As children face their final month of revision before the exam season starts, many parents are looking for the words to motivate their offspring.But could they be mistakenly praising the value of ability over effort, asks Matthew Syed.
Take a glance at these expressions of encouragement:
"You learned that so quickly, you're so smart!"
"Look at that drawing.Are you -the next Picasso or what?"
They appear as the kind of confidence-boosting statements that should be given to children or, indeed, anyone else.Such phrases are used in homes and classrooms every day, particularly with exams approaching.
Intelligence-based praise leads the receiver towards the fixed thought —it suggests to them that intelligence is of primary importance rather than the effort through which intelligence can be transformed.
Let's take a quick second look into the science of expertise, and ask a question.Where does excellence come from? For a long time, it was thought the answer to this depended, to a large degree, on genetic inheritance.Or, to put it another way, it is all about talent.
It turns out that this is mistaken.Dozens of studies have found that top performers—whether in maths, mi sic or whatever—learn no faster than those who reach lower levels of achievement—hour after hour, they improve at almost the same rates.
The difference is simply that high achievers practice for more hours.Further research has shown that when students seem to possess a particular gift, it is often because they have been given extra tuition at home by their parents.
This is not to deny that some kids start out better than others—it is merely to suggest that the starting point we have in life is not particularly relevant.
Why? Because, over time, with the right, kind of practice, we change so dramatically.It is not just the body that changes, but the brain.The question of talent versus effort would not matter terribly much if it  as merely theoretical.But it is so much more than that.It influences the way we think, feel, and the way we engage with our world.
小題1:What is the best title of this passage?
A.The Words That Could Encourage Your Child
B.Intelligence Says All
C.High and Low Achievers
D.Start Early, Learn More
小題2:Which statement is intelligence-based praise?
A."You're so brilliant - you passed that exam without really studying!"
B."With more efforts, you can achieve more!"
C." You combine study with entertainment so well!"
D."You study so hard even when you are so good at it!"
小題3:The writer thinks the answer to the question of talent versus effort is _____.
A.simpleB.complicatedC.obviousD.mysterious
小題4:Why do some people have higher achievements?
A.Because they are born with great talent.
B.Because they start better than others.
C.Because they spend more of their spare time practicing what they have learnt.
D.Because they improve themselves at almost the same rates.
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相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:完形填空

完形填空(共20小題;每小題1分,滿(mǎn)分20分)
閱讀下面短文,掌握其大意,然后從21-40各題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)(A、B、C和D)中,選出最佳選項(xiàng),并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
One student took a box of chicken to class.Another carried on a cell-phone  21  ,and still another whistled loudly every time the   22  turned his back.
Reform school? No.College.
More and more, professors say, they are coming across  23   students in their classrooms.Many of today’s young scholars arrive late, leave  24 , talk loud or take care of personal  25 such as paying bills during class.
Why are the students behaving  26  _? “Because they can,” said a student of University of North Texas.“A lot of the time, the professors let them get away with it.”
Some educators say it is time to bring politeness back to their classrooms—and even   27 taking some of the blame for bad behavior.They say that rude students are by no means the majority but that one of them can ruin an entire   28
People are   29 __when they learn that impolite behavior is becoming more and more common in   30  _ education, says Dr.Gerald Amanda, a counselor at City College of San Francisco.They   31 some high school students to misbehave, but think those who get to   32__ will behave more politely.
Dr.Amanda believes that society in   33  has become more tolerant of rude behavior and 
34  ___ people in power, including professors, no longer  35 ___standards for  36 __.That leads to a growing imprudence(輕率行為)  37 some college students.“There’s a great   38    of bad behavior in the world around them, and young people see it and   39  _disrespect,” said Dr.Amanda,   40 ___that sometimes students “have no idea that they are being rude.”
小題1:
A.lineB.conversation C.messageD.picture
小題2:
A.professorB.studentC.presidentD.classmate
小題3:
A.hardworking B.cheatingC.rudeD.selfish
小題4:
A.lateB.earlyC.noisilyD.quietly
小題5:
A.fellingB.interestC.computerD.business
小題6:
A.badlyB.wellC.politelyD.oneself
小題7:
A.enjoyB.hateC.startD.a(chǎn)void
小題8:
A.schoolB.companyC.societyD.class
小題9:
A.delightedB.surprisedC.interestedD.encouraged
小題10:
A.betterB.moreC.higherD.younger
小題11:.
A.expectB.hopeC.forbidD.wish
小題12:
A.workB.collegeC.learningD.knowledge
小題13:
A.a(chǎn)llB.timeC.chargeD.general
小題14:
A.whyB.howC.whetherD.that
小題15:
A.changeB.breakC.setD.reach
小題16:
A.teachingB.politenessC.thinkingD.progress
小題17:
A.a(chǎn)boutB.forC.behindD.a(chǎn)mong
小題18:
A.dealB.numberC.manyD.sum
小題19:
A.prepareB.growC.developD.improve
小題20:
A.speakingB.a(chǎn)ddingC.warningD.wishing

