【课堂新坐标】(湖北专版)2013-2014学年高中英语(5)

China before starting his NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2002.Yao played eight seasons in the NBA.

“Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and my future，” Yao said.“I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture (断裂) in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year.My past six months were a painful wait.I have been thinking about my future over and over.Today I am announcing a personal decision，ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire.But one door is closing and another one is opening.”

Yao said he would return to work with his former Chinese team，the Shanghai Sharks，with the possibility of becoming general manager.He already owns the club and wants to contribute more.

“My playing career started with the club.I hope I can do something for it，” Yao said.

He later appeared with his family on the stage to the applause and cheers of the crowd.He thanked a lot of people—his family，former coaches，even players like Shaquille O'Neal—“for making me a better player.I will be always with you.Thank you.”

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was among those attending the farewell (告别) conference Wednesday.Morey made the long trip from Houston.Morey said 20 hours on planes was tiring but he would be sorry if he wasn't here.“It's a big moment，” Morey added.“Yao had a sense of humor，a great attitude and sense of responsibility.I hope we can continue his culture in the NBA.”

Yao had played six years with the Chinese national team before joining the Rockets，and was already a star in his home country.He carried the Olympic torch through Tian'anmen Square and his country's flag during the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympic in 2008.He also donated D|S2 million and set up a foundation to rebuild schools in the wake of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan.

6．Which of the following can be the BEST title of the passage?

A．Yao Ming：a household name

B．Yao Ming retires from basketball

C．A farewell conference

D．Yao Ming's personal decision

【解析】 主旨大意题。纵观全文可以看出，文章向我们讲述的是姚明因饱受伤痛之苦，