The first modern Olympics were held in the Greek capital of Athens. This was a big event in sports history! Apart from a few attempts in the 1800s, the Games had not been held for about 1500 years — since the ancient Olympics were banned in 393 by the emperor of Greece. In this first modern Olympics, 241 men athletes from 14 countries competed in 43 events from nine sports.

The man who had the idea for the modern Games was a French educator called Pierre de Coubertin. He revived (恢复) the Olympic Games because he believed sport was a great way to bring countries together. Pierre was attracted by the ancient Olympics and interested in the fact that English schools included sport in their school subjects (which the French did not). Pierre thought sport was good for the mind and body. He also believed the world would have a better chance of peace if countries came together to play sports. This gave him the idea of reviving the Olympics.

In 1894, Pierre organized an international meeting in Paris to support the idea. The idea was agreed by everyone present, and the first modern Olympic Games were held two years later. Since then, the Olympics have been held every four years in a different city of the world.

Which country won the most medals at the first modern Olympics? That was Greece (47 medals), followed by the US (20 medals) and Germany (13 medals). 

1.What does the underlined word “banned” mean in this passage?

A Stopped something from happening.

B Taken care of something.

C Improved the quality of something.

D Protected something for better use.

解析：选A。A 词义猜测题。根据划线词前文“the Games had not been held for about 1500 years”大约有1500年没有举行过奥运会了可推断，在393年，古代奥运会被希腊皇帝禁止举办了。故选A。

2.Why did Pierre want to revive the Olympic Games?

A To make students love sports.

B To bring more people together.

C To introduce sports to schools.

D To encourage world peace.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第二段最后两句“He also believed the world would have a better chance of peace if countries came together to play sports. This gave him the idea of reviving the Olympics.”如果各国团结起来进行体育运动，世界将有更好的和平机会。这使他产生了复兴奥运会的想法，即他想通过举办奥运会来促进世界和平。故选D。

3.When were the first modern Olympics held?

A In 393.

B In 1894.

C In 1896.

D In 1900.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段的“In 1894”以及“the first modern Olympic Games were held two years later”可知，1894年举行的国际会议通过了举办奥运会的提议，两年后（即1896年）举办了第一届现代奥运会。故选C。

4.How many more medals did Greece win than Germany at the first modern Olympics?

A 34.

B 27.

C 20.

D 7.

解析：选A。A 数字计算题。根据最后一句可知，在第一届现代奥运会上，希腊总共获得47枚奖牌，美国获得20枚奖牌，德国获得13枚奖牌；希腊比德国多获得34枚奖牌。故选A。

5.In which part of a magazine can we read the article?

A CULTURE

B SPORTS

C EDUCATION

D HISTORY

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。通读全文可知，本文主要介绍了第一届现代奥运会的由来及相关情况，属于体育方面的内容。故选B。