单选题
In the absence of optimism, we are left with
nothing but critics, naysayers, and prophets of doom. When a nation expects the
worst from its people and institutions, and its experts focus exclusively on
faults, hope dies. Too many people spend too much time looking down rather than
up, finding fault with their country's political institutions, economic system,
educational establishment, religious organizations, and—worst of all—with each
other. Faultfinding expends so much negative energy that
nothing is left over for positive action. It takes courage and strength to solve
the genuine problems that afflict every society. Sure, there will always be
things that need fixing. But the question is, do you want to spend your time and
energy tearing things down or building them up? The staging of
a Broadway show could illustrate my point. Let's say a new production is about
to open. A playwright has polished the script, investor have put up the
money,and the theater has been rented. A director has been chosen, actors have
been auditioned and selected, and the cast has been rehearsing for weeks. Set,
lighting, and sound engineers have been hard at work. By the time opening night
arrives, nearly a hundred people have labored tirelessly—all working long hours
to make magic for their audience. On opening night, four or
five critics sit in the audience. If they pan it, the play will probably close
in a matter of days or weeks. If they praise it, the production could go on for
a long and successful run. In the end, success or failure might hinge on the
opinion of a single person—someone who might be in a bad mood on opening night!
What's wrong with this scene? In one sense, nothing. Critics have a legitimate
role. The problem arises when we make critics our heroes or put them in control
of our fate. When we empower the criti cmore than the playwright, something is
wrong. It is much easier to criticize than to create.When we revere the critics
of society, we eventually become a society of critics, and when that happens,
there is no room left for constructive optimism.
单选题
According to the author, critics usually______.
单选题
It can be inferred from the text that if optimism were adopted,______.
A.no serious problems would arise in society
B.anything could be done with ease
C.some social problems could more possibly be solved
D.people would succeed in getting over all the obstacles
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的四个选项中，只有C项为正确答案。这可从文中的“Faultfinding expends so much negative energy that nothing is left over for positive action”推知，即解决影响社会的实际问题需要勇气和力量。当采取乐观进取的态度时可能会更快地解决问题。
单选题
The preparation of a Broadway show is mentioned in order to______.
A.explain that staging a play requires complex teamwork
B.argue that a minute mistake may ruin a lifelong task
C.show that the preparatory stage is imperative to the following ones
D.illustrate that criticism may block the way to success
单选题
Compared with the playwrights, the critics are, according to the
author,______.
A.pretentious rather than honest
B.arrogant rather than modest
C.cruel rather than merciful
D.destructive rather than constructive
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的四个选项中，只有D项为正确答案。这可从文中的“when we empower the critic more than the playwright，something is wrong．It is much easier to criticize than to create”推知，作者认为剧作家比批评家更应该受到尊重，因为他们从事的是创造性活动而批评家则是挑错，而批评要比创造容易多了。
单选题
What might be the ultimate result of a biased bitter criticism?______.