A (2020·天津卷·D)
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 than 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 only the calm and 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. Now 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.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇议论文，经过多年对人性的观察，作者认为有两个品质造成了有成就的人和平庸的人之间的差异——好奇心和不满足。作者通过讲事实、摆道理等来论证自己的观点，并介绍了如何重获好奇心和不满足。
1．In writing Paragraph 1，the author aims to ________.
A．propose a definition
B．make a comparison
C．reach a conclusion
D．present an argument
D [写作意图题。作者在第一段抛出观点“人的好奇心和不满足造成了有成就的人和平庸的人之间的差异”，下文围绕该观点展开，作者通过讲事实、摆道理等来论证自己的观点，所以作者写第一段是为了提出论点。]
2．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.
D [推理判断题。根据题干中的Galileo可定位到第二段。根据该段内容可知，好奇心和不满足这些驱策力比有抱负重要得多，像伽利略一样，历史上所有的杰出的名人都有好奇心，并不满足地追寻原因，由此可知，作者举伽利略的例子是为了告诉我们伟大来自持久的探索欲望。故选择D项。]
3．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.
B [细节理解题。根据第四段内容可知，我们不再问问题，不再挑战习俗，只是随大流。从相反的角度讲，我们要重新获得好奇心和不满足就应该培养问问题的头脑。所以选择B项。]
4．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.
C [细节理解题。根据第七段中的“You haven't any special ability？...who get things done.”可知，作者针对缺乏特殊才能、无时间的理由一一反驳，由此可知，缺少天赋和时间不是不采取行动的理由。故选择C项。]
5．What could be the best title for the passage?
A．Curious Minds Never Feel Contented
B．Reflections on Human Nature
C．The Keys to Achievement
D．Never Too Late to Learn
C [主旨大意题。作者在第一段抛出观点“人的好奇心和不满足造成了有成就的人和平庸的人之间的差异”，下文围绕该观点展开，作者通过讲事实、摆道理等来论证自己的观点，并介绍了如何重获好奇心和不满足。所以C项“成就的秘诀”最适合作文章标题。]
