# The history of sneakers - 科目：雅思听力真题（Part 4） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2026.1.23北京理工大学 - 题目数：8 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/1a26625e-f028-42a2-b476-06498fe61059（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 00:00:00,080 Today, we'll take a closer look at sneakers, how they started, how they changed, and how they became a key part of everyday life and culture around the world. Originally, sneakers were designed with one very specific feature in mind: silence. Unlike traditional shoes made of hard leather that made noise on hard surfaces, these new rubber-soled shoes allowed the wearer to move without drawing attention. That's exactly why many people at the time valued them, because they made movement almost completely quiet. In fact, that's how they got the nickname sneakers. You could sneak around without making a sound. 00:00:36,420 Sneakers remained functional items for several years, but in the nineteen twenties, something changed. Young people began adopting them as part of their everyday outfits. One of the most common combinations at the time was to wear sneakers with jeans. This casual style quickly caught on, and for the first time, sneakers were being worn for reasons beyond athletics or comfort. They had entered the world of personal expression. 00:01:02,100 Still, the early models had their flaws. One of the major complaints was the way the soles clung to polished or wooden surfaces. Gym users, in particular, noticed how difficult it was to move smoothly on those types of floors. 00:01:15,510 Manufacturers realized they needed to make the soles less sticky, so they experimented with different rubber materials and textures to create a better grip without that excessive resistance. Over the next few decades, sneakers began to earn a reputation for being incredibly functional. Unlike formal shoes, they were comfortable for long walks, didn't require polishing, and were easy to slip on and off. This made them perfect for people with active lifestyles: students, travelers, even factory workers. By the mid-twentieth century, they were viewed as extremely practical, suitable for almost any casual occasion. Then came the advertising boom. In the nineteen seventies and beyond, sneaker companies started working with athletes, musicians, and even actors to promote their products. These figures were hugely influential, and their endorsement brought massive publicity to certain sneaker brands. 00:02:06,660 One example is the collaboration between Michael Jordan and Nike, which completely changed how sneakers were marketed and perceived. As sneakers gained global attention, they started to reflect more than just comfort or performance. They became icons of taste and individuality. Designers played with colors, patterns, and materials, and people began using sneakers to show off their own identity. Whether it was through bold designs or classic minimalist styles, sneakers had become a powerful tool of fashion, influencing trends not just in sportswear, but across all kinds of clothing. And of course, we can't talk about sneakers without mentioning limited editions and collector culture. Certain brands began releasing rare models in small quantities, sometimes just a few hundred pairs worldwide. These shoes would sell out almost immediately, sometimes in a matter of seconds online. Fans camped out at stores, traded shoes online, and paid high resale prices. For the companies behind these releases, it wasn't just about money, it was about proving dominance in the market. Each sold-out launch became a sign of success in commerce, driving brand loyalty and media attention. ## 题目与答案 ### 31. Early Development and Function ·The first rubber-soled shoes were appreciated for being nearly 31_____ when walking. Early Development and Function ·The first rubber-soled shoes were appreciated for being nearly 31_____ when walking. **答案**：quite 原文定位：these new rubber-soled shoes allowed the wearer to move without drawing attention. That's exactly why many people at the time valued them, because they made movement almost completely quiet 同义替换：「nearly」↔「almost」；「walking」↔「movement」；「appreciated for」↔「valued」 ### 32. ·In the 1920s, young people started we pushing them into everyday use. sneakers together with 32_____ . ·In the 1920s, young people started we pushing them into everyday use. sneakers together with 32_____ . **答案**：jeans 原文定位：One of the most common combinations at the time was to wear sneakers with jeans ### 33. ·To prevent accidents, companies modified the soles so they wouldn't be so 33_____ on smooth indoor floors. ·To prevent accidents, companies modified the soles so they wouldn't be so 33_____ on smooth indoor floors. **答案**：sticky 原文定位：Manufacturers realized they needed to make the soles less sticky 同义替换：「smooth」↔「polished」；「floors」↔「surfaces」 ### 34. ·By the mid-20th century, sneakers were no longer just for sports-they were seen as highly 34_____ in daily life. ·By the mid-20th century, sneakers were no longer just for sports-they were seen as highly 34_____ in daily life. **答案**：practical 原文定位：By the mid-twentieth century, they were viewed as extremely practical, suitable for almost any casual occasion 同义替换：「highly」↔「extremely」；「in daily life」↔「casual occasions」；「seen」↔「viewed」 ### 35. Commercial Rise and Cultural Impact ·Famous athletes and celebrities helped brands gain massive 35_____ through their endorsements. Commercial Rise and Cultural Impact ·Famous athletes and celebrities helped brands gain massive 35_____ through their endorsements. **答案**：publicity 原文定位：their endorsement brought massive publicity to certain sneaker brands 同义替换：「gain」↔「brought」；「endorsements」↔「promote」 ### 36. ·Sneakers later became a strong symbol of personal 36_____, reflecting the wearer's unique style. ·Sneakers later became a strong symbol of personal 36_____, reflecting the wearer's unique style. **答案**：fashion 原文定位：sneakers had become a powerful tool of fashion, influencing trends 同义替换：「symbol」↔「icons」；「personal」↔「individuality」；「reflecting」↔「show off」；「unique」↔「identity」 ### 37. ·Some limited-edition shoes sold out in hours, marking a huge commercial 37_____ for the companies involved. ·Some limited-edition shoes sold out in hours, marking a huge commercial 37_____ for the companies involved. **答案**：success 原文定位：Each sold-out launch became a sign of success in commerce 同义替换：「commercial」↔「commerce」；「in hours」↔「almost immediately」；「marking」↔「sign of」 ### 38-40. 38-40 _____ 38-40 _____ **答案**：暂无 --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。