A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket's Yao Ming. "Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA," said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. "He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese," he said.

Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. "Since early May, I've not missed one game in the NBA," said the senior 3 student.

Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game.

Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. "Students are full of passion for the game," Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students.

Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. "When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said. " It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship."

1. what does the game teach them?
2. what does it teach Li?
3. how old is Xie?
4. how old is Liu?
5. who is Xie proud to be?
6. who's his favorite player?
7. Has Liu missed any games?
8. what is the name of the teacher?
9. what does he say about his players?
10. How many students enjoy it?
11. have they ever won?
12. when?
13. what?
14. is the game well liked?
15. by who?
16. what was the name of the tournament?
17. what was special about it?
18. does it help with their studies?
19. where does Jiang coach?
20. who does Yao Ming play for?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. lessons in life
2. to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship
3. 17
4. 17
5. Chinese
6. Yao Ming
7. Not since early May
8. Jiang Hui
9. Students are full of passion for the game
10. 85 percent
11. yes
12. March 2004
13. regional first prize
14. yes
15. high school & middle school students
16. 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League
17. first national basketball competition for high school students
18. yes
19. Beijing No. 2 Middle School
20. Houston Rockets