After years of observing human nature，I have decided that two qualities make the difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance curiosity and discontent.I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either.And I have never known an average man who had both.The two belong together.
Together，these deep human urges（驅(qū)策力）count for much more that ambition.Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground.Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent，"Why？Why？Why？"
Fortunately，curiosity and discontent don't have to be learned.We are born with them and need only recapture them.
"The great man，" said Mencius（孟子）， "is he who does not lose his child's heart." Yet most of us do lose it.We stop asking questions.We stop challenging custom.We just follow the crowd.And the crowd desires restful average.It encourages us to occupy our own little corner，to avoid foolish leaps into the dark，to be satisfied.
Most of us meet new people，and new ideas，with hesitation.But once having met and liked them，we think how terrible it would have been，had we missed the chance.We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.
How should you start？Modestly，so as not to become discouraged.I think of one friend who couldn't arrange flowers to satisfy herself.She was curious about how the experts did it.How she is one of the experts，writing books on flower arrangement.
One way to begin is to answer your own excuses.You haven't any special ability？Most people don't；there are only a few geniuses.You haven't any time？That's good because it's always the people with no time who get things done.Harriet Stowe，mother of six，wrote parts of Uncle Tom's Cabin while cooking.You're too old？Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel，and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.
However you start，remember there is no better time to start than right now，for you'll never be more alive than you are at this moment.
（1）In writing Paragraph 1，the author aims to DD.
A．propose a definition
B．make a comparison
C．reach a conclusion
D．present an argument
（2）What does the example of Galileo tell us？ DD
A．Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.
B．Scientists tend to be curious and ambitious.
C．Creativity results from challenging authority.
D．Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.
（3）What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent？ BB
A．Observe the unknown around you.
B．Develop a questioning mind.
C．Lead a life of adventure.
D．Follow the fashion.
（4）What can we learn from Paragraphs 6 and 7？ CC
A．Gaining success helps you become an expert.
B．The genius tends to get things done creatively.
C．Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action.
D．You should remain modest when approaching perfection.
【考點(diǎn)】傳統(tǒng)習(xí)俗與文化；說(shuō)明文．
【答案】D；D；B；C
【解答】
【點(diǎn)評(píng)】
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發(fā)布：2024/4/20 14:35:0組卷：8引用：4難度：0.7
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Stilton Cheese Rolling
May Day is a traditional day for celebrations，but the 2，000 English villagers of Stilton must be the only people in the world who include cheese rolling in their annual plans．Teams of four，dressed in a variety of strange and funny clothes，roll a complete cheese along a 50-metre course．On the way，they must not kick or throw their cheese，or go into their competitors' lane．Competition is fierce and the chief prize is a complete Stilton cheese weighing about four kilos （disappointingly，but understandably the cheeses used in the race are wooden ones）．All the competitors are served with beer or port wine，the traditional accompaniment for Stilton cheese．
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On the last Wednesday of every August，the Spanish town of Bunol hosts Ea Tomatina-the world's largest food fight．A week-long celebration leads up to an exciting tomato battle as the highlight of the week's events．The early morning sees the arrival of large trucks with tomatoes-official fight-starters get things going by casting tomatoes at the crowd．
The battle lasts little more than half an hour，in which time around 50，000 kilograms of tomatoes have been thrown at anyone or anything that moves，runs，or fights back．Then everyone heads down to the river to make friends again-and for a much-needed wash!
（1）In the Stilton cheese rolling competition，competitors on each team must．
A．wear various formal clothes
B．roll a wooden cheese in their own lane
C．kick or throw their cheese
D．use a real cheese weighing about four kilos
（2）Where is the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival held？
A．In New Mexico．
B．In the Caribbean．
C．In Australia．
D．In China．
（3）The celebration of La Tomatina lasts．
A．three days
B．seven days
C．less than three days
D．more than seven days
（4）Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage？
A．The chief prize for the Stilton cheese rolling competition is beer or port wine．
B．More than 10，000 Chinese take pail in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival．
C．Thousands of spicy foods are on show in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival．
D．An exciting tomato battle takes place at the beginning of La Tomatina．發(fā)布：2024/12/17 8:0:2組卷：95引用：1難度：0.5 -
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