Personality is to large extent inherent. A-type parents usually bring 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 (浸泡) a characteristic 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 Philippines, 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 types, and schools have an important duty to
try to fit a child's personality to hide 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 form A-type
stock. B's are important and should be encouraged.
单选题
In line 2, Para. 2 the word "institution" refers to ______.
A. establishment
B. social custom
C. law
D. school
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 在第二段第一句中，which引导的非限制性定语从句修饰school，因此说school is a highly，competitive institution，选项D正确。
单选题
According to the passage, A-type individuals are in most cases ______.
单选题
The author strongly objects to the practice of examination at schools
because ______.
A. the pressure is too great on the students
B. some students are bound to fail
C. failure rates are too high
D. the results of examinations are doubtful
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章第三段第三句…competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmfull(在失败方面的竞争是有百害而无一利的)。A、D都是无关选项；C过于片面。
单选题
The selection of medical professionals is currently based on ______.
A. candidates' sensitivity
B. academic achievements
C. competitive spirit
D. surer values
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第五段第二句：句首用perhaps...could be made，说明by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy，还只是一种期望，现在还用good grades。good grades与academic achievement同义。
单选题
From the passage, we can draw the conclusion that ______.
A. the personality of a child is well established at birth
B. family influence dominates the shaping of one's characteristics
C. the development of one's personality is due to multiple factors
D. B-type characteristics can find no place in a competitive
society