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

As the world prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8, a new report details the progress and challenges girls face in getting an education.
The report – from the Education for All Fast Track Initiative – highlights the importance of girls’ education for economic(經(jīng)濟(jì)的) and social development. It follows progress in Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique and Niger.
Prema Clarke, author of Fast-tracking Girls’ Education, says, “Progress for girls’ education is that they can leave their homes, leave their families and come to a place to study and to learn.  And that’s a big achievement because otherwise these girls have to stay at home, looking after their brothers and sisters, doing the cooking or doing the cleaning.”
She says progress toward the Millennium Development Goals and those of Education for All “is allowing and enabling girls and forcing countries to look at this issue(問(wèn)題) and to ensure that interventions (干預(yù)) help girls attend school.”
Benefits
Improving education for girls brings many benefits, says Clarke. “It means that girls can then enter the workforce. They can look after their own families much more effectively. They can prevent child death rate. They can educate their own girl children when they begin to expand their own families.” Studies show that having an educated female population helps to improve a country’s health and economic well-being.
Warnings
The report says, “In developing countries, too many girls are not in school, and many girls face continuing health risks and danger just walking to class.”
“Especially in the fragile and post-conflict countries and in many of the African countries, this is a real issue,” she says. Till now, the interventions have been so focused on providing schooling and providing teachers, etc. And now I think there is much more expanded focus on looking at specific(特定的)communities of girls within at-risk groups that now need much more specific attention and much more creative solutions(解決方法) to help them attend school.”
小題1:The underlined word “highlights” in Paragraph 2 probably means ________.
A.showsB.stressesC.remarksD.improves
小題2: According to Clarke, improving education can provide girls with all the opportunities EXCEPT _______.
A.to educate their own girl childrenB.to prevent child death rate
C.to enter the workforceD.to study abroad
小題3:This passage is intended to _____.
A.promote the progress in girls’ education
B.talk about the benefits of improving girls’ education
C.give some information about the education girls are facing
D.sing high praise for the girls’ education
小題4:It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A.the girls’ educational situation in developing countries is still serious
B.girls were free to go wherever they wanted to in the past
C.there are enough teachers in most of the African countries
D.International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 8 in 1900

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

It is natural that children are curious (好奇的) about the world around them. For example, they want to know how their hearts beat. They want to know why the ocean water tastes salty.
  As children grow up, they become curious about different kinds of things. When they are babies, they are interested in the parts of their bodies and in the smiles of their mothers. They become interested in the physical world around them: the plants, the animals, the sky. Later, they become interested in the things that people have made: wheels, bicycles, cars. And when they are adults, their curiosity continues. Sometimes this curiosity leads to a career (生涯、職業(yè)) in science.
  Scientists spend their lives trying to find out about the world. Those who work with the earth sciences study the earth, the oceans, and the skies. Other scientists who study living things work with the biological sciences. A third group of scientists study the physical sciences, e. g. physics, chemistry .
  These scientists have already discovered a lot about our world. For example, they tell us why your heart beats fast when you run. They say that when you are quiet, your heart normally beats sixty-five or seventy-five times a minute. Your heart is a pump (泵) that pumps blood to all parts of the body. The blood carries oxygen and nutrition. When you run, your muscles work very hard and use the nutrition that the blood carries to them. The muscles need oxygen, too . So your brain sends a signal to the heart. The signal means that the muscles need more nutrition and oxygen. Then the heart beats fast and sends blood quickly to the muscles. It may beat 90 to 140 times a minute.
  Of course, scientists cannot answer all of our questions. If we ask, “Why does the ocean water taste salty” scientists will say that the salt comes from rocks. When a rock gets very hot or very cold, it cracks. Rain falls into cracks. The rain then carries the salt into the earth and into the rivers. The rivers carry the salt into the ocean. But then we ask , “What happens to the salt in the ocean? The ocean does not get saltier every year.” Scientists are not sure about the answer to this question.
  We know a lot about our world, but there are still many answers that we do not have, and we are curious.
小題1:According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A.People are curious in the same way.
B.People in different countries are interested in different things.
C.Men and women are curious about different things.
D.People of different ages are interested in different things
小題2:Scientists who work with the biological sciences study____.
A.the earth , the oceans and the sky B.man-made things
C.plants and animals D.ocean water
小題3:When you run, your muscles need ____.
A.more nutrition and oxygenB.more signals
C.more saltD.water
小題4:A rock cracks _____.
A.in wet regions B.in dry regions
C.a(chǎn)t very high or very low temperaturesD.when salty water falls in
小題5:People are always curious because ____.
A.they cannot explain many thingsB.they know nothing about the world
C.they know little about the world D.they want to be scientists

