Question

【题目】A sure way to destroy your chances of learning how to write skillfully is to believe that writing is a “natural gift” rather than a learned skill. People with such an attitude think that they are the only ones for whom writing is unbearably difficult. They feel that everyone else finds writing easy or at least tolerable. Such people often say, “I’m not any good at writing” or “English was not one of my good subjects.” They imply that they simply do not have a talent for writing while others do. The result of this attitude is that these people try to avoid writing, and when they do write, they don’t try their best. Their writing fails chiefly because they believe that they don’t have the “natural talent” needed to write. Unless their attitude changes, they probably will not learn how to write effectively.

A realistic attitude about writing must build on the idea that writing is a skill. It is a skill like driving, typing, or cooking; and, like any skill, it can be learned. If you have the determination to learn, you will develop your writing skills by practicing extensively.

Many people find it difficult to do the active thinking that clear writing demands. It is frustrating to discover how much of a challenge it is to transfer thoughts and feelings from one’s head onto a sheet of paper. But writing is not an automatic process: We will not get something for nothing — and we should not expect to. For almost everyone, skillful writing comes from hard work — from determination and sweat. The good news is that the skill of writing can be mastered, and if you are ready to work, you will learn what you need to know.

【1】Why do some people think writing is difficult?

A. They have no time to practice writing.

B. They believe few people can write well.

C. They have no good teachers to help them.

D. They don’t think writing can be learned.

【2】It can be inferred from Para. 1 that ______.

A. “natural gift” is the determining factor in one’s success

B. diligence can result in success

C. a person without “natural gift” is sure to fail in writing

D. attitude determines what one will be

【3】What is the topic of the passage?

A. Why writing is important.

B. Whether writing is a born gift.

C. Benefits of essay writing.

D. How to improve writing skills.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】D

【3】B

【解析】

【1】细节题，根据文章第一句话可知答案：A sure way to destroy your chances of learning how to write skillfully is to believe that writing is a “natural gift” rather than a learned skill.他们认为写作是一种天赋，而不是一种习得的技能，这是他们不能写好的原因，据此，答案选D。

【2】推断题，根据文章最后一句话可知答案：Unless their attitude changes, they probably will not learn how to write effectively. 除非他们的态度改变，他们是不会学会写作的，据此推断答案选D。

【3】主旨题，根据文章第一段可以知道，本文的话题就是讨论“写作是一种天生的还是一种习得的技能。”