题目
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 count for much more than 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，"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 never doubt. We just follow the crowd that desires only the calm and restful average.The crowd encourages us to occupy our own little corner，to avoid foolish leaps into the dark，to be satisfied.We will have to force ourselves to do just the opposite so as to waken our curiosity and discontent. 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.Now 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 ____ .A.give an exampleB.present an argumentC.propose a definitionD.make a comparison（2）What does the example of Galileo tell us？ ____ A.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.B.Creativity results from challenging authority.C.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.D.Ambition is more important than curiosity and discontent.（3）What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent？ ____ A.Lead a life of adventure.B.Follow the fashion.C.Develop a questioning mind.D.Observe the unknown around you.（4）What could be the best title for the passage？ ____ A.The Keys to AchievementB.Never Too Late to LearnC.urious Minds Never Feel ContentD.Reflections on Human Nature
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 count for much more than 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，"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 never doubt.
We just follow the crowd that desires only the calm and restful average.The crowd encourages us to occupy our own little corner，to avoid foolish leaps into the dark，to be satisfied.We will have to force ourselves to do just the opposite so as to waken our curiosity and discontent.
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.Now 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 ____ .
A.give an example
B.present an argument
C.propose a definition
D.make a comparison
（2）What does the example of Galileo tell us？ ____
A.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.
B.Creativity results from challenging authority.
C.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.
D.Ambition is more important than curiosity and discontent.
（3）What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent？ ____
A.Lead a life of adventure.
B.Follow the fashion.
C.Develop a questioning mind.
D.Observe the unknown around you.
（4）What could be the best title for the passage？ ____
A.The Keys to Achievement
B.Never Too Late to Learn
C.urious Minds Never Feel Content
D.Reflections on Human Nature
Together，these deep human urges count for much more than 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，"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 never doubt.
We just follow the crowd that desires only the calm and restful average.The crowd encourages us to occupy our own little corner，to avoid foolish leaps into the dark，to be satisfied.We will have to force ourselves to do just the opposite so as to waken our curiosity and discontent.
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.Now 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 ____ .
A.give an example
B.present an argument
C.propose a definition
D.make a comparison
（2）What does the example of Galileo tell us？ ____
A.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.
B.Creativity results from challenging authority.
C.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.
D.Ambition is more important than curiosity and discontent.
（3）What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent？ ____
A.Lead a life of adventure.
B.Follow the fashion.
C.Develop a questioning mind.
D.Observe the unknown around you.
（4）What could be the best title for the passage？ ____
A.The Keys to Achievement
B.Never Too Late to Learn
C.urious Minds Never Feel Content
D.Reflections on Human Nature
题目解答
答案
（1）B．写作手法题。根据第一段的"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."（经过多年对人性的观察，我认为成就斐然的人和表现平平的人在两种品质上有差异：好奇心和不满足。）可知，在写第一段时，作者的目的是提出一个论点。结合选项A.give an example举个例子；B.present an argument提出论点；C.propose a definition提出定义；D.make a comparison进行比较。故选B。
（2）C．推理判断题。根据第二段的"Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent， 'Why？Why？Why？'"（像伽利略一样，历史上所有的伟人都很好奇，不满地问道："为什么？为什么？为什么？"）可知，伽利略的例子告诉我们伟大来自于对探索的持久渴望。故选C。
（3）C．细节理解题。根据第二段中的"Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent，'Why？Why？Why？'"像伽利略一样，历史上所有的伟人都很好奇，不满地问道："为什么？为什么？为什么？）及第四段中的"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. （孟子认为"不失去孩子的心，就是伟大的人。"然而，我们大多数人确实失去了它。我们不再问问题。我们不再挑战习俗。我们只是随大流。）由此可知，你可以通过培养一个善于提问的头脑，来重新获得好奇心和不满。故选C。
（4）A．标题判断题。根据第一段内容"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."（经过多年对人性的观察，我认为成就斐然的人和表现平平的人在两种品质上有差异：好奇心和不满足。）及下文论述可知，本文主要论述了获得成就的两个关键因素---好奇心和不满足。由此可知A项The Keys to Achievement（成就的关键）适合做本文最佳标题。故选A。
（2）C．推理判断题。根据第二段的"Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent， 'Why？Why？Why？'"（像伽利略一样，历史上所有的伟人都很好奇，不满地问道："为什么？为什么？为什么？"）可知，伽利略的例子告诉我们伟大来自于对探索的持久渴望。故选C。
（3）C．细节理解题。根据第二段中的"Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent，'Why？Why？Why？'"像伽利略一样，历史上所有的伟人都很好奇，不满地问道："为什么？为什么？为什么？）及第四段中的"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. （孟子认为"不失去孩子的心，就是伟大的人。"然而，我们大多数人确实失去了它。我们不再问问题。我们不再挑战习俗。我们只是随大流。）由此可知，你可以通过培养一个善于提问的头脑，来重新获得好奇心和不满。故选C。
（4）A．标题判断题。根据第一段内容"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."（经过多年对人性的观察，我认为成就斐然的人和表现平平的人在两种品质上有差异：好奇心和不满足。）及下文论述可知，本文主要论述了获得成就的两个关键因素---好奇心和不满足。由此可知A项The Keys to Achievement（成就的关键）适合做本文最佳标题。故选A。
解析
- 写作手法题：第一段通过对比成就高低的人，提出核心观点（好奇心和不满足的重要性），属于提出论点。
- 例子分析题：伽利略的例子强调伟人对探索的持续渴望，而非单纯试错或挑战权威。
- 细节推断题：结合“停止提问”“挑战习俗”等关键词，需明确重新激发好奇心的方法。
- 标题归纳题：全文围绕成就的关键因素展开，需选择最能概括主题的选项。
第（1）题
关键句：第一段开篇明确指出“成就高低的人在好奇心和不满足上存在差异”，属于提出核心论点。选项B（present an argument）符合作者意图。
第（2）题
关键句：伽利略的实验被描述为“不满地反复提问‘为什么’”，说明其行为源于对探索的持久渴望，而非单纯试错或挑战权威，故选C。
第（3）题
关键句：第四段指出“停止提问”“随大流”会导致失去好奇心，需通过保持提问习惯（develop a questioning mind）来避免，故选C。
第（4）题
核心主题：全文反复强调“好奇心和不满足是成就的关键”，选项A（The Keys to Achievement）最贴合文章主旨。