Sneakers(运动鞋) go back a long way. In the late 18th century, people wore rubber-soled(橡胶底的) shoes, but there was no right foot or left foot. Around 1892, the US Rubber Company came up with more comfortable rubber sneakers with canvas tops. By 1917, these sneakers began to be mass produced. They got the nickname “sneakers” because they were so quiet that a person   wearing them could sneak up on someone.

Sneakers went international in 1924. That year a German named Adi Dassler created a kind of sneakers and named them after himself: Adidas. Track star Jesse Owens wore Adidas when he won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics. Adi’s brother Rudi started up another famous sports shoe company: Puma.

During the first half of the 20th century, sneakers were worn mostly to play sports. But in the 1950s, kids began wearing them as fashion statements.

In 1984, Michael Jordan signed a contract to wear a pair of Nike shoes called Air Jordans — the most famous sneakers ever made. Even after Jordan retired from the NBA, his shoes continued to be best sellers. As companies like Nike, Reedbok and Adidas competed, they changed the way sneakers looked, adding wild colors and patterns. Sneakers began to be produced for every sport, including walking, skateboarding and cross training.

New sneakers technologies increase performance. Of course, innovations come with a price. Athletic shoes often cost more than $100 a pair!

64. How did the sneakers get their name?

A. The first designer was named Sneaker.

B. The shoes were rubber-soled.

C. The shoes were very quiet.

D. The earliest shoes had no difference between right foot or left foot.

65. Who made the sneakers international?

A. Marquis Converse.    B. James Dean.    C. Jesse Owens.       D. Adi Dassler.

66. Which can be the best title of the passage?

A. The history of Adidas                                     B. Sneakers create stars

C. Sneakers’ yesterday and today                  D. The birth of sneakers

67. What’s the purpose of writing the passage?

A. To introduce the history of sneakers.

B. To sell sneakers.

C. To advertise for sneakers.

D. To introduce the players wearing sneakers.

责任编辑:yingyubao