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A
(2020·天津卷)
After years of observing human nature,I have decided that two qualities make the 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.The two belong together.
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 recapture them.
“The great man,” said Mencius(孟子),“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.It encourages us to occupy our own little corner,to avoid foolish leaps into the dark,to be satisfied.
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.Now she is one of the experts,writing books on flower arrangement.
One 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 UncleTom'sCabin 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.propose a definition
B.make a comparison
C.reach a conclusion
D.present an argument
2.What does the example of Galileo tell us?
A.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.
B.Scientists tend to be curious and ambitious.
C.Creativity results from challenging authority.
D.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.
3.What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent?
A.Observe the unknown around you.
B.Develop a questioning mind.
C.Lead a life of adventure.
D.Follow the fashion.
4.What can we learn from Paragraphs 6 and 7?
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.
5.What could be the best title for the passage?
A.Curious Minds Never Feel Contented
B.Reflections on Human Nature
C.The Keys to Achievement
D.Never Too Late to Learn