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

答對(duì)三題以上(含三題)才給予加分;請(qǐng)?jiān)谕瓿汕拔宀糠值那疤嵯峦瓿稍摬糠?br />
閱讀下列短文,從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中,選出最佳選項(xiàng),并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
Honesty may well be the policy, but it often deserts us when no one is watching, psychologists report today. Experiments with an honesty box to collect payments for hot drinks show that people are better at paying up when under the gaze of a pair of eyes. The surprise was that the eyes were not real, but photographed.Researchers at Newcastle University set up the experiment in secret. They attached a poster to a cupboard of mugs above an honesty box alongside a kettle, with tea, coffee and milk. Over 10 weeks, they alternated (輪流替換) each week between images of eyes and pictures of flowers.
Dr. Bateson, a behavioral biologist and leader of the study, said that even though the eyes were not real they still seemed to make people behave more honestly. The effect may result from behavioral characteristics that developed as early humans formed social groups that increased their chances of survival. Individuals had to co-operate for the good of the group, rather than act selfishly.
“If nobody is watching us it is in our interests to behave selfishly. But when we think we’re being watched we should behave better, so people see us as co-operative and behave the same way towards us,” Dr. Bateson said.
“We thought we’d get a slight effect with eyes, by it was quite striking how much difference they made. Even at a subconscious level, it seems people respond to eyes, and that might be because eyes send a strong biological signal we have evolved(進(jìn)化) to respond to.”
The finding, which researchers believe sheds light on our evolutionary past, could be turned to practical use. The psychologists say images of eyes could increase ticket sales on public transport and improve monitor systems to prevent antisocial behavior.
小題1:This passage is mainly about ____________.
A.the policy of honestyB.a(chǎn)n honesty box to collect money
C.evolution on honestyD.a(chǎn)n experiment on honesty
小題2:The reason for doing the experiment secretly is that the researchers __________.
A.wanted to get a comparatively more exact result
B.had known they wanted to do something illegally
C.meant to get the co-operation of their colleagues
D.intended to sell the hot drinks at a higher price
小題3:People behave honestly under watchful gaze of eyes because ____________.
A.they want to leave a good impression
B.they fear to be laughed at by others
C.they’ve got the nature through evolution
D.they take the photo for a real pair of eyes
小題4:The underlined phrase “sheds light on” in the last paragraph means _________.
A.causes somebody to become cheerful
B.makes something easier to understand
C.comes upon something by accident
D.brings something into the broad daylight
小題5:Images of a pair of eyes can be applied to all except ________.
A.ticket sales on public transport
B.cold drink sales in public places
C.places with “No spitting!” signs
D.electrical appliances(電器) used at home

