Make Up Your Mind to Succeed
Kind-hearted parents have unknowingly left their children defenseless against failure. The generation born between 1980 and 2001 grew up playing sports where scores and performance were played down because “everyone’s winner.” And their report cards sounded more positive (正面的) than ever before. As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”
Dweck has been studying how people deal with failure for 40 years. Her research has led her to find out two clearly different mind-sets that have a great effect on how we react to it. Here’s how they work:
A fixed mind-set is grounded in the belief that talent (才能) is genetic – you’re a born artist, point guard, or numbers person. The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, it’s quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.
On the other hand, a growth mind-set believes that no talent is entirely heaven-sent and that effort and learning make everything possible. Because the ego (自尊) isn’t on the line as much, the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.
We are all born with growth mind-sets. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to live in the world.) But parents, teachers, and instructors often push us into fixed mind-sets by encouraging certain actions and misdirecting praise. Dweck’s book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, and online instructional program explain this in depth. But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.
【小题1】What does the author think about the present generation?A．They don’t do well at school.B．They are often misunderstood.C．They are eager to win in sports.D．They are given too much praise.【小题2】A fixed mind-set person is probably one who .A．doesn’t want to work hardB．cares a lot about personal safetyC．cannot share his ideas with othersD．can succeed with the help of teachers【小题3】What does the growth mind-set believe?A．Admitting failure is shameful.B．Talent es with one’s birth.C．Scores should be highly valued.D．Getting over difficulties is enjoyable.【小题4】What should parents do for their children based on Dweck’s study?A．Encourage them to learn from failures.B．Prevent them from making mistakes.C．Guide them in doing little things.D．Help them grow with praise.D
网友回答
(答案→)D
解析：【文章大意】
本文是一篇科学调查报告。斯坦福大学教授Dweck经过40年的调查研究认为人们对待失败有两种不同的思维模式，这两种思维模式对我们如何对待失败有很大的影响。第一种是有固定思维模式的人，他们认为才能是天生的，成功不需要努力而失败是耻辱。他们逃避未来的困难。第二种是具有成长思维模式的人，他们认为才能不是天生的，努力和学习使一切成为可能。向失败学习并把它看作成长的经历。
【小题1】根据第一段中的“professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”
”可知：他们被表扬的太多了。
【考点定位】考查作者观点和看法。
【小题2】根据文章第三段中的“The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame.”可知：他相信成功但不想付出努力。
【考点定位】考查判断推理。
【小题3】根据文章第四段中的“the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.”可知D正确。
【考点定位】考查判断推理。
【小题4】根据文章的最后一句“But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.”可知A正确。
【考点定位】考查判断推理。