1 . After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make a difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance — curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both.
Together, these deep human urges (驱策力) count for much more than ambition. Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground. Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, “Why? Why? Why?”
Fortunately, curiosity and discontent don’t have to be learned. We are born with them and need only to recapture them. “The great man,” said Mencius, “is he who does not lose his child’s heart.” Yet most of us do lose it. We stop asking questions. We stop challenging custom. We just follow the crowd. And the crowd desires only the calm and restful average.
Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.
How should you start? Modestly, so as not to become discouraged. I think of one friend who couldn’t arrange flowers to satisfy herself. She was curious about how the experts did it.
The way to begin is to answer your own excuses. You haven’t any special ability? Most people don’t; there are only a few geniuses. You haven’t any time? That’s good, because it’s always the people with no time who get things done. Harriet Stowe, mother of six, wrote parts of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while cooking. You’re too old? Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel, and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.
However you start, remember there is no better time to start than right now, for you’ll never be more alive than you are at this moment.
1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.A.present an argument | B.make a comparison | C.reach a conclusion | D.propose a definition |
A.Scientists tend to have varied ambitions. | B.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth. |
C.Creativity results from challenging authority. | D.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore. |
A.Observe the unknown around you. | B.Develop a questioning mind. |
C.Lead a life of adventure. | D.Follow the fashion. |
A.Gaining success helps you become an expert. |
B.The genius tends to get things done creatively. |
C.Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action. |
D.You should remain modest when approaching perfection. |
1.受灾情况:如人员伤亡(多达1,500人死亡,成百上千人受伤,约500人下落不明);数万建筑物损毁;供水、供电中断等;
2.救援情况:如军队,医务人员等;
3.赈灾措施:运送生活物资;人们捐款;
4.希望和决心。
A Terrible Flood
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A.that followed | B.that to follow | C.that following | D.after which followed |
A.which arouse; are | B.who arouses; is | C.that arouses; are | D.that arouse; is |
A.both of which | B.either of which | C.both of them | D.all of which |
A.this hotel | B.this hotel where | C.this hotel one | D.this the hotel |
A.for which | B.that | C.where | D.about which |
A.whose | B.which | C.when | D.where |
A.for which I have looked | B.that I have looked for |
C.which I have looked for | D.I have looked for |
A.with which | B.how | C.which | D.in which |