Some people who find themselves unable to solve a problem react by just giving up. But it is not good to escape from problems by giving up or by making excuses for failures. You may be sure that all young people go through the same difficult process that you are going through: meeting new situations, developing new skills, and testing their abilities.

       If you are unhappy about something, face it. Try to state the problem in a few words, so that you will know exactly what you are up against. Then see if you can “put your finger” on the cause of your unhappiness.

       In many cases, we only “think”there is no solution to a particular problem. But often we can overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack.

For example, a boy wanted to be a debater (辯論家). When he tried out for the debating team as a freshman, the coach thought he was hopeless. He was shy; he had a high-pitched voice; and his posture（體態(tài)）was poor. Although he was given little hope of success, he took advantage of every opportunity to debate. He studied successful speakers and sized up(估計(jì)...的大小) his own weaknesses and assets. Then he spent many hours learning all the facts on the topics for debate, and worked at developing good posture and at speaking clearly. By his junior year, he made the school debating team, and in his senior year he was on the winning team in his state. He achieved his goal because he had made a direct attack upon his problem.

Although direct attack is often the best way to meet problems, we have to be realistic in judging situations. Sometimes it is necessary to change either the tactics（策略）or the goal.

A boy who wants to be a great football player may be too light and not quite fast enough for football. In this situation, becoming a great football player may be an unreasonable goal for him. However, he may become outstanding in tennis or golf, and satisfy his desire to take part in sports.

A girl who has plain features may decide that she cannot win popularity with her face, and so she may try to develop an interesting personality, which eventually will get her much further. In this situation, she must change her method of achieving her goal.

So, although direct attack is often the best way to handle problems, it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do.

1．What is the main idea discussed in the first paragraph?

    A．Giving up a puzzling problem.

B．Escaping from problems by making excuses for failures.

C．Going through the same difficult process.

D．Testing people’s abilities.

2．The underlined phrase“are up against”in the second paragraph could be best replaced by “_______.”

A．a(chǎn)re fond of          B．a(chǎn)re faced with   C．met with             D．looked at

3．By taking the example of the boy who wanted to be a debater, the author means _______.

    A．you are going through new situations, developing new skills, and testing their abilities

B．we can overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack

C．it is necessary to change either the tactics or the goal.

D．it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do

4．Which of the following is the topic sentence of the text?

A．It is not good to escape from problems by giving up or by making excuses for failures.

B．If you are unhappy about something, face it, and try to state the problem in a few words.

C．Although direct attack is often the best way to meet problems, we have to be realistic in judging situations.

D．Although direct attack is often the best way to handle problems, it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do.

Some people who find themselves unable to solve a problem react (反應(yīng)) by just giving up. But it is not good to escape from problems by giving up or by making excuses for failures. You may be sure that all young people go through the same difficult process that you are going through: meeting new situations, developing new skills, and testing their abilities.

If you are unhappy about something, face it. Try to state the problem in a few words, so that you will know exactly what you are up against. Then see if you can “put your finger” on the cause of your unhappiness.

In many cases, we only “think” there is no solution to a particular problem. But often we can overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack.

For example, a boy wanted to be a debater (辯論家). When he tried out for the debating team as a freshman, the coach thought he was hopeless. He was shy; he had a high-pitched voice; and his posture (體態(tài)) was poor. Although he was given little hope of success, he took advantage of every opportunity to debate. He studied successful speakers and sized up his own weaknesses and assets. Then he spent many hours learning all the facts on the topics for debate, and worked at developing good posture and at speaking clearly. By his junior year, he made the school debating team, and in his senior year he was on the winning team in his state. He achieved his goal because he had made a direct attack upon his problem.

Although direct attack is often the best way to meet problems, we have to be realistic in judging situations. Sometimes it is necessary to change the tactics (策略) or the goal .

A girl who has plain features may decide that she cannot win popularity with her face, and so she may try to develop an interesting personality, which eventually will get her much further. In this situation, she must change her method of achieving her goal.

So, although direct attack is often the best way to handle problems, it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do.

60. What is the main idea discussed in the first paragraph?

   A. Giving up a puzzling problem.

B. Escaping from problems by making excuses for failures.

   C. Going through the same difficult process.   D. Testing people’s abilities.

61. The phrase “are up against” in the second paragraph could best be replaced by _______.

   A. are fond of          B. are faced with      C. met with            D. looked at

62. By taking example from the boy who wanted to be a debater, the author means ________.

   A. you are going through new situations, developing new skills, and testing their abilities

   B. we can overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack

   C. it is necessary to change either the tactics or the goal

   D. it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do

63. Which of the following is the topic sentence of the text?

   A. It is not good to escape from problems by giving up or by making excuses for failures.

   B. If you are unhappy about something, face it, and try to state the problem in a few words.

   C. Although direct attack is often the best way to meet problems, we have to be realistic in judging situations.

   D. Although direct attack is often the best way to handle problems, it is important to study the situation and make a wise decision about what to do.

Do you ever run out of great books to read? So what should I read next? Is fast-paced crime fiction your thing?

Try the new Patricia Cornwell book, Scarpetta （Putnam）. She is such an able writer and handles complex forensic（法庭的） intelligence with ease. You need to be prepared, though, for the world you're entering—this isn't for the faint of heart, let's say.

If peace is more your thing, try Mary Pipher's wonderful new book, Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World （Riverhead）. Mary is a lovely, comfortable writer who takes the reader through her personal awakening after reputation and fortune came her way. Even if you've never experienced life as a bestselling writer （as she has done, in her book years back, Reviving Ophelia）, you'll totally understand and sympathize with her renewed need for privacy, distance and quiet.

What if you want a straightforward, totally thrilling read with vivid characters, set about World War II? You cannot go wrong with Jim Lehrer's new novel, Oh, Johnny （Random House）, about a young Marine whose life is changed forever when he meets a woman on his way to war. His relationship with her lasts him through danger and hardship, and there's an impressive ending. See our interview with the productive novelist/newsman in the current issue of Reader's Digest （March, on stands now）, by the way, for insight into the very talented Mr. Lehrer and what interests him.

Well, what about something wickedly funny and totally offbeat? Does the name Carrie Fisher do anything for you? Try her vivid and new life in Hollywood and elsewhere, Wishful Drinking （Simon & Schuster）. Be prepared for humor as sharp as knives.

What does the writer want to tell us by the underlined sentence?

A. The world is complex and hard.           B. Scarpetta is a thriller.

C. The fiction is hard to understand.     D. Society is hard to fit into.

Which of the following is true of Mary Pipher?

A. She is an adventurous writer.    B. She doesn’t care about fortune.

C. Her books normally sell well.   D. She can help you achieve writing skills. 

To get further information about Jim Lehrer, you may________.

A. go to Reader’s Digest issued in March     B. go to Random House

C. analyze the characters in Oh, Johnny     D. read the novel Oh, Johnny

Which book isn’t directly based on the writer’s own life?__________________

A. Seeking Peace.             B. Reviving Ophelia.

C. Wishful Drinking.            D. Oh, Johnny.