单选题 Personality is to a large extent inherent—A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. 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 where children soak up A-characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. 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. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying: "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. 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 nor desirable that all A-youngsters change into B's. The world needs A-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.
单选题 According to the passage, A-type individuals are usually______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】解析:从第2段第1句话“孩子吸收A性格的地方之一是学校,学校就其本质而言是一个高度竞争的机构”,可知C项为正确答案。
单选题 The author is strongly opposed to the practice of examinations at schools because______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】解析:本题问作者强烈反对学校考试的做法的原因。参看第3段第3句话“用考试来竞争的优点有点令人质疑,但明知失败却还要竞争是肯定有害的”,即作者认为学校的考试是一种竞争,有人会成功,有人会失败。这和B项一致。A项和C项在文中未提及。D项与原文不一致。
单选题 The selection of medical professionals are currently based on______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】解析:从最后一段第2句话“也许对护理行业特别是医务人员的选择少侧重于化学成绩,更多考虑其敏感性及同情心会更好一些”可知A项为正确答案。
单选题 From the passage we can draw the conclusion that______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】解析:本题为推论题。本文主要谈论了学校教育对学生性格形成的影响。综观全文,我们知道性格的发展受先天和环境等多种因素影响。因此C项为正确答案。