单选题 While it is true that Americans believe climbing the educational ladder leads to success, they are less certain that intellectual achievement is the only important factor leading to success. A competitive personality is seen as important to success, especially in men. The development of social and political skills is also considered to be very important.
To help Americans develop these other important skills, school. This is especially true of number of extracurricular (课程外) activities to daily life at school. This is especially true of high schools and colleges and extends down into elementary schools as well.
Athletics, frequently called "competitive sports," are perhaps the most important of these activities. Football, basketball, and baseball teams are seen as very important in teaching students, particularly boys, the "winning spirit." At times, athletic teams seem to become more important to some students and their parents than the academic programs offered by the schools.

单选题 Americans believe that education is ______.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】细节题。本题要求回答“美国人相信教育______”。文章一开始就指出美国的教育是通向成功的阶梯。“... it is true that Americans believe climbing the educational ladder leads to success...”所以D项正确。

单选题 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as important to success?

单选题 A variety of extracurricular activities are added in American schools ______.

A、 to help students climb the education ladder
B、 to enrich students' dull life at school
C、 to help students become more successful in later life
D、 to extend college education down into elementary schools

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】推理题。文章的主旨就是为了说明美国的教育是通向成功的阶梯。而且还指出成功不仅有先天因素，更重要的是后天要具有竞争意识。第二段第一、二句指出为了帮助学生发展其他重要技能，在学校开展了一些课外的活动。所以根据题意，C项正确。

单选题 Athletic activities are designed ______.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】细节题。可从文章最后一段Athletics, frequently called "competitive sports," are perhaps the most important of these activities. Football, basketball, and baseball teams are seen as very important in teaching students, particularly boys, the "winning spirit." 找到正确答案。故选B。