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