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

According to a survey released by the Nielson Company on Thursday, China has become a global tourist attraction after the Beijing Olympics.
The survey said the Olympics not only built up China’s image but also served as an advertisement for China’s tourism.
The online survey was conducted on consumers in 16 countries and regions before Games’ opening ceremony and after the closing.
About 80 percent of the respondents had not been to China before the events and 50 percent of them expressed hopes of visiting China after the Games.
According to the survey, 70 percent of the respondents felt Beijing was more modern and scientific than what they had thought.
The most interested respondents were from Singapore, India, Mexico, South Africa and the Republic of Korea, as well as China’s Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Pan Wen, in charge of Chinese tourism research of the Nielson Company, said the World Tourism Organization predicted that China would become the largest tourist attraction in the world with 137 million foreign tourists every year.
“This figure would be realized earlier with the aid of the Beijing Olympics,” Pan said.
小題1:When was the online survey conducted?
A.During the Olympics
B.Before Games’ opening ceremony and after the closing
C.After the Olympics’ closing
D.We don't know
小題2:Which countries were the most interested respondents from?
A.Singapore, India, MexicoB.South Africa and the Republic of Korea
C.China’s Hong Kong and TaiwanD.All of the above
小題3:Which country did the World Tourism Organization predict would become the largest tourist attraction in the world?
A.ChinaB.JapanC.South AfricaD.Hong Kong
小題4:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.About 80 percent of the respondents expressed hopes of visiting China during the Games
B.The online survey was conducted on consumers in 16 countries
C.137 million foreign tourists have come to China every year
D.The Beijing Olympics greatly speed up China’s tourism

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

From James Dean to Growing Pains, Hollywood has long had a love affair with the relationship between teens and their parents. As the fascination with this relationship attests, parents play a crucial role in the development of their children's personalities.
Teenagers learn by closely observing what people around them do. Parents are literally their first teachers and serve as role models. From hygiene to habits, from time management to personal manner, parents form the foundation of their children's characteristics. These tiny individual factors on our everyday behavior collectively constitute who we are.
A second influence occurs at the spiritual level. Parental treatment of children is reflected in children's relationship with others. For example, my dad was quite angry with my study habits a few years back and lost his temper.I clearly remember that I too would easily lose my cool and shout at people, often saying things I later regretted, in those difficult days.
Parents of my fellow classmates often tend to be anxious about the studies of their children, which can lead to a lack of confidence in their children. If we are boats weathering a storm as we navigate toward maturity, then parents should be our captains. It is as easy to lead us to shipwreck as is to take us ashore safely.
To be fair, the guidance and influence of our parents are not the sole factors in molding us. There are numerous examples of teens forging their own paths and becoming something of which their parents never dreamed. Even so, parents must be a fundamental force that positively influences their children. At their best, they can help to solve teenage problems with a respect for their children's thoughts.
小題1: James Dean and Growing Pains in the first paragraph are described as follows EXCEPT    .
A.they are about love affairs in family life
B.they are mentioned at the beginning of the passage to introduce the topic
C.they reflect a very important role parents play in childhood development
D.they are typical presentations of the relationship between teens and their parents
小題2: If parents are worried about the studies of their children, their children will      .
A.easily lose their temperB.lack self-confidence
C.follow their own pathsD.tend to shout at people
小題3: We can conclude from the passage that      .
A.teens will always be what their parents expect them to
B.parents' behavior influences their children both physically and mentally
C.the guidance and influence of parents are the only factor in molding teens
D.parents should be our captains when we teens are on boats in a storm
小題4: The passage is intended mainly for      .
A.teensB.teachersC.studentsD.parents

