Question

【題目】（題文）Make Up Your Mind to Succeed

Kind-hearted parents have unknowingly left their children defenseless against failure. The generation born between 1980 and 2001 grew up playing sports where scores and performance were played down because “everyone’s winner.” And their report cards sounded more positive (正面的) than ever before. As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”

Dweck has been studying how people deal with failure for 40 years. Her research has led her to find out two clearly different mind-sets that have a great effect on how we react to it. Here’s how they work:

A fixed mind-set is grounded in the belief that talent (才能) is genetic – you’re a born artist, point guard, or numbers person. The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, it’s quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.

On the other hand, a growth mind-set believes that no talent is entirely heaven-sent and that effort and learning make everything possible. Because the ego (自尊) isn’t on the line as much, the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.

We are all born with growth mind-sets. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to live in the world.) But parents, teachers, and instructors often push us into fixed mind-sets by encouraging certain actions and misdirecting praise. Dweck’s book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, and online instructional program explain this in depth. But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.

【1】（小題1）What does the author think about the present generation?

A. They don’t do well at school. B. They are often misunderstood.

C. They are eager to win in sports. D. They are given too much praise.

【2】（小題2）A fixed mind-set person is probably one who ________.

A. doesn’t want to work hard B. cares a lot about personal safety

C. cannot share his ideas with others D. can succeed with the help of teachers

【3】（小題3）What does the growth mind-set believe?

A. Admitting failure is shameful. B. Talent comes with one’s birth.

C. Scores should be highly valued. D. Getting over difficulties is enjoyable.

【4】（小題4）What should parents do for their children based on Dweck’s study?

A. Encourage them to learn from failures. B. Prevent them from making mistakes.

C. Guide them in doing little things. D. Help them grow with praise.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】【1】D

【2】【2】A

【3】【3】D

【4】【4】A

【解析】本文是一篇科學調查報告。斯坦福大學教授Dweck經過40年的調查研究認為人們對待失敗有兩種不同的思維模式，這兩種思維模式對我們如何對待失敗有很大的影響。第一種是有固定思維模式的人，他們認為才能是天生的，成功不需要努力而失敗是恥辱。他們逃避未來的困難。第二種是具有成長思維模式的人，他們認為才能不是天生的，努力和學習使一切成為可能。向失敗學習并把它看作成長的經歷。

【1】【1】細節理解題。根據第一段最后一句As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”可知，這是被過度表揚的一代，故D正確。

【2】【2】細節理解題。根據第三段The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, it’s quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.可知，他們認為不努力也能成功，故A正確。

【3】【3】推理判斷題。根據文章第四段中的“the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.”可知，成長思維把失敗看成是一個機會而不是恥辱。當面對困難時，它會很快重新思考、改變和重試。事實上，它享受這種體驗。所以成長心態認為克服困難是令人愉快的。故D正確。

【4】【4】推理判斷題。根據文章倒數第二段the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again.和文章最后一句“But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.”可推知，根據Dweck的研究，父母應該鼓勵孩子從失敗中學習，變為成長思維。故A正確。