Personal Growth
There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process.
People have generally viewed personal growth as an external (外部的，表面的) result or product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a promotion, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language — all these are examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast, the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since by definition it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but rather the attitudes and feelings people have, their caution or courage, as they gain new experiences and face unexpected difficulties. In this process, the journey never really ends; there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to confront (正视) the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may “fail” at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow. Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, then we tend to take more chances and to be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we’re shy and indecisive (优柔寡断)? Then we may hesitate, move slowly, and not take a step until we know the ground is safe. Do we think we’re slow to adapt to change or that we’re not smart enough to deal successfully with a new challenge? Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary for us to change and grow. If we do not confront and overcome these internal (内部的) fears and doubts, if we protect ourselves too much, then we cease (停止) to grow. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
1．A person is generally believed to achieve personal growth when _________.
A. he has given up his smoking habit
B. he has made great efforts in his work
C. he likes learning anything new
D. he has tried to determine where he is on his journey
2．In the author’s eyes, one who views personal growth as a process would _________.
A. succeed in climbing up the social ladder
B. judge his ability to grow from his own achievements
C. face difficulties and take up challenges
D. aim high and reach his goal each time
3．When the author says “a new way of being”, he is referring to _________.
A. a new approach to experiencing the world
B. a new way of taking risks
C. a new method of understanding ourselves
D. a new system of adapting to change
4．For personal growth, the author supports all of the following except _________.
A. curiosity about more chances                        
B. promptness (迅速) in self-adaptation
C. open-mindedness to new experiences             
D. avoidance of internal fears and doubts

科目 英语   题型 阅读理解   难度 较易