2014考研英语复习：模拟试题之阅读理解专项练习(三十九)
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The film is not without its drawbacks. Disappointment, failure, self-doubt, regrets over opportunities, missed or misused these are always the lot of the person in motion, which is why we must never forget the natural human bond that holds us all together and puts each grief into a common store of experience. For those in motion, these grieves are the inevitable consequence of ambition, particularly in a competitive society such as ours.
Many of us today are rather ambivalent about the virtues of a competitive society, particularly one that celebrates material success and celebrity status. In view of these questionable virtues, we have tried to substitute security and reassurance for the loss of self-esteem that comes from not getting an A, not getting a promotion, not getting a Mercedes or a Porsche, not getting an appearance on the Johnny Carson show. As a result I am tempted to assuage your disappointment by changing your grade, thereby brightening your life at least temporarily.
Such a change, I'm afraid, might do far more harm than good in the long run. In my experience, unmerited approval carries with it the risk of seriously distorting a young person's perception of reality: seeing the world as a far more benign place than it actually is, and seeing the self as more able, more competent, than is truly the case. This kind of distortion can be very crippling for the person in motion, giving a false picture of accomplishment that makes the inevitable jolts later on bruising and injurious.
I know your B comes as a jolt. Not enough to make you break your stride, I hope. I also hope our perceptions of the course mesh well enough so that the grade seems fair to you. Most of all, I hope that what I've said helps you to understand the limitations of any grade as a measure of who you are and what you can do. It's a symbol, a mark on a piece of paper. Nothing more.
Years ago, our high school principal wrote, as was customary then, a short message to the graduating class for the school yearbook. She was a formidable woman: white-haired, gimleteyed, quiet and precise in her manner. Her message to us was: I believe the class of 1994 will go forward, and as they go forward, achieve.
Not a bad message, I've always felt. Hopeful, encouraging; but qualified just enough to let us know we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously (the "I believe" is certainly less fulsome than "I am sure"). A good way of wishing us all luck in the years to come. May you have your fair share of it as you move along. And may you find strength somewhere to endure whatever disappointments come your way symbolic and actual.
31."The natural human bond" in (Para. 1) refers to .
A.drawbacks B. lot C.grieves D. ambition
32.According to the author, which of the following is not the virtues of the current society?
A.Material success. B.Celebrity status.
C.Security and reassurance. D.Academic success.
33.According to the author, changing a student's grade from B to A ultimately .
A.brighten his life B.assuages his disappointment
C.attains academic success D.distorts his outlook
34.The high school principle's message to the 1994 graduating class is .
A.like the principle herself, formidable
B.complimentary
C.appropriate and encouraging
D.symbolic
35.The word"ambivalent"(Para. 2) is closest in meaning to .
A.ambitious B.at a loss C.critical D.mad
