Directions: in this section, you will hear a
passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should
listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second
time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the
exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are
required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either
use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your
own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should
cheek what you have written.
Personality is to a large extent inherent - A-type parents
usually bring about A-type (36) . But the environment must
also have a (37) effect, since if competition is important
to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their
children. One place where children (38) up
A-characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive
institution. Too many schools (39) the ’win at all costs’
moral standard and (40) their success by sporting
achievements. The current (41) 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 too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that
Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, (42) dead seconds
after saying "Rejoice, we conquer!" By tar the worst form of
competition in schools is the disproportionate (43) on
examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those
things they do well. (44) . Obviously, it is
neither practical nor desirable that all A-youngsters change into B’s.
(45) .It is top management. If the
preoccupation of schools with academic work was lessened, more time might be
spent teaching children surer values. (46) . It is surely a
mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A-type stock. B’s are important
and should be encouraged.