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 tie looking down rather than up, finding fault with their country's political institutions, economic system, edncational 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 well 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 ahs been rented. A director alas 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 lf 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 critic more 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 mom left for constructive optimism.

单选题 According to the author, critics usually ______.
A. ignore minor imperfections B. overemphasize flaws
C. see both sides of a coin D. pin their hopes on improvements

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 wit ease
C. some social problems could more possibly be solved
D. people would succeed in getting over all the obstacles

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 t the following ones
D. illustrate that criticism may block the way to success

单选题 Compared with the playwrights, the critics axe, according to the author, ______.
A. pretentious rather than honest B. arrogant rather than modest
C. cruel rather than merciful D. destructive rather than constructive

单选题 What might be the ultimate result of a biased bitter criticism?
A. More rebellion B. More creativity
C. Less initiative D. Less destruction

单选题 The main idea of this passage is ______.
A. the destructive role of utter pessimism B. achieving success regardless of criticism
C. no cracking down, no building up D. one should learn to handle stresses