【正确答案】 It's quite logical that I can never be a great writer, for I'm not devoted enough to literature. Some people choose to be a writer merely out of a passion for literature. Some, however, consider literature as a stepping-stone to success. I belong to the latter. I mean, some people are made for writing; some are forced to take to letters for one reason or another...I often say that I don't admire those who struggle in a tight corner, but those who keep forging ahead even in comfort and wealth. Hardship, of course, is a powerful motive, impelling people to spare no effort in their undertakings. Some people, however, though living a well-off life, don't indulge in pleasure-seeking, but are engaged in the painstaking efforts of writing. Their will, to me, is incredible.

【答案解析】背景介绍
选自孙少山《我与小说》，见《八百米深处》，外语教育与研究出版社，中国文学出版社1999年出版。
难点解析
- 虔诚： “虔诚”除了可以译成“devoted”之外，还可以翻译成“pious”或者“devout”， “sincere”等。
- 敲门砖： “敲门砖”是个比喻，可以根据其意义翻译成“stepping stone”。