Question

In modern society there is a great deal of argument about competition. Some value it highly, believing that it is responsible for social progress and prosperity. Others say that competition is bad; that it sets one person against another; that it leads to unfriendly relationship between people.

I have taught many children who held the belief that their self­worth relied on how well they performed at tennis and other skills. For them, playing well and winning are often life­and­death affairs. In their single­minded pursuit of success, the development of many other human qualities is sadly forgotten.

However, while some seem to be lost in the desire to succeed, others take an opposite attitude. In a culture which values only the winner and pays no attention to the ordinary players, they strongly blame competition. Among the most vocal are youngsters who have suffered under competitive pressures from their parents or society. Teaching these young people, I often observe in them a desire to fail. They seem to seek failure by not trying to win or achieve success. By not trying, they always have an excuse: “I may have lost, but it doesn't matter because I really didn't try.” What is not usually admitted by themselves is the belief that if they had really tried and lost, that would mean a lot. Such a loss would be a measure of their worth. Clearly, this belief is the same as that of the true competitors who try to prove themselves. Both are based on the mistaken belief that one's self­respect relies on how well one performs in comparison with others. Both are afraid of not being valued. Only as this basic and often troublesome fear begins to dissolve can we discover a new meaning in competition.

1.What does this passage mainly talk about?

A. Competition helps to set up self­respect.

B. Opinions about competition are different among people.

C. Competition is harmful to personal quality development.

D. Failures are necessary experiences in competition.

2.The underlined phrase “the most vocal” in Paragraph 3 means ________.

A. those who try their best to win

B. those who value competition most highly

C. those who are against competition most strongly

D. those who rely on others most for success

3.What is the similar belief of the true competitors and those with a “desire to fail”？

A. One's worth lies in his performance compared with others'.

B. One's success in competition needs great efforts.

C. One's achievement is determined by his particular skills.

D. One's success is based on how hard he has tried.

4.Which point of view may the author agree to?

A. Every effort should be paid back.

B. Competition should be encouraged.

C. Winning should be a life­and­death matter.

D. Fear of failure should be removed in competition.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.A

4.D

【解析】

【整体分析】本文主要讲述了不同的人对于竞争的不同的态度。有人认为竞争好好能促进社会的进步。而有人认为竞争对人的发展有害。

1.B

主旨大意题。第一段第一句“In modern society there is a great deal of argument about competition” 在现代社会中，有很多关于竞争的说法。故选B。

2.C

细节理解题。第一段第二句“some value it highly, believing that it is responsible for social progress and prosperity” 有些人把竞争评价得很高，认为是社会进步和繁荣所必需的。由此句可知C是正确的。.

3.A

细节理解题。最后一段的后半部分“Clearly, this belief is the same as that of true competitors who try to prove themselves. Both are based on the mistaken belief that one’s self-respect relies on how well one performs in comparison with others.” 显然，这种信念与真正的竞争者试图证明自己是一样的。两者都基于一个错误的观念，即一个人的自尊依赖于比较他人的表现。故选A。

4.D

推理判断。最后一段最后一句“Only when this basic and often troublesome fear begins to disappear(缓解) can we discover a new meaning in competition.” 只当这基本的经常困扰人的恐惧开始消失了，我们才能发现竞争中新的意义。可以推断出害怕失败可以在竞争中消除。故选D。