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问题详情：

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 (驱策力) count for much more that 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 (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. And the crowd desires restful average. It encourages us to occupy our own little corner, to avoid foolish leaps into the dark, to be satisfied.

Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.

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. How 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.

51. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.

A. propose a definition

B. make a comparison

C. reach a conclusion

D. present an argument

52. What does the example of Galileo tell us?

A. Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.

B. Scientists tend to be curious and ambitious.

C. Creativity results from challenging authority.

D. Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.

53. What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent?

A. Observe the unknown around you.

B. Develop a questioning mind.

C. Lead a life of adventure.

D. Follow the fashion.

54. What can we learn from Paragraphs 6 and 7?

A. Gaining success helps you become an expert.

B. The genius tends to get things done creatively.

C. Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action.

D. You should remain modest when approaching perfection.

55. What could be the best tile or the passage?

A. Curious Minds Never Feel Contented

B. Reflections on Human Nature

C. The Keys to Achievement

D. Never Too Late to Learn

【回答】

51. D    52. D    53. B    54. C    55. C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文。文章论述了获得成就的两个关键因素——好奇心和不满足。

【51题详解】

推理判断题。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. 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.可知，作者经过多年对人*的观察，认为成就非凡的人和平庸的人的区别在于好奇心和不满足，而且两者是相辅相成的。由此推知，作者写第一段的目的是提出一个论点。故选D。

【52题详解】

推理判断题。根据第二段中的Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, “Why? Why? Why?”可知，像伽利略一样，历史上所有的伟人都感到好奇，并不满地问：“为什么？为什么？为什么？”由此推知，伽利略的例子告诉我们，伟大来自于持久的探索欲望。故选D。

【53题详解】

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?”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.可知，历史上所有的伟人都感到好奇，并不满地问：“为什么？为什么？为什么？”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，你可以通过培养了一个善于提问的头脑，来重新获得好奇心和不满。故选B。

【54题详解】

推理判断题。根据第六段中的How she is one of the experts, writing books on flower arrangement.及第七段中的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.以及列举了Thomas Costain在57岁时出版了他的第一部小说，Grandma Moses在78岁时展示了她的第一批照片。由此可知，这两段想告诉我们“缺乏天赋和时间不是不采取行动的理由”。故选C。

【55题详解】

主旨大意题。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. 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.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，C项The Keys to Achievement(成就的关键)适合做本文最佳标题。故选C。

知识点：人生百味类阅读

题型：阅读理解