Personality is, to a large extent, inherent—A-type parents, usually bring about A-type children. But the environment must also have a 11 effect, wince if competition is important to the parents it is likely to become a major 12 in the lives of their children. One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools 13 the " win at all costs" moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current 14 for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being 15 keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying; "cheers, we conquer!"% G$ q. _1 C4 ~& R: I2 V
By far the worst form of competition in schools is the extreme 16 on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to 17 on those things they do well. The merits of competition by examination are somewhat 18 , but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.1 q* d! a; S- P: t, [+ w( A9 v: S
Obviously, it is neither 19 nor desirable that all A youngsters change into B's. The world needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to 20 a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.
& d' } D- A; _8 T A. enough B. fit C. emphasis D. practical) J9 P1 n" B5 S* d4 S
E. innumerable F. concentrate G. adopt H. questionable1 r. A2 ^- ~% R0 T v. u$ d
I. profound J. factor K. too L. substance+ ]* n3 D8 d' S; T8 f, ]
M. passion N. emotion O. fix
; h z) ?6 |# x4 f `$ I/ w2 H II. I 12. J 13. G 14. M 15. K 16. C 17. F 18. H 19. D 20. B |