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

The teacher was leaving the village, and everybody seemed sorry. The miller at Cresscombe lent him the small cart and horse to carry his goods to Christminster, the city of his destination, such a vehicle proving of quite enough size for the teacher's belongings, for his only article, in addition to the packing-case of books, was a piano that he had bought when he thought of learning instrumental music. But the eagerness having faded he had never acquired any skill in playing, and the purchased article had been a permanent trouble to him.
The headmaster had gone away for the day, being a man who disliked the sight of changes. He did not mean to return till the evening, when the new teacher would have arrived, and everything would be smooth again.
The blacksmith, the farm bailiff and the teacher were standing in confused attitudes in the sitting room before the instrument. The teacher had remarked that even if he got it into the cart he should not know what to do with it on his arrival at Christminster, since he was only going into a temporary place just at first.
A little boy of eleven, who had been assisting in the packing, joined the group of men, and said, ‘Aunt has got a fuel-house, and it could be put there, perhaps, till you’ve found a place to settle in, sir.’
‘Good idea,’ said the blacksmith.
The smith and the bailiff started to see about the possibility of the suggested shelter, and the boy and the teacher were left standing alone.
‘Sorry I am going, Jude?’ asked the latter kindly.
Tears rose into the boy’s eyes. He admitted that he was sorry.
‘So am I,’ said Mr. Phillotson.
‘Why do you go, sir?’ asked the boy.
‘Well—don't speak of this everywhere. You know what a university is, and a university degree? It is the necessary hallmark (標(biāo)志) of a man who wants to do anything in teaching. My scheme, or dream, is to be a university graduate. By going to live at Christminster, I shall be at headquarters, so to speak, and if my scheme is practicable at all, I consider that being on the spot will afford me a better chance.’
The smith and his companion returned. Old Miss Fawley's fuel-house was practicable; and she seemed willing to give the instrument standing-room there. So it was left in the school till the evening, when more hands would be available for removing it; and the teacher gave a final glance round.
At nine o'clock Mr. Phillotson mounted beside his box of books, and waved his friends good-bye.
小題1:It seemed that the teacher _____.
A.was not getting on well with the headmaster
B.had lived a rather simple life in the village
C.was likely to continue to practice playing the piano
D.would get help in the city on arriving there
小題2: The motivation of the teacher’s moving lay in his _____.
A.a(chǎn)mbitionB.devotionC.a(chǎn)dmirationD.inspiration
小題3: The boy named Jude may be described as _____. 
A.polite, generous and cheerfulB.a(chǎn)ctive, modest and friendly
C.kind, bright and helpfulD.calm, confident and humorous
小題4:In the passage the writer describes both the teacher’s _____.
A.love for music and his dislike for musical instruments
B.hard work in the village and his strong interest in city life
C.friendship with some villagers and also conflicts with others
D.eagerness to go to the city and his affection for the village

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

1) Your teens don’t want you to be their friends. What they need is for you to be a reliable responsible role model worthy of their respect, and not some overgrown child who wears too tight jeans or T-shirts with slogans advocating the good points of 100 proof liquor.
2) Don’t debate the teen ever. If she wants to debate, suggest she sign up for the Debate Club. If you buy into their teen logic (which is basically illogic, the product of an immature brain and every extreme of emotion known to mankind) your mouth will go dry. Teens need to know that no means no. Remember when your teen was two years old and he said “no” a lot? Well now it’s your turn, particularly when your teen wants to engage in behaviors that are dangerous.
3) Don’t buy your teen a car. If you do, he will total it in record time. Guaranteed. The teen should earn the car, or at least a portion of it (and by that I don’t mean one of the tires). You know how you take much better care of an item of clothing you spent a fortune on compared to one you bought in a bargain basement? It’s the same thing, only a car can do serious damage.
4) Encourage sports participation even if your teen has two left feet. In some sports, two left feet won’t knock him out of the box, so to speak. Sports participation develops perseverance and cheerfully functioning as a team member. You also will know where your child is every day after school (on the field, that is, or at a rival school). Just make sure you root for the right team, okay? Been there, done that.
5) Let the school know you in a good way so that school personnel do not dive under the desk when you approach. If you are asked to speak at the school, your teen will feel mighty proud. If you make something for the bake sale, try to make it taste edible and if you can’t see it through, do yourself and your child a favor and buy something at the local bakery or supermarket.
6) To know your teens’ friends is to know your teens. Teens have a secret life, and a parent’s goal is to find out secrecy that is sometimes thicker than the CIA and the KGB combined. If you really want to know what your kid is up to, get to know their friends. How? By being warm and kind, and by asking questions that don’t sound like an interrogation(審訊), but serve that purpose without their knowing it.
小題1: When your kids are doing something that might negatively affect their future, you should _____.
A.have your kids express their opinions fully and then discuss with them
B.think about how you can be their close friends
C.report that to their school immediately
D.say no and tell them that they must stop
小題2: According to the passage, as a parent, you should encourage your kids __________.
A.to wear too tight jeansB.to sign up for the Debate Club
C.to be greatly involved in sportsD.to make as many friends as they can
小題3: The underlined word “total” in the third paragraph probably means ________.
A.damageB.a(chǎn)ddC.buyD.earn
小題4: The passage mainly wants you to know that __________.
A.kids have their secrecy and freedom
B.Raising Teenagers calls for certain parenting skills
C.your teen needs some house rules
D.the family is changing

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