问答题 Personality is to a large extent inherent—A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. (1) But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is important to the parents; it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their children.

One place here children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. (2) Too many schools adopt the ‘win at all costs’ moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B type fellows. (3) Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides (菲迪皮茨), the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saving: ‘Rejoice, we conquer!’

By far the worst form of competition in schools is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well. (4) The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.

Obviously, it is neither practical no desirable that all A youngsters change into B’s. (5) The world needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child’s personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.

If the preoccupation of schools with academic work was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children surer values. Perhaps selection for the caring professions especially medicine, could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy. It is surely a mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A type stock. B’s are important and should be encouraged. 

【正确答案】

(1)但环境也一定对其有深刻的影响,因为如果竞争对父母来说很重要的话,那它也可能成为孩子生活中的一个重要因素。

(2)很多学校采用不惜一切代价获取成功的道德标准并通过炫耀成绩来估量孩子们是否成功。

(3)过分地热衷于获胜会产生危险的后果:记住,第一位跑马拉松的费迪皮迪兹在说完“欢呼吧,我们赢了”之后几秒便倒地而死。

(4)以考试竞争这种做法的好处本身有点值得怀疑,而明知有人考试会通不过的情况下还要进行竞争,则肯定是有害的。

(5)这个世界需要各种性格的人,学校的一个重要职责是使孩子的性格适合将来可能从事的工作。

【答案解析】