P re -re ad in g Sp e ak in g
Ⅰ. Talking about th e p ictu res
Look at the pictures and answer the following questions with the help of the information listed below.
1. As we all know，Michael Jordan is a great basketball star and he once played baseball，how do you comment on his respective performance in basketball and in baseball?
2. Would he be more successful if he had continued playing baseball? Why or why not?
3. Was he always successful in his personal and professional or business life? Give
some examples to illustrate your view.
Some useful fa cts for you r eference:
Michael Jordan is widely considered a basketball??s best player ever . He became known as Air Jordan. He seemed to fly through the air with the ball. He also gained wide notice by helping to sell products. Businesses paid him tens of millions of dollars.
Career achievements of Michael Jordan:
NBA World Champion: 1991，1992，1993，1996，1997，1998
NBA FINALS MVP: 1991，1992，1993，1996，1997，1998
All NBA First Team: 1987，1988，1989，1990，1991，1992，1993，1996，1997,1998
All NBA Defensive First Team: 1988，1989，1990，1991，1992，1993，1996，1997，1998
NBS Defensive Player of the Year: 1988
NBA MVP: 1988，1991，1992，1996，1998
NBA Slam Dunk Champion: 1987，1988
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1985
Olympic Gold Medalist: 1984，1992
NCAA Champion: 1982
Michael Jordan，40 years of age and favoring crafty head fakes and jump shots rather than the acrobatic dunks and astounding hang time that made him famous,ended his storied playing career tonight. Jordan，widely regarded as the greatest basketball player ever，headed into retirement for the third and presumably last time after his Washington Wizards played the Philadelphia 76ers at the First Union Center.
After 15 seasons in the NBA，Jordan leaves behind a staggering list of accomplishments: six championships and five most valuable player awards with the Chicago Bulls; the most seasons as the league??s leading scorer ( 10) ; and the highest career scoring average in the regular season ( 30 . 1 points a game) and in the playoffs ( 33. 4) .
He claimed that basketball held no more challenges for him. He turned to baseball for a challenge where he played in the White Sox organization. He was quick，and could play defense，but he just couldn??t do enough with the bat. His return to basketball came on March 19，1995 against Indiana. The Bulls had retired Jordan??s number 23 on November 11，1994. When Michael returned he wore number 45，but soon returned to his familiar number 23. After a shaky return at the end of the 1995 season ( only scoring 26. 9 ppg) ，he was back in full form for 1995 1996 ，winning another scoring title.
4. Do you know who he is and what he is famous for?
5. Have you ever heard his singing? What do you think of it?
6. Do you think he fits the image of most pop stars such as handsome looks，good voice，excellent singing or dancing? And why do you think he is successful?
Some useful fa cts for your r efer en ce: