Why are so many people so afraid to fail? Quite simply because no one tells us how to fail so that failure (失败) becomes an experience that means growth. We forget that failure is part of the human condition and that every person has the right to fail.
Most parents work hard at preventing failure or protecting their children from the knowledge that they have failed. One way is to lower standards(标准). When a child finishes making a table, the mother describes it as “perfect” even though it doesn’t stand still. Another way is to blame (责怪) others. If John fails in science, his teacher is unfair or stupid.
There’s a problem with the two ways. It makes a child unprepared for life in the real world. The young need to learn that no one can be best at everything, no one can win all the time, and that it’s possible to enjoy a game even when you don’t win. A child who’s not invited to a birthday party, who doesn’t make the honour list on the baseball team, feels terrible, of course. But parents should not offer a quick consolations (安慰), prize or say, “It doesn’t matter.” Because it does. The young should be allowed to experience failure and be helped to come out of it.
Failure never gives people pleasure. It hurts both grown-ups and children. But it can be really good to your life when you learn to use it. You must learn to ask “Why did I fail?” Don’t blame anyone else. Ask yourself what you did wrong and how you can improve. If someone else can help, don’t be shy about asking them.
【小题1】How do most parents prevent their children from failure?

Expressions cover all parts of our life. They may be around your ears every day. You may know a lot of Chinese expressions that describe how you feel. Here are some English ones for your enjoyment.

Have Your Heart in Your Mouth

This expression means that you're really afraid or anxious about something. When your heart starts beating so much that you can feel a thumping(怦怦跳) in your throat, it may feel like you "have your heart in your mouth."

Have Butterflies in the Stomach

How did butterflies get in your stomach? Well, those really aren't butterflies in there. It is a way of describing those nervous feelings you might get before a test or a very important decision.

These stomach flutters (跳动) are normal and happen to many people. Some people believe having a few butterflies might even help you perform better.    

Sick as a Dog

If you've ever been very sick, you may have used this expression. Because dogs eat just about anything they find, they often get sick. So it's all right to describe someone who's not feeling well as being "sick as a dog".    

Under the Weather

When it's rainy all day outside, how would you feel? This expression comes from the idea that bad weather might hurt a person's health and mood(心情).

1. The expression "__" is most probably used while you are watching a thriller.

A. have your heart in your mouth    B. sick as a dog    C. under the weather

2.Someone believes__ if you "have butterflies in the stomach" before a test.

A. you're sure to fail      B. you will forget everything C. you might do better

3.It's __ to say somebody is "sick as a dog" when he is not feeling well.

A. impolite   B. suitable       C. wrong

4.When somebody says "under the weather", he must feel     

A. upset      B. happy            C. calm

5.All expressions discussed in this passage are about      

A. health      B. habits           C. feelings

Expressions cover all parts of our life. They may be around your ears every day. You may know a lot of Chinese expressions that describe how you feel. Here are some English ones for your enjoyment.
Have Your Heart in Your Mouth
This expression means that you’re really afraid or anxious about something. When your heart starts beating so much that you can feel a thumping(怦怦跳) in your throat, it may feel like you "have your heart in your mouth."
Have Butterflies in the Stomach
How did butterflies get in your stomach? Well, those really aren’t butterflies in there. It is a way of describing those nervous feelings you might get before a test or a very important decision.
These stomach flutters (跳动) are normal and happen to many people. Some people believe having a few butterflies might even help you perform better.    
Sick as a Dog
If you’ve ever been very sick, you may have used this expression. Because dogs eat just about anything they find, they often get sick. So it’s all right to describe someone who’s not feeling well as being "sick as a dog".    
Under the Weather
When it’s rainy all day outside, how would you feel? This expression comes from the idea that bad weather might hurt a person’s health and mood(心情).
【小题1】 The expression "__" is most probably used while you are watching a thriller.
A. have your heart in your mouth    B. sick as a dog    C. under the weather
【小题2】Someone believes__ if you "have butterflies in the stomach" before a test.
A. you’re sure to fail      B. you will forget everything C. you might do better
【小题3】It’s __ to say somebody is "sick as a dog" when he is not feeling well.
A. impolite   B. suitable       C. wrong
【小题4】When somebody says "under the weather", he must feel     
A. upset      B. happy            C. calm
【小题5】All expressions discussed in this passage are about      
A. health      B. habits           C. feelings