Question

Make Up Your Mind to Succeed

Kind-hearted parents have unknowingly left their children defenseless against failure. The generation born between 1980 and 2001 grew up playing sports where scores and performance were played down because “everyone’s a winner.” And their report cards sounded more positive than ever before. As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”

Dweck has been studying how people deal with failure for 40 years. Her research has led her to find out two clearly different mind-sets that have a great effect on how we react to it. Here’s how they work:

A fixed mind-set is grounded in the belief that talent is genetic – you’re a born artist, point guard, or numbers person. The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, it’s quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.

On the other hand, a growth mind-set believes that no talent is entirely heaven-sent and that effort and learning make everything possible. Because the ego (自尊) isn’t on the line as much, the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.

We are all born with growth mind-sets. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to live in the world.) But parents, teachers, and instructors often push us into fixed mind-sets by encouraging certain actions and misdirecting praise. Dweck’s book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, and online instructional program explain this in depth. But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.

1.What does the author think about the present generation?

A. They don’t do well at school.

B. They are often misunderstood.

C. They are eager to win in sports.

D. They are given too much praise.

2.A fixed mind-set person is probably one who __________ .

A. doesn’t want to work hard

B. cares a lot about personal safety

C. cannot share his ideas with others

D. can succeed with the help of teachers

3.What does the growth mind-set believe?

A. Admitting failure is shameful.

B. Talent comes with one’s birth.

C. Scores should be highly valued.

D. Getting over difficulties is enjoyable.

4.What should parents do for their children based on Dweck’s study?

A. Encourage them to learn from failures.

B. Prevent them from making mistakes.

C. Guide them in doing little things.

D. Help them grow with praise.

Answer 1