these performances, it was time for the athletes themselves to take center stage. In keeping with tradition, Olympic founders Greece led the 204 competing nations into the stadium.

China's 639 athletes entered last behind towering flag bearer Yao Ming, to a thunderous reception from the crowd.

Finally, the main torch was lit by a jet of fire  from Chinese Olympic hero Li Ning, who had been pulled up to the roof of the stadium on wires.

China, of course, was not alone in watching the opening ceremony. British newspaper The Guardian said the show "outdid all of its former hosts in numbers, colour, noise and expense."

The Financial Times was equally impressed. "No country ever has--or surely will--match the Chinese in effort, human power, organization, creativity and , it has to be said, money they were willing to put into what once a little show."

No pressure on the next host city then! With just four years to go, the London Olympic organizers have promised to deliver an equally inspirational ceremony. Let's hope they can pull it off.

45. Which of the following is the right order of the opening ceremony of 29th Olympic Games?

a. China's athletes entered last behind Yao Ming.

b. A starting firework display lit up Beijing's skyline.

c. The main torch was lit by a jet of fire from Chinese Olympic hero Li Ning.

d. A total  of 2,008 energetic drummers beat a countdown.

e. The crowd was treated to an amazing sequence of pretty and carefully designed scenes which took them through 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture.

f. Olympic founders Greece led the 204 competing nations into the stadium.

A. b, d, e, a, f, c              B. d, c, b, a, e, f               C. d, c, a, e, b, f        D. b, d, e, f, a, c

46. What does the underlined word outdid probably mean in this passage?

A. did well              B. did worse than         C. did better than             D. did poorly

47. Which of the following can best describe the author's attitude toward the London Olympics?

A. negative              B. sad                         C. positive                       D. satisfied

48. We can find the passage in a newspaper most probably in _____________section.

A. music                B. sports                       C. literature                    D. military

41.     解析：A项“历史性的的总统选举”是最佳答案。Obama described his election as a "defining moment'（转折意义的时刻） in the history of the United States, saying that "change has come to America".包括B项内容，第一位非裔美国人总统。和C项内容改变已然到来。 D项，关于美国的评论。显然错误。通篇讲美国选举奥巴马为44th 届总统具有历史意义以及外界的评论。

42.     解析：北京奥运会开幕式顺序是D选项。烟火-击鼓倒计时-文艺表演-希腊队入场-中国队殿后-点燃火炬

43.     解析：The Guardian said the show "outdid all of its former hosts in numbers, colour, noise and expense." 英国的卫报说表演在人数，色彩，噪声和花费方面前无古人（优于先前的主办者）。选C

44.     解析：根据最后一句话作者的态度是肯定的。选C。 Let's hope they can pull it off.（pull it off 在困难中取得成功）。