阅读理解
A person may have an idea about himself that will prevent him from doing good work. He may have
the idea that he is not capable (能胜任的) of it. A child may think he is stupid because he does not
understand how to make the most of his mental faculties(机能), or he may accept another person's
mistaken estimate(评价) of his ability. Older people may be handicapped(阻碍) by the mistaken belief
that they are incapable of learning anything new because of their age.
A person who believes that he is incapable will not make a real effort, because he feels that it would
be useless. He won't go at a job with the confidence necessary for success. He is therefore likely to fail,
and the failure will strengthen his belief in his incompetence. Alfred Adler, a famous doctor, had an
experience which shows this. When he was a small boy he got off to a poor start in arithmetic. His teacher got the idea that he had no ability in arithmetic, and told his parents what she thought in order that they
would not expect too much of him. In this way, they too developed the idea, "Isn't it too bad that Alfred
can't do arithmetic?" He accepted their mistaken estimate of his ability, felt that it was useless to try,and
was very poor at arithmetic, just as they expected.
One day Adler succeeded in solving a problem which none of the other students had been able to
solve. This gave him confidence. He rejected (refused) the idea that he couldn't do arithmetic and was
determined to show them that he could. His newfound confidence encouraged him to go at arithmetic
problems with a new spirit. He now worked with interest, determination and purpose, and he soon
became extraordinary good at arithmetic.
This experience made him realize that many people have more ability than they think they have, and
that lack of success is as often the result of lack of knowledge of how to apply one's ability, lack of
confidence, and lack of determination as it is the result of lack of ability.
1. Why might a person be prevented from doing good work? ________.
A. Because he thinks he is old enough to make the most of his mental facilities
B. Because he accepts another person's mistaken estimate of his ability
C. Because he has the idea that he is incapable of doing everything
D. Because he believes in what other people think of him
2. A person who believes in his low ability will ________.
A. spare no efforts to do things
B. fail to go at a job but never lose heart
C. change to learn other course instead of mathematics
D. show complete lack of confidence
3. As a boy, Alfred Adler was poor at arithmetic because ________.
A. he lost his self-confidence
B. he was weak in thinking
C. his parents expected too much of him
D. his teacher had no confidence in herself
4. Which of the following is the most important factor to Alder's success?________
A. Spirit and experience
B. Interest and self-respect
C. Confidence and determination
D. Purpose and knowledge
5. Alder's experience made him realize that ________.
A. people are not as capable as they think
B. people can be more capable than they think
C. lack of confidence leads to failure
D. lack of ability results in lack of determination