My father often talks about his definition of success. He tells us that it isn’t measured in money or material things, but in love and joy. While my brothers and I were all raised together under the same roof, I wonder how different we can be sometimes. Four kids, four different life paths, personalities and ambitions.

We must follow a different path to let our light shine, and that’s what makes us so unpredictable and unique. In today’s world, expecting every child’s education to be the same, progress at the same rate and be measured against the narrow standards of performances is not just outdated, it’s also harmful to young people.

I experienced this disconnect(脱节) firsthand after graduating from college. I had many opportunities in front of me, but they didn’t test my limits and my creativity to pursue my passions. At first, I took a job at a big consulting firm. However, I couldn’t shake my passion for music. I had followed the somewhat predictable path of a college graduate, but I was crazy about how to become an artist. Now I am a nine-time Grammy Awards winner who has sold multiple Top 10 Albums.

Imagine what it would look like if our schools were set up to help people discover and pursue a personal passion instead of a predictable path? The good news is that a number of individuals and organizations are finding new ways to innovate in education. The goal is to create more student-centered environments that help young people not just do better in school but also discover what they love.

We can’t live lives of joy if we can’t discover what we love doing with our lives. So let each person discover the power and uniqueness of his or her own passion.

1.What does the writer’s father think success should be measured in?

A. Pleasure. B. Ability. C. Wealth. D. Fame.

2.We can infer that the writer _________________________.

A. is devoted to reforming the education system

B. pursued his passions once he left college

C. realized his dream before his graduation

D. finally became an outstanding singer

3.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. Where there is a will, there is a way.

B. Let every child’s light shine.

C. All that glitters is not gold.

D. Let bygones be bygones.

D Are you an optimist? Do you look at your glass and see it as half full? Do you believe that every cloud has a silver lining and that things generally turn out for the best? Do you believe that if something is meant to be,it will be? If you reply “yes” to all of these questions,then you are an optimist.You probably are enthusiastic,cheerful and outgoing.You may be successful at work and in love.

But you may be misguided because things don't turn out for the best.You may believe that when on door closes another one opens(for example,you may fail to obtain a new job; another chance will come around soon).Wrong.When one door closes,another door slams(砰然关上)in your face.That's bitter reality.

Now a book has been published which confirms what pessimists(悲观者)have suspected all along.it's called The Positive Power of Defensive Pessimism.Its author argues that defensive pessimism can lead to positive results.Defensive pessimism is a strategy used to manage fear,anxiety and worry.Defensive pessimists prepare for the tings by setting low outcomes for themselves.They carefully consider everything that may go wrong and plan for ways to handle these problems.And this gives them a sense of control.Lawrence Sanno,a psychology professor,says,“What's interesting about defensive pessimists is that they tend to be very successful people,so their low opinion of the situation's outcomes is not realistic.They use it to motivate themselves to perform better.”

So far,so good.This is not rocket science.Defensive pessimists prepare carefully and consider what might go wrong,whether at work,on date or even in a sports game.It makes sense to have a back-up plan.There are many sayings in English urging caution.For example,“Don't put all your eggs in one basket.”

And “Don't count your chickens until they hatch.” To have a confident and optimistic approach to life's problems is good.But listen to what Woody Alien,the American comedian says ,”Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.”

There are pros and cons to being an optimist and a pessimist.Don't feel bad if you see the glass half empty.You are a realist But lighten up and hook up with someone who sees the same glass half full.

1.What's the passage mainly about?

A.A book that has recently been published.

B.How to become successful in life

C.The dangers of being too optimistic.

D.The benefits of defensive pessimism.

2.The underlined sentence “This is not rocket science”(Para.4)means ______.

A.it's not a dangerous thing to do

B.it is quite simple to understand

C.the cost is not so high

D.there is no real proof

3.Which of the following English expressions would a defensive pessimist believe?

A.Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

B.The glass is half full not half empty.

C.Whatever will be,will be.

D.Every cloud has a silver lining.

4.The writer would probably describe himself as ______.

A.an optimist

B.a defeatist

C.a realist

D.a scientist

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网